I totally agree Linsul. I, too, think that Nastia winning the AA in Beijing is saying that the judges are looking for more artistry and dance in gymnastics. It is called "Artistic Gymnastics" as opposed to acro or rythmic
. I love seeing the graceful balletic moves of Nastia and some of the European gymnasts. It is just more entertaining to watch IMO. Just from personal experience, having my dd in Ballet class has GREATLY improved her floor and beam routines since she started gymnastics last April. Though she is just a Level 4 and she has only had 3 meets so far, I am definitely seeing a difference in her gracefulness, poise and presence while she performs.
I still love watching old gymnastics videos of the 1990's gymnasts such as Svetlana Boguinskaya, Henrietta Onodi, Lilia Podkopeyeva, Tatiyana Gutsu, Natalia Kalinina and Shannon Miller to name a few. Thier artistry, grace and elegance and expressiveness is breathtaking to watch!
Yay!! Level 4 is GREAT to start dance with, it will coexist with her gymnastics training from the start. Physically she will likely have amazing extension from it, which is a beautiful departure from the norm. Likewise her dance will only be improved from the strength she'll get from her gym workouts. It's a win-win imo! She'll also have a great amount of knowledge to take with her to optionals if she chooses to go that far. Her own input will probably be highly valued when it comes to her routines.
Presence by far is the greatest intangible in any sport that requires public performance. She'll have an edge for sure. Speaking of presence, there's one optional meet I saw in California that sticks out greatly to this day. It was Wildfire gymnastics girls on floor. I think they were L7 or L8. One was a tiny little girl, she was adorable, clearly in the competition zone though with no smiles. When her music started, it was string instruments playing 'over the rainbow' she just came to life. It was such a sad and wistful rendition, one that didn't require her to be all bubbly and smiles. Her tumbling was excellent, and her choreography was designed to show not only her great ability, but that she could break your heart with a flick of her little wrist. Nobody was watching anybody else, I felt a little bad for everyone who was on other events while she was on floor.
The other girl was her opposite. Very tall, very muscular, very clearly enjoying the meet and ready to show off. Her music was from Pirates of the Caribbean. very epic sounding with a great drum beat. Her tumbling was huge (and awesome!) and her dance was grand, sweeping, and aggressive. Totally different from her teammate, but no less watchable. In both routines there was no wasted music, no hand waving, no 4-7 second tumbling pass prep, they were all out and breathless by the end. A total joy to watch, the whole crowd freaked out when they were done, and they scored very well. Judges are people, and it is a subjective sport. If you're able to make a judge glad they showed up just to watch you that can't hurt a score!
Great responses! I look forward to even more hearty discussions. The new Code Of Points has made room for more artistry. But who has the guts to actually put innovation into action? With a point off for a fall, my suggestion is quite simple. Don't fall. Is it any more disheartening to fall on an element 1,000 or more gymnasts are performing than falling on an element that is original or maybe very, very few are doing? I see more exciting, entertaining moves done by people on sidewalks in commercials, or ballet performances and dance competitions than I see at the highest levels of gymnastics! Creating routines from the elements only listed in the Code Of Points is
boring. Maybe we need to buck the system before we see the system change. I read somewhere that " A great gymnast will perform a routine that looks different from her competitors. It will have something special about it. Risky tricks, an artistic flare, or skills that are simply unique from others performed in competition." Wow! That says it all. I might also add that old ways die hard. Too many people do not embrace change easily. It takes patience and persistence to move in a new direction. Passion and willingness to move forward are commendable traits. Let's keep this discussion going. I love it!
Honestly I think the innovation will come from the athletes. Coaches of course would have to be willing to fan that innovative flame and guide them. I don't think it will happen anytime soon, but you can see it in the works if you look hard. At a summer training camp last year I saw the competitive girls modifying gymnastics moves for fun at open gym time. When they gathered to talk it was a critical evaluation of each others routines they've had over the years. These girls are not without thought, they will find a way to input meaningfully, they're working it out. Even the most somber girl in the gym is still a girl. They don't squeeze into comp leos and throw themselves at the mercy of judges just to blend in. I think the younger ones will see the code of points frustration from the older girls, and hopefully come to the conclusion that they don't work hard to fade into the background.
**EDIT** I think the code of points being so strict and unforgiving is a pretty unmerciful blow being dealt to coaches. They have to decide what goes into routines in the end, and having wiggle room made that easier. With things as they are, I say change will come from the athletes because their voice will matter more I think. In the end it is their routine, their score, their risk to take. I see them flexing not only their creative ability in open gym, but skill-wise as well. One girl listened to coaching of a toe-front on bars all season for her teammate. She internalized all that and got hers over the summer, teaching herself from what she remembered and her teammates watchful eyes. She took it to competition the following year. These are smart, driven, capable, thoughtful, creative, and brave girls. As they get older one can only assume that when in doubt, they will voice their thoughts to their coaches and take ownership of their performances hopefully.