The routine must use the Step (platform) to the maximum throughout the routine by stepping with Aerobic Basic Steps (Step-up/Step-down, V-step, Knee-Lift, Kick, Step touch, Tap-up/Tap-down, Turn Step, Over the Top, Lunge, etc.) throughout the routine in combination with arm movements.
The routine must include consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) stepping performed by all members without moving the Steps (platforms).
The movements must be adequate for step (platform) and involve to the maximum of stepping with less choreography on the surface.
The team must present choreography as a unit.
The work must be synchronized or in cannon and the team must utilize the step (platform) to the maximum.
Choreography must show the change of formations with or without the step (platform).
Building (stacking) the Steps (platforms) is not allowed except in the final pose, if included.
The step routines should include:
LIFT
Each routine may include one lift. The lifted person(s) may use the platform to be lifted.
Propelling is prohibited.
CRITERIA (refer to Appendix I, Guide to Judging Artistic)
The routine must include consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) stepping performed by all members without moving the Steps (platforms).
The movements must be adequate for step (platform) and involve to the maximum of stepping with less choreography on the surface.
The team must present choreography as a unit.
The work must be synchronized or in cannon and the team must utilize the step (platform) to the maximum.
Choreography must show the change of formations with or without the step (platform).
Building (stacking) the Steps (platforms) is not allowed except in the final pose, if included.
The step routines should include:
- Step actions with different orientations and approaches to the step
- Formation changes, and different way to carry the step from one place to another
- Partnerships (collaboration) between the members of the group and the step (position of the step, use of the step)
LIFT
Each routine may include one lift. The lifted person(s) may use the platform to be lifted.
Propelling is prohibited.
CRITERIA (refer to Appendix I, Guide to Judging Artistic)
1. COMPOSITION (Complexity / Originality )
A) Music & Musicality
Selection & Composition:
Any kind of music can be used.
A good musical selection will help establish the structure and pace, as well as the theme of the exercise. It will support and highlight the performance. There must be a strong cohesion between the overall performance and the choice of music.
Technically the music must be perfect, without any abrupt cuts, giving a sense of one music piece, it should flow, with a clear start and clear ending, with well integrated sound effects (if they are included), respecting the musical phrases that can be 8 counts or not but must respect a structure giving the feeling of unity. The recording and mixing of music must be of professional quality and well integrated
Usage (Musicality):
Musicality is the ability of a performer or performers to interpret music and to demonstrate not only its rhythm and speed, but also its flow, shape, intensity and passion within his or her physical performance. All movements must fit perfectly with the chosen music. The style of the routine must harmonize with the idea of the music. The composition of the movements must harmonize with the music structure (rhythm, beats, accents, and phrase), and timing.
Any kind of music can be used.
A good musical selection will help establish the structure and pace, as well as the theme of the exercise. It will support and highlight the performance. There must be a strong cohesion between the overall performance and the choice of music.
Technically the music must be perfect, without any abrupt cuts, giving a sense of one music piece, it should flow, with a clear start and clear ending, with well integrated sound effects (if they are included), respecting the musical phrases that can be 8 counts or not but must respect a structure giving the feeling of unity. The recording and mixing of music must be of professional quality and well integrated
Usage (Musicality):
Musicality is the ability of a performer or performers to interpret music and to demonstrate not only its rhythm and speed, but also its flow, shape, intensity and passion within his or her physical performance. All movements must fit perfectly with the chosen music. The style of the routine must harmonize with the idea of the music. The composition of the movements must harmonize with the music structure (rhythm, beats, accents, and phrase), and timing.
B) Step Content
In the Step Content, the Aerobic Movement Patterns (AMP) performed utilizing Step (platform) is evaluated throughout the routine. All the basic movements are possible to perform with the equipment of Step (platform).
Amount of Step Sequences:
Throughout the routine, Step Sequences must be performed.
The routine should provide a sufficient amount of complete Step sequence sets. The number of Step sequences required is minimum of 8 sets, including consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) stepping performed by all members without moving the Steps (platforms) and without changing from one step to another (each member in one step during 3x8 counts).
If consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) are not performed, reduce 0.1 by Scale.
Step Sequences utilizing the Step (platform) must be shown throughout the routine and involve maximum of stepping and less choreography or Transitions/Linking on the surface without the equipment (no more than eight counts).
Complexity /Variety:
The complexity of the step actions must be demonstrated by using the coordination criteria (arms and leg movements) requiring high level of body coordination.
Step sequences must include many variations of stepping actions with arm movements without consecutive repetitions, utilizing basic steps to produce complex combinations and must be recognizable as continuous movement patterns.
Orientation changes must be included in the series of stepping or movements. This means that the directions of the body should be facing various directions (not the face but the chest).
Amount of Step Sequences:
Throughout the routine, Step Sequences must be performed.
