In recent Code of Points updates (FIG 2022–2024) and domestic rule changes (USA Gymnastics Development Program and NCAA), gymnastics scoring deductions have been refined. This includes adjustments to general execution deductions, apparatus-specific penalties, and in women’s gymnastics, a renewed emphasis on artistry.
Below is a structured summary of major changes, differences between men’s (MAG) and women’s (WAG) deduction criteria, and the impact on scoring.
General Execution Deductions
General execution deductions are applicable across all apparatuses in gymnastics. Judges assess these deductions to evaluate a gymnast’s form, technique, and adherence to ideal performance standards.
Standard Deductions
Both MAG and WAG continue to use the 0.1 (small), 0.3 (medium), 0.5 (large) deduction scale for execution faults, with 1.0 for a fall. Judges deduct for form errors (e.g. bent knees, flexed feet, poor body alignment) and technique errors (e.g. bad posture in skills) per this scale.
Recent updates have clarified and, in some cases, adjusted how these deductions apply:
Landing Deductions:
Landing errors are more explicitly defined. A slight foot separation on landing (feet about hip-width apart) is now considered a “stuck” landing with no deduction.
Any larger separation or a visible step incurs a deduction – a small hop or step ~0.1, larger or multiple steps ~0.3 each, and a very deep squat (hips below knees) on landing is now explicitly a 0.5 deduction. Brushing the mat or apparatus with a hand (without a fall) is a 0.3 deduction (clarified in the new code). Falls remain -1.0.
No Double-Penalizing:
The MAG Code eliminated some redundant execution deductions to avoid “double” penalties. For example, there is no longer an extra 0.5 deduction for making multiple attempts at a strength hold (e.g. trying a cross on rings twice) – the gymnast is only penalized for the form/execution errors and the failed value, not an additional arbitrary 0.5.
Similarly, a previous 0.5 penalty for “non-distinct positions” (not clearly tuck vs. pike vs. straight) was removed; judges now take at most 0.1–0.3 for poor body position, since a larger deviation would mean the skill is evaluated as a different element anyway.
Technique Criteria:
FIG and USAG have refined certain technique deduction ranges. For instance, body alignment on turns and swings is given more nuance – a slight angle deviation (<=15° from perfect) is tolerated with no deduction, but beyond that judges apply small or medium deductions, and if >45° off, the element may not be credited at all (D jury).
Neutral Deductions:
Out-of-bounds or overtime penalties remain in place. Stepping outside the floor boundary incurs -0.1 (one foot/hand) or -0.3 (two feet/hands) neutral deduction, unchanged from previous rules. Exceeding time limits (e.g. 1:30 on beam) still results in a 0.1 penalty.
These haven’t fundamentally changed, though NCAA introduced a team deduction of 0.2 if floor boundary lines are not properly marked on mats (a recent NCAA-specific rule to prevent confusion).
Artistry and Composition Deductions
Artistry – the quality of movement, expression, and choreography – has seen significant updates in women’s artistic gymnastics, while men’s gymnastics continues to focus almost entirely on technical execution.
Women’s Artistry
The FIG WAG Code 2022–2024 places greater emphasis on artistry in Beam and Floor routines. Judges now use a detailed checklist of artistry and choreography criteria, each with defined deductions of 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3, to evaluate a routine’s presentation. This replaces the old, more subjective approach.
For example, deductions can be taken for:
- Insufficient amplitude of movement: Not fully extending movements to show elegant lines.
- Insufficient variation in rhythm and tempo: Performing everything at one speed or without musicality.
- Lack of fluid connection: The routine feeling like a series of disconnected tricks rather than a cohesive performance.
- Posture and involvement of body parts: A new deduction up to 0.3 for “incorrect body alignment, position or posture on non-value parts” – essentially, failing to use the head, arms, shoulders, etc., to reflect artistry throughout the routine. (This was reworded in the code to clarify that even choreography between skills must have good form and purpose.)
Other artistry aspects include expression of theme, projection of style, and synchrony with music. Each category can incur small to medium deductions, cumulatively often totaling up to 0.5 or more off if a routine lacks artistry.
Vault (Women & Men)
Vault is judged for the quality of the pre-flight, support (on the table), post-flight, and landing. Recent updates have fine-tuned how certain vault technique deductions are applied:
Pre-flight and Support Phase:
The new code has increased penalties for poor form on the vault entry. For example, a vault with a piked hip angle in the pre-flight (e.g. not keeping a straight body on a Yurchenko entry) can now incur up to 0.3 off, increased from the previous 0.1–0.2 range.
