That meetcritique blog where one of our WAG senior judges drops all kinds of knowledge on the common and hidden deductions that can sink a Women’s Artistic Gymnastics compulsory routine.

Common and “Hidden” Deductions of USAG Compulsories in Women’s Gymnastics

In compulsory routines, the major elements have specific deductions that can be applied if the skill is not completed to the requirements specified. For example, if a handstand is not performed to vertical in a Level 4 beam routine, the deduction is up to -0.3. The deductions for major elements are listed right alongside the elements in the compulsory code. 

However, on top of these deductions, there are specific execution deductions for Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise that may be applied. (Please note that Vault is not included in this section as this event has its own values for these deductions.) These deductions are listed under the General Faults and Penalties in the compulsory code. 

Some of these General Faults and Penalties are pretty commonly known deductions such as:

• Up to -0.2 for incorrection body alignment, position, or posture on major elements
• Up to -0.3 for bent arms in support
• Up to -0.3 for bent legs on any one element
• Up to -0.3 for balance errors – small, medium, large

The common deductions are pretty well known in gymnastics, but there are some more specific deductions outlined in this section that are less known and still have a cumulative impact on a gymnast’s score. For this blog, we will focus on Balance Beam and Floor Exercise, where the majority of these “hidden” deductions are applicable. The deductions below are a few of the more commonly applied deductions to compulsory routines on these events.  

-0.05 Each Time: Failure to keep ears covered by arms when moving IN and OUT of slow acro elements (i.e. cartwheel, handstands, etc.)

This deduction adds up quickly as it can be -0.1 per skill if the ears are not covered by arms on entry and exit of the skill. Keep in mind this only applies to slow moving acro skills, so the deduction would not be applied for back handsprings, saltos, etc. Examples of which skills – on both beam and floor – this deduction may apply include:

• Handstands and all handstand training skills (needle kicks, kick up to stand, etc.)
• Cartwheels
• Walkovers – backward and forward, and bridge kickovers

Some of these skills may only be evaluated for arms covering ears on exit of the skill or just entry of the skill, depending on starting or ending positions. For example, a bridge kickover would evaluate ears covered by arms on exit of the skill only.

Up to -0.1 Each Time: Failure to contract or arch when indicated

In the written description of both beam and floor routines, the text specifies choreography in which the gymnast should contract or arch. If the gymnast does not show these movements a -0.1 deduction can be applied each time. Examples of when the gymnasts should show an arch or contract, and consequently common deductions, include:

• Level 2 Floor: Following the straight stand starting position, the text states to “slightly contract in the abdominals” for the first pose
• Level 3 Floor: The upper body arch while dropping to a kneel on the floor. This choreography is after the bridge kickover and before the forward split. 
• Levels 4 & 5 Floor: After the straddle jump the text specifies to complete “an upper body arch” while lowering to the kneeling/sitting pose. And again after the last tumbling pass, the text also describes completion of an arch. 

Up to -0.1 Each Time: Failure to kick/swing leg to horizontal or above when required

Take a close look at the text of the routine to know when a gymnast is required to show a kick to horizontal or above. Here are a couple of key locations:

• Level 2 Beam – In the leg swings, the forward leg swing must be horizontal or above 
• Level 3, 4 & 5 Beam – After standing up from the mount, the text states demi plie and simultaneously swing the straight leg forward to horizontal to complete the forward passe pose. 
• Level 4 & 5 Floor – The choreography after the backward roll to handstand specifies to kick in releve to horizontal or above. 

-0.05 Each Time: Failure to mark the passe position at the completion of turns

This is a very common deduction. The free foot should remain in the passe position through the completion of the degree of turn. Often a gymnast begins to step out prior to completing the turn all the way around and the free foot moves out of passe. A gymnast does not need to lower her heel in the passe position at completion, she can remain in releve, but her free leg must show toe to knee at completion before stepping forward. 

Up to -0.1 Each Time: Failure to perform 180 and 360 degree turns on one foot in high releve

Judges are looking for a straight line and full extension in the ankle when a gymnast performs a turn on one foot. If a gymnast is not in full releve during the turn this deduction may be applied on both beam and floor. This is a very common deduction as the releve position takes developed strength and balance of the ankle – be sure not to skip those drills in practice!

Up to -0.2 Overall Deduction: Failure to perform steps (when indicated) and pivot turns (not major elements) in high releve position^

Different from the deductions listed above, failure to perform steps and pivot turns in high releve is an overall deduction and only applied once at the end of the routine. Examples in the text where releve is required:

• Level 3, 4 & 5 Floor: After the leap the two consecutive steps into the fish pose are written to be completed in releve
• Level 4 Floor: In the beginning sequence of poses, the text states to step backward in releve two steps prior to the back walkover. 
• Level 4 & 5 Floor: The choreography sequence after the backward roll states to step in releve, and then kick in releve
• Level 4 & 5 Beam: In the choreography immediately following the turn, gymnasts should step back to their passe pose in releve

Sometimes it can be puzzling why a routine didn’t score as high as you think it should.  Now you know – it can be a lot of little details that add up! So if you have mastered the major elements of your routine, start looking at these details. Do you kick all the way to horizontal or above when necessary? Are your arms covering your ears on entry and exit of that handstand? Are you fully extended in releve in your turns? Mastering these details will help your score improve. Keep up the good work and have a great compulsory season! 

^This deduction is in addition to and different from the up to -0.3 for incorrect footwork throughout the routine that is also applied as an overall deduction.