Circles on Mushroom

The circle on mushroom is a basic drill for learning circles on pommel horse or beam. The gymnast should start learning circles early on in their career. This will help them develop higher quality circles with the proper technique because gymnasts can perform more repetitions overall if they start at a younger age. To do this drill, the gymnast must first place their hands on the horizontal line across the mushroom. During the performance, the athlete should not change this position of their hands. They should start in front support with their shoulders leaned slightly forward. They should face their hands forward with their fingers spread for better support. Next, they should step to the side opposite of their desired circle direction. The athlete does this opposite move, jumps in the desired direction, and closes their legs to start the circle. The entire circle should be performed with a completely straight body. There are several universal points that the gymnast should follow:

• Maintain a completely extended circle with an open chest at the first and third quarters;

• The arms and legs should remain tight, no exceptions;

• At the first quarter of the circle, the base arm pushes the mushroom identically with the direction of the circle. In that quarter, the leading part of the body should be the hips. During the second quarter, the gymnast should put their other hand down, and finish the quarter in rear support;

• In the third quarter, the gymnast should switch the support hand and start pushing down on the mushroom in the opposite direction from the circle trajectory. The leading part of the body during this phase are the heels;

• In the fourth quarter, the gymnast should put their first hand back down on the mushroom and finish in front support. In order to assure continuity, the body should not touch the mushroom, and the shoulders should lean forward;

• In the fourth quarter, the gymnast put the first hand on the mushroom and finishes in front support. In order to assure continuity, the body should not touch the mushroom and the shoulder should lean forward.

• During the execution of the skill, the shoulders lean in the opposite direction from the legs;

• Developing a faster circle can help the gymnast lean less from their shoulders, maintain a straight body position easier, and raise their body higher above the mushroom (essential for performing floor circles, circles on the pommel horse, and beam).

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Loops

There are many variations of loops on pommel horse. Loops can be performed in the front, side, back, middle of the horse, longitudinally, transversally, with and without pommels. Despite the variety of the loops, there are universal rules which every gymnast should follow:

• The body should be completely extended, with the chest open at the ¼ and ¾ circle positions;

• ¼ is important because the circle starts from this position. The performance of this part of the circle will have an effect on the rest of the skill.

• ¾ is important because at this point the hands will switch their positions and the gymnast should generate continuity of the circle;

• The circle is a skill, in which all the body muscles should be squeezed, particularly the gluteus muscles, because it helps to maintain the straight body position;

• The gymnast should emphasize on ¼ pushing the horse in order to give the move direction. They should also emphasize on opening their hips and chest while performing front loops and forward travels (Magyar skills);

• The gymnast should emphasize on ¾ pushing the horse in order to give the move direction. They should also emphasize on open the hips and chest while performing back loops and travels backward (Sivado skills);

• The placement of the hands should be even, with an eventual slight counter turn at ¼ in order to prevent the hips from overturning;

• Having a fast execution of the loops will raise the body higher over the horse, and help the gymnast to perform the skill easier;

• The gymnast should keep the shoulders erect and the hips straight in order to remain straight and extended.

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Circles on Floor

The contact surface is identical to the placement of the hands. The gymnast should perform the circle with adequate velocity and a straight body.

Circles on Pommel Mushroom

There are pommel mushroom tops available which can easily be switched out with regular mushroom tops. This is an appropriate drill for beginners.

Circles with Pommel Horse on the Floor

Performing circles on the pommel horse without the legs attached to it makes for a suitable station during practices. The main benefit of this is that the gymnasts can easily initiate a circle since they’ll be jumping from the height of the horse.