The routine should provide a sufficient amount of complete Step sequence sets. The number of Step sequences required is minimum of 8 sets, including consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) stepping performed by all members without moving the Steps (platforms) and without changing from one step to another (each member in one step during 3x8 counts).
If consecutive 3 sets of 8-count (24-counts) are not performed, reduce 0.1 by Scale.
Step Sequences utilizing the Step (platform) must be shown throughout the routine and involve maximum of stepping and less choreography or Transitions/Linking on the surface without the equipment (no more than eight counts).
Complexity /Variety:
The complexity of the step actions must be demonstrated by using the coordination criteria (arms and leg movements) requiring high level of body coordination.
Step sequences must include many variations of stepping actions with arm movements without consecutive repetitions, utilizing basic steps to produce complex combinations and must be recognizable as continuous movement patterns.
Orientation changes must be included in the series of stepping or movements. This means that the directions of the body should be facing various directions (not the face but the chest).
C) General Content:
The general content of the routines are:
§ Transitions / Linking
§ Change of step from one step to another (Step transition)
§ Partnership (Collaboration)
§ Lift (if included)
The routine should include minimum of 4 movements (or set of movements) from the General Content.
With above movements, evaluate the following criteria:
Complexity/Variety:
COMPLEX MOVEMENTS => HIGHER SCORE
SIMPLE MOVEMENTS => LOWER SCORE
The movements are complex when many body parts are involved simultaneously and they are hard to perform.
Complex movements should receive higher evaluation than simple movements.
To evaluate the variety of the routines, the A judges will take into consideration that all of these movements must be without repetition or reiteration of the same or similar types of movements. These should include different actions, different forms and different types of movements.
Fluidity:
All movements (step actions-step choreography, transitions, links, partnerships, etc.), must be perfectly connected between them and with the style and rhythm of the music, by using the step to the maximum.
The movements must be performed smoothly.
§ Transitions / Linking
§ Change of step from one step to another (Step transition)
§ Partnership (Collaboration)
§ Lift (if included)
The routine should include minimum of 4 movements (or set of movements) from the General Content.
With above movements, evaluate the following criteria:
Complexity/Variety:
COMPLEX MOVEMENTS => HIGHER SCORE
SIMPLE MOVEMENTS => LOWER SCORE
The movements are complex when many body parts are involved simultaneously and they are hard to perform.
Complex movements should receive higher evaluation than simple movements.
To evaluate the variety of the routines, the A judges will take into consideration that all of these movements must be without repetition or reiteration of the same or similar types of movements. These should include different actions, different forms and different types of movements.
Fluidity:
All movements (step actions-step choreography, transitions, links, partnerships, etc.), must be perfectly connected between them and with the style and rhythm of the music, by using the step to the maximum.
The movements must be performed smoothly.
D) A) Space and Formation :
The competition area must be used, with a balanced distance between the members of the group with or without the step by using:
Formations:
Formations include the relative positions of the partners and the way in which they change positions to another formation as well as the distance(s) between the competitors.
The formation changes should be fluid and the formation and positions showing both originality and complexity.
The transporting (carrying) of the step platform should be dynamic and smooth
- Different formations
- Change of positions between the members
- Different distances between the members of the group (short vs. long distances)
- Change of levels
- Different orientation
Formations:
Formations include the relative positions of the partners and the way in which they change positions to another formation as well as the distance(s) between the competitors.
The formation changes should be fluid and the formation and positions showing both originality and complexity.
The transporting (carrying) of the step platform should be dynamic and smooth
E) Artistry :
- Quality of the performance
- Originality/Creativity and expression
Quality:
The quality (mastery/perfection) of the routine is essential, by showing high degree of perfect execution, with the correct technique of all movements.
Competitor(s) must give a clean athletic impression with high quality movements (clear and sharp). Athletic impression that is appropriate for an Aerobic Step.
Originality/Creativity and expression:
The routine should be like a small piece of art, which should leave something memorable, a story or an impression, created with the means of Aerobic Gymnastics.
Creative routines when all the routine components match perfectly with the music and the theme of the exercise in sport manner, making captivating and impressed the audience
Presentation of new, creative and original movements (collaborations, transitions, etc.)
The competitors must demonstrate that they are a team as a unit and therefore show the advantages of being more than one person. This includes the working relationship between the members.
How a gymnast or group of gymnasts generally present themselves to the jury and the public
Attitude and range of emotion that is expressed not only on the faces, but in the bodies of the gymnasts
The competitors must show an enthusiastic attitude during the whole routine, with genuine and pleasant facial expressions, reaching the audience with their originality and creativity, showing self-confidence.
Evaluation:
Refer to Appendix 1 in each area and adapt to Aerobic STEP.
SCALE for ARTISTIC Evaluation
| Criteria | Unacceptable | Poor | Satisfactory | Good | Very Good | Excellent | |||||
| Music / Musicality | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| Step Content | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| General Content | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| Space / Formation | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| Artistry | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 |
