Gymnastics Scoring and Deductions 101

For Girls Compulsory, Xcel & Optionals Gymnastics

By Gina White

1. What judges are looking for in a routine

A. Requirements

• All Routines start with 10.0 start value
• Each routine has Special Requirements
• SR in Compulsory routine: Omitted (take twice value of SR) Reversed (½ value of SR)
• SR in Optional/Xcel Routine = 0.5 if missing (per each missing SR)
• By skill level: A = 0.1 B = 0.3 C = 0.5

B. Execution: How well was the routine done

• Compulsory routines must be executed exactly how they are printed in the text
• The top execution deductions in compulsory routines:

Leg separation- .2

Balance Errors- up to .3

Bent arms/legs- up to .3

Changing,omitting,reversing-.1

• Optional and Xcel routine execution scored based on JO Code of Points
• Example of these deductions: leaps and jumps not high enough: up to .2

Toes not pointed: .05

Leg and knee separation: up to .2

C. Overall Performance of Routine

• How did the judges feel when watching this routine? Were they wowed? Felt kind of blah?
• This area is where (especially compulsories) judges are basing routines on others seen
• Artistry and Dynamics: up to 0.3
• Composition Deductions: Only matters at optional levels, making sure skills are spread out through the routine.

D. Misc. Deductions

• Stepping out of bounds = 0.1
• Spotted in routine = 0.5 (may lose skill value if coach assists)
• Going Overtime = 0.1
• Not saluting the judge = 0.1 (each time)
• Falls = 0.5 (could include execution deductions)

2. Scoring and Deductions by event: Each Event has a unique set of considerations

A. Vault

• 3 phases where deductions can be taken

1. Pre-flight: gymnast between the board and the table
2. Repulsion and support phase: gymnast on the vault table/pit
3. Post flight: gymnast leaving the vault table

• Judges are looking at body angles at different points in the vault
• Judges also looking at dynamics: How powerful is the vault (more power the better!)

B. Bars

• Judges looking at angles and rhythm
• Angles: Cast requirements, circling skill requirements
• Rhythm: extra cast or swing: .3 pause/change in rhythm: .3

C. Beam

• Balance most important part of routine: small wobbles to large wobbles (up to .3)
• Falls: 0.5
• height/ angle jumps leaps: up to .2

D. Floor

• Height and angle of leaps and jumps: angle of leaps/jumps and height closely monitored also feet. Landing positions
• Height and form of tumbling: arms or legs bent, leg separation, landings, body position, height of saltos
• Deductions same as Beam

3. Tips and Tricks to Increase your score

• Sticking your landings! You get a deduction for every time your feet move after a landing (Be mindful of your landings!)
• SMILE: no, it’s not an official score but if you look confident and look like you’re enjoying your routine, judges notice and may not take the full .3 on a skill but rather just a .1
• Pointed toes AT ALL TIMES!
• At Home Conditioning and Flexibility work