Gymnastics Explained

Gymnastics... What is it?

Gymnastics is a sport that has been around since the beginning of time, although over the years it has evolved greatly. In the beginning, events such as the swinging rings and the rope climb were ever so popular. Today men's gymnastics is made up of six events. Each event requires different body parts to be working in different ways. Each event is judged individually and added up to complete the all-around score.

Judging

A panel of judges is in charge of judging each event, in NCAA Gymnastics, at duel, tri, and quad meets, each event has two judges, and the final score is an average of what each judge gives the gymnast. At larger meets, as well as national and international, a panel of four judges comes up with their scores, the lowest and the highest are thrown out and the two middle scores are averaged.

Team Score

In an NCAA Event, the team may have no more than 12 gymnast competing in a meet. Six gymnasts may compete each event, four out of the six scores will count to the team total. Gymnasts may compete as few as 1 event and as many as 6 events.

Floor Exercise

The floor mat is 40 feet x 40 feet, made up of springs, wood, and foam. The routine should last no longer than 1 minute and 10 seconds. The routines must consist of tumbling from corner to corner, up and down the sites, and show off the gymnast’s strength, flexibility, and ability to perform in front of judges. Unlike the women, the men do not use music in their floor routines. The routine must include selections from each of the following groups:

Group 1: Balance, Strength and Flexibility Elements

Group 2: Leaps, Jumps, Turns and Leg Circle Elements

Group 3: Forward Acrobatic Elements

Group 4: Backward Acrobatic Elements

Group 5: Sideward or Backward Acrobatic Elements or Jumps with ½ Twist to Salto Forward

Pommel Horse

The pommel horse stands 3'10" off the ground, is 5'3" long, and is 1'2" wide. Two pommels stand 4" high and 1'5" apart. The gymnast is required to rely on their upper body strength to use every part of the top of the horse. More popular skills include, flares, scissors, and circles. The routine usually lasts a minute to a minute and a half. The routine must include selections from each of the following groups:

Group 1: Single Leg Swings

Group 2: Circles in Side Support, with or without Spindles and Handstands

Group 3: Travels in Side and Cross Support

Group 4: Kehr Swings and Wendeswings

Group 5: Dismount

Still Rings

The most upper body muscle is used in this event as a gymnast has to remain on the rings between a minute and a minute and a half. The routine consists of holding various strength positions, swinging in between the rings, and a dismount. The rings are 9'2" from the ground, 1'7" apart, and 7" in diameter. The routine must include selections from each of the following groups:

Group 1: Kip and Swing Elements

Group 2: Swings to Handstand (Handstand must be held for 2 seconds)

Group 3: Swings to Strength Holds (Strength may not include L-Holds and must be held for 2 seconds)

Group 4: Strength and Hold Elements (Each should be held for 2 seconds)

Group 5: Dismount

Vault

The oldest event in the sport is also the fastest event in the sport. Starting at the end of an 80' Runway, a gymnast springs down the runway, launches onto a springboard that is about 2' long, touches the 4'5" high, 4' long, 3' wide horse, flips and twists, before landing in between two lines. Different types of vaults fall into these 5 categories:

Group 1: Front Entry

Group 2: Full Twist Between Springboard and Horse

Group 3: Handsprings and Yamashitas

Group 4: Half Twisting or Quarter Twisting Between Springboard and Horse

Group 5: Round-Off Onto the Springboard

Parallel Bars

Standing 6'6" Feet tall, 11'6" Long, and between 1'4" to 1'8" apart, the Parallel Bars require a gymnast to use their full upper body strength. The gymnasts are required to hold strength elements, swing above and below the bar, and release away from the bar. The routine must include selections from each of the following groups:

Group 1: Swing Elements up to a Support on Both Bars

Group 2: Swing Elements up to an Upper Arm Hang

Group 3: Swing Elements up to a Hang on Both Bars

Group 4: Strength, Hold, Leg Swing Elements, and Side Elements on only One Bar

Group 5: Dismount

High Bar

9'2" high, 7'10" long, 70 seconds of swinging and letting go and catching the bar, makes up the 6th event in gymnastics. In high bar a gymnast is required to swing what are known as giants around the bar, show at least 1 release move in the routine (which involves the gymnast 100% letting go of the bar and re-catching the bar). The gymnast is then required to dismount the bar in a unique way. The routine must include selections from each of the following groups:

Group 1: Hang Swings and Turns

Group 2: Release Moves

Group 3: In-bar Elements

Group 4: El-grip, Dorsal Hang, and Blind Elements

Group 5: Dismount

Information courtesy of The Mens' College Gymnastics Network