The Balance Beam is the most demanding artistic gymnastics event for women. It takes a lot of guts to take the gymnast high over the beam, but it also takes a lot of coordination to accomplish these movements and yet land accurately on the 4" wide beam. The risk of injury during this event is very high - anything from a mild concussion to a broken bone can happen when someone misses a beam move or falls off the beam. The best way to describe the Balance Beam is as a giant trampoline. The gymnast starts out on the floor, springs up, and must keep her body straight while in the air to avoid falling back down. If she falls, she has to start all over again. The Balance Beam is designed to test both mental and physical strength as well as control of body weight as athletes try not to fall by using their mind and muscles to stay upright. As with all events you should never be afraid to ask for help if you are not sure what you are doing. A coach or trainer who has seen many competitions can give you helpful advice about what skills are important to success in this event. The Balance Beam is difficult because you need to use your entire body to perform certain moves. Your arms and legs must work together to keep your body balanced while you are in the air.