Apparatus
Girls
The girls use 4 pieces of apparatus, these are:
The Beam
The Floor
The Vault
The old vaulting horse has now been replaced by a vaulting table, standing at different heights depending on the age and level of the gymnast. It has a sprung suede cover and each element is graded in difficulty giving the more difficult moves a higher start value. |
Asymmetric Bars
The upper bar is 2.45m, and the lower bar 1.65m, from the floor. Swinging continuous movements are predominant on the Asymmetric Bars. The exercise should include movements in both directions, above and below the bars. Gymnasts are expected to demonstrate a fluid swing and hit handstands at a 180 degree angle to the bar. The dismount is important; both in terms of difficulty level, and judges look for a "stuck" landing. |
Boys
The boys train on 4 pieces of apparatus, these are:
The Floor
As with the girls, boys must perform a series of elements, but unlike the girls these are not set to music. The boy's floor exercise should include movements which demonstrate strength, flexibility and balance. Each routine must combine movements such as somersaults, twists and leaps. |
The High Bar
The Vault
The vaulting table is set at different heights depending on the age and level of the gymnast. It has a sprung suede cover and each element is graded in difficulty giving the more difficult moves a higher start value. Marks are also awarded for the control of the body and the landing position. |
Parallel Bars
These are two bars 195cm from the floor. The gymnasts must travel above and between the two bars on their hands, upper arms or on one hand, swinging to the handstand. The parallel bars require a combination of swinging movements with strength or hold elements. |