Rhythmic Gymnastics

The sport of rhythmic gymnastics is a combination of different elements: gymnastics, ballet, handling of apparatus, and even dance.  The competition can be between individuals or between teams that have 2 to 6 members.  There are two types of competition: “free” and “with apparatus”.  The “free” competition is also called the “floor routine” of rhythmic gymnastics.  It does not involve any sort of apparatus at all.  The “with apparatus” competition on the other hand involves different kinds of equipment.  Participants can use rope, a ribbon, a hoop, a ball, or clubs. 

During competition, participants are only allowed to use or manipulate 1 type of equipment at a time.  In group competition where multiple gymnasts are doing their routines in concert, the types of allowed equipment are limited to 2.  These two types of equipment are distributed among the performers.  This equipment however may be passed from one member of the team to another at any time during the course of their routine. Thus, during the routine, any team member may be able to handle up to 2 different types of equipment.

The winner in rhythmic gymnastics is determined by a panel of judges.  These judges award points to the participants according to their performance regarding jumps, pirouettes or pivots, balance during the performance, leaps, artistic impression, and skill in the manipulation of their equipment.

Before the year 2001, judging of rhythmic gymnastics was the same as the judging for artistic gymnastics which was on a scale of 1-10.  Between the years of 2001 and 2008 however, this judging scale underwent several revisions.  In 2003, the scale was changed to a 30 point system.  Then in 2005, it was changed into a 20 point system.  In 2008, it was again changed back into the 30 point system.  These changes were made to reduce the subjectivity element in the judging and focus more on the technical merits of the performances.  To come up with the final points, the judges add up the scores from three different elements: the artistic aspect, the technical aspect, and the execution of the moves. 

The official governing body of rhythmic gymnastics is the international gymnastics or FIG.  They are responsible for the changes that have been implemented regarding the code of points of the sport.  They are also responsible for determining the types of equipment that are used in official competitions.  Out of all the possible equipment that can be used in rhythmic gymnastics, only four of them are sanctioned by the FIG. These are the rope, the ball, the ribbon, and the hoops.  The clubs have been removed from official competition at the more senior levels.  As of 2011, the rope will be removed from the senior national level and then it will be dropped from the junior national level in 2012.  It will be dropped from one level every year until eventually it will be removed from official competition leaving only three official apparatus for official rhythmic gymnastics events.

The biggest events for the sport of rhythmic gymnastics include the summer Olympic Games, the rhythmic gymnastics world championships, and the grand prix rhythmic gymnastics tournaments.

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