Rhythmic Gymnastics

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In rhythmic gymnastics, the athletes perform with equipment instead of on equipment. Gymnasts perform jumps, tosses, leaps and other moves with different types of apparatus, and are judged much more on their grace, dance ability, and coordination than their power or tumbling prowess.
 

Athletic Requirements

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Top rhythmic gymnasts must have many qualities: balance, flexibility, coordination and strength are some of the most important. They also must possess psychological attributes such as the ability to compete under intense pressure and the discipline and work ethic to practice the same skills over and over again.

 

Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus

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Rhythmic gymnasts compete with five different types of apparatus:

1. Rope

2. Hoop 

3. Ball

4. Clubs

5. Ribbon

Free floor exercise is also an event in the lower levels of competition.

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Competition

 

Olympic competition consists of:

•         Individual All-Around: An athlete competes on four of the five events (every two years, one apparatus is rotated out for that time period) and the total score is added. 

•         Group: Five gymnasts compete with two different routines. In one routine, all of the athletes use the same piece of apparatus. In the second routine, the gymnasts use two different pieces of equipment (e.g. three gymnasts will use ball and two gymnasts will use hoop). One score is given for each routine, and the two are combined for a total score in the “group all-around.”

        

Scoring

Rhythmic gymnastics has a top score of 20.0 for each event:

•         The Execution Score (E): Starts at a 10.0 and deductions are taken for technical faults (such as catching the apparatus incorrectly or losing the apparatus) 

•         The Final Composition Score (A+D divided by 2): The Artistic Score (A) has a maximum of 10.0 and is based on the music and choreography. The Difficulty Score (D) starts at 0 and builds to a maximum of 10.0 depending on the skills performed.

What makes a good routine...

Though the Code of Points can be complicated, spectators can still identify great routines without knowing every nuance of the Code. When watching a routine, be sure to look for:

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•         Good Form and Execution: In elements such as leaps and jumps, a gymnast's toes should be pointed, her legs should be straight and she should maintain a tightness in her body. Each skill should look planned.

•        Control of the Apparatus: The gymnast should keep her equipment moving, and should look as if she has complete control of it. Dropping the apparatus is a deduction. If the equipment rolls away or off the floor, more penalties are incurred. 

•         Flexibility: Rhythmic gymnasts should achieve a minimum of an 180-degree split on split leaps and jumps, and oftentimes they go much further (see image above). A great rhythmic gymnast will exhibit flexibility in her back, legs, and shoulders. 

•         Choreography: The intricacies of movement are very important in rhythmic gymnastics. Each routine should be a performance – and the gymnast’s music should be an important part of the routine, not simply used as background music. 

•         The Uniqueness: A great gymnast will perform a routine that looks different from the rest. It will have something special about it – risky throws and catches, complicated choreography, extreme flexibility or skills that are simply unique from others performed in the competition.