The rope is an apparatus used in the sport of

rhythmic gymnastics Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which gymnasts perform individually or in groups on a floor with an apparatus: hoop (rhythmic gymnastics), hoop, ball (rhythmic gymnastics), ball, Clubs (rhythmic gymnastics), clubs, ribbon (rhythmic gymnastics), ...

. It is one of the five apparatuses utilized in this discipline, alongside the

ball A ball is a round object (usually spherical, but sometimes ovoid) with several uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for s ...

clubs Club may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Club (magazine), ''Club'' (magazine) * Club, a ''Yie Ar Kung-Fu'' character * Clubs (suit), a suit of playing cards * Club music * "Club", by Kelsea Ballerini from the album ''kelsea'' Brands a ...

, hoop, and

ribbon A ribbon or riband is a thin band of material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily as decorative binding and tying. Cloth ribbons are made of natural materials such as silk, cotton, and jute and of synthetic mate ...

. While previously used at both the senior and junior level and in both individual and group exercises, the rope has been mostly phased out of usage and is now only used in the junior group exercises in some years.

History

Jump ropes were used in some "modern gymnastics" (the precursor to modern rhythmic gymnastics) programs. The

International Gymnastics Federation The International Gymnastics Federation ( French: ''Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique'', abbr. FIG) is the body governing competition in all disciplines of gymnastics. Its headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was founded on 23 ...

(FIG) considered several types of rope before adopting plain hemp ropes with no handles. It was one of the original official apparatuses along with the

and hoop. From 2001-2012, each apparatus had a compulsory body group of movements that had to predominate in the exercise; for rope, this was jumps and leaps. The rope is still used in junior group exercises in some years, but at the individual level, it is generally not competed. However, the code of points still allows for it to be used at local competitions. The reason given by the FIG for its retirement is that it was not as visually appealing as the other four apparatuses.

Specifications and technique

The rope may be made of

hemp Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of ''Cannabis sativa'' cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest ...

or a similar synthetic material. Its length is in proportion to the size of the gymnast. The rope should, when held down by the feet, reach both of the gymnasts'

armpit The axilla (: axillae or axillas; also known as the armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm an ...

s. At the ends, there may be one or two knots and an anti-slip material to help the gymnast hold on, but there should be no handles. The middle may be reinforced. It may be any color, but bright ones are preferred. It may be used open or folded. However, the basic rope technique is considered to be holding it open with one end in each hand to perform jumps and hops of various kinds and in different directions. While elements such as rebounding the robe, spinning the ends, and wrapping it around body parts are allowed, they should be a minimal part of the exercise. Throwing the rope is difficult because it does not keep its shape well in the air, and to do so the gymnast must throw both ends with the same acceleration.

Elements

Gymnasts perform a variety of elements with the rope, including skipping over it, throwing it, and hanging it from the body while balancing or turning. The elements that are considered to be particular to the rope are: * Releasing and catching one end of the rope or rotating one end of the rope while holding the other * Catching the open rope from a high throw with one end in each hand * Rotations: ** Rotating the length of the rope while it is folded in half, thirds, or quarters ** Rotating the rope around a body part ** Rotating the rope while it is outstretched ** Rotating the ends of the rope while the middle is held * Passing the body or part of the body through a turning rope * A series of jumps with the rope turning in various directions * Wrapping or unwrapping the rope around body parts

Photo gallery

File:Amaya Cardeñoso 1992 Bruselas 03b.jpg, Jumping over the rope ( Amaya Cardeñoso) File:Noelia Fernández 1990 Moscardó 02.PNG, Jumping over the rope sideways ( Noelia Fernández (gymnast)) File:Carmen Acedo 1992 Bruselas.PNG, Swinging one end of the rope during a split leap ( Carmen Acedo) File:Europese kampioenschappen Ritmische Gymnastiek gehouden in Amsterdam, Zaveska (T, Bestanddeelnr 931-1089.jpg, Swinging the rope while holding both ends (Zuzana Záveská) File:Zarina GIZIKOVA.jpg, Wrapping the rope around both hands ( Zarina Gizikova)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rope (Rhythmic Gymnastics) Rhythmic gymnastics apparatus