It’s time… the new Code of Points is here for 2026-2030!
Every four years, the optional (Level 6-10) Code of Points gets a refresh. The new rules will remain in effect for four years, with updates and clarifications each year.
*As of April 2026, the list of elements on each event has not yet been added to the Code. No doubt there will be some skills that change their values, so stay tuned and this post will be updated when the Code is finalized.
Many of the rules have stayed the same this year. However, there are some notable changes. These changes are broken down by level here, and there will also be a section on the composition changes for Levels 8-10.
Let’s take a look at what’s new!
Element Value Changes
In the Beam bonus examples, a Straddle jump 1/2 is listed as a C (was previously a D).
More updates to come!
New Deductions
There are some new deductions in this Code of Points. Many of them are in the general deduction category. Here is an overview.
General Deduction Changes
Most notably, there are changes to the artistry deductions on beam and floor. On first glance, it looked very different, but upon reading it again, there is just more detail on what the expectations are surrounding artistry, choreography, etc. Additionally, the general deductions are now called “Specific Artistic Performance Deductions Throughout the Routine”. These general deductions will be discussed as they relate to their specific events, but there is some overlap.
Beam Deduction Changes
Here are the general deductions that can be applied on beam:
- Choreography: Up to 0.40
- Lack of purposeful choreography – up to 0.20 (empty steps, excessive preparation)
- Choreography performed in all directions – up to 0.10 (0.05 each for missing sideward and backward movements)
- Lack of variety of focus changes, poses, phrases/connections – up to 0.10
- Rhythm and Tempo: Up to 0.20
- Insufficient variation in rhythm and tempo in non-VP’s – up to 0.10
- Series of disconnected movements, appearing fragmented, lacks continuity – up to 0.10
- Sureness: Up to 0.20 (cautious/tentative movements)
- Body Posture: Up to 0.20 (head, shoulders, trunk)
- Footwork – Up to 0.30 (feet flexed, relaxed, sickled, lack of releve, loose feet)
- Dynamics – Up to 0.20
- Insufficient amplitude of choreographed movements – up to 0.10
- Energy maintained throughout routine – up to 0.10
One omission I can see compared to the previous Code is that the posture deduction no longer includes flexibility in non-VP’s. However, the dynamics deduction does appear to be a place where judges could apply this deduction, if the amplitude of the movements does not include the expected flexibility.
Floor Deduction Changes
Here are the general deduction changes that can be applied on floor:
- Choreography: Up to 0.40
- Lack of purposeful choreography – up to 0.15 (empty steps, non-choreographed movements)
- Lack of focus changes/projection – up to 0.15
- Lack of variety of poses, phrases/connections – up to 0.10
- Musicality: Up to 0.20 (movements with music, should convey a theme, show rhythm changes)
- Expression: Up to 0.20 (conveys emotion, engages audience/judge, facial expressions to match choreo and music)
- Body Posture: Up to 0.20 (head, shoulders, trunk)
- Footwork – Up to 0.30 (feet flexed, relaxed, sickled, lack of releve, loose feet)
- Dynamics – Up to 0.20
- Insufficient amplitude of choreographed movements – up to 0.10
- Energy maintained throughout routine – up to 0.10
On floor, just like beam, the posture deduction no longer includes flexibility in non-VP’s. Again, this could be included in the dynamics deduction, or possibly in the expression deduction if it detracts from the expression of the routine.
The landing deductions from the other events have pulled over to floor now. Here they are:
- Lands with feet hip-width apart or closer, but never joins heels – 0.05
- Lands with feet further than hip-width apart – 0.10
- Entire foot/feet slides or lifts off floor to join (considered a small step) – 0.10
Absence of music – 0.50 (was 1.00)
Music with words/song (whistles, animal/human sounds ok) – 0.50 (was 1.00)
It has been clarified that a coach OR another athlete is not allowed to be on the floor during the routine, and the deduction remains 0.30.
Level 6 Changes
The big change in Level 6 in 2026 is that the Value Part requirements are increasing in difficulty. The new Value Part Requirements for Level 6 are:
- 4 A skills
- 2 B skills
These requirements are in effect for all events. These replace the old requirements of 5 A’s and 1 B.
The Beam routine time limit is now 1:20 (was 1:15).
New Level 6 Floor Special Requirements:
- Acro pass w/2 flight skills, 1 must be a salto
- 2nd acro pass w/2 flight skills and DIFFERENT salto, OR Isolated B salto
- Dance passage w/2 different Group 1 skills including 180° leap off one foot (no change)
- Min. 1/1 turn on one foot (no change)
The Floor routine time limit is now 1:20 (was 1:15).
Level 7 Changes
Level 7 also has a change in the Value Part requirements in 2026. The new Value Part requirements are:
- 4 A skills
- 3 B skills
These requirements are in effect for all events. These replace the old requirements of 5 A’s and 2 B’s.
The Floor routine time limit is now 1:20 (was 1:30).
