1. Artistry vs. Choreography

2. Evolution of Men’s Floor routines since the 1930’s

3. Will choreography be included in the next Code of Points ?

4. Pros and Cons of (re)integrating choreography in men’s floor routines

1. Artistry vs. Choreography in Men’s Gymnastics

The question of artistry in men’s gymnastics, and particularly on floor, is a wide subject. It’s called artistic gymnastics, so the aesthetics play a large part in this sport. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder and artistry’s definition can overlap with other designations like elegance, choreography, dance, posture and style.

I guess all the gymnasts are on the same page when it comes to their floor routines being “artistic”, just like their routines on the high bar or pommel horse. Choreography is a different thing: it involves specific skills like leaps, jumps, turns or other non-acrobatic skills, which used to be more common 30 years go. It can also be break-dance / street-dance-inspired skills that also outline gymnasts athleticism, flexibility and strength. Unfortunately, recent initiatives haven’t really been encouraged.

When it comes to women’s artistic gymnastics, we cannot overlook the significance of artistry in the floor routine. Judges carefully assess the performance, considering factors such as creativity, expressiveness, and the smoothness of movements. This “naturally” leads to the question of whether the FIG should promote a similar level of creative and artistic expression in men’s gymnastics routines, (without getting into the whole “dance” thing). Would reverting to the exercise composition of the 1990’s prove advantageous? Today, the emphasis has primarily shifted to routines featuring highly challenging tumbling skills. The new scoring system has undeniably contributed to this shift, and the consideration of “more choreography” cannot be divorced from how it would be evaluated today.

Kyle Shewfelt (CAN), 2004 Olympic Champion on Floor
Alexey Nemov (RUS), 2000 All Around Olympic Champion and Silver Medalist of Floor, 2X World Champion on Floor (1997, 1999)
Kenzō Shirai (JPN) 3X World Champion on Floor (2013, 2015 and 2017), 2016 Olympic Champion (Teams)
Ioannis Melissanidis (GRE), 1996 Olympic Champion on Floor
Max Whitlock, OBE, 2016 Olympic Champion on Floor, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Champion on Pommel Horse

2. Evolution of Men’s Floor routines since the 1930’s

The evolution of the men’s floor exercise in artistic gymnastics has been a lengthy journey characterized by significant changes and advancements. It all commenced in 1930 at the World Championships, where this discipline made its debut in an internal competition. Josip Primožič of Yugoslavia emerged as the first World Champion, showcasing the early skills and techniques of the event. Remarkably, the floor exercise was initially performed outdoors on grass, and the floor area did not adhere to the current standard dimensions.

A pivotal milestone in the evolution of floor exercise in men’s gymnastics occurred in 1952 when the current floor dimensions (12 meters x 12 meters) were implemented, replacing the previous setup. At this stage, the floor was a mere thin mat, setting the stage for further innovations in the years to come. One such milestone took place at the 1979 World Championships, where a spring floor with coiled springs was introduced for the first time in a major international competition. This change revolutionized the dynamics of the floor exercise, enhancing the elasticity and the bouncing effect, which subsequently influenced the performance and techniques of gymnasts.

The way they build the floor and the materials they use has totally changed how gymnasts do their routines, especially when it comes to tumbling. Nowadays, the floor not only gives a consistent and supportive surface, but also helps athletes bounce higher and move more gracefully. As gymnastics keeps moving forward, the men’s floor exercise shows how the sport is always evolving and adapting. From the 1950’s until now, finding the right balance between difficulty and artistry has been a big deal in shaping men’s gymnastics floor routines.

It’s really interesting to see that men used to include more non-acrobatic skills in their routines until the late 2000’s, when the new scoring system came in. From the 1960’s until the 1990’s, routines were more like a flowing mix of exercise where acrobatics and non-acrobatic moves were all blended together without a break. Also there were regularly more or less serious talks about including music in men’s routines, which never happened. But the use of a wide variety of non-acrobatic moves, made the routines look intricate and diverse. That was the norm then and the question of “choreography” in men’s gymnastics was a non-issue.

3. Will choreography be included in the next Code of Points?

As the Code of Points for Men’s Artistic Gymnastics is set to undergo a (significant?) update following the 2024 Olympics, the gymnastics community finds itself enveloped in anticipation and uncertainty: a draft of possible updates was released in mid-2023 and included various changes regarding the rates of elements, but also more drastic evolutions on floor:
(please note that this information has not been confirmed by the FIG and the next Code of Points may or may not include some or none of these changes)
– routine duration from 75 to 70 seconds (it was 60 seconds until the current 2022-2024 code)
– maximum of 2 consecutive diagonals (as opposed to 3 currently)
– include one balance element (back to the 70’s-90’s)
– required choreography sequence from list to be defined

The mere mention of incorporating choreography sequences, which are still shrouded in mystery, has sparked quite the commotion and wild speculation. The response from gymnasts and fans alike has been a delightful mix of excitement and skepticism. The possibility of changing the approach to men’s floor routines has reignited lively debates about the essence of these performances and the delicate balance between technical prowess and artistic flair.

This so-called choreography sequence hasn’t exactly received a unanimous round of applause: while floor routines from 30 years ago were more about artistic expression, today’s performances lean heavily towards athletic prowess, difficulty, and flawless execution. Most elite gymnasts currently competing were born in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, meaning they’ve only ever known the current scoring system, which heavily favors tumbling abilities and skill mastery rather than choreography. In the absence of concrete details or confirmation, speculation can run rampant and one can only imagine the creative ways gymnasts envision themselves cutting loose and incorporating dance and movement into their floor routines. Or not.

