How do judges score gymnastics? Gymnastics scoring is a complex system designed to reward athletes for their skill, execution, and difficulty. It’s a multi-layered process that starts with a base value and then subtracts points for errors. This blog post will break down the intricacies of the gymnastics scoring system, from the foundational principles to the finer details of apparatus scoring gymnastics. We’ll explore how elite gymnastics scoring differs from other levels and delve into the specifics of artistic gymnastics rules and rhythmic gymnastics scoring.
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The Foundation of Gymnastics Scoring
For many years, the “perfect 10” was the ultimate goal in gymnastics. However, the evolution of the sport, particularly in elite gymnastics scoring, led to a significant shift. The current gymnastics scoring system is designed to be more objective and to reward increasing difficulty. It’s no longer just about perfection; it’s about pushing boundaries.
At its core, scoring involves two main components:
- Difficulty Score (D Score): This score reflects the intrinsic difficulty of the skills performed.
- Execution Score (E Score): This score evaluates how well those skills were performed, focusing on form, artistry, and technique.
These two scores are then added together to create the final score.
Deciphering the Difficulty Score (D Score)
The D Score is where gymnasts showcase their most challenging elements. In artistic gymnastics rules, each skill has a pre-determined value. These values range from A (0.1 points) to I (0.9 points) and beyond for extremely difficult skills. The D Score is calculated by:
- Adding up the values of the top eight highest-valued skills in a routine (for men’s artistic gymnastics, this can vary slightly by apparatus).
- Including connection values: Bonus points are awarded for connecting multiple difficult skills in a seamless sequence.
- Including compositional requirements: For certain apparatus, specific types of skills or elements must be included in the routine, and points are awarded for meeting these requirements.
Gymnasts and their coaches meticulously plan routines to maximize their D Score by incorporating the most challenging skills and valuable connections. This element of the score encourages innovation and the progression of gymnastic capabilities.
Grasping the Execution Score (E Score)
The E Score begins at a perfect 10.0. Judges then deduct deduction points gymnastics for any errors in execution. These deductions are applied for:
- Form breaks: Bent knees, flexed feet, wobbles, poor body alignment.
- Amplitude: Not reaching the full height or extension of a skill.
- Landing errors: Steps, hops, or falls on landings.
- Rhythm and tempo: Pauses or disruptions in the flow of the routine.
- Artistry and presentation: For women’s artistic gymnastics, this includes choreography, expression, and grace.
- Technical errors: Forgetting a skill, incorrect technique, or failing to complete a skill as intended.
The goal is to perform skills with impeccable form, precision, and artistry, minimizing any deductions.
Apparatus Scoring Gymnastics: Specifics by Discipline
While the general principles of D and E scores apply across disciplines, there are nuances in how apparatus scoring gymnastics is applied in different events.
Artistic Gymnastics Scoring
Artistic gymnastics is divided into men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. The artistic gymnastics rules and scoring for each have unique characteristics.
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
WAG involves four apparatus: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise.
- Vault: This is a speed and power event. The D Score is determined by the value of the vault performed, with a bonus for the second vault in a final if it’s of higher difficulty. The E Score judges the vault’s execution, including the run, the pre-flight, the block, the post-flight, and the landing.
- Uneven Bars: This apparatus requires strength, swing, and transitions between the bars. The D Score includes the difficulty of individual skills, connection values for transitions, and the dismount. The E Score assesses grip changes, rhythm, amplitude of swings, body position, and the landing.
- Balance Beam: This apparatus demands incredible balance, control, and precision. The D Score is built from difficult acrobatic and dance elements, connections, and a complex dismount. The E Score scrutinizes wobbles, balance checks, bent knees, flexed feet, and falls.
- Floor Exercise: This routine combines tumbling, leaps, turns, and dance elements choreographed to music. The D Score is comprised of tumbling passes, dance elements (leaps and turns), and connection values. The E Score looks at the execution of tumbling, artistry, choreography, use of the floor area, and landings.
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
MAG includes six apparatus: Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar.
- Floor Exercise: Similar to WAG floor, MAG floor involves tumbling passes and strength elements. The D Score is built from the difficulty of tumbling, strength holds, and transitions. The E Score focuses on execution of skills, landings, and control.
- Pommel Horse: This apparatus is known for its intricate circular movements and requires immense core strength and coordination. The D Score is derived from the difficulty of circles, travels, and dismounts, with bonuses for complex combinations. The E Score judges fluidity, rhythm, amplitude, and clean execution.
- Still Rings: This event emphasizes strength and static holds. The D Score is made up of strength elements, swing elements, and the dismount. The E Score evaluates the stability of holds, body position, amplitude of swings, and the landing.
- Vault: Similar to WAG vault, MAG vault is judged on the skill performed and its execution, with a focus on power and distance.
- Parallel Bars: This apparatus involves swinging, strength, and transitions. The D Score is based on the difficulty of swings, strength elements, and the dismount. The E Score considers swing amplitude, body position, and landing.
