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Acrobatic gymnastics

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Two young gymnasts, Grace Tucker and Lucy Gamble, perform a synchronized acrobatic routine at the European Acrobatic Championships.

Acrobatic gymnastics is a fun and exciting kind of gymnastics where teams of friends work together to do amazing moves. They flip, jump, and dance all while moving to music. It’s like putting on a show with lots of teamwork!

There are three main types of routines in acrobatic gymnastics. The balance routine is calm and shows strength and flexibility. The dynamic routine has lots of flips and throws, where one gymnast lifts and spins another. The combined routine mixes both balance and dynamic moves for a full performance.

Teams can be pairs, groups of three, or even four people. In each team, everyone has a special job. Some gymnasts are called “bases” because they hold and support others. Others, usually smaller, are called “tops” and they flip and spin. Everyone works together to make the routine look easy and beautiful.

Acrobatic gymnastics started a long time ago, with people doing tricks in festivals and circuses. The sport became official in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Today, it is enjoyed all around the world, with big competitions like the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships. Gymnasts train very hard and use safety mats to stay safe while they practice their exciting moves.

Images

Gymnasts from Portugal performing a balance element at the 2013 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup in Sofia.
Gymnasts performing a balance element during an acrobatic competition.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Acrobatic gymnastics, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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