Giant (gymnastics)
Encyclopedia
A giant is an artistic gymnastics
skill in which a gymnast rotates 360 degrees around an axis while in a fully extended position. It is performed on the uneven bars in women's artistic gymnastics and on the parallel bars and horizontal bar
in men's artistic gymnastics.
The gymnast must remain in a stretched position for the entire giant, except on parallel bars where the apparatus height necessitates bended knees at the bottom of the swing.
(FIG) Code of Points
, a giant is a B element for women and a B element on parallel bars and an A element on horizontal bar for men.
Artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...
skill in which a gymnast rotates 360 degrees around an axis while in a fully extended position. It is performed on the uneven bars in women's artistic gymnastics and on the parallel bars and horizontal bar
Horizontal bar
The high bar, also known as the horizontal bar, is an apparatus used by male gymnasts in Artistic Gymnastics. It traditionally consists of a cylindrical metal bar that is rigidly held above and parallel to the floor by a system of cables and stiff vertical supports. Gymnasts typically wear leather...
in men's artistic gymnastics.
Technique
The gymnast begins in a handstand position. With legs together, toes pointed, and body fully extended, the feet begin to descend. The upper body hollows very slightly until the gymnast passes through horizontal. On the upswing, the abdominal muscles are engaged to slightly arch the body and prevent anterior pelvic tilt, which adversely affects the strength of the swing. The gymnast either returns to the handstand position or continues through handstand to perform another giant or other element.The gymnast must remain in a stretched position for the entire giant, except on parallel bars where the apparatus height necessitates bended knees at the bottom of the swing.
Variations
Some variations on the standard giant include:- Forward or front giant - Performed with palms turned inward to face the body and heels leading the down swing instead of the front of the foot.
- Inverted or L-Grip giant - Performed like a forward giant but with the palms turned outward (L-Grip) to face the body
- Mixed grip giant - Performed as either a regular or forward giant with the hands held in two different grips (e.g. one hand in L-Grip, one hand in normal grip)
- One arm giant - Performed with only one arm holding the bar instead of two
- German giant - Performed with palms facing away from the gymnast's body and shoulders rotated backwards
Scoring
In the current Federation Internationale de GymnastiqueFédération Internationale de Gymnastique
The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique or International Federation of Gymnastics is the governing body of competitive gymnastics. Its headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was founded on July 23, 1881 in Liège, Belgium, making it the oldest international sport organisation...
(FIG) Code of Points
Code of Points (artistic gymnastics)
A Code of Points is a rulebook that defines the scoring system for each level of competition in gymnastics. There is no unified, international code of points; every oversight organization—such as FIG , NCAA Gymnastics, and most national gymnastics federations—designs and employs its own unique Code...
, a giant is a B element for women and a B element on parallel bars and an A element on horizontal bar for men.