Parents Your definition of "lines"?

[Taurus]

Because I am new here & to gymnastics, I love to read the old posts bc I learn so much- but I have wondered what "pretty lines" or "beautiful lines" really mean - no one seems to define it. Is it the muscle tone, or the pointy-ness, or the hands, or what exactly? Can anyone put it into laymans terms??

 

[BachFlyer]

Good question! I have no idea!

 

[duyetanh]

I too would love to know.

 

[gymjunkie]

When a gymnast has long slender limbs and they fully extend them so that there are no angles from fingertips to toes, that is called beautiful lines (think Nastia).

 

[Taurus]

No bends- do you think muscle lines showing is part of it and what about the hands, neck & head? It seems almost indescribable but it's mentioned so much.

 

[Committed]

I wouldn't say it has anything to do with actual muscles lines. I consider it having a nice, straight body positions. They usually just look long and lithe.

 

[txgymfan]

When a gymnast has long slender limbs and they fully extend them so that there are no angles from fingertips to toes, that is called beautiful lines (think Nastia).

Nastia had great "lines" except she finished many skills with those ugly bent "gymnasts wrists" I always wished she would continue her lines through her finger tips.

 

[Taurus]

^^ do you have a "pic" of ugly bent gymnasts wrists?? Sorry but I want to see what that means!

 

[Gymmommy71]

I think of lines as having good turnout, extension and hip/shoulder/torso positions in a pose, leap or movement - like a foot just isn't pointed and the leg just isn't straight, the foot/leg is extended out several inches longer than just a normal straight leg and pointed foot would be, the shoulders and hips are down/level and the back is straight - stomach should be in as well. If you look at photos of pro ballet dancers, those are exhibiting good lines. Gymnasts do not need to do things anywhere near as exaggerated as you see in ballerinas to have "good lines" for a gymnast, but the basics should be there.

 

[Taurus]

I get most of that- but would you mind explaining "turnout"? Sorry again everyone, I did a totally different kind of sport where done of the "body" stuff mattered!

 

[gymjunkie]

Turnout is when the leg is rotated outward from the hips.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Body alignment and build. You need both for nice lines. Being fair, here is one of my kids who I think has pretty nice lines. Notice the head position, posture and body alignment in H stands. Part of the reason she has nice lines is her physical build the other is attention to alignment. You need both to have nice lines in my opinion. I have other kids with good lines, but I save the term "nice lines" for the select few.
Hannah
oh and you may want to turn the volume down some lady was screaming at her kid in the middle of Hannahs routine....

 

[Taurus]

Um - WOW! I have to watch that again...

 

[Taurus]

May I ask how tall she is- bc if shes a shortie, she looks like she's 10 ft tall on those bars!! That was amazing!

 

[Taurus]

coachp- if I pm you a pic, can u tell me more about the lines? It's a still frame and I would just like to know what you see

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Hannah is about 5.3, sure send me a pic.

 

[txgymfan]

Coachp she does have very "nice lines" will you please post her beam and/or floor routines?

 

[sce]

Coachp she does have very "nice lines" will you please post her beam and/or floor routines?

Her name was in the video's title, search youtube

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Beam

 

[Iwannabemargo]

I think it tends to be a natural quality as well.

Both my eldest son and my daughter were "neat" little children, in the way that they placed their body ( and I'm talking toddler / pre-school here). In pre-school when they sat on the carpet for example they would fold up and sit neatly like a little cat, whereas middle son was just a mess of elbows and knees.

They both have nice lines, however eldest is now in the process of "bulking up" for rugby and it doesn't show much any more, unless he kicks a ball and then that looks almost balletic.

Pink is long and lean and her routines always look graceful, but she has always looked that way.

So I do think its inherent and not learned, cause middle lad is nearly as tall as big boy and still looks a hot mess.