Calisthenic Items

Team Items

Calisthenics participants perform a number of different items at each competition.

The 'Core Items' each year: Figure March, Club Swinging, Free Exercises, Rod Exercises and Aesthetic.

The remaining items are called our “Fancy Items” and are usually highly costumed, theme based and a favourite of most calisthenics participants. Not all of these items are performed every year or by every age group.

  • Figure March

Correct deportment is essential in Figure March as the team strives to create many intricate formations and patterns. Uniformity of style is another fundamental requirement as rhythm and precision within the team must be identical.  As with all Calisthenics items, teamwork is important.

  • Club Swinging

Club Swinging is considered to be the hardest item to achieve correctly. It involves swinging clubs smoothly, with perfect rhythm, timing and planing. This item has become more challenging over time with team members often being required to move through formations and execute dance steps while performing intricate swings.

  • Free Exercises

Free Exercises involves a series of strong movements showing flexibility, control and uniformity of rhythm. These fast paced routines test stamina and often display imaginative choreography and include gymnastic style movements. Teamwork, equality in execution and control are important to this item. Team members perform with 'free arms' that is, holding no apparatus.

  • Rod Exercises

A Rods routine has the same key elements of precision and uniformity as Free Exercises and Figure March. The quick and constant manipulation of the rod combined with footwork and flexibility demonstrate high levels of co-ordination, and make this item exciting to watch.

  • Aesthetic

Aesthetic is a ballet influenced item which displays the team’s ability to interpret music and perform with grace and elegance. It shows soft and flowing movements, enabling facial and body expressions to be shown. 

  • Calisthenic Revue

Creativity and entertainment are the keys to this item which allows great freedom in choreographic creativity. Items are often complex and clever and can represent mini-productions. Teams are encouraged to combine aspects of calisthenics with dancing, singing, acting, comedy and clever costuming - all designed to delight and entertain the audience.

  • Song and Dance

Singing and dancing have equal value in this cabaret and jazz inspired item, though it does extend across all genres of dance. Teams sing, dance and perform their routines to their chosen song or theme. The singing and dance styles included must also be in keeping with the theme. Uniformity of technique, rhythm and style are important as is vibrancy and expression.

  • Character Folk Dance

Formerly known as Folk Dance, this item is based strongly around a theme and the team’s ability to portray the character of their theme through dance. Correct technique, uniformity and interpretation are all important in this vibrant item. Mime, acting and creativity bring this item to life.

  • Dance Arrangement

This item is a favourite among many participants. Dance Arrangement gives the team the freedom to perform any dance style they would like - including jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and more! The only limit? No singing allowed!

 

Individual Items

Calisthenics is predominantly a team sport and the main focus is always on the team performance, however team members can also compete individually as soloists or in a Calisthenic Duo. Solos and Duos are a great way to develop confidence and performance skills as well as extending the skills learnt in team items.

  • Graceful

Graceful solos are often inspired by ballet and contemporary dance. They require elegance, poise, strong dance technique and interpretation. Graceful solos combine elements of the Aesthetic and Rhythmic items.

  • Solo

The Calisthenic Solo is performed by one student and must contain half dance and half physical movements. The routine is often centred around a theme and is tailored to show off the strongest aspects of a student's abilities.

  • Duo

Calisthenic Duo is performed by a pair of students. Similar to a calisthenic solo, it must contain half dance and half physical movements, whilst also containing partner work. It is a fun way to perform on stage with a close friend, outside of team work.