Unit one: introduction

Gymnastics
Is a sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility,
coordination, and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the
development of the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest, and abdominal muscle groups. Gymnastics
evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks that included skills for mounting and
dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills.
The most common form of competitive gymnastics is artistic gymnastics, which consists of, for
women (WAG), the events floor, vault, uneven bars, and beam; and for men (MAG), the events
floor, vault, rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. The governing body for
gymnastics throughout the world is the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). Eight
sports are governed by the FIG, which include Gymnastics for All, Men's and Women’s Artistic
Gymnastics, RhythmicGymnastics, Trampoline (including Double Mini-
trampoline), Tumbling, Acrobatic, Aerobic and Parkour. Disciplines not currently recognized by
FIG include Wheel gymnastics, Aesthetic group gymnastics, Men's Rhythmic
Gymnastics, TeamGym,
Participants in gymnastics-related sports can include young children, recreational-level athletes,
and competitive athletes at varying levels of skill, including world-class athletes.
Is the system of selected physical exercises that can be performed with &without apparatus in
physical education program

 it is a harmonious system of physical exercises which are scientifically organized

methodological arranged to achieve objectives Gymnastic is one of the famous competitive
sports. It has three forms of competition in Olympics. These are;

Artistic,

 Rhythmic &

 Trampoline

Participating in gymnastics activities develop; strength, rhythm, balance, flexibility &agility

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Historical Background of Gymnastics
The history of gymnastics is a long and fascinating one, stretching all the way back to ancient
Greece! Here's a quick rundown:
 Ancient Greece (2500 years ago): This is where it all began. The word "gymnastics"
itself comes from Greek words meaning "naked" and "exercise" because athletes trained
without clothes in places called gymnasiums. Physical fitness was super important, and
gymnastics included things like tumbling and rope climbing. These skills were even
shown off in competitions during the ancient Olympics.
 18th-19th Centuries (Europe): Gymnastics took a turn towards more formal training
methods. Johann Christoph Friedrich Gutsmuths is considered the "grandfather" of
gymnastics, publishing a gymnastics textbook in 1793. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the
"father" of gymnastics, then opened the first ever gymnastics facility in 1811 and
invented many of the pieces of equipment we know today, like the parallel bars and
pommel horse. Around this time, gymnastics also started becoming popular in the United
States.
 Late 19th Century - Modern Gymnastics: The International Gymnastics Federation
(FIG) was formed in 1881, and gymnastics became part of the very first modern
Olympics in 1896 (men only). Women's gymnastics was added in 1928. Since then, the
sport has continued to evolve, with new disciplines like rhythmic gymnastics and
trampoline gaining recognition.

Historical development of gymnastic

Gymnastics boasts a long and rich history, stretching back to ancient civilizations! Here's a whirlwind
tour of its development:

 Ancient Greece (BC): The birthplace of gymnastics! The word itself comes from the
Greek "gymnos" meaning "naked" and "gymnazo" meaning "to exercise." Back then,
athletes trained nude in facilities called gymnasiums, and gymnastics encompassed a
variety of physical activities including exercises we might recognize today. These
activities were even part of the ancient Olympic Games.

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  Middle Ages and Renaissance (AD): Gymnastics took a backseat during this period,
with a focus on more practical military training. However, tumbling and acrobatic feats
remained popular in some circles.
 18th-19th Centuries (Europe): The "Father of Gymnastics," Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, is
credited with reviving gymnastics in the early 19th century. He saw it as a way to build
physical and moral strength in young men. Jahn also invented many of the pieces of
equipment we associate with gymnastics today, like the parallel bars and pommel horse.
 Late 19th Century - Modern Gymnastics (Europe and US): Gymnastics competitions
began to emerge in the late 19th century, leading to the formation of the International
Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in 1881. Gymnastics became an official part of the first
modern Olympic Games in 1896, though initially only for men. Women's artistic
gymnastics was added in 1928.
 20th-21st Centuries (Worldwide): Gymnastics has continued to evolve throughout the
20th and 21st centuries. New disciplines like rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline have
been added, and the sport has become increasingly global. There's a constant push for
difficulty and artistry in routines, with gymnasts defying gravity with incredible feats of
strength and agility.

