APPARATUS:

Ball

The ball is made of rubber or soft plastic. Its diameter measures between 18 and 20 cm. It must weight at least 400g. The ball can be of any color. Normally, its color combines with the leotard. The ball should rest in the gymnast's hand and not rest against the wrist or be able to be grasped.

You can see an example of a group performance with ball. They are one of the groups in the highest category in Spain, in first category. They belong to Rítmica Vallecas, from Madrid. This performance was in the Spanish Championships in 2019. It was not their best performance, but I liked so much the dance and I wanted to show you. In fact, they lost the category in this championship (it was a drama because they are really loved in Spain), but they won it again in 2020. I hope that you enjoy it!

Fundamental technical groups
  • Large Roll of the Ball over minimum two large body segments
  • Figures eight of the Ball with circle movement of the arm(s)
  • Catch of the Ball with one hand
  • Series (min.3) of small bounces (below knee level) from the floor
  • One high bounce (knee level and higher) from the floor
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    Non-Fundamental technical groups
  • Roll of the Ball on the floor or roll of the body on the Ball on the floor
  • Series of 3 rolls: a combination of small rolls or series (min.3) of assisted small rolls on the floor or on the body
  • Flip-over movement of the Ball
  • Rotation(s) of the hand(s) around the Ball
  • Free rotation(s) of the Ball on a part of the body, including the free rotation of the ball on top of the finger
  • Rebound on the floor after a high throw and direct retrieval using different parts of the body (not the hands)
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    Hoop

    The hoop is a circular apparatus made of plastic. Its interior diameter measures between 80 and 90 centimeters. It must weigh at least 300 grams. The hoop may be of natural color or be partially or fully covered by one or several colors, and it may be covered with adhesive tape. They are often customized based on the leotard.

    You can see an example of an individual performance with hoop. She is Linoy Ashram, an Israeli gymnast, that won the gold medal in Tokyo 2020. It was historic and incredible! She won to the Russian gymnasts that had been winning gold since Sidney 2000. In fact, it happens the same in groups routines, the Bulgarian group won to the Russian group. It was a bittersweet feeling: in one hand, I was really happy for Linoy because I love her gymnastics and she had made history. It was necessary that Russian gymnasts had competence and ”lose”. On the other hand, I was sad for the Russian gymnasts because, sadly, they are trained to win and not to participate. They were really affected and angry for winning the second and the fourth place… I do not share that and I hope that Tokyo was a lesson for Russian Federation.

    Fundamental technical groups
  • Large roll of the Hoop over minimum two large body segments
  • Rotation (min. 1) of the Hoop around its axis around the fingers or around or on part of the body
  • Rotation (min. 1) of the Hoop around the hand or around a part of the body
  • Passing through the Hoop with the whole or part of the body (two large body segments)
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    Non-Fundamental technical groups
  • Roll of the Hoop on the floor
  • Rotation (min.1) on the floor around the axis
  • Rebound on the floor after a high throw and direct retrieval using different parts of the body (not the hands)
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    Clubs

    The clubs are two equal elements similar to bowling pins. They are divided in three regions: the body (the wide end), the neck (a tappering middle section) and the head (a small ball on the end). They are made by syntetic material, measure betwenn 40 – 50 cm and weigh 150g. Clubs may be of natural color or be covered with adhesive tape. They are often customized based on the leotard.

    You can see an example of an individual performance with hoop. She is Margarita Mamun, a Russian gymnast, that won the gold medal in Rio 2016. Then, she retired. It was a very beautiful gymnast and I loved her gymnastics, especially this clubs routine!

