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Boys Gymnastics
Male gymnasts are categorized by classes.
Levels 4, 5, and 6 are the compulsory levels where all
gymnasts perform the same routine. Level 4 is the first competitive
level that a gymnast will compete.
Levels 7, 8, 9, and 10 are the optional levels in
which each gymnast perform individually designed routines.
Male Gymnasts compete in six events:
Floor, Pommel
Horse, Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar.
FLOOR The
entire floor area must be used during the exercise, which consists
primarily of tumbling passes performed in different directions. Acrobatic
(tumbling) series must be performed, including at least one forward and
one backward, all of which cannot be repeated more than one time during
the entire routine. There must also be a balance element on one leg or one
arm held for two seconds with a minimum of "B" value. Transitional skills,
gymnastics movements performed in between tumbling and acrobatic passes,
should be executed with proper rhythm and harmony. The exercise must last
between 50 to 70 seconds.
Today's floor exercise routines consists of dynamic tumbling skills
that only a few years ago were performed solely on the trampoline. The
best gymnasts will incorporate tumbling passes with substantial
difficulty, performing multiple twisting and flipping saltos at the end of
their routines.
The area of the floor exercise mat is 40 feet by 40 feet.
POMMEL HORSE
Considered by many to be the most difficult of all men's gymnastics
events, the pommel hourse is also the most subtle. Imagine using the
muscles used to hoist yourself up on the kitchen counter, and you'll get
the idea of why this event is so tough.
The gymnast must perform an element of value on both ends of the horse,
while executing continuous circular movements interrupted ony by the
required scissors elements. Swinging through the handstand position, with
or without turns are allowed. The only part of the body which should touch
the apparatus is the hands. The entire exercise should flow with steady,
contrilled rhythm. Each move is defined by complex hand placements like
skills, which require at least three hand placements on one pommel,
another requirement on this event.
The difficulty stems from two factors. First, the gymnasts is
performing moves that are dominantly done in a circular movement in a
horizontal plane. Second, he spends most of each routine on only one arm,
as the free hand reaches for another pommel or part of the horse to begin
the next skill.
The pommel horse stands 115 cm tall, and the horse itself is 35cm wide
by 160cm long. The pommels must be between 40 to 45 cm apart.
Look for a long series of moves with the hands reaching behind the
back. The hand placements should be quick, quiet and rhythmic.
RINGS
The rings are the least stable of the men's apparatus. Stillness and
proper body position while performing strength elements is paramount, and
those with the best command of the event will display extradordinary skill
in arriving at all holds with absolute precision. The rings should remain
absolutely still and in control at the end of each skill. The body should
be straight with no arching, and arms should be sturdy and strong with no
shaking.
The still rings routine must include at least two handstands-one
executed with front swing, the other through back swing. At least one
element of strength must be held for two seconds.
Examples of strength elements include a cross, an inverted cross or a
planche. A cross is performed in a straight body or L position with the
body perpendicular to the floor and arms stretched perpendicular to the
body, while an inverted cross is executed in an inverted handstand
position with arms stretched perpendicular to the body. A planche is a
straight body position parallel to the floor above the rings. The rings
must remain still throughout the routine. Deductions will be taken for
unnecessary swings and instability of all positions.
Today many gymnasts combine strength to swing elements and the reverse
for combination bonus points and to achieve the maximum start value for
their routine.
The rings are the least stable of the men's apparatus. Stillness and
proper body position while performing strength elements is paramount, and
those with the best command of the event will display extraordinary skill
in arriving at all holds with absolute precision. The rings should be
absolutely still and in control at the end of each skill. The body should
be straight with no arching, and arms should be sturdy and strong with no
shaking.
Look for confidence in the strength elements. The gymnast should move
directly into the proper position when performing his cross or planche
with control, stop securely for a clear two seconds, and then move easily
into the next part. During the swinging elements, watch for stretched body
positions and straight handstands.
The rings tower on which the rings are supported stands 575 cm tall.
The cable and straps to which the rings are attached are 300 cm long and
50 cm apart. The mats around the still rings, vault and horizontal bar are
18 to 20 cm thick.
VAULT
Quick, explosive and dramatic.
Each individual vault has been assigned its own start value, based on
the vault's complexity.
During the pre-flight from the springboard to the horse, the gymnast
must demonstrate a rise in the height of his body after pushing off of the
horse, travel the minimum distance (2.5 m) and not deviate from the
extended axis of the horse. The landing should be firm, without extra
steps, and in line with the horse, springboard and runway.
The men's vault stands 135 cm tall. It is 35 cm wide by 160 cm long.
The runway is 1 m wide and a maximum of 25m long.
A good vault is sometimes described as a "big" vault. The height, the
distance of travel (even though bonus points are no longer awarded for
exceptional distance), the overall acceleration into the vault, and the
sudden impact of a no-step, stuck landing all create a good impression for
the judges.
PARALLEL BARS
A parallel bar routine consists of predominantly swing and flight
elements. Strength parts may be used, although they are not required and
the gymnast should make sure that there are no more than three stops or
hold parts during the routine. The gymnast is required to execute two
swinging elements, one in support and one from a hang. The gymnast is also
required to perform a skill in which both hands release and regrasp the
bars, commonly referred to as a release move.
Although not a requirement, some of the better gymnast move outside the
two rails, performing handstands and kips on only one bar. When well
executed, these movements mark a good performance. The most difficult
skills require the gymnast to lose sight of the bars for a moment, as in
double front and back saltos. The more of these skills performed in
succession (but not repeating a skill more than one time), the more
challenging the routine and more bonus points will be given.
The parallel bars stand 195 cm high. Each bar is 350 cm long, and the
two bars can be adjusted to between 42 and 52 cm apart.
Parallel Bars are Difficult Because: It requires a great deal of
hand-eye coordination, timing and balance. Many skills require
coordinating execution with the flex of the bars. Losing sight of the bars
makes it very difficult to re-grasp the bars and continue into the next
swing skill.
HORIZONTAL BARS
The most crowd-pleasing and spectacular of all the events, the
horizontal bar consists of swings, release moves and high-flying
dismounts.
Routines should contain of swinging parts without stops. The parts are
generally call giant swings, with more specific terms applying to changes
in grip, direction and body position.
The gymnast is required to execute at least one move in which he
releases and regrasps the bar (release move), and to perform at least one
element passing through the lower vertical with both hands in el-grip or
in a rearways hang; a dorsal hang position used in inverted and German
giant swings or with an eagle grip in which the wrists are rolled outward
until the thumbs are on the outside of the grip, pointing away from each
other.
The gymnast is also required to perform an in-bar skill like a stalder
circle. The higher level routine will have multiple release moves.
Gymnasts receive bonus points for connecting higher level difficulty
skills. Look for high flying dismounts with multiple somersaults and
twists.
Standing 275 cm tall, the horizontal bar is 240 cm long and 2.8 cm in
diameter. The horizontal bar is commonly referred to as the high bar.
Source: www.usa-gymnastics.org/gymnastics/apparatus/men.html
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