Introduction to group gymnastics

Group gymnastics is a gymnastics performance performed by a group and with a certain theme. Performers perform various gymnastics or dance movements according to regulations, or perform queue changes, or form various meaningful patterns. Whether in large-scale international competitions or general entertainment performances, group gymnastics performances make the entire venue pleasing and refreshing with its varied forms and beautiful melodies.

The early countries in the world that carried out group gymnastics activities include Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union, the German Democratic People's Republic of China in Europe, Mexico in Latin America, and Japan, China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Asia. He Guo et al. Group gymnastics in various countries have different characteristics and styles. Since the establishment of the "Sky Eagle" Sports Association in 1862, the Czech Republic has focused on popularizing group gymnastics activities. In addition to folk dance performances from all participating countries, the Soviet Union's large-scale group gymnastics is also famous for its superb gymnastics skills and difficult combined equipment performances. Group gymnastics in Japan can be divided into two categories: popularization and improvement. The group gymnastics performance at the "Tokyo Cultural Festival" held in the 1960s showed its characteristics with its gorgeous background, standardized free-hand exercises, and difficult stacking skills. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has established a special organizational structure and stipulated group gymnastics as a national competition event. It has a high degree of popularity. Its outstanding features are the number of events, the emphasis on background coordination, and the reflection of a theme from multiple aspects. Chinese group gymnastics is famous for its ingenious formation changes, magnificent patterns, rich content, rigorous organization and clear background pictures.

China's group gymnastics has appeared in a few provinces and cities since the early 20th century. But at that time, the scale was small and the content was simple, limited to bare-hand gymnastics, stacking Arhats and composing Chinese characters. Large-scale group gymnastics performances gradually emerged after the founding of the People's Republic of China. In the early 1950s, group gymnastics performances were organized at sports meets and major celebrations held in some major cities in China. Later, group gymnastics performances of different sizes were organized in previous National Games and other major sports competitions. Among them, the most influential ones are the 4 large-scale performances of "National Celebration", "Revolutionary Hymn", "Ode to the Red Flag" and "New Long March" performed at the opening ceremony of the 1st to 4th National Games held at the Beijing Workers' Stadium. Group gymnastics. More than 8,000 people participated in the performance of "National Celebration". "Hymn of the Revolution" has not only expanded in scale to more than 16,000 people participating in the performance, but also has a distinctive theme, high-level skills, changeable formation patterns, beautiful music melody, and novel and beautiful costumes and props. In particular, a large-scale stand background has been added for the first time to beautify the performance. And expanded the scene, making the whole performance more majestic. The number of performers in "Ode to the Red Flag" has further expanded to 23,000. Since the performers' heads are not exposed in the background of the stands, the picture is clearer. "The New Long March" had 16,000 people participating in the performance. Because it highlighted the characteristics of sports and made new breakthroughs in conception and arrangement, it won praise from the audience. Since the 2nd National Games, a group gymnastics film album has been filmed, a group gymnastics album has been printed, and a national group gymnastics coach training class has been held. The state also awards the "Sports Medal of Honor" to commend the choreographers of group gymnastics. These have a great role in promoting the development and improvement of Chinese group gymnastics. Since the 1960s, many provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in China have generally organized large-scale group gymnastics performances at sports meets of various sizes. When formulating a group gymnastics performance plan, you should first conceive it based on a certain theme, content and style characteristics, including the number of events, duration, number of performers, costumes, props and music coordination, etc. Secondly, according to the structure of each exercise, from the entrance to the development and end of the performance, its ups and downs and climaxes should be reasonably arranged. Finally, according to the requirements of the theme content, movements are created and various formation patterns and background images are designed.

The movements of group gymnastics should not only be uniform, but also make full use of various forms of changes. Some of the movements are consistent, some are in different directions, and there are also various symmetrical, undulating, sequential, staggered and wave-like movements. You should choose those that are simple, graceful, and graceful according to the content of the group exercises and the changes in the formation pattern. The movements are large and easy to perform neatly.

It can also be interspersed with gymnastics and skill performances including some difficult movements performed by a small number of people. The formations and patterns of group gymnastics are ever-changing. When designing, we must not only make the formations change quickly and cleverly, but also use various formations to appropriately express the theme content. Formations include scattered, straight, angular, arc, circular, and comprehensive. There are many groups of patterns that are scattered, have overall effect, have specific meanings and show flowing lines. For complex patterns, special attention should be paid to a reasonable layout, clear priorities and clear levels.

The background of the stands for group gymnastics, due to the continuous improvement of its composition methods, is increasingly showing that it is an indispensable and important component of large-scale group gymnastics. With background cooperation, it can not only highlight the theme content of the exercise, but also play a significant role in expanding and beautifying the scene and covering up the shortcomings of the performance in the venue. When designing background slogans and images, attention should be paid to meeting the needs of on-site performances. The text should be concise, and the images and portraits should be clear and realistic. In particular, the sequential reproduction of the moving pictures can make the entire performance scene more vivid and majestic.

The training of group gymnastics must be carefully planned according to the characteristics of large number of participants. First of all, numerous performers must be positioned in formation according to the requirements of each exercise, and then the backbone is trained, basic skills are practiced, performance movements are learned, and reserve team members are trained. Finally, on the basis of different organizational forms of training, joint rehearsals of each exercise and rehearsals combining each exercise with the background are carried out, gradually transitioning to rehearsals and reaching the level of formal performances.