About Beginner Gymnastics for Girls
Gymnastics is a sport based upon completing a group of set activities, in order. The physical exercises are done in front of judges, who then give the competitors a score. Higher scores win, and can move onto bigger events like district meets, state meets and even the Olympics. Beginner gymnastics will teach a girl a variety of rhythmic and artistic activities.
Uneven Bars
The uneven bars gymnastic event involves girls performing an event on two horizontal bars, which are set at different heights. The gymnasts perform swinging, circling, transitional and release movements. They pass over, under and between the two bars throughout the performance. Gymnasts are scored on their movements on the bars and their landing. Beginner gymnasts may practice just swinging on one bar, or flipping over one bar-rather than going between the two bars.
Balance Beam
The balance beam is a popular choice for beginning gymnasts. It requires concentration, balance and artistic ability. Gymnasts must walk on a beam that is only 4-inches wide, but 4-feet off of the ground. Gymnasts learn to jump and leap, while landing on the bar after the aerial movements. Both landing and the movements on the bar are scored.
Floor Exercise
The floor exercise is one of the most popular events for beginning gymnasts. It involves a 12-meter by 12-meter square, which is supported by foam blocks, called a spring floor. The gymnast is able to jump and bounce to music, while performing tumbling and dance type movements. Gymnasts are scored on how difficult their tumbling routine is and if they do the required movements (and do them well) set forth by the judges.
Vault
The vault event is comprised of a gymnast sprinting down an 82-foot long runway, jumping onto a springboard and landing on a vaulting horse. They spring off the vault, while doing somersaults or twisting movements. Gymnasts are scored on the movements on the vault and the landing. Beginning gymnasts practice only the vault movement, without the springboard or sprint component.