Fast Facts!

• All exercises have a maximum duration of 2 minutes 30 seconds. There is no stipulated minimum. All exercises must be performed entirely to music;
• Words must not be included with the music during an exercise, but voice may be used as an instrument;
• Exercises must start from a static position, be choreographed throughout and end in a static position;
• All exercises must be choreographed to harmonise logically, aesthetically with the rhythm and mood of the musical accompaniment;
• Gymnasts must present as logical partnerships in respect of height, mass and maturity;
• In qualifications, all pairs and groups perform 3 exercises: 1 Balance, 1 Dynamic and 1 Combined. In Finals, only 1 Combined;
• Not more than 1 pair or group per federation are allowed to proceed to the Finals;
• The results from Competition I also count for the team ranking;
• A Table of Difficulty is a matrix from which elements of difficulty can be created and evaluated; while the possibilities are infinite, in order to be credited for difficulty, new elements must be presented to FIG for evaluation and be included in the Table of Difficulty.
• Static = The term applied to an exercise in which competitors must demonstrate strength, flexibility, agility, static holds, mounts, motions;
• Static Exercises are different in pairs and in groups: while pairs use different types of mounts to arrive in static holds, groups usually find impressive pyramidal constructions such as 3- or 4-high positions.
• Men’s groups only are authorized to use an additional mat.
• Sitting in spread legs on the shoulders facing a partner is not permitted in any exercise;
• Dynamic = The term applied to an exercise in which competitors must demonstrate flight elements and dynamic tumbling elements;
• Combined = An exercise in which competitors must demonstrate the characteristics of both the Static and Dynamic Exercises;
• Coaches who are not in national uniform during competition will be required to leave the arena. Technical Committee members must wear the FIG uniform;
• Face painting is not allowed; any make-up must be modest and not for depiction of a theatrical character (animal or human). Tattoos must be covered.
• There are presently 53 countries in the world officially practicing the discipline of Acrobatic Gymnastics, however, not all at a World Championship level.
• Ties are broken by adding the execution and artistic scores first.