This is just a brief overview, of course. If you're interested in learning more about specific
aspects of gymnastics' history, like the development of particular disciplines or famous
gymnasts, feel free to ask!

The beginning of gymnastics was traced back to about 2600B.C. At this time Chinese developed
a few activities. That is similar to gymnastics; they used it for medical purpose. The actual
development of gymnastic began in Greek &Roman periods of history. The Greek gave great
emphasis to gymnastic.
Theword ‘’Gymnastics ‘’ means ‘’naked art ‘’&which derives from Greek gymnos. It refers
to the body movements on apparatus &tumbling on mats. During those years some
systematically organized exercises were included in school polices. The early Romans the
physical training program from Greeks. Then they adapted it for military training. In the early
1800sa form of gymnastic developed in Germany as defined as a set of skills performed both
with without specific kinds of apparatus. Frederic Ludwig John (1778-1852) known as the father

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of gymnastics invented several gymnastic equipments like; Horizontal bars, parallel bars, side
horse &vaulting. The Swedish system, devised by gymnast Pehr-Hinrick &coordination through
routines. German &Swedish immigrants to North –American & other part of the world in 19C
helped gymnastic to spread all over the world. It is believed that gymnastic came to our country
by those immigrants.
The Greeks and Romans were proponents of gymnastics and used gymnastics training to prepare
their military forces for the physical demands of combat. For instance, gymnastics can help
soldier master skills such as mounting and dismounting horses. In addition to military training,
gymnastics movements were used to provide entertainment
Modern gymnastics appeared in the 18th century, when two physical educators decided to create
apparatus such as the high bar and parallel bars (originally fashioned from a ladder with the
rungs removed). A pommel was turned sideways and the handles were removed to create the
apparatus needed to vault.
Men’s gymnastics was eventually accepted into the modern Olympic Games in 1896, and
women were welcomed in 1928.
In the ancient Greek in particular in Spartan, one of the city states where their aim was to build
man of action, gymnastics was highly important for physical fitness. The gymnastic activities
were done in gymnasium. The activities done then included jumping, running and wrestling.
However, modern gymnastics was started by Johann Friedrich Gutsmuths and Friedrich Ludwig
Jahn who created exercises for boys and young men.
The international world ruling body for gymnastics, International Federation of Gymnastics was
formed in 1881. Gymnastic was one of the Olympic events at the introduction of the modern
Olympics in 1896. Women’s event in Olympics started at the 1928 Olympic game in
Amsterdam. An individual who performs gymnastic activities is known as gymnast. A gymnastic
activity could be classified into floor activity and apparatus activity. It is an event that involves
balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and endurance. Gymnastics is divided into
men and women activities. Women compete in four activities which include vault, uneven bars,
balance beam and floor exercises while men compete in six events which include floor exercise,
pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and high bars.
Generally, gymnastics activities can be classified into two parts; the floor activities and the
apparatus activities.

