The vault is one of the most thrilling and visually captivating in gymnastics. It combines speed, strength, precision, and air sense, all within a few seconds. Whether performed in men’s or women’s gymnastics, the vault tests a gymnast’s ability to execute explosive power while maintaining control and grace during both the pre-flight and landing phases.
In this guide, we’ll break down the entire scoring process, exploring the components that make up the score and providing insights into the evaluation process.
The Vault Scoring System: An Overview
The vault scoring system in gymnastics consists of two primary components: the Start Value (SV) and the Execution Score (E Score). These two scores are combined to give the gymnast a final score for the vault event. The Start Valuerepresents the difficulty of the vault, while the Execution Score evaluates the technical performance and quality of the execution. The score can range from 0 to 10, but deductions are subtracted from the Start Value and Execution Score based on the gymnast’s performance.
1. Start Value (SV)
The Start Value (SV) represents the difficulty of the vault performed and is a key factor in determining the potential maximum score. Essentially, the SV establishes the highest possible score a gymnast can achieve before deductions are made for execution errors. It is determined by the code of points, a standardized set of rules that categorizes vaults based on their complexity.
Factors Influencing Start Value
Several factors contribute to determining the Start Value of a vault:
- Vault Type: The specific kind of vault impacts its Start Value. Vaults that involve multiple flips, twists, or unique combinations tend to have higher Start Values, while simpler vaults like handsprings naturally have lower values.
- Difficulty of Execution: Vaults with more complex elements (e.g., adding twists or flips) are assigned higher Start Values due to their increased difficulty.
- Risk and Athleticism: Vaults requiring greater aerial control and body precision, such as the Tsukahara or handspring double front, are assigned higher Start Values, reflecting the athleticism and risk involved in performing these advanced movements at high speeds.
Examples of Vault Start Values
The Start Value for a vault depends on its complexity, and different vaults have different values:
- Handspring Vault (Vault 1): A simple vault typically has a Start Value ranging from 4.0 to 4.6, depending on specific variations and execution quality.
- Yurchenko Vault (Vault 2): This vault is performed with a roundoff onto the springboard followed by a back handspring onto the vaulting table. The Start Value typically ranges from 5.4 to 5.8, with difficulty increasing depending on the flips and twists.
- Tsukahara Vault (Vault 3): This high-difficulty vault can have a Start Value from 5.8 and above, with more complex versions including additional twists or flips.
Code of Points and Start Value Assignments
Each vault has a specific letter or number designation (like A, B, C or 1, 2, 3) based on the number of flips, twists, or other elements involved. These values contribute to the vault’s overall Start Value, reflecting its complexity and setting the stage for how the vault will be scored. For example:
- A vault with one flip and no twist may have a base difficulty (Start Value) of 4.0–4.6, while a vault with multiple flips and twists could have a Start Value starting at 5.8 or higher.
- The exact Start Value is often determined by both the level of difficulty in the gymnast’s execution and the specific technical elements of the vault.
In addition, more difficult variations of vaults (such as those with double twists or complex flips) can result in a Start Value increasing by 0.1 or 0.2 with each added skill or variation.
2. Execution Score (E-Score)
The Execution Score (E Score) evaluates how well the gymnast performs the vault, focusing on technical skill, form, and landing. The E Score is assigned by a panel of judges and can be awarded up to a maximum of 10.0, with deductions made for execution errors.
Key Factors in the Execution Score
- Pre-Flight (Takeoff Phase): Judges assess the gymnast’s speed, power, and form on the vaulting table, looking for a strong, controlled takeoff. Any issues like insufficient speed or poor form may lead to deductions.
- Flight (Aerial Phase): During the airborne phase, judges focus on the gymnast’s height, distance, and form in the air. They assess the cleanliness of flips and twists, as well as any visible errors like under-rotation, over-rotation, or poor body alignment.
- Landing: The final moment of the vault, and possibly the most crucial. A gymnast must land with steady control, without stepping, hopping, or stumbling. Small steps may lead to deductions, and a fall typically results in a major deduction (up to 1.0 point or more).
Deductions for Execution Errors
Deductions are based on the severity of the errors made during the vault:
- Small Step (0.1–0.2): A minor step to adjust balance leads to a small deduction.
- Large Step (0.3): A bigger step to stabilize results in a more significant deduction.
- Hop (0.3): A hop is a noticeable error that leads to a deduction.
- Leg Separation (0.1–0.2): Separation of the legs during the vault results in a small deduction.
- Under-Rotation or Over-Rotation (0.3–1.0): Significant deductions are applied for incomplete or excessive rotations.
- Landing Faults (0.1–1.0): A fall leads to the most substantial deduction, typically 1.0 or more, while small hops or steps lead to smaller deductions.
How the Final Score is Calculated
Once the Start Value (SV) and Execution Score (E Score) are determined, the total score for the vault is calculated by adding the two together:
Total Score = SV + E Score
For example, a gymnast performing a Yurchenko double back with a Start Value of 5.4, but with some minor deductions, could have an Execution Score (E Score) of 9.4. The total vault score would then be:
- SV (5.4) + E Score (9.4) = Total Score (14.8).
This total score reflects both the vault’s inherent difficulty and the quality of execution. Higher difficulty vaults provide more potential points, but the gymnast must perform them with minimal deductions to maximize their score.
Vault in International Competitions
At major international competitions like the Olympics or World Championships, vaults are judged by a panel of 5 to 7 judges. Two judges evaluate the D-Score (difficulty), while the remaining judges focus on the E-Score (execution). The highest and lowest scores are discarded, and the middle scores are averaged to determine the gymnast’s final score.
The vaulting apparatus and the gymnast’s approach are also evaluated, ensuring the conditions are optimal for the best possible performance.
Vault in Gymnastics: One Attempt or Two?
In gymnastics competitions, the number of vault attempts a gymnast is permitted varies based on the competition phase and level:
In many gymnastics competitions, such as the qualification, team finals, and all-around finals, gymnasts typically perform only one vault during these phases. This approach allows for a focused performance without the added pressure of multiple attempts.
In gymnastics competitions, particularly during apparatus finals, athletes are required to perform two different vaults. The higher of the two scores contribute to their final score. This format is standard in finals, where gymnasts must showcase two distinct vault styles to qualify and compete further.
- Two Vaults in Finals: In apparatus finals, gymnasts must perform two different vaults, with the score being based on the better of the two.
- Qualifying with Two Vaults: To qualify for the vault apparatus final, gymnasts must perform two vaults during qualifications.
- Different Vault Types: Depending on the level of competition, the two vaults may need to be from different vault “families” with varying repulsion and flight phases.
For example, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Simone Biles secured her seventh Olympic gold medal in the vault final, performing a Yurchenko double pike and a Cheng vault.
This structure ensures that gymnasts are evaluated on their ability to execute multiple vaults with varying techniques, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of their skills.