1. sports
2. gymnastics

SOUTH AFRICAN GYMNASTICS FEDERATION
SCHOOLS GYMNASTICS MANUAL
2012 – 2014
Contents
1. AerobicStar
2. GymStar
3. SkipStar
Page 3
Page 19
Page 28
2
AerobicSt r
Aerobics Gymnastics Program
BACKGROUND
This program was developed for schools, community clubs and recreational
centres as a competitive introduction to Aerobics gymnastics. It consists of three
levels of participation and each level has a floor routine.
Aerobic gymnastics is a combination of seven basic aerobic steps together with
arm movements; all performed to music to create dynamic, rhythmic and
continuous sequences of high and low impact movements.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
This program is suitable for girls and boys. It forms part of the schools
competitive gymnastics program. Teams are made up of either 4 boys or girls,
and compete under the name of the school. Schools may enter any number of
teams. For the schools program gymnasts perform in trios, pairs (2 pairs)
and as an individual. Scores from all 4 routines count towards the team total
score. The person performing as the individual cannot perform in the trio.
AGE GROUPS
Primary school
U11 and U14
High School (introduced in 2015)
U15 and U17
3
COMPETITION FORMAT
Year
2012
2013
2014
Level of comp
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Program usage
AerobicStar1
AerobicStar1
AerobicStar1
Age groups
U11, U14
U14
U14
AerobicStar1
AerobicStar1
AerobicStar1
U11, U14
U14
U14
AerobicStar1, 2
AerobicStar2
AerobicStar2
U11, U14
U11, U14
U14
Attire
Girls: Leotard/Stockings/Socks/Shoes
T-Shirt/Shorts/Socks/Shoes
Boys: Unitard/Socks/Shoes
T-Shirt/Shorts/Shoes
No jewelry is allowed.
General notes
 The floor routine can be performed on thin mats, however any suitable
working surface is acceptable (spring floor, judo mat, soft grass field)
 Floor size is 7m x 7m
 The routine is performed to music
 The floor routine is judged out of a maximum of 20 points
 The 7 basic aerobics steps are: March, Jog, Jumping jack, Knee up, Flick
kick, High leg kick and Lunge
 Suggested lesson plan:
Activity
Warm Up
Stretch
Routine/Elements
Cool Down/ Stretch
Time
+ 15 Minutes
+ 10 Minutes
+ 30 Minutes
+ 5 Minutes
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
JUDGING MANUAL
Difficulty
Group A
Push Up on
knees
Technical Description:
Start Position: Front Support (push up position). Hands
begin under the shoulders and slightly wider than shoulder
width apart. Fingers pointing forward with wrist hyper
extended. Knees on floor with feet crossed. Head in line
with the spine.
Action: Bend elbows, lowering body to 10cm from the
floor. Body stays straight throughout element.
End Position: Straighten arms to return to front support.
Methodology (ways to learn the element):
1.
2.
3.
4.
Wall push ups.
Push up with arms elevated (raised).
Front support on knees.
Push up from front support, coach to assist gymnast by supporting the
abdominal area, while gymnast performs push up.
13
Group B
Technical Description
L-Support with
lifted buttocks
Starting Position:
Seated in a piked position (legs together straight in front
of body) hands flat and on either side of body.
Action:
While in piked position lift buttocks off the floor. Legs
stay in contact with the floor. Hold position for 2
seconds.
End Position: Lower (buttocks) body to floor.
Methodology (ways to learn the element):
1. Beginning with a bench with legs tucked, lift body off the bench.
2. Coach supports at the waist while athlete lifts off the bench, athlete
extends the legs and holds.
3. Coach supports the legs while the athlete holds the straddle or piked
position. (can also be done with feet on a bench)
14
Group C
Technical Description
Tuck Jump
Starting Position:
Standing position with feet together.
Action:
A vertical jump with take off from 2 feet. Knees are
raised to above horizontal (to belly button or higher).
End Position: Lower legs to standing position, feet
together.
Methodology (ways to learn the element):
1. Strengthen legs by doing lunges and squats.
2. From standing step forward jump feet together to perform a stretch
jump. Ensure that the gymnasts uses the whole of the foot (flat, ball
and toes) and bending the knees to start and finish the jump.
