President Obama demonstrated a less-than-masterful command of gymnastics terminology when he attempted to commend the U.S. women's team for taking gold in the team competition.

"So I told these young ladies as I was congratulating them," Obama told a crowd at an event in Ohio Wednesday, "how do you not bust your head every time you're on that little balance beam?"

Obama reiterated his beam befuddlement on a call to gymnast Kyla Ross, saying, "I don't know how you do what you do, especially the balance beam." He also praised McKayla Maroney's vault, saying "way to nail that vault."

The president didn't bother coming up with specifics for Gabby Douglas. "You just tore it up," he said. "Keep at it. Stay cool."