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Floor Activities
Floor activities are the activities that are done on the floor without the use of any instrument or
apparatus. Some of the floor activities can be done individually while others can be done with
partners or groups. Those done individually are called individual activities while the other is
known as group activities. The individual floor events include forward roll, backward roll, hand
stand, head stand, angle head stand, centre wheel, elbow balancing, hand spring, somersaulting,
hand walking. On the other hand, floor activities that can be done with partners include fireman
lifting, wheel barrow, head stand with support, kangaroo jump. jump.
Apparatus Activities
Apparatus activities are the activities that are done on apparatus either improvised or real
apparatus. The apparatus used in gymnastics include parallel bars, horizontal bars, beam,
pommel horse, the ring, trampoline, ropes. Activities that can be done with these apparatuses
include; vaulting, tumbling, balancing, chin up.
Objectives and Purpose of Gymnastics
The objectives of performing gymnastic activities include;
a. To train the individual the process of balancing the body during body movements.
b. To enable participants gain strength and stability.
c. To develop agility and mobility.
d. To teach falling and landing without injury during sudden falls.
e. To develop confidence in the performers.
f. To improve the muscular system.
g. To develop physical fitness
Facilities, Equipment and Supplies in Gymnastics
Facilities in gymnastics are the non-movable, permanent, durable structures used in gymnastics
activities. They cannot be taken from one place to the other. Examples of facilities in gymnastics
include the gymnasium where gymnastics takes place. All the structures that are fixed to the
floor, wall or ceiling that cannot be moved from one place to the other are also facilities. Apart
from the gymnasium, other facilities include uneven bars, horizontal bars and parallel bars,
single bar trainer, balance beam, rings, and others.

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Equipment
Equipment in gymnastics are movable durable materials that are used for gymnastics. These
materials can be transferred from one place to the other. Examples of equipment in gymnastics
are vaulting box, spring board, choco vault table, horse, sportswear, gymnastic mats, side horse
and others.
Safety in Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a fun sport, both to do and to watch, but there are lots of risks involved. In fact,
statistically speaking, the injury rates in gymnastics are similar to those in football and rugby.
This shouldn't be surprising because gymnastics is physically demanding and requires frequent
use of heavy equipment
Wrist sprains, ankle sprains, and foot injuries are the most common types of injuries that
gymnasts must deal with. However, they're also at risk for broken bones, torn ligaments, and
injuries stemming from overuse.
In this lesson, we're going to talk about personal safety equipment used to keep gymnasts safe, as
well as go over some general gym safety tips
Personal Safety Equipment
Tumbling, flipping, and balancing tend to lead to a few falls every now and then. However, we
can limit the impact of those falls by using protective equipment, some of which is apparatus-
specific. For example, many gymnasts use wrist straps, guards, grips, and powder in order to
improve their grip while decreasing any friction felt on the hands. Some gymnasts even use tape
and gauze.
Protecting the hands is especially important for young kids and beginners because their hands
aren't yet used to certain maneuvers.
A number of gymnasts opt to use footwear when practicing on the balance beam. The footwear
may contain reinforced toes designed to support dismounts or rubber soles made to prevent
slipping.
Spotting belts are also used when learning and practicing new tricks. The belts are hooked on to,
and suspended from, the ceiling to prevent falls while learning, or practicing, new tricks.
Gym Safety Equipment
Any reputable gym is equipped with required safety equipment.

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First and foremost, this includes possessing plenty of mats that are in good working order.
Depending on their location, some mats should also be secured in place in order to avoid
slipping.
Preventative maintenance should be performed regularly on all equipment, especially when it's
been moved or adjusted. All pieces should be assembled in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications and adequately spaced out in order to avoid collisions. There should also be limits
placed on how many people can use a particular piece of equipment at once.
Trampolines and foam pits are often used to practice new tricks and dismounts but it's necessary
to make sure there is plenty of clearance to the ceiling.
Finally, all classes and all training should be overseen by qualified, experienced coaches. The
risk of injury is too high to leave an inexperienced coach in charge.
Safe Gymnastics Gear
What gear is needed depends on the event (uneven bars, floor routine, balance beam, etc). Safety
items include:
Wrist strap, guards, and grips. Male gymnasts use these on the still rings, high bar, and
parallel bars and female gymnasts wear them on the uneven bars. They improve a gymnast's hold
on the apparatus and prevent blisters on the hands. Most grips consist of a piece of leather
attached to a wrist strap. Other options include wrapping the hands in sports tape or gauze.
Gymnasts, especially beginners, should use grips, tape, or gauze to protect their hands from
blistering and tearing.
Foot wear. Shoes for doing the vault usually have a reinforced toe to help absorb the pressure of
landing. Some gymnasts wear gymnastic shoes with rubber soles to protect against slipping
while on the balance beam.
Spotting belts. Spotting belts hook into cables that are attached to the ceiling. They support
gymnasts while they are learning a new move or practicing something difficult.
Safe Gymnastics Practice and Competition
To stay safe while practicing and competing, gymnasts should:
 Get sports physical before starting any new sport.
 Always warm up and stretch before doing gymnastics.
 Only practice on padded floors, never on a hard surface. Mats should be placed under the
equipment and properly secured at all times.

