Western Washington Rec. Opt. League

JUDGING CRITERIA/ROUTINE REQUIREMENTS

2016/17 Season

(Please note, all changes from last year’s code have been highlighted in yellow)

Uneven Bars Bonus

Kips Circles Handstands Dismounts Other

+0.1 “B”

Kip (any) Switch Glide Uprise

Toe Circle (all the way around) Clear Hip Circle*

Each ½ pirouette in handstand Cast above horizontal

Full twisting dismount (other than flyaway) Tuck flyaway (front or back)

+0.2 “C”

Drop kip

Clear Hip Circle above horizontal (but below handstand)

Layout Flyaway from tap swing Cast immediate tuck flyaway

+0.3 “D”

Clear Hip Circle to handstand Giant

Cast handstand

Cast to immediate layout flyaway Toe on front tuck

Toe Hecht Straddle Back

+0.4 “E”

Double back flyaway

Twisting Salto values (regardless of body position): .1 for each ½ turn

*Clarification: Clear hip circles MAY have a slight brush of the thighs against the bar at the bottom of the circle and still receive credit/bonus value.

Balance Beam Bonus Skills

Acro Skills Leaps/Jumps/Turns Dismounts Balance Skills Other

+0.1 “B”

Handstand Fwd. Roll Dive Fwd Roll (Mount/skill) Cartwheel Front or Back Walkover Back extension roll (bent arms) Tic-toc

Wolf Jump – leg horiz. Pike Jump › 45˚ Straddle Jump › 150˚ Shushanova Tuck ½ turn Straight ¾ turn Switch Leap* Split Leap OR Jump @ 180 ̊1 ½ turn on toe Illusion

Front or Back Tuck** (including Gainers.) Level 6 Dismount (English HS w/control to Side HS w/control to ¼ pirouette off) Baroni

**For safety reasons, Salto dismounts may NOT be executed directly sideways (perpendicular) from the beam!

+0.2 “C”

Press Handstand Dive Cartwheel Round-off Valdez Back Handspring Back extension roll (straight arms)

Tuck ¾ turn jump Pike Jump – horizontal Straddle Jump @ 180˚ Switch Leap @ 180˚ 2/1 turn on toe 1/1 turn w/ leg horizontal.

Front or Back Layout Clear Pike Support in “V”.

+0.3/0.4 “D”

Vertical handstand directly connected to back handspring (0.3 for this particular series) Aerial (0.4) Back Tuck (0.4)

*A switch leap MUST meet the basic split requirement (Int - 90˚; Adv - 120˚) in order to receive bonus value AND to meet the basic requirement.

Floor Exercise Bonus Skills

Acro Skills

Leaps

Jumps

Turns

+0.1 “B”

Front Tuck/Pike Aerial (front or side) Handstand 1/1 Pirouette Back Tuck/Pike

Switch Leap* Switch/Side Leap* Cat Leap 1 ½ Turn 180˚ split on leap

Split or Straddle Jump @ 180˚ Pike Jump @ horizontal Wolf ½ w/ leg horizontal Any jump (except straight or tuck) ½ turn Tuck Jump 1/1 turn Straddle Shushanova

1 ½ turn on toe Illusion (no hand touch)

+0.2 “C”

Front Handspring-Front Tuck (connected) Layout (front or back)

Tour Jete ½ Switch Leap @ 180˚ Switch/Side @ 180˚

Straight Jump 1 ½ turn Any full turning jump (besides straight or tuck) Popa @ 160˚

2/1 turn on toe

+0.3 “D”

Jump 2/1 turn

*Bonus leaps MUST meet the basic split requirement in order to receive bonus value and to meet the basic requirement (Int. - 120˚; Adv - 150˚)

Vault Start Values

Start Value

Vault

Variation

Variation

10.0 (Int.) 9.0 (Adv.)

