How does the group event work in rhythmic gymnastics?
B · Beginner · Groups · 5 of 5Five gymnasts perform together for between 2 minutes 15 and 2 minutes 30 seconds. A senior group has two exercises: one where all five use the same apparatus and one with two types, split three and two. The score is built as for an individual, with exchanges and collaborations added to the difficulty.
How it works
- Five: "Each group exercise must be performed by 5 gymnasts."
- A squad of five or six: with six, every gymnast must take part in at least one exercise.
- Two exercises: "Exercise with 1 type of apparatus (5)" and "Exercise with 2 types of apparatus (3+2)".
- Length: "2’15” to 2’30”", timed from the first gymnast's first movement to the last gymnast's stillness.
- Entry: "with rapid marching, without musical accompaniment", taking the starting pose at once. Otherwise 0.50.
- The score: D plus A plus E, with the same three juries as for individuals.
- Difficulty with the body: nine counted, made up of four or five without an exchange and four or five with one.
- One of each: a jump or leap, a balance and a rotation, performed by all five at the same time.
- One throw with rotation: at most one, where an individual may count four.
- Collaborations: between nine and fourteen, in place of an individual's apparatus difficulties.
- Ending together: all five are expected to finish at the same moment, with the music.
- Lines: 0.30 each time, for each gymnast and each apparatus.
The glossary has the group exercise, rhythmic gymnastics, the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon entry, the D, A and E scores entry and the body difficulty entry.
Tricky cases
A gymnast is injured during the exercise. What can the group do?
Bring on the reserve. The injured gymnast leaving the floor costs 0.30. If the group stops, the exercise is judged as interrupted.
The group carries on with four gymnasts. Is the exercise scored?
No. An exercise continued with four gymnasts is not evaluated and scores 0.00.
Which apparatus does the group use this year?
The FIG apparatus programme sets it for each year. In the text copy the programme is a picture that did not survive, so it is not given here.
One gymnast holds her final pose a moment after the others. Is that penalised?
Yes. If part of the group finishes before or after the rest, the artistry penalty for the ending is taken.
Why the rule exists
The group event is about relation: what five gymnasts and five apparatus can do that one cannot. The two exercises test it in two ways, with matching apparatus and with a mix that behaves differently in the air. Requiring all five to perform each body difficulty together stops a group hiding its weakest member.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Group | 2:15 to 2:30 | FIG RG Part 2, A 1.1.4 |
| Individual | 1:15 to 1:30 | FIG RG Part 1, A 1.2.2 |
| Junior groups | Usually two exercises, each with a single type of apparatus | FIG RG Part 2, A 1.1.2 |
| Group difficulty | Exchanges and collaborations added | FIG RG Part 2, B 1.4 to 1.6 |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Part 2: section A, articles 1 to 3, 6, 8 and 9; section B, article 1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Rhythmic Gymnastics (PDF).