The one in which we break down the new process of calculating start values for Men’s Gymnastics coming for the 2024-25 #meetseason. Please note – this is our interpretation and effort to summarize what is a pretty complex set of rules and guidelines from USAG. Please let us know via email if you see something you don’t agree with!
2024-25 Start Values for Men’s Artistic Gymnastics
Compulsory Levels (3-6)
Start Value: the maximum score a gymnast can receive for a routine
Events: Men’s Artistic Gymnastics has six events: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.
In the compulsory levels (3-6) each event has a predetermined routine that the gymnast must perform. There are two divisions within the compulsory levels that determine how they are scored for each routine.
Progression: As gymnasts move up through the compulsory levels, the routines become more complex, but the scoring system remains consistent.
Division 1
Start Value = Base Score + Specified Bonuses + Stick Bonus
- Base Score: the base score is 9.0. The gymnast achieves this base score by performing all of the required skills in the routine.
- Specified Bonuses: each routine (except for vault) has three specified bonuses or extra skills that can be performed. Each specified bonus is worth 0.3 and is added to the base score if performed successfully.
- Stick Bonus: if the gymnast “sticks” the dismount (lands the dismount without moving their feet) – they will be awarded a 0.1 bonus.
Division 2
Start Value = Base Score
- Athlete competing in Division 2 are not eligible to receive the specified bonuses or the stick bonus
Start Values for Men’s Artistic Gymnastics
Optional Levels (7-10)
Events: Men’s Artistic Gymnastics has six events: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.
Optional Level Men’s Gymnastics do not have required routines or elements. Gymnasts build their routines to satisfy certain requirements.
Start Value = Base Score + Difficulty Score
Base Score: the base score is a 10.0
Difficulty Score: it is comprised of three components – skill values, element groups, and bonuses
- Skill Values
- Each skill is assigned a letter and number value in the code of points (see table below)
- Each skill the gymnast performs is added together to find the skill values
- Element Groups
- These are specific groups or families of skills that must be fulfilled. Achieving an element group adds value in addition to the skill values
- Bonuses: There are two types of bonuses (stick bonus and connection bonus)
- Stick Bonus: depending on the value of the dismount, if the gymnast lands the dismount and does not move their legs/feet, they will be awarded a 0.1 bonus.
- Connection Value: some events (like Horizontal Bar and Floor Exercise) award extra points for connecting difficult elements.
Vault Exception: Vault is unique. Each vault has a pre-assigned difficulty value which is added to the 10.0 base score to achieve the Start Value
Maximum Start Value: Unlike compulsory levels, there’s no set maximum for the Start Value in optional routines. Theoretically, it can exceed 17.0 for extremely difficult routines, though this is rare.
It’s worth noting that specific rules and values can change between Olympic cycles, so gymnasts and coaches must stay updated with the current Code of Points.
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