Level 8 Changes
The Start Value for Level 8 routines is now 9.80 on bars, beam, and floor (previously 10.0). The 0.20 difference can be earned through Composition Credit. Please read the Composition Changes section below for more detail on these requirements.
Special Requirement change on Bars – a cast to handstand is now a Special Requirement. This Special Requirement will be fulfilled if the cast is within 20° of handstand. If the gymnast performs a cast handstand 1/2 pirouette, this skill will fulfill both the Cast Handstand Special Requirement, and the LA Turn Special Requirement.
Level 9 Changes
The Start Value for Level 9 routines is now 9.50 on bars, beam, and floor (previously 9.70). The 0.20 difference can be earned through Composition Credit. Please read the Composition Changes section below for more detail on these requirements.
That seems to be it for the Level 9 changes this cycle!
Level 10 Changes
The Start Value for Level 10 routines is now 9.20 on bars, beam, and floor (previously 9.50). The 0.30 difference can be earned through Composition Credit. Please read the Composition Changes section below for more detail on these requirements.
Level 10 Bars Bonus changes
LB to HB D/E release (***selected releases only) + C skill = +0.20 connection bonus. The skills must be in this order (D/E + C), and the releases must come from this list:
- 3.401: Shaposhnikova
- 6.405 Stalder on LB through HS, release to hang on HB (Stalder Shaposh)
- 7.410: Maloney
- 7.510: Maloney 1/1 (Ramler)
HB to LB D/E release (***selected releases only) + C skill = +0.20 connection bonus. The skills must be in this order (D/E + C), and the releases must come from this list:
- 2.406 (Cox): From HB, Layout salto forward with 1/2 turn to catch LB
- 4.406: Pak salto
- 4.506: Pak 1/1
- 5.503 (unknown element – this number is not in the 22-26 Code)
These are the allowable releases, assuming the skill numbers stay the same once the new element charts are released. If any updates are made, they will be updated here as well.
Examples of bonus connections that would receive this +0.20 bonus:
- Maloney (D) + Uprise clear hip handstand (C)
- Pak (D) + Toe handstand (C)
Level 8-10 Composition Changes
The “UTL” (up to the level) composition deductions have been removed from the Code, and they have been replaced by “Composition Credit” (CC). CC is earned by performing certain valued skills at each level 8-10, or certain combinations of skills. CC is part of the routine’s Start Value.
CC is worth 0.20 of the routine’s Start Value in Level 8 and 9. It is worth 0.30 of the routine’s Start Value in Level 10.
There is no CC at Level 6 or 7.
For a Level 10 gymnast to be eligible for a 10.0 +0.10 Start Value, now she must have a 10.0 SV, +0.60 Total Bonus, an E skill (acro for beam and floor) AND have full CC.
Here are the skills needed to receive full composition credit at each level.
Bars Composition Credit
Level 8 Bars Composition Credit:
- B+B direct connection =+0.10 (Cast HS does not count)
- B or higher dismount OR B skill + A dismount = +0.10
Level 9 Bars Composition Credit:
- 2 C or higher skills = +0.10
- C/D/E dismount OR C/D/E skill + B dismount = +0.10
Level 10 Bars Composition Credit:
- 2 different D/E releases = +0.20 OR 1 D/E release = +0.10
- D/E dismount OR D/E skill + C dismount = +0.10
Beam Composition Credit
Level 8 Beam Composition Credit:
- B+B acro series, both skills must have flight = +0.10
- B or higher dismount OR B acro + A dismount = +0.10
Level 9 Beam Composition Credit:
- 2 different C/D/E acro flight skills (no dismount) = +0.10
- C/D/E dismount OR B flight + B dismount OR C dance + B dismount = +0.10
Level 10 Beam Composition Credit:
- 2 different D/E acro flight skills = +0.20 OR 1 D/E acro flight = +0.10 (no dismount)
- D/E dismount OR B flight + C dismount OR C dance + C dismount = +0.10
Floor Composition Credit
Level 8 Floor Composition Credit:
- 2 different B saltos + 1 A salto = +0.10
- 2 different B dance skills = +0.10
Level 9 Floor Composition Credit:
- 2 different C saltos + 1 B salto = +0.10
- 2 different C dance skills = +0.10
Level 10 Floor Composition Credit:
- 2 different D saltos + 1 C salto OR 1 E salto + 1 D salto = +0.20; OR
- 2 different D saltos OR 1 E salto + 1 C salto = +0.10
- 3 different C dance skills OR 1 D dance + 1 C dance = +0.10
Level 10’s can receive Up to 0.20 for Acro CC, and 0.10 for Dance CC.
There are still other composition deductions that are not reflected in the Start Value. For more on composition deductions, please read the “Making Sense of Composition” series below.
Making Sense of Composition: Level 8 Beam
Making Sense of Composition: Level 9 Beam
Making Sense of Composition: Level 10 Beam
Making Sense of Composition: Level 8 Floor
Making Sense of Composition: Level 9 Floor
Making Sense of Composition: Level 10 Floor
What are your thoughts on the new changes?