3. Practice jump on the trampoline first
4. Start from on a bench or spring board (height) and perform the jump
off
15
Group D
Technical Description
Split
Action:
Legs are fully extended (One in front and one
behind) and at least 170°. Both legs are in contact
with the floor. Upper body is up-right.
Methodology (ways to learn the element): For all splits
1. Lying on the back one leg on the floor raise the other leg as far
as possible. The coach’s assists the gymnast by pushing the leg
to its maximum (without the gymnast feeling pain) this is
repeated on both legs.
2. In the same position, the coach holds the lifted leg and the
gymnast pushes against the coach’s hands. The gymnast stops
push and the coaches extended the leg further (without pain).
Execution
Every movement must be performed with perfect execution. That means that the
correct posture must be maintained throughout the routine. Body alignment
must be maintained while moving. Arm movements must show a clear starting
and ending position for every movement. Feet and arms must be fully extended
when required. Toes must be pointed to show full extension.
16
Artistic
Composition:
To assist with the arms choreography for AerobicStar2 and 3 there are some
examples of arm positions with the 7 basics steps. Coaches may use any variety
and variation of these positions. This is in no means all the possible arms
positions that can be used.
Arm movements must be combined and each leg movement must have a
corresponding arm movement. Arm movements must be linked in a smooth and
dynamic way. Arm movements must show a combination of short and long
levers. The more complex the arm movements are performed with the correct
legs choreography, the higher the artistic, composition score will be received.
Space
Gymnasts must follow the prescribed (set) floor pattern of the routines. For
pairs, trio’s and groups, coaches must change the patterns and formation of the
gymnasts but the overall floor pattern must stay the same.
Presentation
Gymnasts must have an athletic impression with all movements being sharp and
clear. They must also show self-confidence, physical energy and showmanship.
Facial expressions must be natural. Eye contact must be made with the
audience, judges and partners for pairs and trios.
Timing and Synchronization
Timing is the ability to work on the beat of the music. Gymnasts must perform all
movements to the music.
Synchronization is for pairs, trio’s and groups and is the ability of all the
gymnasts to perform the moves at the same time. They must move as one.
17
18
GymSt r
Artistic Gymnastics program
BACKGROUND
This program was developed for schools, community clubs and recreational
centres as a competitive introduction to Artistic gymnastics. It consists of three
levels of participation and each level has a floor routine and 2 skill vaults.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
This program is suitable for girls and boys. It forms part of the schools
competitive gymnastics program. Teams are made up of either 4 boys, 4 girls or
a mixture of boys and girls, and compete under the name of the school. Schools
may enter any number of teams. Gymnasts perform individually and all 4 of
their scores count towards the team total score.
AGE GROUPS
Primary school
U11 and U14
High School (introduced in 2015)
U15 and U17
PROGRAM USE
This program will be used as part of the intra and inter – schools competitive
program. Using a league system, school teams will use this program to compete
for district, provincial and national championship status. At the National
Championships, teams MUST consist of 4 learners (either all girls or all boys).
19
COMPETITION FORMAT
Year
2012
2013
2014
Level of comp
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Program usage
GymStar1
GymStar1
GymStar1
Age groups
U11, U14
U14
U14
GymStar1
GymStar1
GymStar1
U11, U14
U14
U14
GymStar1, 2
GymStar2
GymStar2
U11, U14
U11, U14
U14
Attire
Girls: Leotard, bare foot
T-Shirt and shorts, bare foot
Boys: Leotard and shorts, bare foot
T-Shirt and shorts, bare foot
No jewelry is allowed
General notes
 Boys & Girls do the same routines on Floor & Vault
 Judging requirements & principals are the same for boys and girls
VAULT
General notes






6m Run up (minimum)
Spring board or the floor
Standard Landing Mat – approx (1350 x 2300 x 150 mm)
Top surface – “EVA” (hard) mat (1000 x 2000 x 50 mm)
Each gymnast must perform BOTH vaults
Each vault is judged out of a maximum value of 5 points
20
JUMPS
1)
2)
1)
2)
1)
2)
Tuck Jump
Star Jump
Straddle Jump
Full twist stretch jump
Pike Jump
Front Somersault (tuck position)
FLOOR
General notes
 All floor routines may use a strip mat (minimum 10m x 2m) however any
suitable working surface is acceptable (spring floor, judo mat, soft grass
field)
 Turns/movements may be done L or R
 Balance may be done on L or R foot
 The routine is not performed to music
 The floor routine is judged out of a maximum of 10 points
21
FLOOR
Description
Step forward raising arms
upward and kick to
momentary handstand >
(1.5) lower to lunge arms
upward > bring back foot
fwd to standing (0.5)
Cartwheel to finish sideways,
¼ turn outwards and join
feet - arms upwards
Value Faults
2.0
Handstand not in
vertical
Legs not closed in
Handstand
.1
X
.3
X
X
X
2.0
X
X
X
X
Crouch arms forward (0.5) >
forward roll (1.0) >
immediate stretch jump,
land. (0.5)
2.0
X
X
Crouch (0.5) , place hands on 2.0
floor > jump to bunny
handstand (1.0) > lower
back to crouch arms fwd
(0.5)
Rise to standing arms
2.0
sideways > lift 1 leg forwards
and bend knee @ 90 deg.
