Womens Squads
Dynamo School of gymnastics (DSG) is one of only a handful of clubs in the country that offer Artistic gymnastics at a high level for both Male Artistic and Female Artistic Gymnastics. The Women's section has a development programme which caters for youngsters from 7yrs. onwards. DSG has a talent identification programme which reaches into schools as well as the outreach centres that it runs and its recreational classes on the Hamble School site. The Women's section can boast of having had past Olympians as well as youngster competing for Great Britain England Southern Region and Hampshire County.
The rules that all gymnastics disciplines work to are governed by the Federation International Gymnastics (F.I.G.) and whilst most of the rules remain the same the way in which the sport is judged is reviewed every four years, which is an Olympic Cycle. This is done to take into account the increase in difficulty and any other changes that may be necessary.
Women are required to compete on four pieces of apparatus. They are:
Vault (VT)
Height from the floor: 1.25 metres. The vaulting table is placed long way, and is the same for men and women.
Each vault is awarded a value according to its difficulty. The height and the length of the vault are of crucial importance together with the exactness of the turns before and after the somersault and the controlled landing.
Gymnasts perform only one vault for Qualifications, Individual All-around and Team Final unless they are attempting to qualify for Finals on Vault. In this case, the gymnast must perform two Vaults under the FIG stated rules, the scores of which are then averaged. The top 8 gymnasts then compete in the Vault Final.
Uneven Bars (UB)
Low bar is now measured from floor to top of low bar as 170cm and to high bar top at 250cm +/- 1cm. The maximum width allowed between the bars is 180cm.
Swinging and continuous movements are required on this apparatus. The exercise should include movements in both directions, above and below the bars. Elements with twists and somersaults with multiple grip changes and high flight should be demonstrated to maximise scores. Often a spectacular dismount ends the routine.
Balance Beam (BB)
Height of the beam from the floor: 1.25 metres. The beam is five metres long and only 10 cm wide.
A routine on the beam should be an artistic combination of a variety of acrobatic elements, gymnastic leaps, jumps, turns, step and running combinations, waves and balance elements in standing, sitting and lying positions. The gymnast should use the entire length of the beam, demonstrating elegance, flexibility, rhythm, tempo, balance, confidence and control. Dismount series of acrobatic elements can be very spectacular. The maximum time on beam is 1'30".
Floor Exercise (FX)
The floor measures 12 x 12 metres, with an additional safety border of 1 metre. The performance area must have a surface elasticity to allow for power during take-off and softness for landing.
The floor exercise, accompanied by music to enhance the performance, should combine dance movements and sequences with a variety of tumbling and acrobatic elements. The whole floor area should be used with the exercise being varied in mood, tempo and direction. Individuality, originality, maturity, mastery and artistry of presentation are key ingredients for a high score.
