Gymnastics Apparatus Overview

Ribbon Routine Requirements

• A complete ribbon routine must include a throw and catch, swings, circles, and figures of eight.
• The ribbon must be held in both hands at the beginning of the routine.

Apparatus For High-Flying Moves

• The high bar is used for high-flying release moves and dismounts.

Floor Routine Evaluation

• Judges evaluate the following objectives during a floor routine:
  • artistic expression
  • difficulty of the routine
  • execution of the routine

Floor Routine Duration

• The maximum duration of a floor routine in rhythmic gymnastics is 1 minute 30 seconds.

Pommel Horse Movements

• Only the hands and forearms are allowed to touch the pommel horse during routines.

Uneven Bars Essentials

• A gymnast needs strength, flexibility, and coordination to successfully perform on the uneven bars.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Performance Categories

• The five performance categories in rhythmic gymnastics are rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon.
• There are no other categories.

Pommel Horse Routine Evaluation

• Judges focus on the following key elements during a pommel horse routine:
  • pivots
  • transitions
  • mounts
  • dismounts

Balance Beam Routine Expectations

• A gymnast performing on the balance beam must demonstrate balance and control, as well as performing acrobatics and dance.

Apparatus with Running Start

• The vault involves a running start followed by a jump off a springboard.

Wand Holding Positions

• The following are basic positions for holding wands:

  • vertical
  • horizontal
  • diagonal
  • sideways

• The position of the wand being held in one hand, with the other hand supporting the end of it, is NOT a basic position.

Vault Scoring

• The difficulty of the vault routine is one of the key factors that impacts scoring.

Gymnastics Apparatus

• Gymnastics apparatus refers to the equipment used in gymnastics.

Ribbon Exercise Elements

• Ribbon exercises typically include the following elements:

  • swings
  • circles
  • figure eights
  • throws and catches

• The ribbon is typically not used to create spirals.

Balance Beam Routine Skills

• A common skill performed in balance beam routines is the handstand.

Vault Event Evaluation

• Judges look for the following aspects in the vault event:
  • dynamic entry to the vault
  • execution of the vault
  • landing

Ribbon Exercise Evaluation

• The primary focus of judges when evaluating the ribbon exercise is the artistic expression, difficulty, and execution of the routine.

Still Rings Control

• Strength and control are essential for maintaining control during maneuvers on the still rings.

Pommel Horse Pivot Types

• A gymnast must incorporate the following types of pivots into their pommel horse routine:
  • half pivots
  • full pivots
  • double pivots

Parallel Bars Evaluation

• Judges look for the following during a performance on the parallel bars:
  • smooth transitions
  • strength and fluidity
  • variety of skills

Still Rings Score Reduction

• The following actions should be avoided to prevent lower scores while performing on the still rings:
  • flailing or losing control
  • touching the body with the rings
  • performing movements with insufficient strength

Vertical Spiral Characteristics

• A key characteristic of a vertical spiral is the body being extended and the torso being aligned with the arms and legs.

Ribbon Routine on High Bar

• A gymnast performing a ribbon routine on the high bar must have strong arms and a well-developed sense of coordination.

Horizontal Bar Routine Elements

• Gymnasts demonstrate the following elements in the horizontal bar competition:
  • swings
  • releases
  • handstands
  • dismounts

Ribbon Routine Formation

• A ribbon routine must include the figures of eight formation.

Pommel Horse Pivot Preparation

• Before starting a pivot on the pommel horse, a gymnast should ensure that their hands are positioned correctly on the horse, and that they are ready to rotate their body.

Ribbon Ground Contact

• If the ribbon touches the ground during a routine, points are deducted.

High Bar Essential Skill

• A gymnast must demonstrate the ability to perform swings on the high bar.

Ribbon Throw and Catch

• During a ribbon routine, a throw and catch is a skill that involves the gymnast throwing the ribbon into the air and catching it.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Music

• The music used in rhythmic gymnastics routines is generally upbeat and rhythmic, and should match the movements of the gymnast.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Movements

• Rhythmic gymnastics combines dance, rhythmic movements, and acrobatic elements.

Ribbon Spiral Movement

• To create a spiral with the ribbon, the gymnast must extend their arm and hold the ribbon in a tight line.

Ribbon Grasping Arm

• The gymnast should ensure that their grasping arm is extended and steady while performing ribbon routines.

Gymnastics Exercise Formation

• The formation that is NOT recommended for presenting gymnastics exercises is the line formation.

Ribbon Swing Shape

• The ribbon should form a circle during swings.

Ribbon Circles Step

• To complete the circles step in ribbon routines, the gymnast must circle the ribbon around their body.

Ball Handling Positions

• The following are basic positions for handling the ball:

  • one-handed
  • two-handed
  • on the back

• The position of the ball being held in one hand with the other hand used to stabilize the ball is NOT a basic position.

Ribbon Figure Eight Movement

• During the figures of eight with the ribbon, the gymnast's arm should be extended and positioned parallel to the ground.

Ribbon Swing Combinations

• The following movements can be combined with swings of the ribbon:
  • circles
  • figure eights
  • throws and catches

Ribbon Routine Requirement

• A critical requirement for the ribbon during any routine is that it must remain taut, or stretched, throughout the entire routine.

Explore the essential gymnastics apparatus used in competitive events such as balance beam and vault. Learn about the routines, judging criteria, and different body positions used by gymnasts. This quiz covers various apparatus including uneven bars, pommel horses, and more.