RSG Routine Review Collecition

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Alexandra Timochenko 1988 Hoop Routine

- 1988 Hoop Routine - 1991 Ball Routine -

Music:
Unknown

Achievements:
Europeans: 10.000 - 1st
Olympics AA: 10.000 - 3rd

Timochenko always has brilliant styles for her routines. They are interesting and unpredictable (what makes it special) and can be beautiful, unique and even unusual. Her styles are so brilliant and even though her techniques are considerably poor, she emerges as a worthy world champion.

The routines in Timochenko’s times are very much different as now. While nowadays, techniques, flexibility are much better and more challenging, the recent routines lack the spirit of RSG that Timochenko’s routines have. It is therefore advisable to download some of the routines and enjoy them.

I chose Timochenko 1988’ hoop routine because it is cleverly choreographed. The background music is a piano piece full of contrasts in tempo, character, dynamics, tone etc. Therefore, by following the music closely, Timochenko creates a wonderful effect. It is no wonder Timochenko scores high in this routine.
Alas, I wish that Timochenko could have added even more difficult and uncommon throw besides the usual ones at that time. Perhaps, her preparation for jumps, toe balance etc has to be improved as she is bending at a wrong way. Her back flexion needs much improvement because she tends to wobble her leg and loses the balance.

Placing the hoop between her hands and shoulder, Timochenko starts with a dramatic pose. When the unusual yet stirring music begins, Timochenko frolics with the hoop, leaps diagonally through the hoop to reach another edge of the carpet. There, she performs moves quickly to suit the music, including a not-too-good back flexion while rotating the hoop. Almost instantly, Timochenko continues with a good retro roll, catching it at the same time as the music phrase ends abruptly.

Here comes the exciting part. The music reaches its first climax and so does Timochenko. She releases many consecutive throws. First, she tosses the hoop and effects a side split leap while keeping the hoop in constant motion. After a toe point and a simple release, she releases the hoop for a consecutive throw, but this time executes an illusion turn to catch. Not to be outdone, when a loud phrases enters, Timochenko throws the hoop backwards again, jumping through the hoop with an arched split leap. A few basic leaps like double stag leap (arched) follow suit. She ends the climax with another amazing throw of good height, a split leap into a roll before catching the apparatus confidently.

In the next section, the music is slow, quiet, peaceful but expressive. Timochenko displays artistry and her deep emotions, well blended to the composition of the music and capturing the audiences well. Of course, as required for the difficulty value, Timochenko performs a good double attitude spin, stopping at the attitude balance without errors (as seen most time). Soon after, she performs another legmount into her trademark “Timochenko”. These elements, I suppose, should be difficult in the 88 COP. However, she does have common mistakes. Besides her mounting errors and ballet mistakes, Timochenko often loses balance on her badly executed back flexion. Nonetheless, Drama and emotions all combined here form a good contrast to the previous throws.

The ending must be the most unpredictable and spectacular moment. The music suddenly returns to its original life and Timochenko concludes with her final throw. She toss the hoop from the back horizontally, executes a split leap into a roll to grab the hoop. She certainly ends impressively.

I feel that the best thing of this routine is the piece of music. The piano glissandos and running notes really create a dramatic effect.