Gymnastics Ribbon – What You Should Really Know About This Gymnast Equipment
To pick up the ribbon and stick and swing it about in the various planes to create a variety of patterns is surprisingly easy, anyone can do it, provided that the correct swivel attachment between ribbon and stick is used, and that the performer stands still.
Once the body movements are incorporated, particularly turning and traveling, the low level and the more advanced movements, the risk of getting tangled in the ribbon becomes much greater. The emphasis throughout rhythmic gymnastics is upon harmony between body and apparatus movement, and the ribbon is no exception, indeed it is this which makes the work with the ribbon particularly difficult.
Continuity is all important, for the ribbon must not die. It is long, light and flexible and must be worked throughout its entire length. Beginners and young gymnasts do not always find it easy to sustain work; it not only requires co-ordination and stamina, but also concentration.
However, it still proves to be the most popular piece, for it gives an immediate sense of satisfaction and achievement, is fun to do and is spectacular. The fundamental elements of ribbon work are listed as swings, circles, snakes and coils or spirals, with additional elements of figures of eight and throws.
Basically the technique is concerned with two types of action:
1. Large swinging movements involving the use of the whole arm, and resulting in the formation of sweeping curved patterns with the ribbon
2. Small wrist movements, either up and down, or stirring, resulting in the formation of small folds or snakes, or little circles (coils) of the ribbon.
The stick is held in a natural position between the thumb and forefinger, with a fairly firm grip. This provides the usual situation for ribbon work, though occasionally part of the actual ribbon is held as well.
In seeking alternative methods of manipulating the ribbon in order to give added variety and excitement, gymnasts are now using it in quite unusual ways, holding the end, the middle, folding it, stepping on it, starting with it rolled up and so on.
All of these different ideas must of course be built into the overall sequences, and performed with elegance and style.
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