In gymnastics, each element performed during a routine—whether on the uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, or men’s apparatus—is assigned a difficulty rating. These ratings are crucial because they directly impact a gymnast’s D-score (Difficulty Score).
The difficulty values are traditionally labeled alphabetically, starting from A for the easiest skills and progressing through letters to signify more challenging elements. For Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), the letter range typically spans from A to I, with some highly advanced skills even extending beyond that.
On the other hand, in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), difficulty values range from A to G, with a few elements exceeding this if they are exceptionally complex.
The Code of Points (COP), which is updated regularly by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), dictates these difficulty values, reflecting the evolution of the sport as gymnasts develop new, more complex skills.
Contents
Letter Grades Explained: A to J
Here’s a closer look at how gymnastics skill difficulty is classified and how the letter system translates into scoring:
A Skills: The Easiest Category
Value: 0.1 points
These are the most basic skills that form the foundation of gymnastics routines. While they require good execution, they do not involve much complexity in terms of acrobatics, twists, or difficult body positions.
Examples:
- Forward roll
- Handstand (held position)
- Simple jumps and leaps (e.g., tuck jumps or split jumps)
In Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, A skills are the simplest and most commonly seen in beginner-level routines. They contribute 0.1 points toward the D-score. Although they are relatively easy compared to higher-level skills, proper form is still crucial for maximizing points.
B Skills: Slightly More Challenging
Value: 0.2 points
B skills are slightly more complex than A skills, often requiring more coordination, balance, or flexibility. These movements may involve some acrobatic elements or basic rotations.
Examples:
- Back handspring
- Front handspring
- Basic aerial (no hands)
In routines, B skills serve as the building blocks for more advanced acrobatic movements. These skills are still relatively straightforward but require a higher level of control and skill compared to A.
C Skills: Moderately Difficult
Value: 0.3 points
C skills are considered moderately difficult. They often require a combination of strength, flexibility, and technical ability. At this level, the gymnast may start incorporating multiple rotations, flips, or more intricate combinations.
Examples:
- Back handspring-back handspring series
- Round-off
- Back tuck (backflip in tuck position)
These skills mark the transition from basic acrobatics to more challenging maneuvers. They contribute 0.3 points to the D-score and are typical in mid-level gymnastics routines.
D Skills: Advanced Elements
Value: 0.4 points
D skills require substantial athleticism and control, often incorporating multiple flips, twists, or dynamic releases. These are typically seen in elite gymnastics, where the gymnast must have advanced technique and strength to execute the skills properly.
Examples:
- Back handspring to back tuck
- Double backflip (double salto)
- Twisting vaults
Gymnasts must have significant skill and preparation to incorporate D-level skills into their routines. These elements elevate the difficulty significantly and contribute 0.4 points to the D-score.
E Skills: High-Level Moves
Value: 0.5 points
E skills are considered high-level gymnastics moves. They require a greater level of strength, agility, and precision. At this level, gymnasts may execute moves involving multiple rotations, twists, or acrobatic sequences that demonstrate impressive skill and control.
Examples:
- Double backflip with full twist
- Double layout vault (two flips and a twist)
- Aerial cartwheel (with a transition into another skill)
These high-difficulty elements are often seen in national or international competitions and contribute 0.5 points or more to the D-score.
F, G, H, and I Skills: Ultra-High-Level Moves
Value: 0.6 points or higher
These are ultra-high-level moves, requiring incredible precision, control, and athleticism. At this level, skills can involve multiple twists, flips, and combinations of acrobatics. They are often groundbreaking moves that push the boundaries of gymnastics.
Examples:
- Triple twisting double backflip (F)
- Double twisting double backflip (double-double) (G)
- Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike Vault (J) – A double salto (2 flips) with a full twist in a pike position.
These skills are considered exceptional feats of athleticism and contribute significantly to the D-score, with F, G, H, and I skills adding 0.6 points or more. They are generally only seen at the highest levels of competition, and only a few gymnasts in the world can successfully perform them.
How the Letter System Impacts Scoring in Gymnastics
The process of translating a gymnast’s routine into a numerical score involves several key components:
1. Element Value Assignment
Each skill in a gymnast’s routine is assigned a specific point value based on its difficulty, according to the FIG Code of Points. This system categorizes skills from A (the least difficult) to J (the most difficult). The value of each letter increases as the complexity of the move rises, with A valued at 0.1 points and the higher letters representing skills that can contribute 1.0 point or more. For example:
- A skills (such as a basic forward roll) are worth 0.1 points.
- J skills (like the Yurchenko double pike vault) can contribute up to 1.0 point.
This hierarchical system allows judges to assess the inherent difficulty of a move before considering how well it’s executed.
2. Calculating the D-Score
The D-score is the sum of the difficulty values of the skills performed during a gymnast’s routine. The higher the letter, the more challenging the skill, and the greater the point value it contributes to the D-score.
Gymnasts are often awarded bonus points for successfully connecting skills without pause, which can further increase their D-score.
For example, connecting a back handspring (B-level) to a back tuck (C-level) would add a bonus to the D-score for the fluidity of the connection. If the gymnast successfully links several skills in this manner, the D-score increases, giving them a competitive edge.
3. E-Score: Execution of the Difficulty
While the D-score quantifies the difficulty of a gymnast’s routine, the E-score evaluates how well those difficult skills are performed. This includes:
- Form: Maintaining proper body posture, hand placement, and straight limbs during skills.
- Execution: The technical quality of the skill, including balance, control, and precision.
- Artistry: The flow, presentation, and aesthetic quality of the routine.
The E-score is typically out of 10 points and is subtracted from deductions based on imperfections in execution. It’s important to note that the E-score and D-score are independent of each other, but together they form the total score.
4. Final Score Calculation
The Final Score in gymnastics is the sum of the D-score (Difficulty Score) and the E-score (Execution Score), minus any penalties for mistakes.
For example, if a gymnast performs these skills:
- Back handspring (B): 0.2 points
- Back tuck (C): 0.3 points
- Double backflip (D): 0.4 points
- Double layout vault (E): 0.5 points
Total D-score = 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.4 + 0.5 = 1.4 points
This is the total difficulty of the gymnast’s routine.
The E-score measures how well the gymnast performs the routine. It starts at 10.0 points and is reduced for any mistakes, such as poor form or balance issues.
For example, if the gymnast performs the routine with great precision but has a small balance issue on the beam, their E-score might be 9.6/10.
Total Score Calculation:
The Final Score is the sum of the D-score and E-score. If the D-score is 1.4 and the E-score is 9.6, the total score would be:
Final Score = 1.4 (D-score) + 9.6 (E-score) = 11.0 points
If there’s a penalty for something like stepping out of bounds, the penalty would be subtracted from the final score. For example, if the penalty is 0.3 points, the Final Score would be:
11.0 points – 0.3 points = 10.7 points
Continuous Evolution of Difficulty Levels
The Code of Points (COP) is updated periodically to account for the evolution of the sport. As gymnasts develop more complex and innovative skills, the FIG adjusts the difficulty values to reflect these advances.
For example, Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike vault (J-level skill) was a groundbreaking move, as it pushed the boundaries of the sport. As a result, the FIG may introduce new categories to accommodate these unprecedented feats.
While the traditional A-I scale covers most gymnastics skills, advanced or complex maneuvers can even extend beyond I, further highlighting the potential for evolution within the sport.
