What is an exchange in a rhythmic gymnastics group routine?
I · Intermediate · Groups · 4 of 5A moment when all five gymnasts throw their own apparatus to a partner and catch one thrown by a partner. Every throw must be high, above twice the height of a standing gymnast, or long, across at least eight metres. A group needs at least four exchanges, and at most five are counted.
How it works
- Two actions each: "Throwing her own apparatus to a partner" and "Receiving the apparatus from a partner, by catching it from the flight".
- All five: every gymnast must take part in both actions.
- High: "More than 2 heights of the standing gymnast", measured from where the apparatus is released.
- Long: "a minimum 8 meters between the gymnasts" who are exchanging, at the moment of the throw or of the catch.
- Neither: an exchange that is neither high nor long is not valid.
- A real catch: each gymnast must catch what she receives. Passing it straight on by a re-throw, a rebound or a roll does not count.
- No boomerang: an apparatus thrown so that it comes back does not make an exchange.
- How many: "Minimum 4" and "Maximum 5". Fewer than four costs 0.30.
- Counted with body difficulties: exchanges and body difficulties together make the nine that count, taken in the order performed.
- Kneeling counts: a high throw may be made from a kneeling position. The height is still measured against the standing gymnast.
The glossary has the group exercise, the dynamic element with rotation, the body difficulty entry, the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon entry and the difficulty entry.
Tricky cases
Four gymnasts exchange and the fifth keeps her own ball. Is that an exchange?
No. All five must throw to a partner and receive from a partner.
Two gymnasts standing close together toss their clubs to each other at head height. Does that count?
No. The throw is neither high nor long.
A gymnast taps the incoming hoop on to another partner without catching it. Is the exchange valid?
No. A direct re-throw or rebound to a partner makes it invalid.
One gymnast drops her catch. Do the other four still earn the exchange?
No, as the rule is written: each gymnast must catch the apparatus for the exchange to be valid. The drop is also penalised in execution.
Why the rule exists
The exchange is the group's version of the high throw: five apparatus in the air at once, and no one catching her own. The height and distance limits keep it a risk and not a hand-over. Requiring a clean catch from every gymnast means one drop spoils the whole element.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| High throw | More than two heights of the standing gymnast | FIG RG Part 2, B 4.1.4.1 |
| Long throw | At least eight metres between the two gymnasts | FIG RG Part 2, B 4.1.4.2 |
| Individual | No exchanges. Up to four throws with rotation | FIG RG Part 1, B 4.3.1 |
| Collaboration | May use throws, but is a different element | FIG RG Part 2, B 6.2 |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Part 2, section B, articles 1, 4 and 7. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Rhythmic Gymnastics (PDF).