Front Handspring

9.2

Front Handspring with ½ twist (either on or off)

9.4

¼ On- ¾ Off Handspring

½ On- ½ Off

9.5

Round-off Back handspring

(Yurchenko Timer)

9.6

Front Handspring 1/1 Twist

½ On – 1 ½ Off

¼ On- 1 ¼ Off

10.0

Tsukahara (any shape)

Yurchenko*

*Judging note: At the time of this criteria being set, there are no competitors competing a Yurchenko vault. After at least one person competes a Yurchenko in a meet, the SV criteria will be changed to 10.0 for Yurchenko and 9.8 for a Tsukahara.

Reminder/Clarification: ¼ on 1/4 off vaults (Tsuk timers) are INVALID AS A STAND ALONE VAULT AND WILL RECEIVE A SCORE OF ZERO (O)! This is not a new rule, but continues to come up.

Basic Requirements and Start Values

Vault

See SV table on Page 4.

Intermediate Level vaults are limited to Front Handspring or Front Handspring with a ½ twist only. Advanced Level vaults need to be a front handspring or higher difficulty – no Flat Back vaults in Intermediate, Advanced or Advanced Premier (AP). Only Advanced Premier division gymnasts may compete vaults with a SV higher than 9.5.

Bars

A minimum of six different elements is required. Note that a cast cannot be counted as an element for this requirement.

Intermediate

Single rail routine – SV 9.0

Two rail routine w/out support on high bar – SV 9.5

Two rail routine w/support on high – SV 10.0

Note to judges: Climbing up onto the bar at any point in an active routine voids all remaining skills in the routine! Athletes MUST cast squat on before jumping to the high bar in order to compete a two rail routine. If there is no squat on (athlete climbs up onto low bar), then the balance of the routine is considered invalid and the routine will be scored ONLY on the low/single rail portion. If an athlete climbs onto the high bar to lead into more skills, the balance of the routine is considered invalid and the routine will scored only to the point of climbing on. An athlete may climb back up onto the bar to continue with a routine after a fall.

Advanced and AP

Two rail routine with support is required – SV with basic requirements is 9.5 for Advanced and 9.0 for AP.

Must include bonus skills to increase start value. Maximum SV – 10.0

Note to judges: Be sure to watch for bonus skills that are directly connected and assign proper connection bonus value!

Beam

ALL routines must include:

Mount

Single leg turn in forward coupe’ or passe’ postion (Int – ½ turn; Adv and AP – 1/1 turn). Clarification: Turn must finish with the foot stepping FORWARD in order to meet the requirement.

Two different acro skills*

*A handstand must hit VERTICAL with legs together in order to count as an acro skill! If not vertical, it does NOT meet the requirement.

Balance hold for two seconds (Intermediate ONLY)

Split leap (must lead in with a straight leg. “Stagging” into the leap will result in no credit for the skill). (Int - 90˚; Adv and AP - 120˚)

Jump series (two or more different jumps connected)

Clarification: Stretch jumps MAY be used in a jump combo on beam even though they may NOT be used on floor.

Dismount

Start Value for routines that contain all of the basic requirements: Intermediate – 10.0, Advanced – 9.5, Advanced Premier 9.0.

Advanced and AP Level athletes must include bonus skills to increase their start values, up to a maximum of 10.0. No balance hold required.

Floor

All routines must include:

Beginning pose

Two different tumbling passes*

Split Leap (Int. - 120˚; Adv and AP - 150˚) Note: leaps may be performed either individually OR as part of a leap series to meet this requirement.

Clarification: Split leap must lead in with a straight leg. “Stagging” into the leap will result in no credit for the skill.

Jump series (two or more different jumps connected)

Mixed series (dance/acro – directly connected)

Clarification: Stretch jumps may not be used in a mixed series (OR A JUMP SERIES) as they do not differentiate enough from a standard rebound action.

Full turn in forward coupe’ or passe’ position.