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  Have a coach or program director that is qualified and is at every practice. A qualified
coach will be up to date on the latest safety recommendations.
 Have a coach spotting for all new or difficult stunts.
 Let the coach know if they're uncomfortable with a gymnastic move. If the coach isn't
supportive, tell a parent or an administrator.
 Never try a exploit at a game or competition that they haven't practiced many times.
 Follow gym rules such as: one person on a trampoline at a time
 when jumping into a foam pit, land on feet, bottom, or back; no diving headfirst or
landing on the knees one person at a time on the equipment (such as uneven bars, rings,
or balance beam)
 no training alone wear gymnastic clothes that won't get caught on any of the equipment
 no jewelry no gum chewing
 Stop training if they get injure or feel pain. Gymnasts must get checked by an athletic
trainer, coach, doctor, or nurse before going back to practicing.
 Play different sports throughout the year to prevent overuse injuries.
 Know the team plan for emergencies. This includes calling 911 for a head, neck, or back
injury and NOT moving the hurt gymnast.
WHY DO WE DO IT?
Gymnastics is one of the three foundational modalities of Cross Fit. If gymnastics movements
are performed properly, they influence every aspect of your life and have a dramatic effect on
your fitness. Gymnastics assist in development of many of the 10 components of fitness:
accuracy, agility, balance, coordination, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, power, speed,
strength, and stamina. Nothing beats gymnastics in terms of developing the four neurological
components of the 10: coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. Furthermore, gymnastics
training produces impressive strength gains without requiring an external load.
Basic skills required for the gymnast are flexibility, core strength, balance, upper and lower-
body strength, power, mental focus, discipline, and dedication. Although not necessarily a
skill, commitment is mandatory and is often assessed by gymnastic coaches.

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Types of gymnastics
1. Women's Artistic Gymnastics
Women's artistic gymnastics (often shortened to just "women's gymnastics") attracts the most
participants and is generally the most well-known type of gymnastics. It's also one of the first
tickets to sell out at the Olympic Games.
The events: In women’s artistic gymnastics, athletes compete on four apparatus (vault, uneven
bars, balance beam, and floor exercise).
Competition: The Olympic competition consists of the following:
 Team: Five athletes are on a team. (In the future, that will change to just four.) In
preliminaries, four athletes compete in each event and three scores count. In finals, three
athletes compete in each event and every score counts towards the team total.
 Individual all-around: An athlete competes in all four events and the total score is added
up.
 Individual events: An event champion is named on each apparatus.
2. Men’s Artistic Gymnastics
This is the second most popular type of gymnastics in the United States and the oldest form of
gymnastics.
The events: Men compete on six apparatus: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault,
parallel bars, and horizontal bar (usually called high bar).
Competition: The Olympic competition is held in the same format as women’s artistic
gymnastics, with a team, all-around, and individual events competition. The only difference is
that the men compete in their six events, whereas the women compete across their four events.
3. Rhythmic Gymnastics
In rhythmic gymnastics, gymnasts perform jumps, tosses, leaps, and other moves with different
types of apparatus. This type of gymnastics is currently a female-only sport in the Olympics.
The events: Athletes compete with five different types of apparatus: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and
ribbon. Floor exercise is also an event in the lower levels of competition.
Competition: At the Olympics, rhythmic gymnasts compete in:
 Individual all-around: An athlete competes in four of the five events (every two years,
one apparatus is rotated out), and the total score is added.

