Floor (gymnastics) facts for kids
In gymnastics, the floor is a special area where gymnasts perform amazing routines. It's considered a piece of equipment, just like the balance beam or uneven bars.
The floor exercise (often called FX) is an exciting event. Both girls and boys in artistic gymnastics compete on the same floor. However, their rules and how they are scored are different. For example, girls' routines are performed with music, while boys' routines are not.
A spring floor is used in all gymnastics competitions. It has a bouncy surface that helps gymnasts jump higher. This special floor also helps protect gymnasts from injuries. It softens the impact when they land from big jumps and flips. Cheerleading teams also use spring floors for their practices.
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The Gymnastics Floor: A Bouncy Stage
The gymnastics floor started as a "free exercise" for men, much like today's routines. Most competition floors are spring floors. These floors are built with springs, rubber foam, and plywood. This combination makes the floor bouncy and helps gymnasts get more height for their tumbling passes. It also makes landings safer.
The floor has clear lines around its edge called the delimitation strip. These lines show the area where gymnasts must stay during their routine. Stepping outside these lines can lead to a penalty.
How Big is the Floor?
The official sizes for the gymnastics floor are set by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). This is the international organization that governs gymnastics. The dimensions are the same for both male and female artistic gymnasts.
- Performance area: 1,200 centimetres (about 39 feet) by 1,200 centimetres (about 39 feet). This is the main square where all the action happens!
- Border: An extra 100 centimetres (about 3.3 feet) around the performance area.
Girls' Floor Exercise: Dance, Music, and Acrobatics
Girls' floor exercise routines can last up to 90 seconds. A special timekeeper makes sure gymnasts stay within this limit. Each routine is carefully planned beforehand, combining acrobatic moves with dance steps.
This event is a great chance for gymnasts to show their personality. They express themselves through their dance style and the music they choose. Every move in the routine must be precise and match the music perfectly. It should also be fun to watch!
At high-level competitions, gymnasts and their coaches create the routine together. Some teams even hire special choreographers to design unique routines. Famous choreographers have helped many gymnasts shine. Sometimes, gymnasts change their routine every year. Others might keep the same one for a few seasons, making small changes as needed.
Choosing the Music
The music for a routine is chosen by the gymnast and their coaches. It can be any style and played with any instruments. However, the music cannot have any spoken words or singing. If a voice is used, it must sound like an instrument, without clear lyrics. Coaches are usually responsible for bringing the music to every competition.
How Girls' Routines Are Scored
Scores for floor exercise are based on several things. These include how difficult the moves are, how artistic the routine is, and how well the gymnast performs. The total score is made up of two parts: the D-score and the E-score.
- D-score (Difficulty Score): This score is for how challenging the routine is. Gymnasts get points for performing difficult skills, connecting moves smoothly, and meeting certain requirements. The harder the skills, the higher the D-score.
| Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|
| A | 0.1 |
| B | 0.2 |
| C | 0.3 |
| D | 0.4 |
| E | 0.5 |
| F | 0.6 |
| G | 0.7 |
| H | 0.8 |
| I | 0.9 |
| J | 1.0 |
- E-score (Execution Score): This score starts at a perfect 10.0 points. Judges then take away points for mistakes. These deductions can be for poor form, not performing required elements, or falling. Gymnasts are expected to use the entire floor area. They should tumble from one corner to another. Stepping outside the lines of the floor also leads to deductions. Remember, music with lyrics will also cause a deduction!
What's in a Girls' Routine?
A floor routine for girls must include a mix of elements. These often feature up to four tumbling passes. They also include various dance elements, turns, and leaps.
Some required elements are:
- A connection of two dance elements, with one needing a 180-degree split.
- Forward or sideways flips (saltos) and backward flips.
- Double flips (double saltos).
- Flips with at least one full twist.
Boys' Floor Exercise: Strength and Acrobatics
Boys' floor exercise routines are shorter, lasting no more than 70 seconds. A loud beep warns gymnasts when they have 10 seconds left. This helps them finish their routine on time to avoid penalties.
These routines usually combine powerful acrobatic moves with other elements. These elements show off the gymnast's strength and flexibility. Boys must also use the entire floor area during their performance. Unlike girls' routines, boys' routines do not have music.
How Boys' Routines Are Scored
Just like with girls' gymnastics, scores for boys are based on difficulty, good form, and overall performance. The total score is the D-score (difficulty) plus the E-score (execution).
Judges take away points for things like not showing enough flexibility. Not using the whole floor area or pausing too long before a tumbling pass can also lead to deductions.
What's in a Boys' Routine?
A boys' floor routine should include at least one element from different groups:
- Non-acrobatic elements: These show strength and control.
- Acrobatic elements forward: Flips and twists moving forward.
- Acrobatic elements backward & Arabian elements: Flips and twists moving backward or with an Arabian style.
The final move, called the dismount, can come from any group except the non-acrobatic one. Senior gymnasts must include a double salto (a double flip) in their routines.
Rhythmic Gymnastics: Floor for Young Stars
Floor exercises are also part of rhythmic gymnastics for the youngest gymnasts. Girls up to 10 years old perform their routines "freehand." This means they do not use any special equipment like a rope, hoop, ball, clubs, or ribbon.
Even without equipment, their routines have specific lengths and content. These requirements change depending on the gymnast's age category.
More About Gymnastics
- Acro dance: A dance style that uses many moves from floor exercise.
- Gym floor cover: Special covers used to protect gym floors.
- Performance surface: A general term for any area where performances happen.
- Sprung floor: Another name for a bouncy floor, often used in dance.
- Wushu (sport): A Chinese martial art that also uses a floor for performances.
- Acrobatic gymnastics: A type of gymnastics where gymnasts work in pairs or groups to perform balances and throws.