Ending pose

*Note* - Intermediate competitors must have one tumbling pass with at least TWO connected flight elements in it. The other tumbling pass may consist of ONE flight skill. Advanced and AP competitors must have at least TWO flight skills in EACH pass.

Clarification: Different landing positions such as step out or double down are enough to differentiate passes and meet the requirement, however may incur a composition deduction for being too similar.

Start Values for routines that meet the basic requirements: Intermediate – 10.0; Advanced – 9.5; Advanced Premier (AP) 9.0. Advanced competitors must include bonus skills to increase their start values, up to a maximum of 10.0.

Bonus Value

Bonus value skills can only be given bonus value once in a routine (except when directly connected, as outlined below). However, bonus value skills may be executed more than once in a routine and be counted in regards to meeting basic requirements. For instance, a kip may only be

given bonus value one time during a bar routine, however kips executed at various times in the routine still count as elements toward the 6 element minimum requirement. Score bonus value in the way that is most advantageous to the gymnast. A skill’s value (such as a kip) may be worth more if it is not necessarily counted the first time in a routine it is executed, depending on the connections.

In addition to the bonus value of a given skill, there are connection and twisting bonus options that are standard among each event.

Any bonus value skill DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE SAME BONUS VALUE SKILL may earn bonus value two times. For example, back handspring series on beam. If the same bonus value skill is performed at two different times in a routine, it can only receive bonus value one time. For example, if a competitor competes a FHS/Front tuck/Front tuck on floor, they would receive bonus value for the front tuck two times, plus the connection bonus. However, if the competitor competes a front tuck as part of a tumbling pass and then later does another front tuck either as part of a tumbling pass or as a stand alone skill, they would only receive bonus value for the front tuck one time.

Connection Bonus

Any bonus value skill connected to another bonus value skill will earn a .1 connection bonus per connection.

Acro Twisting Bonus (including salto dismounts from bars and beam)

Each ½ twist results in .1 bonus, regardless of the body position of the skill during the twist.

Minimum Score Rule: The minimum score given to any completed routine shall not be less than a 5.0. In the case of a partially completed routine (for instance in the case of a gymnast who injures herself during the routine and is unable to finish), judges may award a score of 5.0 or higher if the routine was 50% or more complete (determined by the number of required elements completed). Routines less than 50% complete before ending are void and will receive a zero.

Novice Basic Requirements

Vault

Straight jump up to mat (SV 9.0) OR HS Flatback (SV 10.0)

Bars

One rail only – 5 elements – SV 10.0

Beam - SV – 10.0

Mount

½ turn

Split leap with flight (“Stag” leaps do NOT meet the requirement.)

One acro skill

Jump series

Dismount

Floor - SV – 10.0

Beginning pose

One tumbling pass with one flight skill

One additional acro skill (continued on next page)

Leap with flight

Jump series

Ending pose

Novice Level Scoring

Novice Level Athletes will be given a ribbon on a card indicating a scoring range as well as an actual score. They will not be given specific deductions but generalized deductions will be used to arrive at the score. There will be no team awards or individual event awards however all gymnasts will be individually introduced and recognized by gym and given their card with ribbons at the end of the meet.

Scoring ranges and ribbon colors are determined based on the general categories of requirements; execution; falls; knowledge of/flow of routines.

Awards are as follows:

A (RWB ribbon) – All requirements met, no falls, clean execution of skills. 9.0 or higher score

B (Blue ribbon) – All requirements met, reasonably clean execution of skills, 1 fall OR moderate execution errors OR moderate stops in routine. 8.0-8.95 range.

C (Red ribbon) – 2-3 larger errors (fall, missing requirement, stop, moderate to poor execution of skills) 7.0-7.95 range.

D (ribbon color or gym’s choice) – Nice try (multiple errors including missing requirements, falls, stops, larger form errors) 6.95 or below range.

No judging inquiries are allowed in Novice.

