The Disciplines

In the Straight-Line discpline the wheel rolls on both rims within a competition area of 23m x 3m. The gymnasts perform voluntary routines that must contain certain obligatory elements. Moves may be performed with or without bindings (leather belts used for the feet). Moves without bindings can be similar to elements from the high bar or asymmetric bars in artistic gymnastics. 4 of the maximum 10 points for a voluntary routine are reserved for the degree of difficulty. The senior categories (men and women) perform their Straight-Line routines to music (similar to ice skating). It is important that the gymnast performs elements in time to the music and expresses himself or herself according to the character and accents of the music.

Foto: turnsport.ch

In the Spiral discipline the wheel rolls on only one rim at a time, like a rolling coin. In a "big" spiral the wheel should roll at an angle of around 60 degrees to the floor, while a "small" spiral must have an angle of less than 30 degrees to the floor (see picture). The gymnast maintains the wheel in motion through weight transfer, body tension and arm strength. A voluntary routine consists of moves in the big spiral, a transition from big to small spiral, 2-3 moves in the small spiral and a transition back up into standing position.

The vault was originally performed only by boys and men, but has been introduced into the women's and girls' competitions since 1999. The wheel is set in motion by the gymnast, who then runs up behind the wheel and uses a powerful take-off to vault over it to land on crash mats on the other side. Vaults include tuck, straddle, overswing and somersault vaults.