It ultimately hinges on the intentions of the FIG’s Technical Committee for Men’s Gymnstics, assuming they have any definitive plans about this. It is however imperative to thoroughly consider the potential impact of incorporating choreography on technical specifications and on the difficulty and execution scores, as well as on the perception of gender stereotypes. This holds particular significance in a sport characterized by stringent regulation and minimal evolutionary change.

4. What are the pros and cons of integrating more choreography in men’s floor?

>>> PRO’s

>>> Artistic Expression
Introducing dance elements allows gymnasts to express themselves artistically, showcasing their personality and creativity on the floor. Incorporating more fluid movements, musicality, and storytelling into their performances can enhance the overall entertainment value of men’s gymnastics. Rhythmic components and elements of dance can be integrated into gymnastics routines, and while it may not be traditional ballet or contemporary dance, there is certainly an element of artistic expression and coordination that aligns with dance. Therefore, while male gymnasts may not pursue dance in the conventional sense, aspects of it can possibly improve their performances.

>>> Diversity of Skills
Integrating choreography sequences in floor routines broadens the range of skills displayed, promoting diversity in the sport. It encourages gymnasts to develop flexibility, fluidity, and coordination alongside traditional strength and acrobatic elements.

>>> Audience Engagement
Choreography can captivate audiences and make the sport more appealing to a broader demographic. Engaging routines with well-executed artistic elements can attract a wider fan base. Conveying emotions and connecting with the audience to enhance the artistic impact of the routines can contribute to the popularity and growth of men’s artistic gymnastics.

>>> Sign of the times
Gender roles have evolved a lot in recent years. Efforts are being made to challenge and break traditional gender stereotypes. There is a push to promote male gymnasts’ artistic abilities and gracefulness, while also recognizing the strength and power of female gymnasts. Allowing male gymnasts to express themselves freely through their performances can encourage them to explore different styles of movement and to showcase their individual personalities on the floor. Australian gymnast Heath Thorpe has been very active to promote the integration of leaps and jumps in men’s floor routines, despite the FIG’s resistance to change.

Some argue for integrating more choreography in men’s floor routines to enhance artistic expression and audience engagement; others emphasize the traditional focus on strength and precision. Critics raise concerns about execution challenges and judging consistency, and doubts about whether it aligns with the sport’s core values.

>>> CON’s

>>> Traditional Strength Focus
Men’s gymnastics has always emphasized – among other things – strength and power, with floor routines showcasing intricate tumbling and acrobatic skills. Critics argue that introducing too much choreography may deviate from the sport’s core values.

>>> The Undervaluation of Non-Acrobatic Skills in Gymnastics
The elements performed on the floor in men’s gymnastics are categorized into three main groups, with non-acrobatic elements comprising the first group. These non-acrobatic elements include handstands, flairs, planches, scales, and others, which are primarily linked to choreography. Gymnasts are required to exhibit skills from each element group, with 0.5 points awarded per group. The primary issue lies in the fact that the majority of these skills are rated A to C, with only six of them rated as D. In contrast, a significant number of acrobatic elements are rated as E, F, G, and even as high as I. As a result, there is minimal incentive to perform more than two non-acrobatic skills, as gymnasts need to incorporate a total of ten elements and tend to prioritize the highest-rated acrobatic skills. Therefore, in the upcoming code of points, if choreography is to be emphasized, there should be a specific bonus allocated to gymnasts for executing these non-acrobatic skills.

>>> Execution Challenges
Some believe that male gymnasts may face challenges in executing choreo / dance elements with the same finesse as their female counterparts. Critics argue that improper execution could detract from the overall quality of the routine.

>>> Judging Consistency
Introducing choreographic elements may lead to challenges in judging consistency. Establishing clear criteria for evaluating both traditional gymnastic skills and choreography sequences elements crucial to ensure fairness in scoring.

>>> “It’s good as it is“
Current male athletes started Artistic Gymnastics knowing what they were getting into: floor exercise is today mostly about tumbling and strong acrobatics diagonals, that need to be performed as perfectly as possible. They are not all ready for drastic changes and adapt their routines in a couple of months to make sure they remain competitive

>>> “Gymnastics is a girls sports”
That’s one of the most overheard phrases in every gymnast’s book of cliché lines. When you really ponder on it, it shouldn’t be considered as an insult and boys could do a “girls sports” and vice versa without being judged. “But girls can wear jeans and cut their hair short because it’s okay to be a boy; but for a boy to look like a girl is degrading, because generally, people think that being a girl is degrading”.*
Male gymnasts spend their whole lives debunking these stereotypes and showing that their sport is as virile as football or basketball. So, throwing in some choreography or dance moves might not sit well with all the athletes. And without going into a full debate about the patriarchy concept, while the ongoing social conversations in most Western countries are making strides in representation and visibility, not all nations have joined in, and traditional gender norms still hold tight in many regions.

* Charlotte Gainsbourg – The Cement Garden, 1993

As we ponder whether male gymnasts have a desire to include choreography on floor, perhaps the more pertinent question is: “Are they capable of it?” Or to be even more specific, “Was dancing included in the deal when they embarked on their gymnastics journey?”

The ultimate solution to the debate on “More choreography in men’s floor routines: for or against?” should empower each gymnast to decide. Those inclined towards incorporating dynamic leaps, innovative turns, or break-dance-inspired skills should have a well-designed system in the next Code of Points to incentivize their creativity. Meanwhile, those who prefer to focus on challenging tumbling skills should still strive for the highest execution score, as currently required. The primary goal is to establish a fair process that rewards different choreographic styles while ensuring that “standard routines” are not disadvantaged due to the absence of extensive choreography.

References: Why don’t men do leaps in Artistic Gymnastics
More info on the Code of Points : https://zhoxxyy.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=407&action=edit