A Series: The Four Senior Level Apparatus: Ribbon

A ribbon is probably the most commonly known apparatus in rhythmic gymnastics. However, often times, when people think of rhythmic gymnasts, they revert to an outdated stereotype of young girls spinning around, aimlessly twirling ribbons. This stereotype could not be further from the truth.

It takes astounding levels of precision and skill for a gymnast to be able to manipulate and control a ribbon while performing a routine already packed with technically difficult skills. Furthermore, rhythmic gymnasts are required to perform their whole routines in time to music and with specific sensibilities depending on the music. In other words, they must have a sense of artistry in addition to physical capability.

Arina Averina - Ribbon AA GP Moscow 2019 18.90

In all routines, no matter the apparatus, gymnasts are scored on their artistry. However, in ribbon routines, artistry is especially important because the ribbon is essentially an extension of the gymnast’s body. Just as the gymnast’s body must remain constantly in motion, the ribbon must be constantly in motion as well, or the gymnast loses points. With almost every movement, gymnasts have to simultaneously manipulate the ribbon to spin around, behind, or above them.

In fact, the ribbon almost never leaves a gymnast’s hand, unless they are throwing/flicking it in the air to then catch it again or handling it with their foot. In senior level rhythmic gymnastics, there are only a few movements that allow the gymnast to handle the ribbon with their foot. One of the most popular and most challenging is the illusion turn.

In an illusion, a gymnast inverts their entire body, keeping their weight on one leg and raising the other leg up to 180 degrees while they do a half turn in the split position without putting their hands down on the floor. To finish an illusion, a gymnast must complete the second half of the turn as they bring their leg back down, keeping it straight, and revert to a standing position.

Gymnasts will often do multiple illusions in succession. Since the illusion doesn’t involve use of the arms very much, gymnasts keep the ribbon in the grasp of the foot of their raised leg so that the ribbon spins with them.

Overall, the main focus for ribbon routines is fluidity. Along with the ribbon, the gymnast should appear to be floating. Therefore, the main element that judges look for in ribbon routines is turns, which exemplify a “floating” quality. Gymnasts will perform all kinds of turns while twirling the ribbon around their bodies such as arabesque turns, attitude turns, leg-hold turns, ponche turns, and a la seconde turns.

Rhythmic gymnasts do not get to perform with a ribbon until they reach the upper levels. In the lower junior levels, gymnasts perform without any apparatus at all so that they can perfect their technical skills. In the mid junior levels, gymnasts perform with a length of rope instead of a ribbon because it is easier to control, but also somewhat mimics a ribbon. Unlike a ribbon, though, a rope is tied together at the ends to form a circle. In routines with rope, gymnasts must jump through their apparatus, instead of wielding it around them.

In competition, ribbons must be between 4-6 cm in width, at least 6 meters in length and made of satin or a similar non-starched, synthetic material. All of these requirements mean that ribbons are very long and extremely fluid, which can make them hard to manage. Gymnasts can easily become tangled up in their ribbon or trip over it if they are not very precise.

For the starting positions in many ribbon routines, many gymnasts will wrap the ribbon around their bodies, and then gracefully untangle themselves and launch the ribbon into the air. Many people don’t realize that, in this case, a routine can go horribly wrong right from the beginning because a gymnast could get stuck in their own ribbon if they are not able to untangle themselves the right way.

However, the level of skill it takes to manipulate a ribbon is also what makes ribbon routines so beautiful to watch. Sometimes, it can be hard to focus on the gymnast’s movements because the movements of the ribbon are equally as enchanting and dynamic.