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  Individual events: A gymnast is named the champion on each of the four apparatus
currently in rotation.
 Group competition: Five gymnasts compete in two different routines. In one routine, all
of the athletes use the same apparatus. In the second routine, the gymnasts use two
different pieces of equipment (for example, three gymnasts will use the ball and two
gymnasts will use the hoop).
4. Trampoline
In trampoline gymnastics, gymnasts perform high-flying flips and twists on every bounce. This
type of gymnastics became an Olympic discipline for the 2000 Olympics.
To add trampolinists to the quota allotted for gymnastics, artistic teams were reduced from seven
team members to six.
The events: A compulsory and a voluntary routine are performed in the Olympic competitions.
Each consists of ten skills and is done on the same type of trampoline.
Double mini (gymnasts use a smaller, two-level trampoline) and synchronized (two athletes
perform at the same time on different trampolines) are competitive events in the U.S., but not in
the Olympics.
Competition: Trampoline gymnastics includes an individual event for women and men. There is
a qualifying event to reach the medal round but the scores do not carry over.
5. Tumbling
Power tumbling is performed on a spring runway much bouncier than the floor exercise mat used
in artistic gymnastics. Because of its spring, athletes can perform very complicated flips and
twists in succession.
The events: All tumbling is done on the same strip. The gymnast performs two passes in each
stage of the competition, with eight elements in each pass.
Competition: Tumbling is not an Olympic event, but is part of the Junior Olympic program in
the United States and is competed internationally as well.
6. Acrobatic Gymnastics
In acrobatic gymnastics, the athletes are the equipment. A two- to four-gymnast team performs
all types of handstands, holds, and balances on each other, while members of the team throw and
catch their teammates.

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The events: Acrobatics is always performed on the same floor exercise mat.
The events in competition are men’s pairs, women’s pairs, mixed pairs, women’s groups (three
gymnasts), and men’s groups (four gymnasts).
Competition: Acrobatic gymnastics is not an Olympic event, but it is also part of the U.S. Junior
Olympic program and is competed internationally.
7. Group Gymnastics
Group gymnastics in the United States is usually performed competitively under the name Team
Gym. In Team Gym, athletes compete together in a group of six to 16 gymnasts. The group may
be all-female, all-male, or mixed in this type of gymnastics.
The events: In the United States, participants in Team Gym compete in the group jump event
(performances in tumbling, vault, and mini-trampoline) and the group floor exercise.
Competition: Team Gym is not an Olympic event, but there are invitational meets in the United
States and abroad, as well as local, regional, national, and international competitions.
Basic skills
1. Forward Roll
The forward roll is one of the most basic and essential moves in gymnastics. A forward roll is the
most elementary of these gymnastics skills for beginners. Forward rolls will build strength and
spatial awareness to ready you for harder moves.
The number one thing to remember when performing this move is to keep your head tucked.
Keep it tucked as if you were trying to press your chin on your chest.
Executing this technique is critical for the safety of the neck. Ensuring that you have a tucked
head and the legs are together are the two most essential steps to doing the forward roll correctly
and safely.

Beginning in a standing position, crouch down, placing your hands on the mat shoulder-width
apart. Afterward, tuck your head and lean forward onto your toes and lift your hips to begin
rolling.

Next, roll onto your shoulders and upper back, follow through to the seated position. Your feet
should remain close to your behind, enabling you to continue to roll forward.

