Horizontal bar: an inevitable part of gymnastics competitions

Horizontal bar, often referred to as the high bar, is an apparatus that is often used in artistic gymnastics by male sportsmen. This discipline of artistic gymnastic is included in most tournaments. The bar is usually made of steel and is placed on two vertical racks. The easiest exercises that can be performed on the horizontal bar are incorporated in general physical education. Children, teenagers and young people practice them in terms of their physical education classes. Thus, horizontal bars can be found in almost all gyms.

The apparatus

Horizontal bar must fulfill the requirements established by the International Gymnastics Federation, or FIG. According to the standard, the bar must be placed at the height of 278 centimeters above the ground. Its length must be 240 centimeters. As for its diameter, it must be approximately 2.8 centimeters.

This apparatus is used in terms of the Olympic games. Sportsmen who compete in this discipline are supposed to perform at the top of their abilities to perform various stunts and get the biggest number of points possible. In addition, this type of gymnastics is included into team tournaments.

All the elements that can be performed on the horizontal bar usually involve turning over the bar. Athletes also have to change the way they hold the apparatus. While performing, athletes are to demonstrate various skills, such as overhand grip and underhand grip, as well as mixed and dorsal grip. The way an athlete works with the bar, i.e. releases it or changes the grip, also counts. The difficulty of these exercises is determined by the rule that prohibits touching the apparatus with any parts of the body but hands while turning. In the end of the performance athletes do a dismount that can be performed in different ways.

To begin the program, sportsmen are assisted. The judges pay attention to the difficulty of the elements and the accuracy of their demonstration. The quality of the dismount is an important factor as well.

Grips

This term refers to the way an athlete holds the horizontal bar. For a future champion it is important to be capable of grasping the bar in different ways because different elements require different grips. What are they?

• The overhand grip is also described as the regular one, which means that the backs of the hands must face the gymnast. This is one of the easiest grips, too.
• The dorsal grip, sometimes referred to as the dorsal hang, is a variation of the overhand grip. The difference is that the dorsal grip involves passing the legs through the arms to put the body into the cat position.
• The underhand grip, also referred to as the reverse grip, is a complete opposite of the first grip described in this article. To do it, it is necessary to put the hands in a different way so that the gymnast faces his palms.
• Another type of the underhand grip is the L-grip. This position requires turning 180 degrees outward from the grip. To be capable of doing it, it is necessary to have good shoulder flexibility.
• The mixed grip is a way of grasping the bar with both hands being in different positions. One of them should be in the overhand grip position, and another one should be in the underhand position. This is the best option for the elements that require gaining more height.

Elements

Although the moves that can be performed on the horizontal bar is rather limiter, there are many different elements. All of them are divided into several groups.

• The first group of elements comprises backhand raises to a handstand with or without turns. In addition, various rotations are included in this group. The rotations vary from 180 to 720 degrees. They can be performed with two arms or one arm, the second option being harder.
• The second group unites all the elements that involve letting go of hands from the bar. Gymnasts have to fly over the bar and after that, grasp the bar again. Various loops and somersaults are also included in this group. What types of flips are known in this type of gymnastics? There can be a back flip, a back swing with 1.5 forward somersault, a forward swing with 1.5 backward loop.
• The third category of elements takes place close to the bar. This is one of the biggest groups. For example, gymnasts can incorporate numerous raises with extensions into their programs, as well as various rotations, swings and loops.
• The next group is for the elements that require the reverse grip position. They begin with hanging from the back. This group unites the following elements: Russian turns, lifts, and Italian turnovers.
• Finally, the dismounts can be simple or modified by forward or fold somersaults, backward flips or repetitive flips. The more difficult the modification and the clearer it is performed, the more points a gymnast scores.

Competitions

As it was mentioned before, male gymnasts participate in various tournaments that are held in their home countries, or in international competitions. The most prestigious championships are the European Championship, the World Championship, and the Olympic Games. All competitions are divided in individual, team or mixed, Also, they can be classified, i.e. be organized in accordance with the rules established by the International Gymnastics Federation, or non-classified, i.e. be organized in accordance with a special program.

All participants are divided into several categories in accordance with their age. Thee can start participating in local and national tournaments since they turn 7. Having turned 14, they are allowed to take part in the Olympics for juniors and in Youth European Championship. Those gymnasts who have turned 18 can take part in the most desirable international championships, such as the Olympics, the World Championship, the World Cup, and the European Championship.

There are particular requirements concerning the costumes. They must be bright, which is why black, green and dark-blue colors are prohibited. Male gymnasts are supposed to wear gymnastic tights and a T-shirt. Moreover, they must be wearing special gloves that protect them from slipping. To perform, they wear a pair of socks or gymnastic shoes.

Judging

There should be a team of judges, each of them playing a particular role. The head judge is in  charge of the competition. He must choose the location, analyze the applications, inform all teams, participants and other people involved in the even on the rules and requirements. In addition, this person makes sure that medical workers are present. His assistants help to solve all the problems appearing throughout the competition. If any of the judges is disqualified, they can judge the tournament instead of them.

The overall number of judges is nine: one head judge, two judges evaluating the difficulty of the element, and six judges evaluating the technique. They independently award each participant a particular number of points. Then the average is counted.

To get the maximum, it is necessary to demonstrate a perfect routine. If the element is performed with a mistake, there can be a deduction up to one point. There is only one attempt. Yet, if the apparatus was broken, the judge can allow a gymnast to repeat his combination.

All in all, horizontal bar is the apparatus that involves performing various elements in terms of the competitions. This apparatus requires a lot of physical strength, coordination, good sense of balance, and being able to demonstrate these skills at the top of the abilities.