Something interesting the Russians do with compulsories

[Senor Nico]

Like the US, the lower levels of gymnastics in Russia have compulsory routines. But I just noticed how they go about doing them. Let's use these three floor routines as examples:

Routine 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okccmAonH-I

Routine 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=080bmIiKwMo

Routine 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUG5F-YMws

Basically the actual elements they do (tumbling passes, dance skills) have to be the same. But they can choose whatever music and choreography they like. They can also arrange the skills in any order they wish.

[alexandrite105]

in a way i like that, and in another way, to me, compulsory is compulsory and everyone does the same thing, in the same order, etc.

[selecious]

ugh how do they do it?! why do the russians always have the BEST floor music!!! and a lot of them aren't even russian!!


my mind speculates a million reasons why they do it this way, but in a sense i personally think it helps build artistry. encouraging a gymnast (and coach) to discover and establish a gymnasts style. it's the tumbling that's universal and what they need to get down, but the artistry, now that's something that comes from a gymnast's core.

[selecious]

btw. i know that most if not all former soviet countries do extensive ballet bar work training, a tradition i sincerely sincerely hope they continue to uphold, but I am curious about other countries. i know china does bar work but have they always? do any gyms in the US?

[thailek]

I quite like this idea for compulsories.

However, I would reserve it for levels 8-10 in the United States. It would be, in my imagination, set up similar to how the elite level used compulsories. The gymnasts would have their optional routines, but would have to use these routines to qualify for state championships and regional championships, meaning one state qualification meet would be compulsory only, and an additional session of regionals using only compulsory routines would be needed. The regional scores would be combined to determine qualification to nationals (if one is available [level 9 east and west, level 10 JO nationals]).

The lower levels (levels 4-6) would retain their current method, using choreographed routines that all gymnasts perform.

Level 7 would be trickier, as they are transitioning to the idea of optionals. I would just leave them their optional routines to form a base, then re-introduce compulsories at level 8.

I think it would be a great way to keep gymnasts working on their basics so we don't get so many who cannot hit a full split or straddle in their leaps, or manage to hang onto a full turn on the beam.

/rambling.

[Tramper]

In the UK, Espoirs (sort of the equivalent of pre-elites - up to the age of 13) have to compete something called 'range' as part of the all around. It focuses on basic conditioning, form and skills.

[SuperFantasticGymChick]

Originally Posted by Tramper

In the UK, Espoirs (sort of the equivalent of pre-elites - up to the age of 13) have to compete something called 'range' as part of the all around. It focuses on basic conditioning, form and skills.

I haven't seen any videos of this, but this sounds pretty similar to what we had in New Zealand until a few years ago.
Was it a floor routine, without the music, where you had to do all the basic gym skills-handstands, splits, bridge, etc?

[spezi3]

While a routine with compulsory elements arranged in any order sounds like a good idea, I prefer it when gymnasts do the same compulsory routine for several reasons:

1. Judging biases. Judges may prefer a certain style of movement or type of music, which could influence how they score a routine. A judge who is partial to a more classical style will give one or two "bonus tenths" to a power gymnast.

2. The same routine allows the judges to directly compare the gymnasts. If everybody is doing the same skills in the same order, it makes it easy for the judges to compare the gymnasts in a more unbiased manner.

3. One compulsory routine also helps the spectators to directly compare the gymnasts.

I do believe that having compulsory elements performed in any order is more interesting for the spectators. But in order to have a more unbiased ranking, I think it is better to have one compulsory routine. Optional exercises are what should be used to show off a gymnast's style.

By the way, I found those routines that Nico posted more interesting than 98% of the floor routines at the last Worlds. The young Russians actually used the music and choreographed their movements to it. What a refreshing change from floor routines of the past quad or two.

[Gymmie]

I think letting compulsory gymnasts pick their own music could help kids stay in the sport longer! That's like a BIG deal to become an optional gymnast so you can choose your music, by making it earlier you grab the kids that would have other quit because they just can't wait long enough but it also could make the time less special....

US could use BETTER complusory music. Uck. I think they do it so as not to show favoritism towards one style (i.e. classical dancer, hip hop dancer, jazzy,etc.)

There are several gyms in the US that do bar work. I know of several most notably WOGA and mine

[Fishbulb]

Originally Posted by SuperFantasticGymChick

I haven't seen any videos of this, but this sounds pretty similar to what we had in New Zealand until a few years ago.
Was it a floor routine, without the music, where you had to do all the basic gym skills-handstands, splits, bridge, etc?

I think I've seen a video of this, if I'm thinking of the right thing. It was done on a spot on the floor, as opposed to the whole mat. It was a lot of flexibilty holds, handstands, walkovers and such.

I thought it was great. The US could definitely use an "event" like that, for the younger kids.