What is a collaboration in a rhythmic gymnastics group routine, and are lifts allowed?
I · Intermediate · Groups · 5 of 5An element where all five gymnasts work with each other and the apparatus: passing over, under or through a partner, throwing several apparatus at once or rotating beneath a throw. Between nine and fourteen count, with at least three of each of three types. One gymnast at a time may be lifted, for less than four seconds.
How it works
- What it is: "cooperative work where each gymnast enters into a relationship with 1 or more apparatus and 1 or more partners".
- All five: a collaboration is valid "when it has been successfully completed by all 5 gymnasts".
- How they join in: by direct contact, by means of the apparatus or by passing over, under or through a partner.
- Type one: collaborations without a high or long throw.
- Type two: collaborations with a high or long throw and a rotation of the body during the flight.
- Type three: collaborations with a multiple throw or a multiple catch.
- How many: at least nine and at most fourteen, with at least three of each type. Each missing one costs 0.30.
- One at a time: a new collaboration may start only when the one before is complete. Two that overlap leave the second invalid.
- Subgroups: the five may split into smaller groups, which must perform the same type and be linked.
- Lifting: allowed for at most one gymnast at a time.
- Raised positions: less than four seconds off the floor. She may be lifted or climb up, but may not jump up, be thrown or jump down.
- No acrobatics in flight: rolls, walkovers and cartwheels must be done without flight and without holding a handstand for more than a second.
The glossary has the group exercise, the apparatus difficulty entry, the dynamic element with rotation, the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon entry and the difficulty entry.
Tricky cases
Three gymnasts collaborate while two stand and wait. Does it count?
No. Each of the five must take part for the collaboration to be valid.
Two gymnasts are lifted at the same time for the final pose. Is that allowed?
No. At most one gymnast may be raised off the floor at a time.
A group performs sixteen collaborations. Are the last two penalised?
No. Those over the limit of fourteen are not evaluated, with no penalty.
Can a gymnast do a handstand on a partner's shoulders?
No. A raised gymnast may not perform any kind of handstand, elbow stand or neck stand.
Why the rule exists
Collaborations are what make a group more than five soloists in time with each other. The three required types stop a group repeating the one kind it does best. The limits on lifting keep the sport on the floor: a raised gymnast is allowed as a picture, not as a throw or a tower.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Nine to fourteen collaborations | FIG RG Part 2, B 6.3.1 |
| Individual | Up to fifteen apparatus difficulties | FIG RG Part 1, B 5.2.1 |
| Starting and final poses | A raised gymnast for less than four seconds | FIG RG Part 2, C 12.1 |
| Subgroups of different types | Not valid | FIG RG Part 2, B 6.4.5.5 |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Part 2: section B, articles 6 and 7; section C, article 12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Rhythmic Gymnastics (PDF).