Editing Rhythmic gymnastics (section)

==Apparatus==
[[File:Spare rhythmic gymnastics equipment.jpg|left|thumb|Replacement apparatuses at the side of the floor|alt=A ribbon, folded rope, hoop, ball, and pair of clubs on the ground outside the gymnastics floor]]
The hoop, rope, and ball were the first official apparatuses, with the ribbon being added in 1971 and the clubs in 1973.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Bott |first=Jenny |title=Rhythmic gymnastics: The Skills of the Game |date= |publisher=Crowood Press |year=1989 |isbn=978-1-85223-208-5 |location=Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire}}</ref> Historically, four out of the five possible apparatuses were selected by the FIG to be used by individual gymnasts each season. Each exercise takes place on a {{Convert|13|m|ft}} x {{Convert|13|m|ft}} floor. The floor is carpeted but has no springs, unlike the one used for [[Floor (gymnastics)|floor exercise]] in artistic gymnastics. Replacement apparatuses are placed on two sides of the floor and can be taken to continue the exercise if the gymnast's apparatus becomes unusable or is lost outside the floor area.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=6 February 2025 |title=Code of Points 2025-2028 |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20RG%20Code%20of%20Points%202025-2028.pdf |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref>

After 2011, rope began to be transitioned out of the sport, with the FIG saying that it was less visually appealing than the other apparatus.<ref name=":122">{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Hoop, Ball, Clubs, Ribbon and Rope: The making of the apparatus that make Rhythmic Gymnastics unique |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3088964 |access-date=2024-07-29 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> It was removed from the senior individual program, and the most recent usage of rope in the senior program was for the mixed apparatus group exercise in 2017.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=1 February 2018 |title=2017-2021 Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_RG%20CoP%202017-2020%20with%20Errata%20Dec.%2017.pdf |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727202321/https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_RG%20CoP%202017-2020%20with%20Errata%20Dec.%2017.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2021}}</ref> The FIG also planned to drop rope in junior-level individual competition, but it returned in 2015; it was then announced that rope would be used in junior individual competition in some years through at least the 2023–2024 season, but the 2022–2024 Code of Points dropped it again.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=25 April 2022 |title=2022–2024 Code of Points Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_2022-2024%20RG%20Code%20of%20Points%20(Mark-up).pdf |access-date=5 March 2024 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> It continues to be used for junior groups.<ref name=":4" />

Routines performed without any apparatus are known as freehand. Freehand was an event for the four first World Championships before being dropped, with the reasoning being that the freehand exercises tended to be too theatrical and include too many ballet elements.<ref name=":34">{{Cite magazine |last=Prchal |first=Mildred |date=Nov–Dec 1969 |volume=4 |number=2 |title=World's Gymnastique Moderne Championships |url=https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1969_5novdec |magazine=Mademoiselle Gymnast |pages=7–15}}</ref> It is now only used in local competitions, usually for the youngest levels.

[[File:Mónica Ferrández 1990 Goteborg.PNG|thumb|[[Mónica Ferrández]] with a rope|alt=Ferrández stands in a split with the rope held between her hands]]
Since 2011, senior individual gymnasts perform four different routines with hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. This is the case for individual juniors as well since 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2020 |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus Program |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pages/disciplines/RG_Apparatus_Programme.pdf |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> Senior groups perform two different routines, one with a single apparatus and one with mixed apparatus (for example, a routine with 5 hoops and a routine with 3 balls / 2 ribbons). Junior groups perform two different routines with two different types of apparatus (for example, a routine with 5 hoops and a routine with 5 ribbons). As of 2017, rhythmic gymnastics equipment used in FIG-sanctioned events must have the FIG logo on the apparatus.

;[[Rope (rhythmic gymnastics)|Rope]]: The rope is made from hemp or a similar synthetic material; it can be knotted and have anti-slip material at the ends, but it does not have handles. The fundamental requirements of a rope routine include leaping and skipping. In 2011, the [[International Federation of Gymnastics|FIG]] decided to eliminate the use of rope in senior individual rhythmic gymnastics competitions. It is still sometimes seen in junior group competition.

; [[Hoop (rhythmic gymnastics)|Hoop]]:The hoop comes up to about the gymnast's hip. It may be made of plastic or wood, and it may be covered with adhesive tape either of the same or different color as the hoop, which may be in decorative patterns. Fundamental requirements of a hoop routine include rotation of the hoop around the hand or body, rolling the hoop on the body or floor, and the gymnast passing through the hoop.
[[File:Margarita Mamun Universiade 2013.jpg|thumb|[[Margarita Mamun]] with a ball|alt=Mamun sits with the ball held between her head and raised knees]] 
; [[Ball (rhythmic gymnastics)|Ball]]: The ball may be made of rubber or a similar synthetic material, and it can be of any color. It should rest in the gymnast's hand and not be pressed against the wrist or grasped with the fingers, which incurs a penalty. Fundamental elements of a ball routine include bouncing or rolling the ball.

; [[Clubs (rhythmic gymnastics)|Clubs]]: The clubs may be made of wood or synthetic materials, and they are always used in a pair. They may be connected together by inserting the end of one club into the head of the other. The handles and bodies are typically wrapped with decorative tapes. Fundamental elements of a clubs routine including swinging the heads of the clubs in circles, small throws in which the clubs rotate in the air, and asymmetrical movements.
[[File:Viktoria Stadnik.jpg|thumb|[[Victoria Stadnik|Viktoria Stadnik]] with a ribbon|alt=Stadnik stands in a split and twirls the ribbon]]
; [[Ribbon (rhythmic gymnastics)|Ribbon]]:The ribbon consists of a handle, which may be made of wood, bamboo, or synthetic materials such as fiberglass, and the ribbon itself, which is made of satin. The ribbon is six meters long, and due to its length, it can easily become tangled or knotted; knots must be undone or the gymnast will be penalized. Fundamental elements of a ribbon routine consist of making continuous shapes with the length of the fabric, such as tight circles (spirals) or waves (snakes), and elements called boomerangs, in which the gymnast tosses the handle, then pulls it back by the end of the ribbon and catches it.