This post was originally published February 10, 2020, and was updated August 29, 2020, August 29, 2021, August 19, 2022, and July 7, 2023. If you’ve been at a Level 6 or 7 gymnastics meet recently, no doubt you’ve seen the new vault setup. Gymnasts now vault from the table onto a mat stack, performing […]
What are the “intangibles” that can elevate your routine to the top? Every optional gymnastics routine is evaluated, at the end, on several general categories. These categories can result in general deductions for the routine, if there are deficits in these areas. Most routines receive a deduction in at least one of these areas. But […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points. Have you ever watched a floor routine that looked amazing, but then it scored low? I know I have! Especially before I started judging, it just didn’t make sense! What was the problem? Composition deductions! But what exactly does […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes made in the 2022-2026 Code of Points. Your Level 9 gymnast hits her floor routine. Yes! But the score comes in lower than you both expected. What’s the deal? At Level 9, there’s a good chance she had some deductions for the composition of the routine. […]
What’s my bar routine missing? What are the biggest deductions I’m getting? This is a very common question for Level 6-10 bars. What’s the answer? Often, it has to do with bar angle deductions. Angle deductions are deductions that are taken during almost every bar routine. At Level 6 and 7, the deductions taken are […]
The acro series on beam – it’s a requirement that can make or break the routine! If the series is not connected, it’s an automatic 0.5 off the start value for the routine, in addition to any execution deductions, balance errors, or falls. But what is necessary to consider a series connected? For a forward, […]
What skills make up a great Level 10 beam routine? At Level 10, the requirements are much more rigorous than other levels. Judges have deductions available, called composition deductions, to reward gymnasts who perform higher level skills. In 2018, those deductions became a LOT more specific… and a lot more confusing. Modeled after the collegiate […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 Code of Points. What skills does a Level 9 gymnast need for an exceptional beam routine? She will need a combination of strong acro skills, dance skills, and a big dismount. Judges have deductions available, called composition deductions, to separate gymnasts of different skill levels, within […]
This article has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 Code of Points. What are the ingredients for a great Level 8 beam routine? Gymnasts need a combination of strong acro skills, dance skills, and a big dismount. Judges have deductions available, called compositional deductions, to separate gymnasts of different skill levels. In 2018, those deductions […]