- Horizontal Bar: This event features continuous swinging and release moves. The D Score includes the difficulty of release skills, combinations, and the dismount. The E Score assesses swing amplitude, grip changes, body position, and landing.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Scoring
Rhythmic gymnastics scoring is distinct from artistic gymnastics. It combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, and dance, performed with hand apparatus: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon.
- Difficulty Score (D Score): In rhythmic gymnastics, the D Score is more about the complexity of the body difficulties (jumps, balances, pivots) and the manipulation of the apparatus. There are also specific requirements for each apparatus that contribute to the D Score.
- Execution Score (E Score): This score assesses the technical execution of both body and apparatus skills, as well as artistry and musicality. Deductions are made for dropped apparatus, poor body posture, lack of fluidity, incorrect technique, and missed connections.
- Artistry Score (A Score): This is a separate component that evaluates musicality, expression, choreography, and the overall presentation of the routine.
The final score in rhythmic gymnastics is the sum of the D, E, and A scores.
Compulsory Routines vs. Optional Routines Scoring
Historically, the gymnastics scoring system included compulsory routines.
Compulsory Routines Scoring
In compulsory routines scoring, gymnasts performed a set routine with specific skills and sequences defined by the governing body. The focus was purely on execution and demonstrating mastery of fundamental techniques. Judges would deduct for any deviations from the prescribed routine or imperfections in its execution. This level of gymnastics is often seen at introductory and developmental stages.
Optional Routines Scoring
Optional routines scoring is what is seen at higher levels of competition, including the Olympics. Here, gymnasts and their coaches have the freedom to design routines, incorporating a wide range of skills to maximize their D Score while striving for perfect execution in their E Score. This allows for greater creativity and showcases individual strengths.
Understanding Deduction Points Gymnastics
Deduction points gymnastics are the backbone of the E Score. Judges are trained to identify even minor flaws. Here’s a breakdown of common deductions:
- Falls: A fall from an apparatus or to the mat is a significant deduction, usually 1.00 point.
- Form Violations:
- Bent knees/hips in skills that should be straight: 0.10-0.30 points
- Flexed feet: 0.10 points
- Body posture (e.g., arching back excessively): 0.10-0.30 points
- Bent arms in support or handstands: 0.10-0.30 points
- Landing Errors:
- Small hop/step: 0.10 points
- Medium hop/step: 0.30 points
- Large step/stumble: 0.50 points
- Touching hands to the mat: 0.50 points
- Amplitude Issues:
- Not reaching full extension in a skill: 0.10-0.30 points
- Rhythm and Flow:
- Hesitations or pauses: 0.10-0.30 points
- Loss of rhythm: 0.10-0.30 points
Table: Example Deductions in Artistic Gymnastics
Error Type | Description | Deduction (Points) |
---|---|---|
Fall | Fall off apparatus or to the mat | 1.00 |
Bent Knees | In a skill requiring straight legs | 0.10 – 0.30 |
Flexed Feet | Feet not pointed in a skill requiring pointed toes | 0.10 |
Landing Hop | Small step or hop on landing | 0.10 |
Landing Stumble | Significant wobble or step on landing | 0.30 – 0.50 |
Balance Check | Hand touching apparatus to regain balance | 0.50 |
Incomplete Skill | Skill not fully performed | 0.10 – 0.50 |
Falling out of Mount | Falling when starting an apparatus routine | 0.50 |
The precise value of deductions can vary slightly based on the specific governing body and the level of competition. Judges meticulously review each movement to ensure accuracy in scoring.
The Evolution Towards Open-Ended Scoring
The transition from the perfect 10 gymnastics era to the open-ended scoring system was a significant change. The old system capped scores, making it difficult to differentiate between routines with vastly different difficulty levels. The open-ended system, with its separate D and E scores, allows for a much more detailed and nuanced evaluation. This system encourages gymnasts to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible, leading to the incredible athleticism we see today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How are gymnastics scores calculated?
Gymnastics scores are calculated by adding a Difficulty Score (D Score) and an Execution Score (E Score). The D Score reflects the difficulty of the skills performed, while the E Score assesses how well those skills were executed, with deductions for errors.
What does a perfect 10 mean in gymnastics now?
In the current open-ended scoring system, a “perfect 10” doesn’t exist as the maximum score. Gymnasts aim for a perfect E Score (10.00) before deductions, but their total score can be much higher than 10 due to the D Score.
How does rhythmic gymnastics scoring differ from artistic gymnastics?
Rhythmic gymnastics scoring includes an Artistry Score in addition to Difficulty and Execution. It also focuses on apparatus manipulation and dance elements, whereas artistic gymnastics emphasizes strength, acrobatics, and tumbling.
What are the main types of deductions in gymnastics?
Common deductions include falls, form breaks (like bent knees or flexed feet), landing errors (steps or stumbles), loss of balance, and incomplete skills.
Who decides the difficulty value of a skill?
The difficulty values of skills are determined by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and are published in the Code of Points, which is updated periodically.