Gymnastics by Dan Gutman

Author:Dan Gutman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

SCORING

Until very recently, each gymnast had to perform two exercises in each event. First came the “compulsories,” or required exercises. / These are skills that must be performed in a specific sequence with proper form.

For example, on the balance beam, an elite gymnast must execute a perfect cartwheel. On the uneven bars, she must take a series of basic swings to a handstand.

Each gymnastic skill is rated in level of difficulty from A (easiest) to E (hardest). A simple forward roll would be an A skill, for example, while a double twisting Tsukahara vault would be an E. A competition might require a gymnast to perform two C difficulty moves and four B difficulty moves. These ratings of gymnastic skills are evaluated—and often changed—every four years.

As of 1997, compulsories are no longer a part of the Olympics or World Championships. This is partly because they are not considered to be the best indication of skill, and partly because some people consider them to be dull. However, compulsories are still used in competitions below World Championship level. The sport of figure skating has also eliminated compulsories for top competitions.

The second set of exercises are the “optionals.” Here, the gymnast can perform any movements or tricks she’d like (maybe it should be called “freestyle”). Generally, the top gymnasts show their greatness on the optionals. Weaker ones may be just as good, or even better, at the compulsories.

Each event is watched closely by four to six judges, who are former top gymnasts themselves. Each judge gives a score for each performance. The highest and lowest scores are eliminated, and the remaining scores are averaged to calculate the score for that routine.

You’ve seen gymnasts receive scores such as 9.6, 9.8 and maybe an occasional “perfect” 10.0. This, of course, happens very rarely.

It’s harder to get a 10.0 in the optional exercises than it is in the compulsories, because the “ceiling” is lower. Women start with a possible 9.4 points and men 9.0. To achieve a 10.0, they have to perform particularly difficult or original moves so they can earn “bonus points.”

If one of the judges gives a score that seems way out of line with the others, the judges will sometimes hold a conference and discuss the scores or review the routine on videotape. Occasionally, they will change a score after holding one of these huddles.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.