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You’ll transition from sitting onto your feet to a rising and standing position with arms extended
over your head.
Performing Forward Roll
 Be in crouch position with the two legs opened wide mainly at shoulder width
 Place two palms on the floor beside the two legs with the fingers pointing forward
 Move the body forward by transferring the body weight to the hand by removing the legs from
the floor
 Roll over without allowing the head to touch the floor and the head passing through the two
hands
 Complete the movement by returning to the crouch position with hands raised up.
 Be in standing position with the two legs together
 Raise up the arms with the palm facing up
 Bend down to crouch position and place the palm on the floor beside the legs
 Tuck in the head and transfer the weight of the body to the hand
 Spring up and go back to squat position without allowing the head to touch the floor and stand
up.
 Be in standing position with the two legs together
 Raise up the arms with the palm facing up
 Bend down to crouch position and place the palm on the floor beside the legs

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 2. Backward Roll
A backward roll builds off of the prior knowledge of a forward roll when it comes to gymnastics
for beginners. . It is considered to be a bit more challenging than a forward roll, as the reverse
motion can sometimes take some getting used to. Repetition and good form are key in perfecting
tour backward roll.
• Start with your hands up to the sky
• Go into a ball
• Put your hands on the floor
• Look between your legs
• Make sure your neck is tucked
• Push off with their legs
• If needed, ask a friend, parent, or coach to support your legs.
• End with your hands to the sky

 Be in squat position or crouch position

 Raise your hands up

 Bend backward and spring up pushing backward with the leg and turn without allowing the
hand to touch the floor
 Return to starting position

3. Handstand
This is one of the most basic skills a gymnast should master. A handstand is where you are
upside down holding yourself up with your arms. Handstands help build strength in your
shoulders and prepare you for harder tricks (i.e. round offs). To have this perfected you must be
able to hold it for numerous consecutive seconds and have good form. This is one of the most
popular beginner gymnastics moves. Of all the basic gymnastics moves, handstands are at the top
for all essential skills involved in each of the four events.
Tricks to help you get a better handstand;
• Walk your legs up a wall until you are in a handstand position

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 • The wall helps hold your balance while you build strength in your arms and find the
correct form
• Squeeze your muscles
• Engaging glute and abdominal muscles help keep you balanced
• Push through your arms
• Pretend to push the floor away to lengthen your body
• Keep your neck even
• Don’t tuck your chin in
• This will keep your body better inline
Practice is the best way to achieve the best handstand possible. Doing workouts such as pushups
and crunches will help build strength.
 Raise up the hand
 Move forward and place the palm on the floor and spring up the leg to raise the two legs up
 Balance on the hand and straighten the legs up.
4. Cartwheel

Skill Teaching

a. Stand straight in astride position

b. Spread out the arms sideways looking straight forward

c. Rock to the left and right and spring towards the side landing with hand.
d. Land back on the legs

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A cartwheel is a trick in which you go sideways and upside down while supporting your body
with your hands. Cartwheels take strength, grace, flexibility and balance. Practicing will help
you achieve a perfect cartwheel. This is a great gymnastics skill for beginners!
Here are some tricks to help you get a perfect cartwheel;
• Start in a lunge and put your hands on the floor
• Practice kicking your leg up from this position
• When you are comfortable, kick your leg up and then push off your supporting leg
• Do this a few time
• When ready push off and try to get all the way around
• Technique tips
• Point your toes
• Keep your legs straight
Again, practice is the best way to perfect any trick. Workouts and stretches such as pushups, sit
ups and splits will help you.
5. Back Handspring
A back handspring is when you jump backwards with your back arched and your hands break
your fall, then you flip your legs over in a smooth and continuous motion. It takes power,
strength, flexibility, coordination and control to accomplish this. It is a harder trick than most,
but it will definitely help you achieve your gymnastic goals.
Here are some tricks to get your back handspring;
• Warm-up
• Fall into your backbend
• Flip your legs over together
• Do this a few times until you feel confident to do so
• Back handspring
• Place your feet next to each other firmly
• Bend your knees
• Launch yourself backwards into a backbend position
• Flip your legs over

