Gymnastics Deductions List 2024: Key Changes and Updates

In gymnastics, deductions are penalties applied by judges for various execution, form, and artistry errors. These general deductions are applicable across all apparatuses and can significantly impact a gymnast’s overall score.

Here’s an overview of the common deductions across levels 1-10, highlighting the specifics for each level:

Error Type	Description	Deduction Range
Leg Separation	When legs are not together during a skill	Up to 0.20 points
Bent Knees	Knees not straight unless skill requires it	Up to 0.30 points
Arched Body	Excessive arch in the body	Up to 0.20 points
Incorrect Body Posture	Poor alignment or posture	Up to 0.20 points
Small Steps on Landing	Steps or hops to maintain balance after landing	0.10 points each (max 0.40)
Large Steps on Landing	Larger steps or jumps	0.20 points each
Wobbles	Loss of balance, wobbles on beam	Small: 0.10, Medium: 0.20, Large: 0.30
Falls	Falling during any part of the routine	0.50 points each
Insufficient Height (Leaps/Jumps)	Jumps and leaps not reaching required height	Up to 0.20 points
Insufficient Split	Leaps and jumps not achieving a full split	Up to 0.20 points
Poor Rhythm or Tempo	Breaks in rhythm, inconsistent tempo	Minor: 0.10, Significant: 0.20
Lack of Expression/Presentation	Lack of confidence or poor presentation	Up to 0.30 points
Out of Bounds (Floor Exercise)	Stepping outside the designated floor area	0.10 points each
Coach Assistance	Coach touching or assisting gymnast during routine	0.50 points each

Levels 1-5: Compulsory Levels

In these levels, gymnasts perform set routines, and deductions are based on deviations from the prescribed movements.

Common Deductions:

• Execution Errors: Bent arms or legs, incorrect body alignment, and lack of extension can result in deductions of up to 0.3 points each.
• Balance Errors: Wobbles and steps on the balance beam can lead to deductions of up to 0.3 points.
• Falls: A fall on any apparatus incurs a 0.5-point deduction.
• Angle Requirements: For example, on vault, the gymnast must push off the vault table by the time she hits vertical. Deviations can result in deductions of up to 1.0 point​

Levels 6-10: Optional Levels

These levels allow gymnasts to perform routines tailored to their strengths, but they must include specific required elements.

Level 6:

• Skill Requirements: Routines must include five ‘A’ skills and one ‘B’ skill. Missing elements incur 0.5-point deductions.
• Execution Errors and Falls: Same as compulsory levels, with added emphasis on rhythm and connection​​.

Level 7:

• Skill Requirements: Includes five ‘A’ skills and two ‘B’ skills. Deductions apply for missing elements and poor execution.
• Connection Deductions: Failure to connect elements smoothly can lead to up to 0.3-point deductions​​.

Level 8:

• Start Value: Routines start from a 10.0 if all requirements are met. Missing a requirement results in a lower start value.
• Composition Deductions: Deductions for lack of variety and insufficient difficulty range from 0.1 to 0.5 points​.

Level 9:

• Advanced Skills: Requires two ‘A’ skills, three ‘B’ skills, and one ‘C’ skill. Start values are impacted by missing skills.
• Bonus Points: Connection bonuses can add to the score, but failure to achieve these connections results in deductions​​.

Level 10:

• Highest Level: Requires two ‘A’ skills, three ‘B’ skills, and three ‘C’ skills, with additional composition and difficulty requirements.
• Release Moves on Bars: Lack of required releases results in significant deductions.
• Complex Deductions: Includes deductions for artistry, lack of amplitude, and poor landing positions​​.

General Deductions Across All Levels

• Out of Bounds: Stepping out of bounds incurs a 0.1-point deduction per step.
• Time Violations: Overrunning the allotted time for a routine results in deductions of up to 0.1 points.
• Form Breaks: Small form breaks are 0.1 points, medium 0.2 points, and large 0.3 points per occurrence​​.