Additionally, beginning a twist too early on the table (for vaults with turns like Tsukahara or Yurchenko half-on techniques) is more heavily penalized – up to 0.5 off (it was up to 0.3 before).
Post-flight and Landing:
Vault landing deductions follow the general landing rules noted earlier. A small hop or step is 0.1, larger steps or hops 0.3, and falls 1.0.
One area clarified in this code cycle is the deduction for directional deviation on landing. If a gymnast lands significantly off to the side of the table (but still on her feet), judges take a deduction for direction (up to 0.3). Stepping off the landing mat entirely is a 0.3 neutral deduction.
Specific Vault Type Deductions:
For vaults like Tsukaharas (quarter-on entry) and Yurchenkos (round-off entry), a new 0.3 deduction was introduced for insufficient pre-flight turn. In other words, if the gymnast does not complete roughly a quarter turn onto the table (for Tsuk) or is not fully backwards on the table for a Yurchenko, it’s a noticeable technique fault.
Men’s vs Women’s Vault:
Men and women perform mostly the same vault families, so FIG deduction rules are essentially the same. One difference is men’s vault competition format (MAG do two vaults in event finals, WAG one vault except in finals where they also do two for a combined score). However, the execution judging for each vault is identical.
Uneven Bars (Women)
Handstand Angle Deductions:
The FIG Code now explicitly defines the allowable deviation on pirouettes and handstand positions. A skill finishing within 10° of vertical is considered hit (no deduction); beyond that, small (0.1) or medium (0.3) deductions apply depending on how short of handstand it is, and if it’s more than 45° off, the skill may not get full difficulty credit.
Judges have become more strict about handstand positions on bars – e.g. a giant swing that finishes a quarter turn late (far from handstand) will incur execution deductions and potentially lose connection value or difficulty.
Release Moves & Amplitude:
Insufficient height or trajectory on release moves (like Tkatchevs, Jaegers) is deducted more consistently. If a release is caught with bent arms or very close to the bar, that’s a form deduction (0.1–0.3) for lack of amplitude.
Also, leg form on catches (separated legs or flexed feet when regrasping) is watched closely – small form breaks on catches that might have been forgiven in the past are now routinely 0.1 off each.
Empty Swings:
An extra swing (an unproductive swing to regain momentum) still incurs a 0.3 deduction each time. If a gymnast brushes the mat with her feet or hits the low bar with her feet on a transition without falling, it’s a 0.3 deduction (previously sometimes judged as just an execution break). Any unintentional brush is penalized but not as harsh as a fall.
Dismounts:
A notable addition in WAG (FIG) is a dismount stick bonus: a +0.2 bonus is awarded if the gymnast performs a D-valued or higher dismount and lands it without a step.
This incentive, new in 2022, encourages gymnasts to do harder dismounts (double layouts, full-twisting double backs, etc.) and reward those who execute them well. While not a “deduction,” it affects scoring by giving an advantage for difficult dismounts.
Parallel Bars (Men)
Swing to Handstand Angles:
Similar to UB, MAG clarified deductions for swings that should finish in handstand. A slight shoulder or arm angle on a handstand (<=15°) is no deduction, but beyond that it’s 0.1/0.3 off.
Strength & Hold Elements:
Men’s PB has some static holds (like handstand hold, press handstands) – these must be held for 2 seconds. Failure to hold the required time incurs a deduction (small or medium depending on how short) and if not held at all, the D jury might not credit the element.
Form Faults:
PB is notorious for form deductions like bent arms or legs apart during elements. These remain unchanged in principle (0.1 for slight bend, 0.3 for large bend, etc.), but the FIG did remove an old 0.5 “posture” deduction that was somewhat subjective.
Dismounts & Landings:
Men’s PB dismounts (double pikes, doubles with twists) follow the same landing deduction rules discussed earlier. FIG did not add a dismount bonus for MAG in this cycle. However, compositionally, gymnasts are expected to include a D-valued (or higher) dismount to fulfill all requirements – failing to do so could cost them in Difficulty score (element group not fulfilled).
The trend for the next code (2025) is that FIG MAG will introduce a stick bonus of 0.1 for dismounts C+ on all apparatus except pommel, signaling a shift to reward clean landings for men too.
High Bar (Men)
Release Moves & Amplitude:
High Bar releases (Tkachev, Kolman, etc.) are crowd-pleasers but also a focus of deductions. Judges deduct for insufficient height (catching close to the bar), arm bend on catch, or leg form breaks during the flight.
