Floor Exercise - Artistic Gymnastics

The floor exercise is an event for both male and female gymnasts. One key difference between male and female routines is that women perform with music, while men perform without it. The floor is a 12 x 12 meter square composed of several layers of foam, plywood, and sometimes springs. This setup allows gymnasts to jump higher and reduces impact upon landing. You can find detailed instructions for a variety of artistic gymnastics skills in the Gymnastics Main section.

Description

Dimensions & Technical Info:

The floor measures 12 x 12 meters, plus a safety border in case a tumbling sequence extends too far. The floor is made of the following layers (from bottom to top):

• Foam blocks or springs
• Plywood
• Carpeted hard foam or hard foam topped with a carpet

This structure provides a firm, responsive surface that compresses to return energy and helps gymnasts jump higher. It also cushions landings, protecting joints from impact.

Rules & Skills

• The gymnast must touch all four corners of the floor during their routine.
• A typical floor routine includes 3 to 4 tumbling passes, circles, scales, and presses.
• Female gymnasts may also include dance elements.
• Men’s floor routines must last 60 to 70 seconds and are performed without music.
• Women’s floor routines must last 70 to 90 seconds and are performed with instrumental music (no vocals allowed).

Deductions:
Points may be deducted for stepping outside the 12 x 12 m area into the safety zone, not sticking a landing (i.e., landing on both feet without taking extra steps), falling, poor form, mistakes, or having a routine that is too short or too long.

Advice

• When practicing tumbling, use landing mats to make landings softer.
• You don’t need a full 12 x 12 m floor to learn new skills. Many gyms use floors that are only 12–15 x 2 meters, which are sufficient for tumbling passes.
• Tumbling skills can also be practiced on a tumbling track (a long trampoline).

Tumbling = A sequence of acrobatic flips in one line.
Example: Run + Round-off + Back Handspring + Back Flip.

Alternative Practice Surfaces

• Tumbling mats: Bouncy, protective mats designed for tumbling
• Judo mats: Absorb more impact, which can reduce jump height
• Grass: Dry, level grass can be used for basic practice
• Beach or volleyball sand: Good for barefoot practice and balance training

Suggestions

• Wushu
• The Vault – Gymnastics Event
• Martial Arts