How to Demonstrate Artistry in Gymnastics

As I watch a gymnastics meet, I notice that some routines really seem to pull me in. I even get chills watching them, if they’re really good! Some gymnasts seem to have a special quality about them that draws people to watch them.

What is it about these routines that makes them irresistible to watch?

Artistry!

Artistry in gymnastics is the quality of the gymnast’s movement and expressiveness during her routine. All gymnasts are expected to demonstrate artistry during both their beam and floor routines. Gymnasts who have very artistic routines stand out for their performance quality, particularly during the dance sections of their routines.

The term “artistry” is no longer used in relation to specific deductions; however, there are three general qualities that evaluate a gymnast’s artistic performance. These qualities are: choreography, expression, and musicality. Each one can incur deductions if not performed optimally. Let’s take a look at each of these separately.

Choreography

The first quality we’ll discuss is Choreography. Choreography is an Up to 0.40 deduction on beam and floor if not performed optimally. The Choreography deduction is broken down into three categories. These are slightly different on floor and beam. On floor, the three sections are: lack of purposeful choreography (up to 0.15), lack of focus changes/projection (up to 0.15), and lack of variety of poses, phrases, and connections (up to 0.10). On beam, the three sections are: lack of purposeful choreography (up to 0.20), choreography performed in all directions (up to 0.10), and lack of variety of focus changes, poses, phrases, and connections (up to 0.10). Similar between events, yet slightly different.

Purposeful Choreography

Lack of purposeful choreography is a deduction that can be applied if a gymnast has portions of her routine that are unchoreographed, or in which she does not use her entire body to perform the choreography.

This can include empty steps back into the corner before an acro pass. There is a specific deduction of 0.05 for each pass in which the gymnast takes more than one step without choreography before a pass.

This deduction also includes movements that are not choreographed. For instance, if a gymnast is performing a kick or choreography step, but the arm or head positions are not precise, this could incur a deduction. Be sure to choreograph the position of each part of the body – this will also help the gymnast with her projection and expression (discussed later in this article)!

On beam, this category also includes (directly quoted from the Code) “excessive preparation, unnecessary steps/adjustments without choreography (tapping the end of the balance beam)”. To perform a routine with purposeful choreography, the gymnast must move smoothly from skills to transitions without extra foot movements, adjustments, stops, or pauses.

Focus Changes/Projection

Judges are looking for gymnasts to use eye contact and focus changes to show off their routines. This category goes hand-in-hand with the Expression category that will be discussed later.

A gymnast who is able to make eye contact with multiple people or points of contact will show better expression than one who does not. This is a huge area of opportunity for many gymnasts!

It also specifically states in the Code that the focus should not be down unless the choreography dictates it. This means that a gymnast who has difficulty getting her eyes off the floor will incur a deduction in this category. The focus and eye contact should be a choreographed part of the routine. not an afterthought. As the routine is developed and refined, be sure to choreograph the head position, and find points in the routine in which the gymnast can make eye contact with the judges and audience.

Variety of Poses, Phrases, and Connections

In this category, the judges look for something different, unusual, or cool in the routine. It could be a skill performed with a different flair, an unusual pose or piece of choreography, or a dance sequence designed for the gymnast. They also evaluate whether the same movements are used repetitively in the routine, or if the routine shows original poses and movements throughout.

When I see something that makes me say, “wow!”, I write a little star on my paper to make a note of it. I love to see little unique pieces of choreography that are specific to the gymnast. It doesn’t have to be a big thing! If you’ve got a flexible gymnast, use a pose to show off that flexibility. If you know a gymnast who loves to dance, use one of her favorite moves. On floor, a fun and different acro skill can be used to fulfill this category, like an aerial walkover, side somi, or full twisting back handspring.

One of the more memorable routines I judged was a baseball-themed floor routine. The gymnast pantomimed throwing out a pitch, batting, and backpedaling to catch a fly ball. It was a routine I would never have choreographed myself, but it suited this gymnast. She threw herself into the choreography and made me feel like I was at a baseball game. That’s what artistry is all about – pulling the audience in!

artistry and flexibility in gymnastics — Here’s an example of a flexible gymnast doing a floor pose.