Each apparatus in gymnastics has its own set of deductions that judges apply based on specific technical and artistic criteria. Here is an overview of common deductions for each apparatus across levels 1-10:

Balance Beam Deductions: Levels 1-10

Certain deductions apply across all levels, focusing on execution and artistry. These include:

• Balance Errors: Small wobbles or large adjustments, up to 0.30 points.
• Bent Arms/Legs: Incorrect form, up to 0.30 points.
• Incomplete Turns/Leaps: Missing degrees of rotation or split, up to 0.20 points.
• Falls: Each fall incurs a 1.00 point deduction.
• Flexed Feet: Up to 0.10 points for each instance.
• Steps on Landing: Small steps, up to 0.10 points per step; large steps, 0.20 points

Level-Specific Requirements and Deductions

Here is a detailed guide to the common deductions for balance beam routines across levels 1-10, based on the latest rules and guidelines.

Levels 1-5 (Compulsory Routines):

Level 1-3: Basic skills such as mount, dismount, and balance elements with straightforward requirements. Deductions include incomplete skills and lack of fluidity.

Level 4-5: Introduction of more complex skills, such as handstands and cartwheels. Deductions are more stringent on form and technique. Common issues include:

• Incorrect Body Alignment: Up to 0.30 points.
• Insufficient Split on Leaps: Up to 0.20 points if the split is within 20° of the requirement​​.

Levels 6-8 (Optional Routines):

Level 6-7: Gymnasts perform routines with a mix of acrobatic and dance elements. Key deductions include:

• Missing Special Requirements: 0.50 points for each missing requirement.
• Poor Amplitude: Up to 0.20 points for lack of height in jumps and leaps.
• Rhythm: Deductions for pauses or slow connections between elements​.

Level 8: Introduction of flight elements and higher difficulty. Deductions focus on:

• Flight Elements: Up to 0.50 points for poor execution or falls.
• Composition Requirements: Penalties for lack of variety or insufficient use of the beam’s length​​.

Levels 9-10 (Advanced Optional Routines):

Level 9-10: These levels demand high-level skills, including multiple flight elements and complex dismounts. Key areas for deductions include:

• Artistry: Up to 0.30 points for lack of expression and creativity.
• Connection Value: Deducted if connections between elements do not meet the required fluidity.
• Execution: Strict penalties for form, including bent arms/legs and flexed feet, up to 0.30 points per error.
• Dismounts: Deductions for incomplete rotations or steps upon landing​​.

Common Deductions Across All Levels

• Time Violations: Exceeding the time limit can result in deductions.
• Uniform Violations: Incorrect attire or jewelry incurs penalties.
• Out of Bounds: Stepping off the beam results in deductions

Gymnastics Vault Deductions: Levels 1-10

Regardless of the level, certain deductions apply universally:

• Leg Separation: Up to 0.20 points.
• Bent Arms or Legs: Up to 0.30 points.
• Body Posture: Up to 0.30 points.
• Steps on Landing: 0.10 points for small steps; 0.20 points for larger steps.
• Falls: 1.00 point for each fall.
• Insufficient Height: Up to 0.50 points.
• Insufficient Distance: Up to 0.30 points.
• Poor Dynamics: Up to 0.30 points, affecting the overall power and ease of the vault.

Level-Specific Deductions

Below is a detailed guide on vault deductions across levels 1-10, based on the most recent updates and guidelines.

Levels 1-5 (Compulsory Levels):

Levels 1-3: Focus on basic vaulting skills like the handspring and straight jump. Common deductions include poor body alignment and lack of amplitude.

Levels 4-5: Introduction of more advanced skills such as the front handspring. Deductions become more stringent, focusing on the execution of specific elements:

• Hip Angle: Up to 0.20 points for insufficient opening of the hips.
• Arched or Pike Body Position: Up to 0.30 points.

Levels 6-8 (Optional Levels):

Level 6: Vaults must include handsprings or round-off entry. Deductions include:

• Incomplete Turns: Up to 0.30 points.
• Leg or Arm Bend: Up to 0.30 points each.

