Yahoo! Sports has a feature as part of their Yahoo! Contributor Network, where they are providing a feature on "Ten Things You Should Know" in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics. William Browning, has provided the following useful insight into the Rules that fans should know. The only point I disagree with in the article that you can see here, is the fact that it is "the newest addition to gymnastics sports at the Games". The first World Championships in Trampoline were held in 1964, with the first participation of Trampolinists at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.
Two TrampolinesGymnasts fly through the air landing on two trampolines set six feet apart. Gymnasts do routines right in front of the judges so they can determine who has the best skills on the apparatus.Legs and FeetIn every aspect of the routine, gymnasts should have their legs and feet together. Toes should also be pointed while the competitors are in the air performing flips, twists and somersaults.ElementsTen different elements must be performed in a routine. These include somersaults, twists, as well as going forward and backward. No element may be repeated in a single routine.PositionsThree basic positions are required during particular elements. The straight position is where the gymnast's legs and torso are positioned at greater than a 135-degree angle. The closer to straight up and down, the better. The pike position is achieved when the legs are kept straight but the torso is tucked toward the legs. The tuck position occurs when the torso and legs are curled up into a ball and the knees are bent.StartEach gymnast can only begin when the chair of the judges panel signals the competitor. Otherwise, points are deducted. Gymnasts must start within one minute of being given the signal.FinishA dismount must be performed when the gymnast comes to a straight up position for at least three seconds at the end of the routine. Both feet must be on the trampoline bed.ScoringTo even out the scoring, the highest and lowest scores of the judges' panel are thrown out. The remaining scores are added together to make the execution score. Marks for difficulty are added to improve the overall mark.SomersaultsAt least one element included in the routine must include a somersault. This happens when the gymnast rolls head over feet at least one full rotation.TwistsAnother element must include a twist. This is when the body twirls around from side to side as opposed to going over the head.Stay on the TrampolineAll competitors must stay on the actual trampoline surface. Landing beyond the edge of the surface will cause a deduction in points by the judges.Three RoutinesThree routines are judged. Each one must have all 10 elements in them. Each routine must be fluid, continuous and non-stop until the conclusion of the time.