Watch this routine from Svetlana Boginskaya for an example of incredible choreography, including a ton of variety and originality. I was very young when I first watched this routine, and I remember thinking that it was SO WEIRD. Now, I love it, and it’s one of those timeless routines that is memorable even after so many years.

Choreography in All Directions (Beam Only)

This category is pretty simple – the gymnast is expected to perform choreography forward, backward, and sideward during the routine. The choreography should be more robust than simply taking steps in that direction. Any missing directions are subject to a deduction.

Musicality

Musicality refers to the rhythm and movement in relation to the music. If the music is fast and peppy, the choreography should match the speed and upbeat nature of the music. If the music is slower and more balletic, the routine should be too. The important thing to remember with musicality is that the music should be part of the routine, not just something that’s playing in the background.

The routine should convey a theme with the music. The best routines tell a story through the music and movement. The baseball routine described earlier is a great example of this! The options are really unlimited, though. Choose a piece of music that the gymnast loves, that goes well with her style, and you’ll be off to a great start.

Some pieces of music naturally change the tempo of the routine. Others maintain a similar tempo throughout. If your music has natural tempo changes, work with these to create different types of rhythm in the routine. The routine should flow smoothly through the changes in rhythm and tempo. There should not be long pauses or gaps in the choreography. If the music keeps a similar tempo throughout the routine, rhythm changes can still be demonstrated! A gymnast might show rhythm changes by accentuating a long note in the music, or showing some sharp movements and some supple movements in her choreography.

Expression

The final category related to artistry is Expression, which is an Up to 0.20 deduction. This category evaluates the gymnast’s ability to show off her routine to the judges and audience. Examples from the Code of Points are conveying emotion and showing facial expressions that match the choreography and music. Expression is “selling” the routine to the audience. How well does the gymnast perform her choreography? Does she put her whole body into it? Does she take every movement to the fullest? The routines that earn top marks in this category are ones that really show off the routine, even during simple parts like moving to the corner for a tumbling pass.

This category evaluates a gymnast’s facial expressions and eye contact. The most artistic gymnasts don’t look at the floor throughout their routine. They lift their head up, vary their eye contact, and use their head as an extension of their body. We’ve all seen the routines in which the gymnast is looking at the floor and doesn’t use her head in the choreography. It isn’t necessary to make eye contact constantly, but if the gymnast is doing well in the “Focus Changes/Projection” category of choreography, that will definitely help her in Expression as well.

In regards to facial expressions, it’s not necessary to smile during the routine. But smiling can be an enhancement to certain choreography and styles. Think of fast-paced, bouncy routines – those could benefit from a smile or two because it matches the music and choreography. Other styles might go better with a more serious or dramatic facial expression. If the music and mood changes, the facial expression should change to match it.

One of the greatest examples of expression and artistry in recent gymnastics history is Laurie Hernandez. Her floor routine was so expressive that it earned her the nickname “The Human Emoji”. Here’s a video of this incredible routine, choreographed right down to the facial expression in each moment.

Artistry in Gymnastics: Tips from the Judge

NOTE: If the routine is a compulsory Level 1-5 routine, the deduction for artistry still exists, with a maximum possible deduction of Up to 0.30.

Now that you know all of the details about artistry in gymnastics, what are some ways to put it into practice?

First, make sure the music selection works well with the gymnast’s personality and style. If the music isn’t a good fit, it will be that much harder for the gymnast to perform the routine with great artistry.

Next, use a choreographer who is skilled in developing a routine that fits the gymnast’s style. Make sure there is original choreography in the routine, something to make the judges say “wow”! Each portion of the routine should match the music.

Finally, practice expression just as if it were a gymnastics skill. Have teammates stand around the edge of the floor, and make a challenge to make eye contact with each teammate at least once. Practice each section of the routine, to be certain the gymnast knows exactly where each hand, foot, and head position should be. Then practice some more, making sure to sell that routine as the gymnast gains confidence. Some gym clubs will have gymnasts take dance lessons as part of their gymnastics training, to encourage the artistic expression piece.