Trampolining as a Sport - An Overview

That trampolining has long been regarded by most as just a fun recreational activity is due largely to simple ignorance, but also to a general lack of publicity about this demanding and incredibly exciting sport. Trampolining as a competitive sport is as far removed from the back garden bounce about session as a kick about in the park is from Champions League soccer. Hopefully I can illustrate this for you, the reader, in the course of this page.

I'll start with the equipment. Below you will see three pictures for easy comparision. You can clearly see that a competition trampoline is a vastly different affair to a garden trampoline; far larger, higher and considerably more powerful. Competition trampolines also require safety mattresses to be in place should a performer make a mistake and leave the trampoline. Although they can come in variations of this, the trampoline pictured here for competition purposes is the variety most used in serious events. Using a trampoline like this, an adult performer (a.k.a jumpers or bouncers) will easily reach a height of twenty feet from which to perform the routine. Staying at this height is where skill and fitness play their part!

A routine is another aspect of competitive trampolining that help to define it as a sport. During competition, much like any other gymnastic discipline, performers will be expected to complete a minimum of two routines consisting of ten moves (or "contacts"). Each move in the routine is marked according to its "form"; how well it is performed according to a form standard. If a routine is completed, it will be marked out of ten, and if the routine isnt completed, then it's marked out of however many contacts were completed.

The first routine performed in all competitions is known as the Compulsory and is either a set routine that all competitors must perform, or has elements that must be included in a routine of the performer's devising. The second routine, the Voluntary, consists of ten moves of the performers choice, but extra marks are awarded for the routines difficulty. In the Voluntary, performers usually have to make a compromise between Difficulty and Form, since the more difficult moves are harder to complete with good form. The routines are marked by a panel of 5 form judges and a tariff judge (who works out the Difficulty and awards a "difficulty tariff" during the voluntary).

The competitions themselves, and the competitve circuit, is a highly organised affair. Within Britain, the domestic competitions follow the British Gymnastics Grading model; beginner level competitions start at Grade 7, with performers able to qualify and eventually reach the dizzy heights (pun intended...) of Grades 2 and 1, the "National" level grades. International competitions take place throughout the year, and several large "cup" competitions feature highly in the sport's calendar.

Trampolining's status as a sporting discipline was cemented in Sydney 2000 Olympics, where the first Olympic trampoline competition took place. With trampolining being taken under the wing of gymnastics's international governing body as a unique discipline, trampolining was thus considered for inclusion in the Olympics. That trampolining Is a sport is undisputed; now we just have to inform and educate if we are to see the spotlight upon trampolining that its inherent danger and excitement demand. Check out the links at the bottom to see trampolining at its finest!