Levels 7-8: More complex vaults with greater emphasis on height and distance. Common deductions:

• Insufficient Repulsion: Up to 0.30 points.
• Under Rotation: Up to 0.30 points.
• Poor Landing: Up to 0.20 points for deep squats or steps.

Levels 9-10 (Advanced Optional Levels):

Level 9-10: High-difficulty vaults including Yurchenkos and twisting vaults. Key deductions include:

• Form Breaks in Flight: Up to 0.30 points.
• Incomplete Twist or Flip: Up to 0.30 points.
• Insufficient Dynamics: Up to 0.30 points for vaults that lack power and height.
• Landing Deductions: Severe penalties for large steps, hops, or falls upon landing.

Specific Vault Examples and Their Deductions

Yurchenko Vaults (Level 9-10):

• Yurchenko Tuck (Start Value 9.4): Deduction for piking (hip angle less than 135°) can reclassify the vault to a Yurchenko pike (worth 9.2).
• Yurchenko Layout (Start Value 9.7): Must maintain a straight body position. Piking or arching results in deductions.

Handspring Front Tuck (Level 7-10):

• Start Value: Generally high (up to 10.0 for some variations).
• Common Deductions: Include early tuck (up to 0.30 points), lack of height (up to 0.50 points), and poor landing form (up to 0.20 points).

Gymnastics Floor Deductions: Levels 1-10

Execution Deductions:

• Leg Separation: Up to 0.20 points.
• Bent Knees: Up to 0.30 points.
• Flexed Feet: Up to 0.10 points.
• Poor Body Position: Up to 0.30 points for arched or piked body.
• Steps on Landing: 0.10 points for small steps; 0.20 points for larger steps.
• Falls: 1.00 point each.
• Insufficient Height: Up to 0.30 points.
• Lack of Control on Landings: Up to 0.20 points for extra arm swings or additional movements.

Artistry Deductions:

• Lack of Expression: Up to 0.30 points.
• Poor Choreography: Up to 0.30 points.
• Lack of Rhythm: Up to 0.20 points.

Neutral Deductions:

• Stepping Out of Bounds: 0.10 points for one foot, 0.30 points for both feet.
• Overtime: 0.10 points.
• Music Issues: 0.50 points for routine without music (for women).
• Uniform Violations: Up to 0.30 points.

Level-Specific Deductions

Here is a detailed guide on the deductions gymnasts can face from levels 1 through 10, based on updated guidelines for 2024.

Levels 1-5 (Compulsory Levels):

Levels 1-3: Focus on basic skills such as rolls, handstands, and cartwheels. Common deductions include:

• Incomplete Skills: Up to 0.30 points.
• Balance Errors: Up to 0.30 points.
• Incorrect Form: Up to 0.30 points for bent arms, legs, and poor body posture.

Levels 4-5: Introduction of more complex elements like back walkovers and handsprings. Deductions are stricter on:

• Execution and Technique: Up to 0.30 points for form errors.
• Connections Between Elements: Up to 0.20 points for poor rhythm and flow.

Levels 6-8 (Optional Levels):

Level 6: Emphasis on proper execution and meeting composition requirements. Common deductions include:

• Missing Special Requirements: 0.50 points for each missing requirement.
• Poor Technique: Up to 0.30 points for form errors in elements like flips and aerials.

Levels 7-8: Greater difficulty in tumbling and dance elements. Key deductions focus on:

• Amplitude and Dynamics: Up to 0.30 points for lack of height and insufficient power.
• Incomplete Twists or Rotations: Up to 0.30 points.
• Landing Errors: Up to 0.50 points for deep squats or uncontrolled landings.

Levels 9-10 (Advanced Optional Levels):

Level 9-10: High-level routines with multiple complex elements. Deductions include:

• Execution: Up to 0.30 points for bent knees, flexed feet, and incorrect body positions.
• Composition Requirements: Up to 0.50 points for missing elements like a minimum C salto in the final tumbling pass.
• Artistry and Presentation: Up to 0.30 points for lack of expression and poor choreography.

