Rhythmic Gymnastics
About the sport
Rhythmic Gymnastics dates way back into the 1800's. But it wasn't until 1984 that rhythmic gymnastics became and individual competitive event in the Olympics.
The 1996 Olympics was the first to include group competition. World championships have been held annually, in succession of host cities since 1963. It is a modern type of gymnastics with the performance of systematic physical exercise with the aid of such hand apparatus as ropes, hoops, balls, clubs and ribbons. The elements includes jumps, leaps, pivots, balances and flexibility movements. Element routines are performed utilizing various pieces.
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a combination of gymnastic techniques and fluid dance like movements, choreography, balance and agility with the hand apparatus. Coordination and control are the two main essentials as the gymnasts performs in harmony to the selected music. It is a beautiful sport that combines the grace of a dancer and a coordination of an athlete. Skills developed through rhythmic gymnastics such as hand eye coordination and body awareness, transfer well to the other sports.
To do well in rhythmic gymnastics, students must learn to move their arms and hands in coordination with other body parts. This learning process involves the entire body and the mind. Gymnasts can compete individually or in teams of five. A panel of judges rewards gymnasts for their performance where gymnasts display their skill such as leaps, jumps, balances, pivots, acrobatics and apparatus handling.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus
Ribbon
Stick
Length - 50 cm to 60 cm. Diameter: Max 1 cm.
Material: Wood, plastic or fibreglass.
The swivel should not exceed 7cm in length.
Colours: Any colour except gold and silver.
Ribbon
Length: up to 6 meters long, depending on gymnast level.
Levels 3-6, Stages, Pre & Sub-junior, minumum 4 meters.
Levels 7-9, Junior and Senior International, minimum 5 meters
Width: 4 cm to 6 cm.
Weight: About 35 g
Material: Satin or a non-starched derivative.
Colours: Any colours.
Clubs
Length: 36-50 cm. Generally, clubs will measure from the fingertips to just past the elbow of a gymnasts.
Weight: depends on gymnast level.
Levels 3-6, Stages, Pre & Sub-junior, size to suit the gymnast.
Levels 7-9, Junior and Senior International, clubs must between 40-50cm and weight at least 150 grams each
Material: Wood, plastic or rubber
Colours: any colour. Both clubs can have different colours.
Hoop
Size: Diameter 65 cm to 90 cm at the inside. It should be relative to the size of the gymnast, i.e. the diamter of the hoop when held against the body should be at least at the gymnast's hip.
Weight: At least 300 grams.
Material: Wood or plastic, hollow or sold
Colours: Any colour.
Ball
Diameter - 15 cm to 20 cm. It should rest comfortably in the palm of the hand.
Weight: depends on gymnast level.
Levels 3-6, Stages, Pre & Sub-junior, size to suit the gymnast.
Levels 7-9, Junior and Senior International, ball needs to measure between 16-20cm diameter and weight between 300-400 grams.
Material: Rubber or plastic.
Colours: Any colour.
Rope
Material: the rope is made of a supple, firm material with a thickness of 8-10mm.
Size: The rope should fir the size of the gymnast, i.e. with the gymnast standing on the middle of the rope, the end should reach between her underarms and her shoulders.
Colours: Any colour.