Floor (gymnastics)

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A Canadian gymnast trains on a floor.

In gymnastics, the floor refers to a specially prepared exercise surface, which is considered an Aparatus. It is used by both male and female gymnasts.

1 Dimensions
2 Scoring and rules (WAG)
3 Scoring and rules (MAG)
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Dimensions

Measures of the apparatus are published by the FIG in the Apparatus Norms brochure.

Length: 12 m/40'
Width: 12 m/40'
Additional safety border: 01 m/03' 03 3/8"

Most competitive gymnastics floors contain springs and/or a rubber foam and plywood combination which make the floor bouncy, soften the impact of landings and enable the gymnast to gain height when tumbling. Floors have clearly designated perimeters--the "out of bounds" area is always indicated by a border of tape or a differently colored mat. Most floors will have padding for a few feet beyond the designated competition area to protect gymnasts who fall or stumble out of bounds.

The allowed time for a floor exercise is up to 70 seconds for males and 90 seconds for females. Women perform routines to music; men do not.

[edit] Scoring and rules (WAG)

In women's artistic gymnastics, floor exercise routines last between 70 and 90 seconds. The routine is choreographed in advance, and is composed of acrobatic and dance elements. This event, above all others, allows the gymnast to express her personality through her dance and musical style.

At the international level, the composition of the routine is decided by the gymnast and her coaches. Many gyms and national federations hire special choreographers to design routines for their gymnasts. Well known gymnastics choreographers include Adriana Pop (Romania, France, China), Nancy Roche (USA) and Geza Pozar (Romania, USA). Others opt to choreograph their FX routines in-house. Some gymnasts adopt a new FX every year; others keep the same routine for several competitive seasons. It is not uncommon for coaches to modify a routine's composition between meets, especially if it is used for an extended length of time. It is uncommon for gymnasts to use more than one different FX routine in the same season but it is not entirely unheard of: at the 1996 Olympics, for instance, Russian Dina Kotchetkova's routine in the FX event finals had completely different music, choreography and composition than that of her all-around exercise.

The music used for the routine is also the choice of the gymnast and her coaches. It may be of any known musical style and played with any instrument(s), however, it may not include spoken words, sung lyrics or vocalization of any kind. It is the gymnast and coach's responsibility to bring the FX music to every competition on CD or cassette.

Most routines include three or four major tumbling runs and several major dance skills, turns and leaps. Under the Code of Points the gymnast must demonstrate skills from five required element groups, including a turn of at least 540 degrees, a double salto, and front and back tumbling

Scores are based on difficulty, artistry, demonstration of required elements and overall performance quality. Deductions are taken for poor form and execution, lack of required elements, falls and other infractions. Unlike MAG, female gymnasts are permitted to end tumbling runs in a lunge position, with one foot in front of the other. The gymnast is expected to use the entire floor area for her routine, and to tumble from one corner of the mat to the other. However, steps outside the designated perimeters of the floor incur penalties.

Gymnasts are permitted to chalk their hands and/or feet and to wear wrist guards on FX. In some lower levels of competition, judges may permit "sting mats"--mats that lessen impact--to be used for tumbling runs. However, these are never allowed in international contests such as the Olympics or World Championships, and, most of the time, are not seen in national elite competitions either.

[edit] Scoring and rules (MAG)

As with other gymnastic events, scores are based on difficulty, form, and overall performance quality. Judges look to ensure required elements (including a tumble of at least two saltos, or somersaults) are completed. Tumbles are usually expected to go from corner to corner and make maximum use of the floorspace (however, a step outside the floorspace will incur a penalty). Tumbles should also end in a "stuck" landing: where both feet hit the mat at the same time and together with no steps, hops or strides made to keep the gymnast upright.