Applicable to Woman’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
Definition: The amount of points a gymnastic routine starts from before any deductions are applied.
WAG Explanation: In women’s compulsory levels, all routines start from a 10.0 and judges are not required to publicly display the start value. In all Xcel levels and Developmental levels 6-10, judges are required to make their start value known by flashing the start value at the table. Gymnasts can earn a start value of 10.0 by fulfilling all the special requirements, value part requirements, and in some levels earning bonus. On vault, each vault is assigned a start value in the code of points depending on the level of the gymnast. Judges do not have to agree on the awarded start value. In all levels except for Level 10, the maximum start value is 10.0. In Level 10, if the gymnast performs an E value acro skill on Bars, Beam and Floor a potential 10.0 +.1 Start Value is earned. On vault, in Level 10, more difficult vaults may have a start value of 10.0 +.1. A gymnast’s start value is just as important as the final score.
MAG Explanation: Start Value is the maximum score a gymnast can receive for a routine. In the compulsory levels (3-6) the start value is made up of a base score plus any specified bonuses performed (a bonus for a stuck landing can also be awarded). In the optional levels (7+), the start value is made up of the base score and the sum of the difficulty of the elements the gymnast performs (a stick bonus may also be awarded). Each level has specific rules and requirements that impact the elements a gymnast does and in turn impacts the start value a gymnast can achieve.