We're continuing our series on the U.S. National Team's best execution scores with the balance beam. In case you missed it, check out our summary and rankings of the best E-scores on vault and the best E-scores on bars.

On beam, wobbles and balance checks are always noticed by judges, and deductions can add up fast. In addition to keeping toes pointed and avoiding bent knees, a gymnast must showcase rhythm, good artistry and performance to keep her E-score high. Judges will deduct for insufficient variation in rhythm and tempo in movements, and they can also reduce scores if they feel the routine does not flow properly.

Below, we summarized our top five execution scores from U.S. National Team members over the past year.

5. TIE - Aly Raisman & Alyssa Baumann

Both gymnasts hit an 8.85 as their highest execution in the past year, but it's worth recognizing that Raisman competed much more than Baumann did this year (five to two), and her overall average execution is higher. However, when Baumann nails her routine, she displays some of the most beautiful gymnastics out there. She performs tough acrobatic elements, but also does very well with her dance elements, particularly the 180 split on her leaps. Check out her routine from the first day of Nationals in 2015:




Raisman also boasts one of the top D-scores on the U.S. National Team, and beam is definitely one of her strongest events. Raisman displays a lot of confidence in her routine, so her balance checks are usually minimal. It's encouraging that her high E-score, 8.85, actually came on the international stage at Jesolo in March. Check out her routine below:

4. Ragan Smith

Known for her work on beam, Smith owns one of the highest difficulty levels on the team, and performs all of her tough skills with excellent form. Smith's highest E-score also came on the international stage at Jesolo, where she scored an 8.9. She's been super consistent, and scored an 8.8 at both Junior Nationals in 2015 and the recent Pacific Rim Championships. Although it's her first year as a senior, she's shown a huge amount of confidence on beam and rarely wobbles. Check out her routine below from Jesolo.

3. Jazmyn Foberg

Former Junior National champion Foberg of MG Elite became a senior this year, but has been sidelined with an injury. She was a stellar competitor in her junior days and showed excellent form on all of her events. Although she does not have the highest difficulty on beam, she has some of the strongest execution. She performs her routine slowly and calmly, but with good rhythm and ease, and she gives very little away in her dance and acrobatic elements. Check out her routine from Junior Nationals last year, where she scored a 9.0 in execution.

2. Laurie Hernandez

Another new senior this year, Laurie Hernandez has shown grace and confidence on beam and can be relied on as a top scorer. She's been consistent on the international stage this year, and scored an 8.9 at Jesolo and an 8.85 at Pacific Rim Championships. Her highest E-score came at Junior Nationals last year, where she put up a 9.0. Hernandez also has one of the highest D-scores at 6.4 and a great combination of tough acrobatic skills and difficult dance elements. She is so precise in every movement that it leaves little room for deductions. Check out her routine below from Pacific Rims:

1. Simone Biles

Once again, Simone Biles takes our top spot for execution on beam. Not only does she have the highest D-score out of the Americans, but she performs all of her elements with near-perfect execution. Biles has gained a lot of confidence in this event over the past year, and this is evidenced in her E-scores. At Classics a year ago, she scored an 8.55 in execution. At the recent Pacific Rim Championships, she was at a 9.05, which is huge for an international competition. One of her scores at Worlds, an even bigger international competition, was an 8.958. Check out Biles' routine below from the Pacific Rim Championships, which is arguably one of the best routines she's ever performed to date.




Related:
In Top Form: The Best Execution on Vault
In Top Form: The Best Execution on Bars
Understanding the E-score in Elite Gymnastics: Balance Beam
The Best on Bars: Top U.S. D-Scores
The U.S. Beamers: The Top D-Scores
The Best on the Floor: The Top D-Scores