Trampolining Levels & Skills

Trampolining has gymnasts bounce as high as 30 feet in the air at top speeds. Men and women compete in three events: individual, synchronized, and double mini. Power tumbling, a fourth event, is usually grouped in with trampolining but utilizes elevated runways on fiberglass rods instead of trampolines. In all events, a qualification round has compulsory routines with a set list of skills done in a certain order; and optional routines that must include 10 specific skills. Nine judges rate athletes on how well the moves are performed and the degree of difficulty involved.

  1. Trampolining Events

    • In the individual trampolining event, an athlete jumps several times to gain height, then jumps 10 leaps without pause and commences with intricate aerial skills. Synchronized trampolining has two athletes performing simultaneously; the team is judged on symmetry, form and difficulty of moves. Double mini trampolining involves a run-up and two judged moves with two more performed for the final round. Moves can’t be repeated and are judged for height, form and intricacy of movement.

    Routines & Scoring

    • A preliminary routine consists of 10 jumps and a combination of 20 Saltos and 15 twists. There are compulsory moves and a free routine to show off skills and tricks.
      The top-ranked athletes go to finals and the top three scores win gold, silver and bronze medals.

    Trampoline Moves

    • Athletes must create their routines from standard trampoline moves, each with criteria for correctness. Somersaults are to be done a 360-degree body rotation. A Barani is a forward somersault with a half twist. A Randy is a forward somersault with a 2.5 twist. A hip swivel is a seat-drop, hip swivel, seat-drop motion. The twisting move has a twist that rotates horizontally, then vertically. A straight jump is a vertical jump, judged on its perfect linear body position. The tuck jump, or a Salto, is a standard trampoline move that has the athlete bringing knees to chest, tucking legs closely between knees and ankles. A cradle is a back drop, half twist, back drop movement. The turntable move is a front drop, half twist, front drop.

    Background

    • The trampoline was invented by American, George Nissen, and was modeled after a circus trapeze artist’s safety net. The first modern trampoline was built in 1930s at the University of Iowa. Trampolining wasn't recognized as a sport in the USA in 1967 and it didn't become an official Olympic sport until the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.