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 6. Round off
The round off is another crucial skill to master before you start trying to move up in levels. It
improves your floor tumbling passes, and names your handsprings more pronounced.
This technique names your jump higher by transforming horizontal speed into vertical speed.
You also use round offs to create backward momentum (from forwarding momentum running)
which leads to power and speed for moves like somersaults and flips.
The round off is very similar to a cartwheel, with the exception that a gymnast will land with
their two feet together when they hit the ground, as opposed to one at a time. They also face the
direction that they arrived.
You can do this by turning the shoulders and hands as they touch the ground. If you put your
hands down one at a time, with the first hand slightly twisted at a 90-degree angle and the other
180 degrees, you create the handstand position.
It comes from the opposite direction that you started in, so when you snap your hips down
abruptly, you force a backward momentum.
Surprisingly, this is one of the beginner gymnastics moves that kids learn early playing around in
the backyard, without even noticing.

7. Head Stand
a. Stand in astride position
b. Place your two palms on the floor
c. Bend down and place the forehead on the floor to make a form of tripod or triangle on the
floor

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d. Gradually remove the two feet from the floor and raise the legs up straight in the air.

Scoring system in gymnastic

Difficulty Score: difficulty and technical content. The Difficulty Score represents what
was previously known as the start value and includes difficulty and credit for connections (two
high-level skills that are connected) and element group requirements, which are the basic
categories of skills/elements that must be included in a routine. The element group requirements
vary by apparatus. This score is determined by the A Panel, which is a two-person panel.
The difficulty value is determined by totaling values for the 10 most difficult skills,
which includes the dismount. Each skill has a set difficulty value, as outlined in the Code of
Points, and for the women are divided into seven classifications, with six for the men. The
difficulty value of a skill or element is not recognized if it fails to meet its technical
requirements. Also, credit is also only given once for a skill.
Connection value is awarded when specific skills or skill types are executed successfully
in succession. The women can earn connection values for the balance beam, uneven bars and
floor exercise, while the men can earn it for the floor exercise, still rings and horizontal bar. For
men and women, each connection value is either 0.1 or 0.2 points.

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 Element group requirements are the basic skills or elements that must be included in each
routine and vary by apparatus. This area is similar to the special requirements in the past. If all of
the requirements are included, a maximum of 2.5 points is awarded.
Each judge on the A Panel independently reaches his/her Difficulty Score and then the
two compare and reach a consensus.
After the score has been posted, a coach may inquire about the Difficulty Score, first
verbally and then in writing. An inquiry may be resolved by using video review. The initial
inquiry must be made prior to the completion of the next gymnast's routine. The written inquiry
must be submitted before the end of the rotation, and the Superior Jury reviews the inquiry. At
FIG events, a fee is assessed for filing an inquiry; it is returned if the inquiry is upheld.
Execution Score: execution, artistry, composition and technique. The Execution Score,
determined by a six-person B Panel, now begins at 10 and deductions are made for errors and
faults in technique, execution and artistry/composition. Each judge independently determines
his/her score. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the gymnast's Execution Score is
the average of the remaining four judges' scores. Deductions for neutral errors are subtracted
from the sum of the Difficulty and Execution Scores.
The deductions for various errors have changed and now range from 0.1 point for a small
error to 0.8 point for a fall. Neutral errors include those for stepping out of bounds or violating
time requirements, as well as attire or podium violations.
Inquiries are not allowed on the Execution Score.
Total score. The gymnast's final score is the total of the Difficulty and Execution Scores
less any deductions for neutral errors. Here's an example on how the scoring is calculated. The
example uses a woman's routine.
Difficulty Score
Difficulty# (4C=4x.3, 4D=4x.4, 2E-2x.5) +3.8 points
Element groups (5x0.5) +2.5 points
Connection value^ +0.6 points
Total Difficulty Score 6.9 points
Execution Score
Base start 10 points

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Deductions &Execution -0.7 points
Composition/artistry -0.3 points
Total Execution Score 9.0 points
Final score 15.9 points

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