Spectator's Guide to Men's Gymnastics

The following boys gymnastics resources comes courtesy of the website: http://www.troester.com/NCAA/sguide.htm

Floor Exercise

Today's floor exercise routines consist of dynamic tumbling skills that only a few years ago were performed solely on the trampoline. Multiple saltos and twists are increasingly common. The best gymnasts will incorporate three or four tumbling passes of substantial difficulty, performing twisting double saltos on the second or third passes.

In general, the most difficult tumbling moves are done while twisting in the layout position - with the body completely stretched - and the piked position, with straight legs and the body bent at the waist. Look for these on the mount (the first tumbling pass) and the dismount. High execution and clean landings, in which the gymnast completes the last salto and/or twist well before his feet touch the mat, mark good performances.

Pommel Horse

Considered by many to be the most difficult of all men's gymnastics events, the pommel horse is also the most subtle. Each move is defined by complex hand placements and body positions and the skills flow together seamlessly.

The difficulty stems from two factors. First, the gymnast is performing moves that differ from the swinging and tumbling skill of the other five events. Second, he spends most of each routine on only one arm as the free hand reaches for another part of the horse to begin the next skill. Look for a long series of moves with the hands reaching behind the back, or when both hands are on a single pommel. The hand placements should be quick, quiet and rhythmic.

Rings

The rings are the least stable of the men's apparatus. Stillness 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 shouldn't wobble or swing, the body shouldn't sag or twist and the arms shouldn't waver or shake. Look for confidence in the strength parts. The gymnast should move into his cross or planche quickly, stop securely for a clear two seconds and then move easily into the next part. On the swinging elements, watch for stretched body positions and straight handstands.

Vault

A good vault is sometimes described as a "big" vault. The height, the distance of travel, the overall acceleration into the vault, the sudden impact of a no-step, "stuck" landing - all of this creates an effect, an impression. The higher the gymnast launches himself, the farther he travels beyond the horse, creating a larger overall impression.

Watch how fast the gymnast runs and how quickly his heels get over his head during the pre-flight. Look for saltos and twists performed in the layout position. These is precious little time in the air for the vaulter, and if he spends it rotating in the layout position, he is increasing the difficulty and the risk.

Parallel Bars

Although not a requirement, some of the better gymnasts move outside to the rails, performing handstands, presses, kips and hip circles 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 movement, as in front and back saltos. The more of these skills performed in succession, the more challenging the routine.

The championships class of "p-bar" performers will execute several difficult swinging elements in a series, completing each element in a tight, stretched handstand that is held only for a brief, confident moment before moving into the next skill.

Horizontal Bar

Considered by many to be the most spectacular event in gymnastics, the horizontal, or high bar, is a showcase for both the gymnast's artistry and daring. The continuous flow, the lightning-quick changes in body position and the new wave of release moves and one-arm giants all enable the performer to test the upper limits of his skill and courage. Watch for blind releases, in which the gymnast loses sight of the bar while executing a salto or twist. Movements that require the legs to pass the bar between the arms will be rewarded with bonus tenths. As with all the events, the amplitude, difficulty and landing of the dismount is critical.