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 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.
LIFT
Each routine must include one lift. The lifted person(s) may use the platform to be lifted
Definition : when one or more competitors is lifted, held, and/or carried off the ground, showing a precise shape.
A lift may involve any combination of competitors.
In the case of a standing lift, i.e. one person lifting two persons, the lift cannot be higher than 2 persons standing one on top of the other.
In the case of a standing lift (i.e. one person lifting 2 persons), the lift cannot be higher than 2 persons, the base in standing position supporting the lifted person, both on straight arms (IN VERTICAL POSITION).
Prohibited movements can be included in the lift.
Propelling is prohibited.
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.
LIFT
Each routine must include one lift. The lifted person(s) may use the platform to be lifted
Definition : when one or more competitors is lifted, held, and/or carried off the ground, showing a precise shape.
A lift may involve any combination of competitors.
In the case of a standing lift, i.e. one person lifting two persons, the lift cannot be higher than 2 persons standing one on top of the other.
In the case of a standing lift (i.e. one person lifting 2 persons), the lift cannot be higher than 2 persons, the base in standing position supporting the lifted person, both on straight arms (IN VERTICAL POSITION).
Prohibited movements can be included in the lift.
Propelling is prohibited.
- COMPOSITION (Complexity / Originality )
A) Music & Musicality
Selection :
Any kind of music can be used (between 130bpm-140bpm recommended). 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.
Composition & Structure :
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 (between 130bpm-140bpm recommended). 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.
Composition & Structure :
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) are evaluated throughout the routine. All the basic movements are possible to perform with the equipment of Step (platform).
Complexity /Variety:
AMP 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). AMP is the base of the Aerobic Step and main (principal) characteristic.
The complexity of the step actions must be demonstrated by using the coordination criteria (arms and leg movements) requiring high level of body coordination.
AMP 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.
Creativity :
AMP Sequences of stepping must be used to enhance the performance and respecting the nature of the aerobic gymnastics discipline.
The AMP of stepping sequences must have high correlations with the theme and the style of the music. There must be a reason why to include that arm(s) movement, without losing the style of the choreography.
Head and torso movements may be another possibility to include in AMP.
The creativity in AMP must be recognized by using the music style and accents, but without repetitions and in sport manner.
Intensity :
Intensity (appropriate for Aerobic Step) is a measure of the energy and dynamism of the routine and majority of the routine intensity depends on AMP movements on the Step (platform). Therefore, AMP sequences of stepping must be performed without any unnecessary pauses and with energy and vigour showing agility to maintain with a high intensity level from the beginning to the end.
Complexity /Variety:
AMP 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). AMP is the base of the Aerobic Step and main (principal) characteristic.
The complexity of the step actions must be demonstrated by using the coordination criteria (arms and leg movements) requiring high level of body coordination.
AMP 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.
Creativity :
AMP Sequences of stepping must be used to enhance the performance and respecting the nature of the aerobic gymnastics discipline.
The AMP of stepping sequences must have high correlations with the theme and the style of the music. There must be a reason why to include that arm(s) movement, without losing the style of the choreography.
Head and torso movements may be another possibility to include in AMP.
The creativity in AMP must be recognized by using the music style and accents, but without repetitions and in sport manner.
Intensity :
Intensity (appropriate for Aerobic Step) is a measure of the energy and dynamism of the routine and majority of the routine intensity depends on AMP movements on the Step (platform). Therefore, AMP sequences of stepping must be performed without any unnecessary pauses and with energy and vigour showing agility to maintain with a high intensity level from the beginning to the end.
C) General Content:
Evaluations of the “General Content” moves are as follows:
Complexity/Variety :
There should be transitions (change of step) from one step to another (more the better) to show the specific character of step choreography), but they should be well integrated in the routine.
The whole routine’s complexity will be evaluated.
Elements of difficulty may be included in the routine, but they will not receive the difficulty value and be considered as one of the movements as a decoration or an accent. They can be performed by any combination of members of the group (except prohibited moves)
To evaluate the variety of the routines, the artistic 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.
Creativity :
A creative composition must present new ideas, forms, interpretations, originality, progressiveness, avoiding monotony.
