Applicable to Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Beam and Floor only
Definition: A foot position with one foot in front of the other and both heels lifted to stand on high toe (releve). The feet are as close as possible allowing for different body structures with the ankles turned out and the heels pressed forward with the inner thighs turned out and pressed together.
Explanation: If a gymnast does not perform lock stands to the fullest extension, the general deduction of up to -0.3 for relaxed/incorrect footwork can be applied. This general deduction of incorrect footwork also includes flexed feet, sickled feet, and failure to show stepping in toe-ball-heel sequence and turn out.
In USAG Compulsory beam routines (Levels 1-5), lock stands are scripted in the choreography. It is important to know exactly where in routine these lock stands are choreographed as judges know to look for them and will apply a footwork deduction.