This page was last updated: 20 April, 2009
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
CALISTHENICS CLUB
WHAT IS CALISTHENICS?
The word calisthenics comes from the Greek words 'kallos' for beauty and 'thenos' for strength. The components of the sport aim at achieving those physical attributes, but the sport also influences the emotional and social development of girls and boys through friendship and teamwork.
Sport or Art? - Calisthenics can be categorised as both. As a sport it encourages physical development, coordination, self-discipline and team spirit. As an art it develops an appreciation of music and rhythm, the beauty of line and the excitement of presenting on stage.
Calisthenics is an artistic sport unique to Australia. It combines dance, gymnastics, singing, apparatus manipulation and ballet and is performed in theatres. It involves a team of pupils learning calisthenics skills and techniques within routines that are choreographed to music - each of about three to four minutes duration.
Pupils learn approximately three to six routines concurrently throughout a year and this is where the diversity of the sport is seen. Routines are then presented at competitions. Pupils become fitter and gain more confidence and co-ordination as well as developing new friendships and having fun doing it.
Pupils may also compete in graceful, solo and duo items.
Figure Marching (All sections)
The value of correct deportment is the emphasis in Figure Marching. Though the marching team is also judged on its execution of intricate formations and patterns, deportment is the single most important factor and must be maintained strictly at all times. The uniformity of style between marchers is a further basic requirement, whilst rhythm and precision from member to member must be identical. Team- work is essential.
Free Exercises (All sections)
The flexibility and agility pupils must maintain in Free Exercises makes possible the interesting and varied movements (e.g.; backbends, walkovers, leg mounts, splits) which are used in routines to demonstrate the physical capabilities of the performers. The Free Exercises section, whilst permitting a variety of more complex movements, is built on a series of basic ones, each of which must be correct in detail.
Song and Dance (All sections)
Throughout this type of presentation, singing and dancing must be evenly balanced, with the theme of the song carrying through and influencing the dance. The type of dance performed is optional and the coach has unlimited freedom in the choreography of steps and movements.
Rod Exercises (All sections except Tinies)
Rods are a challenging exercise in the use of apparatus. The rod is made of metal and is approximately 5 – 10mm in diameter. The manipulation of this simple piece of equipment demonstrates the pinnacles of coordination that the members of a disciplined team can achieve. Whilst the rod itself is the focal point, the use of the body and the legs are also incorporated into the exercises.
Club Swinging (All sections except Tinies)
Club swinging is a most difficult art. It demands coordination, concentration and many hours of practice. An accomplished team can execute complex movements as each club swings through a perfect circle on an imaginary plane. The performers must aim to swing as mirror images of one another and again, teamwork is essential.
Aesthetic Exercises (All sections except Tinies)
The aesthetic section comprises a series of movements, which are soft and flowing. Music is chosen for its variety of mood and tempo, but more particularly to facilitate the flow of the routine and the expression of the performers. Elevated movements are not permitted. Competing in the Graceful Competitor section can assist greatly in developing the grace and poise necessary for aesthetic exercise.
Rhythmic Interpretations (Inters and Seniors only)
Within rhythmic interpretations, turn-out, arm, foot and head positions are as for Aesthetic Exercises, however elevation is the essential component (eg; movements such as jete, grand-jete, cabriole and pirouette). The dance can be set to a variety of rhythms and interpretation of a theme is expressed throughout the dance through music, costuming, and the use of mime and possibly principal dancers.
Modern Dance
Folk Dance
Gymnastics Display
Fancy Items
Only one of the following special items is performed at competitions each year. The item to be performed in any given year for each section is announced by CASA (Calisthenics Association of SA)
Calisthenic Spectacular (All sections except Tinies)
The basis of this item consists of a routine of equal balance – half-free exercises and half dance. All movements and music are chosen in pertinence to the chosen theme.
Dance Arrangement (All sections except Tinies and Sub-juniors)
This item is purely a dance section. Choreography is limited only by the coach’s imagination.
Stage Presentation (Junior State Team level only) / Stage Medley (Shorter version)
This section can include any element of calisthenics, in any ratio. Dancing, free exercise, speaking, acting, singing and solo singing etc. may all be incorporated to help in the portrayal of the story or theme chosen by the coach.
AUSTRALIAN CALISTHENIC FEDERATION NATIONAL RULES
The Australian Calisthenic Federation (ACF) National Rules are reviewed by delegates from each member state approximately every two years.