    Fundamental technical groups
  • Mill(s): one mill consists of a minimum 4-6 small circles of the Clubs with time delay and by alternating crossed and uncrossed wrists/ hands each time, held by the end (small head)
  • Small throws of unlocked two Clubs with 360° rotation and catch: together simultaneously or alternating
  • Asymmetric movements of two Clubs
  • Small circles (min. 1) with both lubs, simultaneously or alternating, one club in each hand held by the end (small head)
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    Non-Fundamental technical groups
  • Free rotations of 1 or two Clubs (unlocked or locked) on or around a part of the body or around the other Club
  • Tapping (min. 1)
  • Small throw of two locked Clubs
  • Large Roll over minimum two large body segments with one or two Clubs
  • Roll of one or two Clubs on a part of the body or on the floor
  • Series (min.3) of small circles with one Club
  • Small circles (min. 1) of both Clubs held in one hand
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    Ribbon

    The ribbon is an apparatus formed by a stick made of synthetic material, from the end of which extends a ribbon made of satin or similar non-starched material. The stick has a maximum diameter of 1 cm and a length between 50 and 60 cm. The ribbon has a width between 4 and 6 cm and a length between 6 and 7 meters. It weighs a maximum of 35g. It may be of a unique color or multi-colored and have designs on it.

    You can see an example of an individual performance with ribbon. She is Polina Berezina, a Spanish gymnast from Valencia. I love her, I find her gymnastics very beautiful! It is the actual Spanish champion in the highest category. She fought for a place at the Olympics but, it was not possible. I hope that she qualifies for Paris 2024! Moreover, I loved this routine due to the music that is from Harry Potter soundtrack and I like it so much!

    Fundamental technical groups
  • Spirals (min. 4-5 loops), tight and the same height in the air or on the floor
  • Swordsman (min. 4-5 loops)
  • Snakes (min. 4-5 waves), tight and the same height in the air or on the floor
  • Boomerang: release, pull back of the stick by holding the end of the Ribbon, and catch of the stick
  • Echappé: rotation of the stick during its flight
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    Non-Fundamental technical groups
  • Rotational movement of the Ribbon stick around the hand
  • Wrapping (unwrapping)
  • Movement of the Ribbon around a part of the body created when the stick is held by different parts of the body (hand, neck, knee, elbow) during body movements or Difficulties with rotation (not during “Slow Turn”)
  • Medium circle of the Ribbon
  • Spirals on the floor around the stick
  • Large roll of the stick over minimum two large body segments
  • Roll of the Ribbon stick on a part of the body
  • Passing with the whole or part of the body through or over the pattern of the Ribbon
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    Rope

    The rope is made of hemp or a synthetic material that retains the qualities of lightness and suppleness. The diameter has to be uniform and the length depends on the gymnast's size, when the middle of the rope is held down by the feet, both ends should reach the gymnasts' armpits. It can be colored, either all or partially. Since 2011, the FIG decided to nullify the use of rope in senior individual rhythmic gymnastics competitions.

    You can see an example of an individual performance with rope. He is Eneko Lambea, a Spanish gymnast from Basque Country. It is the actual Spanish champion in the highest category. I love his performances and his gymnastics. I hope that someday he can fight for a place in the Olympics!

    Fundamental technical groups
  • Passing with the whole or part of the body through the open Rope turning forward, backward, or to the side; also with: Rope folded in 2 or more or double rotation of the rope
  • Release and catch of one end of the rope, with or without rotation (ex: Echappé)
  • Rotations of the free end of the Rope, Rope held by one end (ex: spirals)
  • Skips/hops passing through the Rope. Series (min. 3): Rope turning forward, backward, or to the side.
  • Catch of the open Rope with one end in each hand without support on another part of the body
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    Non-Fundamental technical groups
  • Rotation (min. 1), Rope folded in two (in one or two hands)
  • Rotations (min.3), Rope folded in three or four
  • Free rotation (min. 1) around a part of the body
  • Rotation (min. 1) of the stretched, open Rope, held by the middle or by the end
  • Mills (Rope open, held by the middle, folded in two or more)
  • Wrapping or unwrapping around a part of the body
  • Spirals with the rope folded in two
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