Trampolining
Trampolining is an acrobatic competitive sport where the players need to perform different acrobatic skills while rebounding on a trampoline. It is considered as a competitive sport as well as an effective gymnastic activity. Trampolining is also a part of Olympic Games and it was introduced in Olympics in 2000. There are three different varieties to this game: Synchronised trampoline, tumbling, and double minitrampoline.
In case of trampolining, players need to perform a series of 10 acrobatic moves after bouncing from the trampoline and flying smoothly. Judges give points to the player based on his skill sets, style of execution, timings. The best three players to get maximum points are declared winner.
Trampolining was initially originated in order to train astronauts as well as a training exercise for other sports. Around 1934, George Nissen made the first modern trampoline with the help of Larry Griswold after observing trapeze artists performing tricks while bouncing off the safety net. Quickly, it was introduced in schools as well as private entertaining centres.
The first ever televised national trampolining championship was held in England in 1958. The first trampolining world championship was held in London in 1964. In 1965, International Trampoline Federation was found which later on worked as the world governing body for trampolining. By 1969, the first European Championship was held in Paris.
Slowly the game was adopted by European countries as well as Soviet Union. Since 2000, trampolining became a part of Olympics after which more numbers of countries started adopting and playing the sport.
Both as a competitive sport and an exercise, trampolining has a huge popularity. Initially American players were very much successful at different worldwide trampolining tournaments. Slowly European players started dominating the sport. Even in countries like Germany and France, trampolining is having a huge popularity.
Trampolining is very popular in USA, France, Russia, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, China, and Portugal.
In case of trampoline, not much equipment are needed. The basic equipment that are needed are the trampoline and the mat.
A trampoline is a workout and sport equipment which has a piece of taut and a strong fabric that is stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs. People usually bounce on the trampoline for both working out as well as for competitive purposes. The fabric that is spread across the frame is not elastic. However, it is the coiled springs which provide elasticity to the equipment.
Initially, the trampoline was used for training the astronauts and pilots in order to provide them the experience of various body positions while the body is in air. Besides these, trampoline is also used in various sport trainings such as diving, gymnastics etc. in order to develop and sharpen the acrobatic skills of the player.
The trampoline is made of steal and is made in such a way that it can be folded up and can be carried to different places. In case of competitive sports, the trampoline bed is rectangular in shape with a size of 14 ft 1 in × 7 ft. The bed is fitted into a frame of size 17 ft × 10 ft. Around 110 coiled springs are used for providing the elasticity.
In case of recreational as well as for working out, the trampolines used are less effectively constructed than that of competitive trampolines. The springs used in recreational trampolines provide less elasticity as compared to the competitive trampolines. These trampolines come with various shapes like circular, octagonal, rectangular etc.
These mats are mostly used as a safety measure for the players. These are large, thick pads and are placed at every end of the trampoline. It is used in order to cushion the impact in case a player falls down from the trampoline.
The shoes used in this game are specially made for the sport and are ultralight in weight. A typical trampolining shoe weighs around 3.3 ounces. The shoes have foam padding inside with a high quality flexible rubber at the bottom for providing positive reaction during tumbling on the trampoline.
Trampolining court normally consists of a trampoline and mats. Based on variants, the court set-up as well as equipment vary from each other. In case of individual trampolining, a rectangular trampoline is used whereas in case of synchronous trampoline, the court comprises of two adjacent trampolines so that two players can perform their tricks simultaneously.