With the full use of the music and an excellent execution, the routine becomes unique.
The creativity of the step routines may be demonstrated by using:
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.
The transporting (carrying) of the step platform should be dynamic and smooth
- Transitions / Linking
- Physical Interactions
- Lifts
Complexity/Variety :
There should be transitions (change of step) from one step to another (more the better) to show the specific character of step choreography), but they should be well integrated in the routine.
The whole routine’s complexity will be evaluated.
Elements of difficulty may be included in the routine, but they will not receive the difficulty value and be considered as one of the movements as a decoration or an accent. They can be performed by any combination of members of the group (except prohibited moves)
To evaluate the variety of the routines, the artistic 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.
Creativity :
A creative composition must present new ideas, forms, interpretations, originality, progressiveness, avoiding monotony.
With the full use of the music and an excellent execution, the routine becomes unique.
The creativity of the step routines may be demonstrated by using:
- Originality in the step actions, and with different orientations and approaches to the step
- Originality in the transitions/linking
- Originality in the formation changes, and carry of the step
- Originality in the partnerships (physical interactions, lifts, formations and formation changes, etc.)
- Originality in interaction between the members of the group and the step (position of the step, use of the step)
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.
The transporting (carrying) of the step platform should be dynamic and smooth
D) Use of the Space and Formations:
The competition area must be used to the maximum, with a balanced distance between the members of the group with or without the step by using:
Distribution and balance:
All the components of the routine must be properly distributed on the competition area throughout the routine, with well balance structure of the choreography (not only the corners and the center of the competition space)
Formations:
Formations include the relative positions of the partners and the way in which they change positions to another formation or in the same formation while they are performing AMP or other movements 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.
Orientation:
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).
- 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
Distribution and balance:
All the components of the routine must be properly distributed on the competition area throughout the routine, with well balance structure of the choreography (not only the corners and the center of the competition space)
Formations:
Formations include the relative positions of the partners and the way in which they change positions to another formation or in the same formation while they are performing AMP or other movements 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.
Orientation:
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).
E) Artistry :
Artistry is the ability of the gymnast(s) to transform the composition from a well-structured routine into an artistic performance. All members of the
group must, therefore, demonstrate Expression and Partnership in addition to the impeccable execution of all of movements. It is also about subtlety and modulation, as well as amplitude and speed.
Quality :
Competitor(s) must give a clean athletic impression with high quality movements (clear and sharp). Athletic impression that is appropriate for an Aerobic Step.
Expression :
How a 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 ability to ‘exhibit’ a style throughout the performance and in conjunction with other partners. The ability to control/manage expression during the performance of the most difficult or complex movements. Through expression, the ability to transform movements and choreography, into a singular artistic whole
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.
Partnership :
The ‘connection’ or tangible (visible or palpable) relationship between partners in a performance (a look, a subtle touch, perfect unison of execution, trust…). Their ability to work together or apart while maintaining this relationship. The ability to highlight or underscore the performance of his or her partner. The ability of this partnership to transcend (go beyond) their own relationship and to evoke or touch the audience, as well as the jury.
group must, therefore, demonstrate Expression and Partnership in addition to the impeccable execution of all of movements. It is also about subtlety and modulation, as well as amplitude and speed.
Quality :
Competitor(s) must give a clean athletic impression with high quality movements (clear and sharp). Athletic impression that is appropriate for an Aerobic Step.
Expression :
How a 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 ability to ‘exhibit’ a style throughout the performance and in conjunction with other partners. The ability to control/manage expression during the performance of the most difficult or complex movements. Through expression, the ability to transform movements and choreography, into a singular artistic whole
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.
Partnership :
The ‘connection’ or tangible (visible or palpable) relationship between partners in a performance (a look, a subtle touch, perfect unison of execution, trust…). Their ability to work together or apart while maintaining this relationship. The ability to highlight or underscore the performance of his or her partner. The ability of this partnership to transcend (go beyond) their own relationship and to evoke or touch the audience, as well as the jury.
Evaluation : Refer to Appendix 1 in each area and adapt to Aerobic STEP.
