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Girls Gymnastics
Female gymnasts are categorized by Levels.
Levels 2-6 are the compulsory levels where all gymnasts
perform the same routines.
Levels 7-Elite are the optional levels in which each
gymnasts perform individually designed routines.
Female Gymnasts compete in 4 events:
Vault, Bars, Beam,
and Floor.
VAULT
Vaults in women's gymnastics are grouped into four categories and can
be performed in different body positions, such as tucked, piked or
stretched. The groups are:
1. Forward approach vaults without a flip
2. Forward approach vaults with a flip in post-flight
3. Vaults with a ½ turn onto the horse and a flip in post-flight
4. Vaults (with or without flips) from a round-off onto the springboard.
A successful vault begins with a strong, accelerated run. The best
vaulters explode off the board, raising their feet up over their head with
tremendous quickness during the preflight phase of the vault from the
springboard to contact with the horse. During the support phase (when the
gymnast pushes off the horse) the judges are looking for proper body,
shoulder and hand position and an instantaneous repulsion.
The second flight phase and the landing are critical areas. Watch for
the height and distance traveled, as well as the number of saltos and
twists. In addition, gymnasts must "stick" their landing, by taking no
extra steps. Usually the more saltos and twists, the higher the difficulty
value of the vault.
The vaulting horse stands 120 cm tall and is 35 cm wide by 160 cm long.
The runway is 1 m wide and a maximum of 25 m long. All mats surrounding
the women's apparatus are 12 cm thick.
UNEVEN BARS
The uneven bars, demands strength as well as concentration, courage,
coordination, precision and split-second timing. Watch for the big swings
that begin in handstands on the high bar, incorporating multiple hand
changes, pirouettes and release elements.
The routine must move from the low bar to the high bar, incorporating
many grip changes, releases and re-grasps, flight elements, changes of
direction, saltos and circle swings through the handstand position.
The entire routine should flow from one movement to the next without
pauses, extra swings or additional supports. Each routine must have two
release elements.
The low bar can be adjusted to between 148 plus or minus 3 cm tall
while the high bar must be between 228 plus or minus 3 cm tall. The bars
can be adjusted to a maximum of 150 cm apart from each other.
BALANCE BEAM
The beam routine must last between 70 and 90 seconds and cover the
entire length of the beam. The gymnast must use acrobatic, gymnastics and
dance movements to create high points, or peaks in the exercise,
consisting of two or more elements performed in a series. An example of an
acrobatic series is a cartwheel into a back handspring into a back salto.
A gymnastics series might consist of a turn, followed by a split jump.
There are seven few special requirements on the balance beam: one
acrobatic series including at least two flight elements; a turn on one leg
of at least 360 degrees; a large gymnastics leap or jump with great
amplitude; one gymnastics/acrobatics series; one gymnastics series; an
element close to the beam, and a dismount with a minimum of a "B" value
for team competition, "C" value for all-around competition, and "D" value
for event finals. If any of these are missing, a deduction of 0.20 is
taken
The overall execution should give the impression that the gymnast is
performing on a floor, not on a strip four inches wide. Watch for
variations in rhythm, changes in level (from sitting on the beam to
sailing high above it), and the harmonious blend of gymnastics and
acrobatic elements.
The balance beam stands 120 cm high. It is 10 cm wide and 500 cm long.
FLOOR ROUTINE
The floor routine must be choreographed to music, lasting between 70
and 90 seconds and covering the entire floor area. The gymnast must use
acrobatic and gymnastics elements to create high points in the exercise.
These include two acrobatic series, one with at least two or more saltos
in different directions; an acrobatic-gymnastics series; and a gymnastics
series. Throughout, the gymnast must harmoniously blend these elements
while making versatile use of floor space changing both the direction and
level of movement.
The quality of grace may be disguised by movements of playful
theatrics, but look for a dancer-like command of music, rhythm and space.
The gymnastics elements should flow freely into each other while the leaps
cover impressive distances and the pirouettes and turns add excitement to
the music.
The area of the floor exercise is 40 feet by 40 feet.
Source: www.usa-gymnastics.org/gymnastics/apparatus/women.html
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