Gymnastics has existed for more than 2,000 years, but its development as a competitive sport began a little more than 100 years ago. The sport requires strength, power, agility, dexterity and grace.
Women’s artistic gymnastics is composed of four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. In high-end competition, the winner of the all-around competition is determined by adding the gymnasts’ scores on each of the four events.
VAULT
Gymnasts perform complicated vaults in different body positions such as tucked, piked or stretched. The best vaulters are explosive off the springboard, as well as when she pushes off the table.
Judges watch for proper body alignment, form, quick repulsion, the height and distance traveled, as well as the number of saltos and twists. Generally, the more saltos and twists, the higher the difficulty value of the vault. In addition, gymnasts should “stick” their landings by taking no extra steps.
In Qualifying and Finals team competition and All-Around Finals, each gymnast performs one vault. In the Team Qualifying competition, any gymnast wishing to qualify to the Apparatus Finals on Vault must perform a second vault from another vault skills group. (This is only for FIG World Championships and Olympic Games). The score of the first vault counts toward the Team score; the vaults are averaged for the qualification to Vault Finals. In vault finals (individual event finals), the gymnast must perform two vaults from different vault groups. An average is determined from the two scores.
This event is difficult because:
Athletes must give not one, but two all-out efforts that must be successful. It is extremely difficult to perform two vaults that have high start values.
UNEVEN BARS
Often a crowd favorite, the uneven bars demand excellent upper-body strength, split-second timing and an aggressive approach.
The entire routine should flow from one movement to the next without pauses, extra swings or additional supports. The most daring parts of the routine are often in the high-flying release moves. Three release moves are required: one that goes from low bar to catch the high bar, one that goes from the high bar to catch the low bar, and a third that releases and catches the same bar. Several other complicated elements are required in the routine, including moving the gymnast’s center of gravity in toward the bar.
This event is difficult because:
It requires courage and precision to be able to release and re-grasp the small bars. It is difficult to achieve a 10.00 start value on bars as well. Perfect form, straight body lines in the vertical position and a stuck landing are essential to performing well.
BALANCE BEAM
Just four inches wide, the balance beam challenges gymnasts because they must execute routines that give the impression that they are performing on the floor. The world’s best seem to “attack” the beam and are very confident while demonstrating excellent height, flexibility and power.
The beam routine may not exceed 90 seconds and must cover the entire length of the beam. Gymnasts must use acrobatic 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 back handspring to a back salto. A gymnastics series might consist of a turn followed by a split jump.
Gymnasts also complete several requirements other than the acrobatic and gymnastics series. For example, she must complete a turn of at least 360 degrees on one foot or knee and she also perform a leap or jump with 180 degrees forward split of the legs. If a gymnast does not successfully complete one of the several requirements, a 0.2 deduction is taken.
This event is difficult because:
It takes courage and concentration to perform difficult tumbling and dance skills on the thin beam. Gymnasts often dread the event because a fall off the apparatus means a 0.5 deduction.
FLOOR EXERCISE
The Floor Exercise gives gymnasts the chance to express their personalities through their music choice and choreography. Gymnasts often get energy from the crowd and they usually welcome audience participation in clapping to the beat. Throughout the routine, 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 floor routine is choreographed to music, lasting no more than 90 seconds and covering the entire floor area. There are several special requirements, such as an acrobatic series with at least two saltos and one dance direct connection with a minimum of two leaps, each taking off of one leg.
This event is difficult because:
It requires beauty, strength, power and excellent stamina to continue at peak performance throughout the whole exercise. While the routine is no more than 90 seconds, athletes are challenged to maintain energy and excellence, which can sometimes be difficult when routines contain three, or even four, tumbling passes.
SCORING
Rules that govern gymnastics scoring are determined by the FIG. At major competitions, four to eight judges sit at each piece of apparatus. Two judges determine the start value based on difficulties, special requirements, and bonus met. The remaining judges deduct for execution and composition only. Each of the judges arrives at a score independently. The high and low scores are discarded while the remaining scores are averaged.
JUDGING
For each routine, the gymnast begins with less than a perfect score. For women, the competitor starts with a 9.00 while men start with an 8.60. Judges make deductions for flaws in execution and for any missing requirements in the composition of the exercise.
Links & Resources
Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG)
USA Gymnastics
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