This week the Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee shared an update re-stating that ALL (...Well almost all) apparatus used at British Championships MUST be FIG approved.

Here's the snipet...

The International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG), is the World governing body for gymnastics. They run an accreditation system for apparatus. Manufacturers apply for certification approval of their apparatus, after a testing process, if successful it becomes FIG Approved.

This FIG Approval is to 'guarantee equal quality and fairness for the competitors, and to guarantee their safety and health, testing procedures for the quality pf apparatus are necessary.'

This is compulsory at all FIG International competitions, plus major events such as Olympic, World and European Championships. The FIG highly recommend the use of FIG apparatus at National events.

(Information taken from the FIG Technical Norms, Edition 2023, FIG.com)

Not all apparatus is FIG approved !

BE CAREFUL TO CHECK if you are competing at British Championships either as an individual or group.

I would also recommend for any gymnasts at Grades/Seeding Level and higher to train with FIG approved apparatus - This gives your gymnast the best possible chance to shine.

The second problem (and I've personally experienced this) is that some FIG marks wear off due to training.

As a high performance coach, I want to help my gymnasts compete at their absolute best. One detail is making sure they train with the exact apparatus they will compete with. Apparatus can feel different in the gymnasts hand due to weight, texture and size, even air temperature and lighting during storage and in the gym or competition can effect this.

With gymnasts complex movements trained 1000s of times to achieve that exact performance, you don't want to come unstuck at the last moment due to a warn off logo!

Please note that I Love RG are not responsible for apparatus failing checks at competitions. You must check your own apparatus prior to events. Apparatus can change due to training.

Apparatus is checked by the judges via a measuring table.

Judges can also request additional checks before or after a performance to re-check apparatus.

If your apparatus either does not conform to the checks OR the logos are not visible you generally have three choices:

1. Take a penalty against the routine score (If permitted to do so)

2. Change apparatus (Borrow, buy new or use your spare)

3. Correct it (This is sometimes possible if the weight of the hoop is light - add more tape, pump the ball up)

Either way, after 100s of training sessions, the effort from your gymnasts, the parents money and dedication, it's not worth risking your apparatus and score when you've all worked so hard to qualify for the event.

As a coach who has been on Olympic, European and Worlds teams, plus coached multiple British and NDP Champions, here's my top advice!

1. Detail is KEY! Look after your equipment. Use Hoop, ball and clubs covers, ribbon rollers and stick cover, to ensure the quality of the apparatus maintained. These not only help to keep them clean but enable the FIG logos not to get accidentally scratched.

    

2. CHECK! Check the weight, logos and ribbon connectors regularly BUT especially before competitions - you don't want that ribbon to break in warm up.

    

3. HAVE SPARES! Depending on your level of gymnastics, how much you train and how serious you are about it - have spares with you at all times. These spares should also be taped up or adjusted to your gymnastics likes.

   You never know when apparatus will get caught on the ceiling or a ribbon accidently gets wet before competition. Having spares (worn in, worked spares) eliminates all that extra stress, just pick it up and go.

   (I've even run control competitions where I simulated this to see what happens... can they use their spare or another apparatus? it's a great experience to be prepared).

     

   4. Be careful ironing the ribbon! The logos can off! Iron around the logo. If you get a frayed end, stich it up - be careful not to loose too much length- so use a ribbon roller.

5. Have an apparatus first aid kit in your gym bag! Keep a small bag handy in your gym bag with essentials. A roll of tape (Useful for any apparatus weight issues, visibility against ceilings or breakages), spare ribbon stick grips and connectors, ball pump, needle and thread, plasters and/or plaster tape (it's uses are multiple when urgent!)