These deductions (0.1–0.3 each) have been reinforced in judges’ training. While not new, the FIG has stressed that a borderline catch (where the gymnast’s chin is at bar level, for instance) should get a deduction for insufficient amplitude. Additionally, catching with one hand then the other (delayed catch) might be deducted for form or considered an extra swing if it breaks momentum.
Pirouettes and Endo skills:
Finishing turns exactly in handstand is expected. Similar angle rules apply as on PB – small angle deviations get small deductions, large ones larger deductions or non-credit if extreme. The new code did not introduce major changes here, but the enforcement is stricter now (fewer “forgiveness” for late turns).
Composition Requirements:
Men’s HB requires at least one release move, one element finishing in handstand, and a dorsal grip element, etc.
No new deductions were added in 2022 specifically for missing these – the penalty remains that missing a requirement deducts 0.5 from the D-score (not the E-score). However, one update was that performing more than three giant swings in a row down the same bar end incurs a 0.3 neutral deduction.
Balance Beam (Women)
Artistry & Choreography:
Beam has seen increased artistry deductions parallel to floor. Judges deduct for a lack of rhythm and tempo changes in choreography, poor engagement of the whole body in dance, and excessive pauses.
A beam routine that is performed as “acro trick, pause, acro, pause” will receive artistry deductions for lack of fluency. Also new is the specific mention of “insufficient involvement of body parts” in dance/choreography – meaning if a gymnast’s dance is bland (e.g., just moving arms a little, no head movement or expression), that can be up to 0.1–0.3 off.
Execution Deductions:
Traditional beam deductions remain: wobbles/balance errors are 0.1 for small adjustments, 0.3 for more severe checks (like a bend at the hips or a large arm swing to regain balance), and 0.5 for almost falls or grabs.
A hand touch on the beam to prevent a fall is 0.5. These are the same, but one interesting tweak: judges added a 0.1 deduction specifically for a straight/loose back leg in split leap where a ring or stag position is expected.
Connection Tempo:
The FIG (and USAG) also clarified the grey area between a connected series with a slight hesitation vs. a broken series.
They defined specific deductions for slow connections: e.g. 0.05–0.1 if arms swing or legs reposition but body keeps moving, 0.15–0.2 for a more pronounced pause (trunk deviation or arm swings). If a series is completely broken (stop or fall), then no series credit and 0.3 deduction for the break.
Dismount Requirement:
Starting 2023, a NCAA gymnast must dismount with at least a “C” element (e.g., gainer full, double full) orcombine a simpler dismount out of a difficult acro series, otherwise she incurs a 0.2 deduction for not meeting the “Up to Level” dismount requirement.
Timing & Other Neutral Deductions:
Beam routine time is still 90 seconds; overtime is a 0.1 deduction. Exceeding the warm-up period or signaling without dismount incurs neutral deductions as before.
Pommel Horse (Men)
Swing and Rhythm:
Pommel Horse deductions have long centered on maintaining continuous, smooth circling motion. Any hesitation, arm bending, leg separation, or loss of rhythm is deducted.
The 2022 Code continued this, and clarified some points. For example, legs apart during circles or flairs are deducted each time the separation occurs – small separations 0.1, larger ones 0.3. If a gymnast’s legs flare out wildly or hit a pommel, it can be 0.5 or a fall. FIG reinforced that every circle with noticeable leg separation should get a deduction.
Handstand Dismounts:
A dismount (often a handstand) that doesn’t go all the way up can incur both an execution deduction and affect difficulty.
The code specifies that a handstand dismount should finish within 15° of vertical; if it’s 15–30° low, that’s a 0.1; 30–45° low, 0.3; and >45° low, it’s a 0.5 deduction and the D jury will not credit it as a handstand dismount (it would be considered a mere half-circle attempt).
Form & Angles in Skills:
Pommel has skills like Russians and spindles on one pommel, travels, etc. The code clarified angle deductions for these as well. For instance, a circle should ideally be in the front support or side support positions; if a circle is skewed (legs not directly over the horse), judges deduct. Every circle deviating from the ideal line can get a deduction.
Also, traveling circles that are not completed to the required end position (e.g., not reaching the other end of the horse) can be considered incomplete and get heavy deductions or no credit.
Errors and Falls:
A significant error like touching down (knees hitting horse, or coming to a stop without falling off) is 0.5. A full fall off the horse is 1.0 and of course ends the routine if the gymnast can’t continue.
