6 | nebraska men’s Gymnastics | 2013-14
Men’s Gymnastics Events
Floor Exercise
The entire floor area must be used during the exercise, which consists
primarily of three to five tumbling passes performed in different
directions. The new NCAA scoring system requires gymnasts to include
non-acrobatic elements, acrobatic forward, backward and sideward
elements and a dismount. The exercise must also contain elements of
balance, strength, jumps and leg circles. The area of the floor exercise
mat is 40 feet by 40 feet.
Pommel Horse
The gymnast must cover all three areas of the horse, the middle and both
ends, while performing continuous circular movements interrupted only
by the required scissor element. The only parts of the body that should
touch the apparatus are the hands. The entire exercise should flow with
a steady, controlled rhythm. Considered by many to be the most difficult
of all men’s gymnastics events, the pommel horse is also the most subtle.
Each move is defined by complex hand placements and body positions.
NCAA rules require gymnasts to include single leg work, circles, spindles
and handstands, side and cross travels, kehres and wendeswings and a
dismount. The pommel horse stands 42 inches high as measured from
the top of the mat to the top of the apparatus.
Still Rings
The ring routine must include a swing to a handstand, swing to a strength
element and a static strength skill. The exercise must also include kip and
swing portions that may not lead to a held position. Examples of strength
elements include a cross, an inverted cross or a planche. The rings should
be absolutely still and in control at the end of each skill. The rings are 100
inches from the top of the mat.
Vault
Each individual vault is categorized in the Code of Points, the official text
giving relevant value of each skill performed. During the pre-flight from
the springboard to the horse, the body must maintain proper form, i.e.
legs together and straight. During the second flight, from the horse to
the landing, the gymnast’s body must rise and show a complete body
extension before landing. The landing should be firm, without extra
steps, and in line with the horse. The men’s vault stands 53 inches high.
The runway is a maximum of 82 feet long.
Parallel Bars
A parallel bar routine consists of swinging, flight and hold elements. The
gymnast is required to execute swinging skills which originate from a
support, a hang below the bars and an upper arm hang. Also required is
at least one skill from the strength, leg swing and side bar element group.
The parallel bars stand 70 inches high.
High Bar
The routine on the high bar consists exclusively of swinging parts without
stops. The gymnast must execute at least one move in which he releases
and re-grasps the bar, and must perform at least one giant with either
his back to the bar or with an “eagle” grip in which the wrists are rolled
outward until the thumbs are on the outside. The gymnast is also
required to perform an “in bar” skill like a stalder circle. The bar is 100
inches from the top of the mat.
INTRODUCTION | 177 ALL-TIME ALL-AMERICA AWARDS