That meetcritique blog where one of our WAG senior judges does a deep dive into what goes into Artistry when judging Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. 

Defining Artistry in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics: It is not just smiling at the Judges

In Women’s Gymnastics on Balance Beam and Floor Exercise, the judges have up to 0.3 that can be applied for insufficient artistry. But what makes a routine have good artistry? In simplest terms, artistry can be thought of as the performance quality of the routine. Were the judges and audience entranced by the gymnast’s performance? Did they want to see more? Were they often surprised by what was performed next?

In more detail, insufficient artistry is a general, or overall, deduction that is applied at the end of the routine. And USA Gymnastics specifies categories, based on the level competed, for how to apply to the up to 0.3 insufficient artistry deduction.

USAG Compulsory Routines (Levels 1-5)

• Up to -0.15: Quality of movement to reflect the style of the choreography
• Up to -0.15: Quality of expression (i.e. projection, focus)

USAG Optional Routines (all Xcel and Levels 6-10)

• Up to -0.1: Lack of variety in choreography (poses, phrases, connections)
• Up to -0.1: Quality of gymnast’s movements to reflect her Personal Style
• Up to -0.1: Quality of Expression (i.e. projection, focus)

In USAG Compulsory Levels 1-5, the beam and floor routines are pre-scripted, therefore, deductions for lack of artistry are limited to two categories. In optionals, routines are constructed by the coach and gymnast so a third category – variety in choreography – is assessed as part of artistry. 

Tips for showing artistry in USAG compulsory routines (Levels 1-5):

• Quality of movement to reflect style of choreography – Gymnasts should perform the style of movement as written. For example, some poses should be completed with sharp movements while others are soft. Pay close attention to the written description of the compulsory routines. 
• Quality of expression – Gymnasts should look up and out beyond the floor exercise/balance beam to connect with the audience. If a judge, or the audience, can only see the gymnast’s eyelids during the entire routine a quality of expression deduction can be applied. This category also includes facial expressions to convey an emotion to the audience that matches the choreography or music. If a gymnast has a blank stare, or looks bored, a quality of expression dedication can be applied. 

Tips for showing artistry in USAG optional routines (all Xcel and Levels 6-10):

• Lack of variety in choreography (poses, phrases, connections) – Gymnasts should show originality and creativity in choreography. Gymnasts may incur a deduction if choreography includes repetitive movements or poses. For example, if a gymnast performs a skip or chasse on one side into a pose and then repeats these movements on the other side. Unchoreographed, or extra, steps into a corner before a tumbling pass, or backwards steps/adjustments on the beam before a dismount will incur a deduction for lack of variety in choreography. Gymnasts should remember that the entire routine is a performance, and they cannot break character just to prepare for the next skill.
• Quality of gymnast’s movements to reflect her personal style – Gymnasts should show their personality during their beam and floor routines. Gymnasts uncomfortable with their choreography usually make movements smaller, or shy away from showing full extension or contraction. Holding back, or just going through the motions, will incur a deduction for choreography not reflecting the gymnast’s personal style. Gymnast’s should choose a routine style, and movements, that give them confidence as they perform. 
• Quality of expression – Gymnasts should look up and out beyond the floor exercise/balance beam to connect with the audience. If a judge, or the audience, can only see the gymnast’s eyelids during the entire routine a quality of expression deduction can be applied. This category also includes facial expressions to convey an emotion to the audience that matches the choreography or music. If a gymnast has a blank stare, or looks bored, a quality of expression dedication can be applied. It is okay if you are not the smiling gymnast – routines can express many different emotions or moods. 

Final Thoughts on Artistry

As gymnasts work towards creating more artistry in their performance, start small. Take a routine assessment – do you have any extra unchoreographed steps or adjustments? Work to eliminate those. Do you have repetitive choreography? Discuss with your coach changing it up a bit. Next, pick one pose or movement in the routine in which you want your focus to be out beyond the equipment. Then choose another choreographed movement and assign an emotion that you want to convey to the audience through a facial expression and/or quality of movement. Lastly, keep building – choose another pose or movement to change your focus or express emotion. It takes time to build artistry, or performance quality, so keep at it little by little and enjoy the process!