Trampoline Gymnastics – learning to fly
Everyone dreams of flying. Trampoline Gymnastics takes you about as close to flying, without the need for a motor. Seen as a reflection of man's desire to defy gravity, early civilisations devised various methods of sending a person into the air, such as using outstretched animal skins to throw them up and safely catch them on their descent. Circuses have used a number of methods to propel performers into the air for a variety of somersaults but it was not until George Nissen invented the trampoline, that the sport took off.
Trampoline Gymnastics is a relative newcomer to the gymnastic family but has a very rich and proud tradition in the UK. It is a spectacular sport that can see a world-class trampolinist reach heights of 10 metres whilst performing multiple somersaults and twists.
As well as being a sport in its own right, Trampoline Gymnastics is widely recognised as a training tool for many other gymnastic disciplines and sports such as diving and freestyle skiing. Trampoline Gymnastics embodies courage and elegance. The sport requires precise technique and perfect body control, leaving with very little margin for error.
Trampoline Gymnastics in the UK, encompasses two very distinct categories of competition; Trampoline (individual or synchronised) and Double Mini Trampoline (DMT).
Trampoline:
A typical competition routine on the trampoline is characterised by high, continuous rhythmic feet to feet, to back, front or seat rotational jumping elements, without hesitation or intermediate straight bounces between two elements.
In a synchronised competition, a pair of gymnasts can consist of two women or two men. Pairs must do the same element at the same time and must start facing the same direction.
A typical trampoline competition is made up of three routines/rounds: compulsory (a combination of free and compulsory elements), voluntary (free elements of the gymnast’s own choosing) and the final voluntary round. Each routine is made up of 10 skills and must start and finish on the feet.