Each country was allowed to enter a team of eight gymnasts, but in contrast to the previous Olympics not more than six of them were allowed to participate in all exercises. Nations with incomplete teams, could enter one to three gymnasts for the individual competition.

Men's competition edit

The team included from five to eight gymnasts. Each team member performed compulsory and optional routines on each of six apparatus. Gymnast's scores in these performances counted for all of the events. Scores of gymnasts from incomplete teams counted only for individual events.

Like in the women's events, five best scores constituted the team's score for the routine. These scores constituted the overall team's totals.

Women's competition edit

Each team member performed compulsory and optional routines on each of four apparatus. Gymnast's scores in these performances counted for all of the events, except the separate team exercise with portable apparatus event (also known as group exercise with hand apparatus event), which was a group rhythmic exercises similar to the group competition event in rhythmic gymnastics. Scores of gymnasts from incomplete teams counted only for individual events.

The scoring in the team competition was different from the one at the previous Olympics, its principle became the same, as for men's events: five best scores constituted the team's score for the routine; these scores constituted the overall team's totals.

Men’s events edit

Women's events edit

• The Official Report of the Organizing Committee for the Games of the XVI Olympiad. Melbourne: W. M. Houston, Government Printer. 1958. Archived from the original on 2006-06-22. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
• "1956 Olympic Games". Gymn-Forum.com. Retrieved May 6, 2006. ^{[dead link]}