(horizontal) > balance for 2
seconds > return to standing
- arms down
Cartwheel not through
vertical
Insufficient separation of
legs
Back not straight in
crouch
Hands push off mat in
roll
Stretch jump not
immediate
Back not straight in
crouch
Legs not together
Bunny not reaching
vertical
Balance not held for 2
sec
Leg not 90”
Upper Leg not horizontal
22
.5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
FLOOR
Description
Step fwd raising arms
upward and kick to
momentary handstand (1.0)
> forward roll (0.5) to
immediate tuck jump >
standing arms upward (0.5)
Value
2.0
Run / hurdle step to
cartwheel with ¼ turn
inwards to lunge arms
upwards (1.5) > move rear
foot fwd to standing arms
upwards (0.5)
Crouch arms fwd (0.5) >
backward roll to straddle
standing (back horizontal) arms sideways (1.5)
2.0
Place hands on floor and
jump with straddle legs to
momentary handstand (1.5)
> lower through tuck
handstand to crouch arms
(0.5) fwd
Stand arms sideways > step
forward to arabesque –
(chest down) arms sideways
> hold for 2 seconds > lower
rear leg , raise trunk to
standing arms at side
2.0
2.0
2.0
Faults
H/Stand not through
vertical
Tuck jump not
immediate
Legs open in tuck jump
Hands push off mat in
roll
C/wheel not through
vertical
Insufficient separation
of legs
.1
X
.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Legs not together
Bent legs in straddle
standing
Back not horizontal in
balance
Hips not stretched in
handstand
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Balance not held for 2
seconds
Chest / Leg too high /
low
23
.5
X
X
FLOOR
Description
Short Run / Hurdle step to
arabspring (1.5) stretch jump
> land arms upwards (0.5)
Value
2.0
Crouch arms forward (0.5) >
backward roll to right angle
straddle standing arms
sideways > hold for 2
seconds (1.5)
2.0
Place hands on floor > jump
to handstand (1.5) > forward
roll (0.5)
2.0
Immediate stretch jump with
full turn > landing with arms
upwards
2.0
Lower arms to sideways > lift 2.0
straight leg fwd (to 45’)(0.5),
move free leg through
sideways to backwards (0.5)
– to finish in Arabesque
Standing (Chest down) arms
sideways > hold for 2
seconds > lower rear leg ,
raise trunk to standing arms
at side (1.0)
Faults
Arabspring not thru
vertical
Stretch jump not
immediate
Insufficient height in
jump
Back not straight in
crouch
Legs not together
Bent legs in pike
standing
Back not horizontal in
balance
Balance not held for 2
seconds
Not passing through
vertical
Hips not stretched in
H/Stand
Stretch jump not
immediate
Full turn incomplete
Body not stretched in
turn
Free leg not lifted 45’
Balance not held for 2
seconds
Chest / Leg too high /
low
24
.1
X
X
X
.3
X
X
X
.5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
JUDGING
GymSt r
Table of General Deductions
DESCRIPTION OF FAULT
DEDUCTION
Bent legs/arms/hips when not prescribed
Lack of body tension
Insufficient tuck/star/straddle shape
Insufficient height in jumps
Insufficient stretch before landings
Deviation of direction
Fall
Steps on landing – each (max. 0.9 ded.)