General Deductions

NOTE: There is no “overuse” deduction for using any given skill more than twice in a routine! If the judge feels there is excessive use of a skill, they can take a small general deduction regarding composition of the routine.

General deductions have been standardized across events for easier consistency. Some deductions are a standard set amount and some are a standard range.

Deduction Error

.5 More than .2 bonus value in an Intermediate routine or more than .5 bonus value in an Advanced routine.

.5 Missing requirement (each)*

.1 Failure to present/salute (each time)

.1 Leo pick/hair adjustment (each time)

.1 Vocal expression during routine/vault (comments, outbursts, etc.)

.5 Fall

.3 Prompt from coach

.3 -.5 Spot

.1 - .3 Extra steps or hops on landing (each and depending on size)

.1 - .3 over or under rotation on twists or turns

.05 - .2 for each of the following:

Head/shoulder angle

(continued on next page)

.05 - .2 (cont.) Arm/leg bend

Arm/leg separation

Hip angle

Arch

Insufficient height

Insufficient split

Foot form/dropped heels

*NOTE: If a skill is not completed sufficiently to get credit, do NOT take further deductions besides the Missing Requirement deduction. You cannot double deduct – either give credit and deduct for execution, or do not give credit, in which case it is as if the skill never happened, therefore can incur no further deduction.

Vault – Specific Deductions

.1-.5 Lack of repulsion/flight

.1 Walking hands on table (deduct for each)

2.0 Head contacting table

Vault clarifications: Handstand flat fall vaults are not required to have repulsion and therefore do not incur a deduction for lack of repulsion. They may incur a deduction for lack of flight between the board and the mat stack.

Touching the board or the table without completing a vault will result in a VOID (0.0). A run off or balk prior to touching the board or table does not result in a penalty and the gymnast may repeat her attempt.

Bars – Specific Deductions

.1 - .3 Stops in routine (deduct for each)

.1 Extra swing or cast (deduct for each)

Beam – Specific Deductions

.1 -.3 Wobble or beam touch

.1 - .3 Excessive length stops in routine

Note: falls ON the beam incur the same penalty as falls off the beam. For example splitting the beam or falling off side and hanging on underneath.

Floor – Specific Deductions

.1 Stepping out of bounds (deduct each time)

.1 - .3 Out of sync with music (ahead, behind)

.3 Coach on floor (regardless of if they spot or not).

Composition and Artistry Deductions for BOTH Beam and Floor.

Two areas of deduction for Beam and Floor are composition and artistry. Artistry includes optimal body lines, extension and posture; maximum amplitude (how BIG is the skill or pose?); quality of expression/performance; and originality of choreography. Composition considerations include use of entire apparatus; changes in tempo/rhythm; changes in body position in relation to the apparatus; quality of connections and distribution of elements.

.05 - .3 Artistry

.05 - .3 Composition

Judging Tip: Think of deductions in terms of A, B and C - much the same way bonus value skills are categorized. A being approx .1; B being approximately .2 and C being approximately .3. It might be quicker and easier to jot down the letter while watching a routine, and then assign a deduction value at the conclusion of the routine.

Vault Scoring

General Deductions Specific Deductions Clarifications .1 Failure to present/salute (each time) .1 Leo pick/hair adjustment (each time) .1 Vocal expression during routine/vault (comments, outbursts, etc.) .5 Fall .5 Missing requirement (each) .3 Prompt from coach .3 -.5 Spot .1 - .3 Extra steps or hops on landing (each and depending on size) .1 - .3 over or under rotation on twists or turns .05 - .2 for each of the following: Head/shoulder angle Arm/leg bend Arm/leg separation Hip angle Arch Insufficient height Insufficient split Foot form/dropped heels

.1-.5 Lack of repulsion/flight .1 Walking hands on table (deduct for each) 2.0 Head contacting table

Handstand flat fall vaults are not required to have repulsion and therefore do not incur a deduction for lack of repulsion. They may incur a deduction for lack of flight between the board and the mat stack. Touching the board or the table without completing a vault will result in a VOID (0.0). A run off or balk prior to touching the board or table does not result in a penalty and the gymnast may repeat her attempt. Intermediate Level athletes may compete up to a handspring ½ twist. Advanced Level athletes must compete a front handspring or higher level vault.

