Ball
The Ball can be made of rubber or synthetic material, for levels 3-6 the ball must measure between 16 – 20 cm in diameter and weigh between 300 – 400 grams.
Care
It is best to keep your ball in a soft cover or bag and its not recommended to consistently inflate your ball. To protect the valve in your ball you need to moisten the tip of the ball pump before inflating, we use vasoline but any moisture is acceptable.
You can wash your ball with warm water and a little bit of dishwashing liquid, but make sure you dry it with a soft cloth.
Main handling points
The ball should be held loosely in the palm and not grasped.
When bouncing the ball it should be “pushed” not slapped.
Rolls on the floor or body need to be smooth without bounces.
On catching, the ball should be “absorbed” into the hand to maintain control.
Hoop
Hoops can be made of plastic or wood and can be solid or hollow.
The size of the hoop should be relative to the size of the gymnast ie when resting the hoop next to the gymnast it should not be above the top of the hip.
Minimum weight is 300grams.
Care
Plastic hoops can bend in hot weather, so its best to keep them in a hoop bag either hanging up or in a flat horizontal position. Tape can come loose, maintenance for this is to cover that area with transparent scotch tape. Tips below from Youtube, by Rhythmicgym101
Main handling points
The hoop needs to be held firmly with the forefinger along the rim of the hoop for greatest control.
Rotations should maintain an even plane at all times.
Rolls on the floor or body need to be smooth without bounces.
Rotations should be around the palm with the thumb held at right angles.
Rope
Ropes are usually Nylon or Hemp.
Their thickness should be between 8mm – 10 mm.
After purchase the rope needs to be cut to the correct length for gymnasts height.
With the gymnast standing on the middle of the rope the ends need to range between her underarms and her shoulders.
Ends can be knotted after cutting, Nylon rope ends can be burned to seal and hemp ropes will need to be sewn.
Ropes can be used with or without knots.
Care
Nylon ropes can be gently washed with warm, not hot water. Use only a little washing powder.
Hemp ropes tend to loose their colour when washed, so we recommend not to wash them.
Main handling points
The rope should maintain its shape throughout all movements.
During movements the rope should not hit the floor.
Clubs
Clubs can be made of plastic, rubber or wood.
We measure clubs from gymnasts fingertips to her elbow, with her arm bent.
Level 3-6 need clubs to be between 40 -50 cm and weigh 150grams or more each club.
Plastic clubs can be decorated with tape.
Club elastics with crystals can also be added to the indentation in the club head.
Care
Plastic club can become brittle, if practising at home please be aware that if dropped on a hard floor they can break.
Plastic clubs can be painted or decorated with tape. see below video for explanation, This is taken from Youtube, done by Rhythmicgym101
Main handling points
Clubs should rarely be held in the middle
Small rotations should have ample wrist movement, limiting the arm moving is the aim.
For swings and circles the club is held firmly with the forefinger along the neck of the club.
Mills should be performed with the wrist held as close together as possible.
Ribbon
The ribbon stick can be made of wood or more commonly fibreglass.
The swivel at the end of the stick can be no longer than 7cm in length.
The stick length must be 50cm – 60cm.
The ribbon length allowed are
Level 3 & 4 – between 4 and 5 meters
Level 5 & 6 – Minimum 5 meters
Level 7 & above – 6 meters
The ribbon length has to suit the gymnast height
The ribbon is usually made of silk or synthetic.
Care
Ribbon sticks should be kept in an appropriate case.
Check the swivel regularly and repair when necessary.
Ribbons can be hand washed carefully, with a little silk/wool wash for silk ribbons and a little laundry detergent for synthetic ribbons. A little bit of softener after will decrease static in the ribbon.
Ribbons can be carefully ironed.
Thanks again to Rhythmicgym101 for this video taken from youtube
Main handling points
The end of the ribbon should be in motion at all times.
Snakes and spirals must have a minimum of 4 distinct pattern shapes.
The aim is for the stick to be held firmly in the palm with the forefinger along the stick, although if watching the international gymnasts you can see this is not always the case.
In throws and tosses, the entire ribbon must move freely through the air.