Step or shifting of hands/feet
Incorrect posture (arms, body), deep bending
of knees on landings
Extra swing or element
Turn not completed
Shifting/walking of hands / feet
Hold elements not held
Straddled legs when not allowed
Use of strength where not required
2 or more jumps on take-off
0.1
Small
0.3
Medium
0.5
Large
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X (each)
X
X(<30)
X each
1-2 sec
X<shoulders
X
X
X
X
X(31’-60’)
X(>60’)
1 sec
X>shoulders
X
X
SCORING
Scoring is done by adding up the marks attained by each gymnast and
then totaling all 4 gymnasts of the team to give total team score. Each
floor routine has a maximum value of 10.00 points and each vault a
maximum for 5.00 points.
25
X
1.0
<1 sec
GymStar Score Sheet
Level
GymStar1
Date
School
Age group
Name
Floor score
Max = 10.0
Vault 1 score
Max = 5.0
Vault 2 score
Max = 5.0
Total
1.
2.
3.
4.
Team score
GymStar Score Sheet
Level
GymStar1
Date
School
Age group
Name
Floor score
Max = 10.0
Vault 1 score
Max = 5.0
Vault 2 score
Max = 5.0
1.
2.
3.
4.
Team score
26
Total
Example of a competition floor layout
Team “A”
Competition area for floor
Judge 1
Gymnast 1
Judge 2
Gymnast 2
Judge 3
Gymnast 3
Judge 4
Gymnast 4
Competition area for vault
Judge 5
Gymnast 1
Judge 6
Gymnast 2
Judge 7
Gymnast 3
Judge 8
Gymnast 4
Team “B”
Minimum area for each competition grid would be 10m x 6m (i.e. total
competition area of 10m x 12m or just 10m x 6m with 2 rounds and only 4
judges)
27
SkipSt r
Rope Skipping program
BACKGROUND
This program was developed for schools, community clubs and recreational
centres as a competitive introduction to Rope Skipping. It consists of three levels
of participation and each level has a floor routine and 2 skill requirements.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
This program is suitable for girls and boys. It forms part of the schools
competitive gymnastics program. Teams are made up of 4 learners (either all
boys or all girls), and compete under the name of the school. Schools may enter
any number of teams. Jumpers perform individually and all 4 scores count
towards the team total score.
AGE GROUPS
Primary school
U11 and U14
High School (introduced in 2015)
U15 and U17
PROGRAM USE
This program will be used as part of the intra and inter – schools competitive
program. Using a league system, school teams will use this program to compete
for district, provincial and national championship status.
28
COMPETITION FORMAT
Year
2012
2013
2014
Level of comp
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Intra district (District level)
Inter district (Provincial level)
Inter provincial (National
level)
Program usage
SkipStar1
SkipStar1
SkipStar1
Age groups
U11, U14
U14
U14
SkipStar1
SkipStar1
SkipStar1
U11, U14
U14
U14
SkipStar1, 2
SkipStar2
SkipStar2
U11, U14
U11, U14
U14
Attire
Girls: Leotard and shorts, takkies
T-Shirt and shorts, takkies
Boys: Leotard and shorts, takkies
T-Shirt and shorts, takkies
No jewelry is allowed
General notes
 The floor routine can be performed on a flat even surface (spring floor,
judo mat, soft grass field)
 Floor size is 7m x 7m
 The floor routine is performed to music
 The floor routine is judged out of a maximum of 10 points
 The skills score is recorded as the number of jumps each jumper achieves
during the 30 second time allocation.
 The floor routine score and the skill points are added together to obtain
the total for each skipper.
 Suggested lesson plan:
Activity
Warm Up
Stretch
Routine/Elements
Cool Down/ Stretch
Time
+ 15 Minutes
+ 10 Minutes
+ 30 Minutes
+ 5 Minutes
29
SkipStar1 - Skills
Speed and double unders are the skills that are judged.
SPEED: The judge counts how many times the RIGHT foot of the jumper touches
the floor, whilst doing a legitimate skip in a running motion.
DOUBLE UNDERS: The judge counts every successful jump on both feet while
the rope rotates twice under the feet and over the head of the jumper.
Each skip is counted as 1 skip. Each skip equals 1 point i.e. 40 skips = 40 points.
Each skip skill is performed for 30 seconds. A timekeeper with a whistle or CD
with timed music will indicate the start and end of each time period. Teams have
15 seconds for the next jumper to enter the floor for his/her skill to be judged.
