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PREFACE - For many years there has been a need for a book on gymnastics that could be used by persons who are not specialists. Physical education majors need a source book that indicates in detail how a given stunt should be performed, and how the performer can be protected against injury. Similarly, gymnastics teachers and coaches who have specialized need a source of infor­mation on apparatus they have not worked.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS - Although every gymnast I have known has in some way contributed to the realization of this book, special thanks must be given to: Jim Drinkward and Dave Goodson, both former students; and to two helpful associates, Seth Anderson and Bill Harris.

01. ABOUT GYMNASTICS - The terra gymnastics, as used throughout the world today, involves the heavy apparatus plus the so-called free exercise or free calisthenics. In America, gymnastic competition includes: Horizontal Bar, Parallel Bar, Still Rings, Flying Rings, Side Horse, Long Horse, Free Exercise, Rope Climb, Trampoline, and Tumbling. Latest to be included in gymnastics competition is the trampoline, and its popularity has done a great deal to stimulate interest in all gymnastic activity.

02. TUMBLING - Instruction in tumbling is considered basic to all work in gymnastics. It should be under­taken rather extensively by all who participate in gymnastics, prior to any apparatus work. From the standpoint of class instruction, tumbling can be conducted efficiently with the entire class; whereas, on the apparatus, instruction must be given more on a squad basis in order to provide reasonable opportunities for participation.

03. TRAMPOLINE - The trampoline is becoming more and more popular. This is no doubt due to many factors, one of which is the ease of learning and performing stunts that would be difficult or impossible without the assistance afforded by the apparatus. This very fact, however, causes the apparatus to be potentially dangerous. A boy can get "over his head" fairly easily so supervision should always be conspicuous.

04. SIDE HORSE - Work on the horse is of two types: vaulting, and support work. Most beginners benefit from work on the vaults. Advanced vaulting is done on the long horse (horse without pommels), and often intermediate vaulting is done on a buck horse. No work on the buck is presented here because so few gymnasia are equipped with this apparatus. It is recommended that stunts be learned in the sequence presented: vaults first, then miscellaneous stunts, and finally straight side horse work.

05. PARALLEL BARS - Parallel bars represent the most desirable apparatus for the aspiring gymnasts. It is easier to learn most of the fundamentals that are common to other apparatus on the Parallel bars. It is here that the fundamentals of tumbling are most easily applied to apparatus. Time spent on the Parallel bars is usually rewarding in terms of stunts learned and in terms of progress on other apparatus.

06. FREE EXERCISE - The long horse is utilized exclusively for vaulting and is included as one of the events in the all-around competition.

Beginners can learn the easier vaults quickly by standing on the end of the horse and vault­ing off the far end. In this way, mastery of the vault itself can be assured before attempting to leap the length of the horse.

07. RINGS - This section contains work on both still and swinging rings. In general, stunts are easier on the swinging rings; but it is safer and more productive to attempt most stunts on the still rings with an assist before making any effort on the swinging rings.

Spotting equipment for the rings is usually best if suspended from the same support as the rings.

08. HORIZONTAL BAR - The horizontal bar is one of the most difficult pieces of apparatus. The requirements of strength, timing, coordination, and daring -– typical of gymnastics -– seem to be somewhat ex­emplified on the horizontal bar. As in all life situations, the element of danger is present but, as with all gymnastics, if approached in a progressive manner the element of danger can be re­duced to the point where the performer will recognize the potential dangers and respect these conditions, but without fears.

09. COMPETITIVE FORM - The knees should be kept straight throughout the routine with the legs together - - unless the stunt requires separation. The toes should be kept extended or pointed. When a position is held, as in the iron cross or the cross support in the piked position on the parallel bars, the head should be held high.

Form for Tumbling and Trampoline is somewhat different because many stunts are executed in the tuck position and the legs must be separated upon landing each time.

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