A Series: The Four Senior Level Apparatus: Ball

In Rhythmic Gymnastics, there are four apparatus that

gymnasts use in competition at the senior level: a ball, a set of clubs, a hoop, and a ribbon. Each apparatus lends itself to different types of movements and tricks that are required within the rhythmic gymnastics code of points. The first element that we will delve into is the ball.

The main focus for gymnasts doing ball routines is virtuosity and full-body flexibility. Gymnasts handle the ball with all parts of their body, and in order to get points for certain elements required of a ball routine, gymnasts need to correctly execute different handling techniques. The apparatus is used at the junior and senior level. So, it is important for gymnasts to learn how to handle the ball as soon as possible.

Any ball being used in competition can only be 7-7.8 inches in diameter and must weigh at least 14 oz. There are certain size requirements because the gymnast should not be able to grasp the ball. It should simply rest against their palm or any other part of their body. The ball also has to be sufficiently heavy for the gymnast to bounce it.

AVERINA Dina (RUS) - 2018 Rhythmic Worlds, Sofia (BUL) - Qualifications Ball

However, many gymnasts do grasp the ball with other parts of their body like the back of their knee, between their legs or in the curve of their back in a backbend position. Most ball elements involve sliding the ball along different body parts or tossing it in the air and catching it. Especially when gymnasts perform jumps in their routine, they will usually toss the ball in the air for the length of the series of split leaps, switch leaps, or turning leaps that are usually finished off with a tumbling series.

Ultimately, the gymnast should catch the ball with some part of their body at the end of the jumping series. The most difficult part is to line up the timing exactly so that they are in the right place to catch the ball. Otherwise, the ball can roll away, which is a major point deduction. Any time a gymnast loses control of or drops their apparatus, they lose anywhere from .30 points to .70 points, depending on how many steps they must take to retrieve their apparatus.

There is always a spare apparatus on the side of the floor in competition, though. In the worst-case scenario that an apparatus gets tossed completely out of bounds and the gymnast is unable to retrieve it without taking away a significant amount of time from the rest of their routine, they can use the spare.

If the gymnast has any turns in their routine with the ball, they will usually bounce it with one hand as they turn. For example, if a dancer is doing an arabesque turn, they will continuously bounce the ball as they spin with one leg in the air at 180 degrees. In any type of arabesque or split position, the goal is for the gymnast to have their legs at at least 180 degrees, but an over split is always preferable. If the gymnast is performing a fouetté turn, they will bounce the ball each time the turn back around toward the front.

The FIG, Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, is the governing body for standards and codes of rhythmic gymnastics on an international level. The FIG has a series of labeled elements for each apparatus that are eligible to receive points in competition at varying levels. Most of the elements for ball involve sliding the ball along the body while performing series of steps or catching/trapping it with different parts of the body.

In general, the goal is for the gymnasts, specifically in the upper levels, is to make the apparatus part of each movement, not an accessory to the movement. Therefore, the judges want to see the gymnasts incorporating the apparatus in unique ways by handling it with all parts of their bodies. The ball is one of the hardest to do this with because of its robust structure and how easily it can bounce away. However, the judges still look for gymnasts to use non-traditional body parts, like the back, whenever possible in a ball routine because they want to see that the gymnast has full-body strength.