SkipStar1 – Floor routine (Level 1)
Starting 1m from the left corner of the floor square;
on a cross pose do two double bounce jumps Two basic jumps - heel toe tap twice both feet (L&R moving to the right hand
side sideways while doing it)
Four speed steps going forward.
Grab the left handle on R –hand swing the rope once above the head and do two
grass cutters
Take the L- handle back to left hand and two basic jumps criss cross to
caboose swing back - one forward.
Basic jump toad to two double unders side swing EB pose.
30
SCORING
Scoring is done by adding up the marks attained by each skipper and then
totaling all 4 skippers of the team to give total team score. Each floor
routine has a maximum value of 10.00 points. Each team will take their
score sheet with them as they move between each floor.
Suggested floor layout:
TIMEKEEPER/ANNOUNCER
Team A
FLOOR 1
FLOOR 2
SPEED
Team B
DOUBLE UNDERS
Judge Judge
Judge
SPEED
Team C
Judge
DOUBLE UNDERS
FLOOR 3
FLOOR 4
Team D
Participation flow:
All teams will perform their skills first before the floor routine. So if
there are 8 teams, the first 4 teams follow the procedure below, then the next 4
teams will follow the same procedure. Only once all the teams have completed
their skills will judging of the floor routine commence.
31
Round 1:
Team A and C - all 4 team members are judged individually for speed on Floor
1 and 3 respectively.
Team B and D – all 4 team members are judged individually for double unders
on Floors 2 and 4 respectively.
Round 2:
Team A - all members move to Floor 2 to be judged individually for double
unders.
Team C - all members move to Floor 4 to be judged individually for double
unders.
Team B - all members move to Floor 1 to be judged individually for speed.
Team D - all members move to Floor 3 to be judged individually for speed.
Round 3:
Team A – all members will move to Floor 4, to be judged individually for their
floor routine.
Team B – all members will move to Floor 3, to be judged individually for their
floor routine.
Team C – all members will move to Floor 2, to be judged individually for their
floor routine.
Team D – all members will move to Floor 1, to be judged individually for their
floor routine.
32
SkipStar1 Skills Score Sheet
DATE:
School name
Age group
JUMPER 1: _____________________
Skills event
Speed
Double unders
TOTAL
JUMPER 2: __________________
Skills event
Speed
Double unders
TOTAL
JUMPER 3: __________________
Skills event
Speed
Double unders
TOTAL
JUMPER 4: __________________
Skills event
Speed
Double unders
TOTAL
TEAM SKILL TOTAL:
TEAM FLOOR TOTAL:
GRAND TOTAL:
33
SkipStar1 Floor Score Sheet
DATE:
School name
Age group
JUMPER 1: __________________
Execution Score Sheet
SKILLS
Double Bounce
2 x Basic Jumps 
Heel Toe Tap 
Speed Step 
Grass Cutter 
Criss Cross 
Caboose 
Toad 
Double Under 
Side Swing EB Pose
POINTS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Full Points
Half Points
No Points



























Full Points
Half Points
No Points



























FINAL SCORE:
JUMPER 2: _________________
Execution Score Sheet
SKILLS
Double Bounce
2 x Basic Jumps 
Heel Toe Tap 
Speed Step 
Grass Cutter 
Criss Cross 
Caboose 
Toad 
Double Under 
Side Swing EB Pose
POINTS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
FINAL SCORE:
34
SkipStar1 Floor Score Sheet
DATE:
School name
Age group
JUMPER 3: _________________
Execution Score Sheet
SKILLS
Double Bounce
2 x Basic Jumps 
Heel Toe Tap 
Speed Step 
Grass Cutter 
Criss Cross 
Caboose 
Toad 
Double Under 
Side Swing EB Pose
POINTS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Full Points
Half Points
No Points



























Full Points
Half Points
No Points



























FINAL SCORE:
JUMPER 4: _________________
Execution Score Sheet
SKILLS
POINTS
Double Bounce
2 x Basic Jumps 
Heel Toe Tap 
Speed Step 
Grass Cutter 
Criss Cross 
Caboose 
Toad 
Double Under 
Side Swing EB Pose
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
FINAL SCORE:
35