Among the many competitive gymnastic forms is the gravity defying category known as trampoline and tumbling. This sport has four competitive categories including double mini, power tumbling, single, and synchronized routines. Trampolining involves various aerial maneuvers performed on a trampoline. The athlete builds height during the beginning of the routine and then performs ten consecutive leaps, displaying an aerial skill with each leap. No two maneuvers can be the same. Synchronized challenges are done with two gymnasts performing maneuvers at the same time. The double mini routine uses a smaller trampoline. The athlete runs up to it at the start and performs two maneuvers during the routine. Power tumbling is performed on a tumbling track with springs. The athlete performs very powerful flips and twists during the routine. All of these events are scored using a ten point maximum.
Also called a “rebound sport”, trampolining has origins in the circuses of the 1930s. Trapeze artists used a tightly pulled safety net in case of falls, and when they would come into contact with this net, they would bounce up into the air, performing various tricks. George Nissen once watched this display, and he was inspired to build the first trampoline in his garage. It was much smaller than the safety nets, but he used it for his own activities, like diving and tumbling. Later he began producing trampolines to sell, and as a marketing technique he would perform aerial feats for an audience and even let them try out his invention themselves. The sport took off form Nissen's demonstrations and became popular in the U.S and Soviet Union as well as other countries.
Trampoline routines began with competitions held at schools in the U.S and Europe, and they did not have many specific rules or criteria. In fact, many routines were quite long, and if the performer fell off he would simply remount and continue. This changed as time went by, and the sport was continually refined with more specific rules. By the1950s, the standard “10-bounce routine” was an accepted practice.
The rules of the 10 bounce routine state that the gymnast must begin and end the program on his or her feet. He or she must also stay standing at the end of the routine for at least 3 seconds. The athlete must make contact with the trampoline a total of ten times, or 10 bounces in one of the approved positions: front, back, feet or seat. On each bounce the acrobat performs one of the three basic shapes in the air. These are the straight shape, with arms, body and legs straight, the tucked shape, with knees to the chest, and piked, with straight arms and legs, the body in a “V “shape. These shapes are made while the acrobat is twisting or somersaulting. There are many combinations possible, so the gymnast is not allowed to do any specific combination more than once in a routine. If at any point the athlete stops mid-routine, touches anything other than the bed of the trampoline, or receives help from the spotter, points will be deducted. The gymnast also receives deductions if she bounces between skills.
The first World Championships for trampolining were held in England in 1964 and were organized by Ted Blake, an employee of the Nissen Company. A year later, the International Trampoline Federation was formed by Blake and other pioneering trampolinists. Soon European countries began competing in the new sport and taking home the top titles, followed by Canadians and Asian acrobats, as well. In 1999 the International Trampoline Federation merged with the FIG, and trampolining was joined with the power tumbling event to form a whole new category of competitive gymnastics. The individual trampolining routine is now an Olympic event as of 2000.
Tumbling became a World Championship event in the 1880s. At that time the sport was performed on a much thinner mat that formed a 25 meter long track. Tumbling later became an Olympic event in 1932 during the summer games. During current tumbling routines the athlete performs 8 fluid elements in a row without changing rhythm. There is a long list of tumbling moves: cartwheels, roundoffs, back handsprings, roundoff back handsprings, layouts, punch fronts, back tucks, front hurdlers, full frontals, Barani (an aerial hands-free cartwheel), standing fulls, and double fulls.
Changes in the sport allowed its evolution to what is now known as “power tumbling”. Over the years the track used for tumbling routines became thicker and eventually springs were added, placing power tumbling in the rebound sport category. The evolution of this track also changed the way the routines are performed. In power tumbling an athlete must also add a dismount section to his or her routine. There are two passes on the track, which is now slightly longer at 26 meters. The routine still has 8 elements, and the gymnast begins with one of the forward somersault moves such as Barani or the roundoff. Next the athlete performs a series of subsequent tumbling moves and ends the routine with a dismount skill. Normally the dismount involves a double or triple back somersault or a double or triple full and a variety of twists to make it more impressive or unique.
Currently one of the largest national organizations for trampoline and tumbling gymnastics is the U.S.T.A, which was created by George Nissen and Larry Griswold in 1971. At that time there were only 200 gymnasts involved in this group, but since then the organization has grown to over 10 times that size. Over 2000 competitors were involved in the largest National competitions, which hosted more than 5000 separate events.
Over the centuries mankind has pushed the limits of human capabilities with feats of strength and dexterity. They have even resisted the law of gravity to hone remarkable athletic skills. Tumbling and trampolining gymnastics is the result of many innovators and superior athletes defying the known boundaries of physical achievement and even science. As a result, they have captured the imagination of audiences world-wide.
