Gymnastic Classes

Though it is large in comparison with other pieces of apparatus, its solidity and form make it fairly easy for beginners to handle, although at times it can prove difficult to keep in place or to change planes. Swings and circles, turning over, passing through, and throwing are additional characteristics of hoop work and all play an important part in the finished sequence. As with the rope, the grip on the hoop should be light so that the various manipulations may be performed with smoothness and dexterity, although occasionally, when preparing for some of the throws, for instance, the grip will need to be very firm. The two types of grip used are the over grasp (hand on the outside of the hoop, fingers curled around it) and the under grasp (hand inside the hoop, palm upwards as if hanging the hoop on the hand). The thumb and fingers play a vital part in all the various skills involving the use of the hand or hands. As with the other apparatus, work must be performed in the left hand …

Though it is large in comparison with other pieces of apparatus, its solidity and form make it fairly easy for beginners to handle, although at times it can prove difficult to keep in place or to change planes. Swings and circles, turning over, passing through, and throwing are additional characteristics of hoop work and all play an important part in the finished sequence. As with the rope, the grip on the hoop should be light so that the various manipulations may be performed with smoothness and dexterity, although occasionally, when preparing for some of the throws, for instance, the grip will need to be very firm. The two types of grip used are the over grasp (hand on the outside of the hoop, fingers curled around it) and the under grasp (hand inside the hoop, palm upwards as if hanging the hoop on the hand). The thumb and fingers play a vital part in all the various skills involving the use of the hand or hands. As with the other apparatus, work must be performed in the left hand …

This also applies to other actions like the turnover, and getting through the hoop, and having already suggested that the rhythmic gymnastics apparatus is fun to play with; these are two characteristics movements which are just that. Try some of the following: 1. Stand the hoop vertically in the floor, spin it with the thumb and fingers and run round it or perform a body wave before collecting it. Watch its spinning action carefully, and turn the wrist and fingers in the same direction as the hoop is spinning in order to regrasp it. 2. Holding the hoop with both hands apart and underneath the outside edge, lower the arms and then swing them upwards into a throw, releasing the hoop so that it turns over on itself when in the air. 3. With one or both hands holding the hoop, using either under grasp or over grasp, skip forwards or backwards through it. Perform some skips on the spot, and then begin to travel. 4. From a kneeling position on the floor with the hoop held horizontally overhe …

The hoop is rotated between the thumb and the forefinger, and should be worked initially with the arm outstretched in front of the body at shoulder height. The arm and wrist will move up and down very slightly to aid the rotation and an opening and closing of the fingers will give added control, as well as provide a more relaxed action. Try to avoid holding the hand in a rigid position with the thumb stuck up in the air. It should not take long to achieve this rotation on the hand, and fairly quick progress can be made towards some of the other skills listed below: 1. Whilst rotating the hoop on the outstretched hand in front, link with traveling steps - first walk forwards, then backwards. Next, run, skip, polka or pass forwards, then backwards. 2. Begin the rotation again with the hoop in front of the body, then make a quarter turn so that the hoop is rotating at the side of the body in the wheel plane. Now add some of the traveling movements described above or perform some dance st …