Composition Requirements:
Pommel routines must include scissors, flairs or circles on all parts of the horse, and a dismount. If any required group is missing, it’s -0.5 from D score per missing group.
Floor Exercise (Women)
Floor exercise encompasses tumbling and (for women) dance. Updates here involve artistry for women and composition requirements for men, along with general execution tweaks.
Women’s Floor Exercise
Artistry and Musicality:
Specific artistry deductions include: lack of expressive facial and body expression, insufficient dynamic changes in movement (all one-paced), and choreography that doesn’t match the music structure.
For example, if a routine’s dance is bland or doesn’t reflect the highs and lows of the music, the judges might take 0.2 for lack of musicality and 0.1 for monotony of tempo. If the gymnast just does tumbling passes and minimal dance in between, they can also receive up to 0.3.
Also, choreography requirements like using the entire floor, showing variety in directions, and ending with the music are now enforced via deductions. If the gymnast finishes her routine not in sync with the music (music ends and she’s still moving, or vice versa), that’s a 0.1 deduction.
More than one static pose in the routine (lingering too long without movement) can also be deducted under composition guidelines.
Tumbling Execution:
Incomplete twists are penalized more strictly now that there’s easier video review – a short twist (not fully around) can get 0.1–0.3 off or even downgrade if short of rotation. Leg separations on twists or flips are routinely 0.1 each pass if present.
A lack of height in saltos (e.g., a very low double back) should be deducted for insufficient amplitude. Small hops on landings are 0.1, larger bounds 0.3, as standard. On tumbling landings, an added focus has been chest position – a very low chest on landing (almost touching knees) is often taken as a 0.3 these days (categorized as a large fault in landing posture).
Acrobatic vs Dance Composition:
The new code removed some outdated composition requirements (for example, there used to be a requirement in older codes for a turn connected to a jump on floor for CV; now connections are more open). However, the code does require certain element groups: a double salto or a salto with at least a full twist as a last pass, a dance passage of 2 different leaps, etc., as Special Requirements.
Men’s Floor Exercise
No Music/Artistry:
Men’s floor has no music or dance requirement, but the code does have composition requirements to ensure variety. Key ones: the gymnast must perform a non-acrobatic element (typically a strength hold or balance like a planche, maltese, handstand press or a scale) and must include tumbling forward and backward. In the current code, if a gymnast omits a strength hold or static balance, the D-panel will deduct 0.5 from his difficulty (missing an element group).
The upcoming 2025 code is introducing an explicit deduction instead: e.g. not showing a floor “scale” will incur a 0.3 deduction. This shows the direction: even without artistry, MAG wants to ensure floor routines aren’t just tumbling passes. For now (2022–24), virtually all men include a Russian press handstand, planche, or neck spring press to meet the requirement and avoid the deduction.
Dismount Expectation:
Unlike women, men’s floor did not have an explicit dismount bonus or requirement in 2022–24. Many men often ended with a simpler pass if their difficulty was secured. However, starting in 2025, MAG will require the last pass to be a double salto (multiple somersault) – if not, a 0.3 deduction will be taken.
Execution Deductions:
Men’s floor execution is about tumbling form and landings, similar to women’s tumbling. Small hops 0.1, larger steps 0.3, deep squat 0.5, fall 1.0. One new clarification, a low landing (where the hips drop below knee level) is an automatic large deduction 0.5.
Connection Bonus & Composition:
The new code adjusted connection bonus rules: no bonus for connecting two single saltos with twists anymore (to discourage repetitive combos). Only specific connections like a front tumbling into immediate back tumbling yield bonuses.
Floor Landings and Out-of-Bounds:
Just as in women’s, stepping out of bounds is penalized (0.1/0.3 neutral).
Major Differences – Men vs Women
Women’s routines incorporate dance elements that carry their execution deductions (flexed feet on leaps, etc.), whereas men’s routines are purely acrobatic/strength. Men’s events like pommel and rings have unique deductions (e.g. swing deductions on rings, travel form on pommel) that women don’t encounter.
On vault and shared apparatus, the deduction values are essentially the same, but women get a composition bonus for dismounts on apparatus and men historically did not (though that’s changing with the new stick bonus and possible composition deductions for dismounts in MAG).
Sources: The recent FIG Code of Points (2022–2024), technical newsletters, USA Gymnastics WDP Code updates, and NCAA Rules Modifications, as summarized and cited above. These sources, including information from Wikipedia, Reddit, and CollegeGymFans, reflect the latest published deduction criteria and interpretations up to 2024, illustrating the evolution in scoring for artistic gymnastics.