Note to editors/publisher: My word processor indicates that I have 1001 words in the content above, but I had some issues with submitting the article. I keep receiving a message that tells me I only have 991 words. I rechecked everything and I do have the minimum word count. I believe there may be technical issue. I made this note so that the article will go through anyway, but be assured the minimum word count has been met in the text above this note.
Also called a “rebound sport”, trampolining has origins in the circuses of the 1930s. Trapeze artists used a tightly pulled safety net in case of falls, and when they would come into contact with this net, they would bounce up into the air, performing various tricks. George Nissen once watched this display, and he was inspired to build the first trampoline in his garage. It was much smaller than the safety nets, but he used it for his own activities, like diving and tumbling. Later he began producing trampolines to sell, and as a marketing technique he would perform aerial feats for an audience and even let them try out his invention themselves. The sport took off form Nissen's demonstrations and became popular in the U.S and Soviet Union as well as other countries.
Trampoline routines began with competitions held at schools in the U.S and Europe, and they did not have many specific rules or criteria. In fact, many routines were quite long, and if the performer fell off he would simply remount and continue. This changed as time went by, and the sport was continually refined with more specific rules. By the1950s, the standard “10-bounce routine” was an accepted practice.
The rules of the 10 bounce routine state that the gymnast must begin and end the program on his or her feet. He or she must also stay standing at the end of the routine for at least 3 seconds. The athlete must make contact with the trampoline a total of ten times, or 10 bounces in one of the approved positions: front, back, feet or seat. On each bounce the acrobat performs one of the three basic shapes in the air. These are the straight shape, with arms, body and legs straight, the tucked shape, with knees to the chest, and piked, with straight arms and legs, the body in a “V “shape. These shapes are made while the acrobat is twisting or somersaulting. There are many combinations possible, so the gymnast is not allowed to do any specific combination more than once in a routine. If at any point the athlete stops mid-routine, touches anything other than the bed of the trampoline, or receives help from the spotter, points will be deducted. The gymnast also receives deductions if she bounces between skills.
The first World Championships for trampolining were held in England in 1964 and were organized by Ted Blake, an employee of the Nissen Company. A year later, the International Trampoline Federation was formed by Blake and other pioneering trampolinists. Soon European countries began competing in the new sport and taking home the top titles, followed by Canadians and Asian acrobats, as well. In 1999 the International Trampoline Federation merged with the FIG, and trampolining was joined with the power tumbling event to form a whole new category of competitive gymnastics. The individual trampolining routine is now an Olympic event as of 2000.
Tumbling became a World Championship event in the 1880s. At that time the sport was performed on a much thinner mat that formed a 25 meter long track. Tumbling later became an Olympic event in 1932 during the summer games. During current tumbling routines the athlete performs 8 fluid elements in a row without changing rhythm. There is a long list of tumbling moves: cartwheels, roundoffs, back handsprings, roundoff back handsprings, layouts, punch fronts, back tucks, front hurdlers, full frontals, Barani (an aerial hands-free cartwheel), standing fulls, and double fulls.
Changes in the sport allowed its evolution to what is now known as “power tumbling”. Over the years the track used for tumbling routines became thicker and eventually springs were added, placing power tumbling in the rebound sport category. The evolution of this track also changed the way the routines are performed. In power tumbling an athlete must also add a dismount section to his or her routine. There are two passes on the track, which is now slightly longer at 26 meters. The routine still has 8 elements, and the gymnast begins with one of the forward somersault moves such as Barani or the roundoff. Next the athlete performs a series of subsequent tumbling moves and ends the routine with a dismount skill. Normally the dismount involves a double or triple back somersault or a double or triple full and a variety of twists to make it more impressive or unique.
Currently one of the largest national organizations for trampoline and tumbling gymnastics is the U.S.T.A, which was created by George Nissen and Larry Griswold in 1971. At that time there were only 200 gymnasts involved in this group, but since then the organization has grown to over 10 times that size. Over 2000 competitors were involved in the largest National competitions, which hosted more than 5000 separate events.
Over the centuries mankind has pushed the limits of human capabilities with feats of strength and dexterity. They have even resisted the law of gravity to hone remarkable athletic skills. Tumbling and trampolining gymnastics is the result of many innovators and superior athletes defying the known boundaries of physical achievement and even science. As a result, they have captured the imagination of audiences world-wide.
Note to editors/publisher: My word processor indicates that I have 1001 words in the content above, but I had some issues with submitting the article. I keep receiving a message that tells me I only have 991 words. I rechecked everything and I do have the minimum word count. I believe there may be technical issue. I made this note so that the article will go through anyway, but be assured the minimum word count has been met in the text above this note.