Composition Elements of Uneven Bars

The uneven bars is a highly demanding women's gymnastics apparatus for athletes starting in school-age gymnastic competitions, right on through the collegiate level and the Olympics. When competing, athletes are scored on a number of elements. The uneven bars are scored on the level of difficulty of a routine, and how well the gymnast executes those individual elements. When creating a routine, gymnasts and their coaches work on the following composition elements to create a routine that is matched to the gymnast's abilities.

  1. Amplitude

    • Amplitude refers to the rate of speed, the size of the executed move, and how well the gymnast completes her individual positions. Each move on the uneven bars can be completed with various levels of expertise and energy. Specific elements that are completed sloppily or slowly have less amplitude than those that another gymnast completes with speed and extension, snapping from one position to the next.

    Bar Changes

    • Gymnasts are expected to change bars a number of times during their routine. At least two elements or tricks must be performed on the lower bar. The artistic nature of this event allows the gymnast and her coach to create routines that move back and forth from the low to the high bar as she competes. The gymnast is rated for the form and the power with which she moves from bar to bar.

    Grip Changes

    • Specific gymnastic moves require unique grips. In order to apply the most power to the bar, gymnasts use either a forward, reverse, mixed or eagle grip. As they propel themselves around the bars, gymnasts are expected to change grips. For example, if the gymnast slows to a handstand on the upper bar, she can pirouette and change her grip from a forward to a reverse grip as she transitions between moves.

    Directional Changes

    • Each move causes the gymnast to revolve around the bar, and the competitor is expected to create a routine that changes rotational direction. This tests the gymnast's ability to create strong elements, and then pause and transition from one bar to the other or from one trick to another as she changes directions. By combining all of these compositional elements, gymnasts demonstrate their overall physical strength and skills on the apparatus.