Iron cross (gymnastics)

An iron cross, also known as a crucifix^[1] or cross,^[2] is a gymnastics skill on the rings in which the body is suspended upright while the arms are extended laterally, forming the shape of the Christian cross. It is a move that requires significant shoulder and bicep tendon strength.

Eleftherios Petrounias performs an iron cross during his gold medal routine at the 2016 Olympics

L cross

Maltese cross

Inverted cross

The International Gymnastics Federation Code of Points refers to the skill as a cross and lists it as a "B" difficulty value strength hold element.^[3][4]

Variants

Variations of the iron cross listed in the FIG Code of Points include:

• L cross (B difficulty): the cross is performed with the body held in an L-sit position.^[4]
• V cross (C difficulty): the cross is performed with the body in a tight piked position and the legs held vertically.^[4]
• Inverted cross (C difficulty): the cross is performed in an inverted (upside down) position.^[4]
• Maltese cross or swallow (D difficulty): the gymnast holds his body parallel to the ground at ring height with arms extended laterally.^[4]
• Victorian cross or inverted swallow (E difficulty): an inverted Maltese cross, with the body held parallel to the ground and facing up.^[4]

See also

• Calisthenics