Trampoline

The history of gymnastics can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece where gymnastics exercises were used to prepare for war, and eventually became a central component of ancient Greek education.  Gymnastics rose in popularity among the ancient Greeks until the Roman Emperor abolished the ancient Olympic Games, and many sports (including gymnastics) dropped off the radar.

The sport experienced a rebirth in the 19th century when two physical educators developed exercises on stationary apparatus to improve self-discipline and body strength.  One of these educators, Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, is often referred to as the “father of gymnastics”.  The sport expanded internationally with the founding of the FIG (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique) in 1881; subsequently, competitive gymnastics emerged on the world stage with the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and the first Gymnastics World Championships in 1903. 

At the start of the 20th century, gymnastics competitions were limited to men only.  Women first participated in the Olympic Games in 1928 in “synchronized calisthenics”, which was a team event; women would not be allowed to compete as individuals until the 1952 Games in Helsinki. 

The events of gymnastics competitions were continually changing and evolving through the first half of the 1900s, and included events such as rope climbing, high jump, and the horizontal ladder.  By 1954, a uniform scoring structure was introduced, and both men’s and women’s events were standardized to include the same apparatus used in competition today.

The trampoline was invented by George Nissen of the USA in 1936. World Championships were held under the auspices of the FIT (Federation Internationale de Trampolin) from 1964 to 1998. In 1999 The FIT dissolved and Trampoline became part of FIG in order to join the Olympic programme in Sydney 2000.

The sport of gymnastics has continued to grow in Canada, and is now one of the largest participatory activities in the country.  It is now officially recognized by Sport Canada as a fundamental sport that teaches basic movement skills, and therefore provides a solid base for all other sports.  Specifically, gymnastics teaches and develops the ABCs of athleticism:  agility, balance, coordination, speed. 

While Trampoline competitions are normally comprised of 4 events (Individual Trampoline, Synchronized Trampoline, Double-Mini Trampoline and Tumbling), only Individual Trampoline is an Olympic Sport, and only Individual Trampoline will be contested at Canada Games.

The Trampoline is a 1.15 metre high metal frame attached to a nylon or string bed with approx. 110 springs. The trampoline bed is a rectangular 4.28 by 2.14 metres and is made from nylon or string material that is only about six millimetres thick. The metal frame and springs are covered by a shock absorbing mat called the frame pad.

 A large, thick mat, known as the safety platform, sits on a platform at each end of the trampoline. It is designed to cushion the impact if anyone falls from the trampoline lengthwise. Spotters, are placed on both sides of the trampoline in case of a sideways fall. One spotter often hold a “throw mat” to cushion the fall that occurs on the trampoline or on the frame pad. More mats at floor level surround the trampoline on all four sides.

A trampoline routine consists of 10 connected skills. At this level all skills will be saltos and in optional routines most will be double saltos. Even triple saltos (flips) may be seen. Athletes will attempt to perform routines with skills in the tuck (knees bent) Pike (body bent at hips) and straight positions.

Terminology

TR: Trampoline

Preliminaries: One first optional (often called a compulsory) has certain skills which must be performed, but the athlete may choose the order. The second optional routine is where the athletes will combine 10 skills of their choice to have as much difficulty as possible, while still showing clean form and height.

Finals:  10 different elements which may be repeated from the preliminary rounds