Bars Scoring

General Deductions Specific Deductions Clarifications .1 Failure to present/salute (each time) .1 Leo pick/hair adjustment (each time) .1 Vocal expression during routine/vault (comments, outbursts, etc.) .5 Fall .5 Missing requirement .3 Prompt from coach .3 -.5 Spot .1 - .3 Extra steps or hops on landing (each and depending on size) .1 - .3 over or under rotation on twists or turns .05 - .2 for each of the following: Head/shoulder angle Arm/leg bend Arm/leg separation Hip angle Arch Insufficient height Insufficient split Foot form/dropped heels

.1 - .3 Stops in routine (deduct for each) .1 Extra swing or cast (deduct for each)

A cast does NOT count as an element. Jumping from low bar directly to a front support on the high bar is not allowed and will result in voiding the high bar section of the routine. “Rebound” casts out of front hip circles do not count as an extra cast. Counter swinging after the jump to high bar but before support on the high bar, either by way of a long hang pullover, long hang kip or uprise, is considered an extra swing. One full tap swing between an underswing and a tap to dismount is not considered an extra swing. Glide out/tap feet to pullover is an acceptable mount and NOT considered a fall.

Beam Scoring

General Deductions Specific Deductions Clarifications .1 Failure to present/salute (each time) .1 Leo pick/hair adjustment (each time) .1 Vocal expression during routine/vault (comments, outbursts, etc.) .5 Fall .5 Missing requirement (each) .3 Prompt from coach .3 -.5 Spot .1 - .3 Extra steps or hops on landing (each and depending on size) .1 - .3 over or under rotation on twists or turns .05 - .2 for each of the following: Head/shoulder angle Arm/leg bend Arm/leg separation Hip angle Arch Insufficient height Insufficient split Foot form/dropped heels

.05 - .3 Artistry .05 - .3 Composition .1 -.3 Wobble or beam touch .1 .3 Stops in routine

Falls ON the beam incur the same penalty as falls off the beam. For example splitting the beam or falling off side and hanging on underneath. Significant wobbles that result in fully grabbing the beam to regain control should be considered a fall. Beam routines are not timed, however routines that are deemed excessively long can result in a higher Composition deduction.

Floor Scoring

General Deductions Specific Deductions Clarifications .1 Failure to present/salute (each time) .1 Leo pick/hair adjustment (each time) .1 Vocal expression during routine/vault (comments, outbursts, etc.) .5 Fall .5 Missing requirement (each) .3 Prompt from coach .3 -.5 Spot .1 - .3 Extra steps or hops on landing (each and depending on size) .1 - .3 over or under rotation on twists or turns .05 - .2 for each of the following: Head/shoulder angle Arm/leg bend Arm/leg separation Hip angle Arch Insufficient height Insufficient split Foot form/dropped heels

.05 - .3 Artistry .05 - .3 Composition .1 Stepping out of bounds (deduct each time) .1 - .3 Out of sync with music (ahead, behind) .3 Coach on floor (regardless of if they spot or not).

Falls include unintended touches of the hands, knees or buttocks to the floor. Flight skills include, but are not limited to, dive roll, dive cartwheel, round-off, handsprings, saltos, aerials. Adding a dance skill at the end of a tumbling pass does not count for both a tumbling pass and a mixed series, unless there are enough acro skills to count separately towards the two requirements. In a leap/leap or leap/jump series, the elements are considered connected if they are directly connected, have 1 step or 1 step to assemble’ between them. A chasse’ between elements eliminates the connection and therefore any connection bonus that might otherwise apply.