Specific Examples of Floor Deductions

Acro Skills:

• Incomplete Twists: Up to 0.30 points for each incomplete twist.
• Low Tumbling Passes: Up to 0.30 points for insufficient height.
• Steps on Landings: 0.10 points for small steps, 0.20 points for large steps.

Dance Elements:

• Insufficient Split in Leaps/Jumps: Up to 0.20 points for not meeting the required angle.
• Balance Errors in Turns: Up to 0.30 points for wobbles or falls.

Gymnastics Bars Deductions: Levels 1-10

Execution Deductions:

• Leg Separation: Up to 0.20 points.
• Bent Knees: Up to 0.30 points.
• Flexed Feet: Up to 0.10 points.
• Poor Body Position: Up to 0.30 points for arched or piked body.
• Bent Arms: Up to 0.50 points.
• Steps or Hops on Landing: 0.10 points for small steps, up to 0.30 points for multiple steps.
• Falls: 0.50 to 1.00 point each.
• Insufficient Amplitude: Up to 0.30 points for elements that lack height or distance.

Rhythm and Tempo:

• Extra Swings or Casts: 0.30 points each.
• Lack of Continuous Rhythm: Up to 0.10 points for pauses or breaks in routine flow.

Angle Deductions:

• Angles on Casts: Deductions are taken if casts do not reach the required angle. For example, in Level 7, casts must reach at least 45 degrees from vertical. Missing this angle results in up to a 0.30 point deduction​​.

Level-Specific Deductions

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the common deductions for bar routines across levels 1-10, based on the most recent updates and guidelines.

Levels 1-5 (Compulsory Levels):

Levels 1-3: Focus on basic skills such as casts, back hip circles, and dismounts. Key deductions include:

• Incorrect Form: Up to 0.30 points for bent arms, legs, and poor body posture.
• Insufficient Height: Up to 0.30 points for elements that do not achieve the necessary height​.

Levels 4-5: Introduction of more advanced skills like kips and stride circles. Common deductions include:

• Form Errors: Up to 0.30 points for bent arms, legs, and poor body posture.
• Poor Execution: Up to 0.50 points for major errors like missed grips or falls.

Levels 6-8 (Optional Levels):

Level 6: Emphasis on proper execution and meeting composition requirements. Key deductions include:

• Missing Special Requirements: 0.50 points for each missing requirement.
• Amplitude and Execution Errors: Up to 0.30 points for form errors in elements like kips and giants.

Levels 7-8: More complex skills such as free hips and pirouettes. Key deductions focus on:

• Angle Deductions: Up to 0.30 points for elements not reaching the required angles.
• Execution Errors: Up to 0.50 points for falls or significant form breaks​​.

Levels 9-10 (Advanced Optional Levels):

Level 9-10: High-difficulty routines with multiple complex elements. Deductions include:

• Form and Execution: Up to 0.30 points for bent knees, flexed feet, and incorrect body positions.
• Connection Value Errors: No bonus if connections are not performed correctly.
• Composition Requirements: Up to 0.50 points for missing elements like required release moves and dismounts.
• Dynamics: Up to 0.30 points for routines lacking sufficient power and amplitude​​.

Specific Examples of Bars Deductions

Kip-Cast Handstand:

• Insufficient Angle: Up to 0.30 points if the cast does not reach the required angle.
• Bent Arms/Legs: Up to 0.30 points each.

Giants and Release Moves:

• Leg Separation: Up to 0.20 points.
• Poor Form: Up to 0.30 points for incorrect body positions like arching or piking.
• Falls: 0.50 to 1.00 point each depending on severity.

Dismounts:

• Insufficient Height: Up to 0.30 points.
• Steps on Landing: 0.10 to 0.20 points per step.
• Incomplete Twists/Rotations: Up to 0.30 points for each incomplete twist.

Conclusion

To achieve higher scores, gymnasts must focus on minimizing these deductions through proper technique, sufficient height and distance, and controlled landings.

For detailed score sheets and specific element requirements, refer to resources like the USA Gymnastics Code of Points and the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges​.