Rhythmic Gymnastics is a gymnastics discipline with exclusive participation of women. It develops artistic expression, elegance, dexterity, coordination, flexibility and the music-movement relationship by combining ballet, dance and rhythmic gymnastics technique with the use of different mobile apparatus: rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. The routines are performed in an official area of 13 x 13 meters, better known as “practicable”.
Age groups used at UPAG
UPAG has a competition program designed for the Pan American Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament, which includes gymnasts from:
- 13 years
- 14 to 15 years old (juvenile)
- 16 years and over (adults)
Rhythmic Gymnastics Events
There are two types of competition in the Rhythmic Gymnastics program:
Individuals
A gymnast competes on 4 apparatus, selected according to the program established by the FIG for that year.
The competition phases are:
- Classification, from which the final Team classification is established and the gymnasts qualify for the different finals.
- General Individual Final, better known as All Around, which is the sum of the scores obtained in the four apparatuses.
- Apparatus Finals where the 8 best gymnasts classified in each apparatus participate.
Sets
Composed of 5 gymnasts and one reserve. Two routines are presented with apparatus established by the FIG program for that year. In the adult category, there is one routine with only 1 type of apparatus and another with 2 types of apparatus (3+2). In the youth category, both routines are presented with only 1 type of apparatus each.
The competition phases are:
- Classification, from which the general classification (All Around) is established with the sum of the scores of the 2 routines. In addition, the teams qualify for the different finals.
- Finals, with the participation of the 8 best groups classified in each routine (5 or 3+2).
General requirements for Rhythmic Gymnastics routines
Routines must be performed entirely to musical accompaniment. Short, voluntary stops motivated by the composition are tolerated. Musical accompaniment with or without voice or words may be used.
The duration of each routine is:
- Individuals, from 1’15 “to 1’30”.
- Set, from 2’15 “to 2’30”.
Each routine should include elements of the different difficulty components:
- Body difficulty (jumps, twists and rotations)
- Dynamic elements with rotation
- Difficulty of apparatus (individual)
- Difficulty of exchange (sets)
- Collaboration (joint)
Additionally, consideration should be given to the requirements of the Fundamental and/or Non-Fundamental Apparatus Technical Groups that describe the forms, shapes and actions of the apparatus. These technical groups can be performed during the execution of the elements of the different difficulty components. Fundamental Technical Groups are mandatory in the routines.
Apparatus in Rhythmic Gymnastics
Rope
- Material: hemp or similar suitable material
- Length: optional for gymnasts of all ages
- Thickness: uniform or reinforced in the center.
Hoop
- Material: wood or synthetic
- Weight: 300 g. minimum for adults and 260 g. minimum for juveniles.
- Inner diameter: 800 – 900 mm for adult gymnasts / 700 – 900 mm for junior gymnasts / 600 to 800 mm for gymnasts aged 9, 10, 11 and 12 years old.
Ball
- Material: rubber or soft plastic, anti-static
- Weight: 400 g. minimum
- Diameter: 180 – 200 mm for adult and junior gymnasts / 160 – 180 mm for 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old gymnasts
Mallets
- Material: wood or synthetic
- Length: 400 – 500 mm for adult and junior gymnasts / 350 – 500 mm for gymnasts aged 9, 10, 11 and 12 years old.
- Weight: 150 g. minimum
- Shape: bottle shape
Tape
- Material: satin or similar
- Length: total length in one piece of 6 m (min) for adults / 5 m (min) for juniors / 4 m (min) for gymnasts of 9, 10, 11 and 12 years of age
- Weight: 35 g. min. without wand (30 g. min. for juveniles)
- Wand
- Material: wood, bamboo, fiberglass or synthetics.
- Length: 500-600 mm
- Diameter: maximum 10 mm at the thickest point
Evaluation of routines
Routines are evaluated according to Difficulty, Artistry and Execution based on the standard of aesthetic perfection:
- The composition, which has to do with the selection of the elements and combinations presented and the complexity in the handling of the apparatus. This refers to the difficulty of the routine.
The composition is divided into DB (the Body Difficulties and Dynamic Elements with rotation) and DA (the Difficulties with apparatus). Artistic has to do with composition and artistic execution based on the standard of aesthetic perfection, with components such as: Character, Dance Steps, Body Expression, Dynamic Changes, Body and Apparatus Effects, Use of the Practicable Area, Collective Work, Formations, Unity, Connections and Rhythm. - Execution, which refers to how the gymnast performs her routine.
A complete Judges Panel for world level competitions such as World Championships or Olympic Games is composed as follows:
- Difficulty Panel, made up of 2 subgroups:
Judges D1 and D2
Judges D3 and D4 - Enforcement Panel, made up of 2 subgroups:
Judges E1 and E2, who apply the discounts for artistic fouls.
Judges E3, E4, E5, E6, who apply the discounts for technical fouls.
In World and Olympic competitions, a Reference Panel is added for deductions of technical faults of execution and is composed of 2 judges.
The competitions organized by UPAG are:
- Pan American Youth and Adult Championships, Pan American Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament for 13 year olds, as well as playing an important role in the organization of gymnastics in the Multi-sport Games such as the Pan American Games.
- The Pan American Championships are held every year and are sometimes part of the qualification process for other events such as the Pan American Games or the Olympic, Adult and Youth Games.
