This post has been updated to reflect the 2021 compulsory updates, and the updates from the 2022 minutes. Where I live in Ohio, Level 3 is often the first level gymnasts compete. For many Level 3 gymnasts, learning to swing bars can be really tough! Bars requires a lot of upper-body strength along with good […]
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 […]
It’s officially time for the new compulsory routines! As of August 1, 2021, the routines have changed. The old routines from 2013-2021 are no longer allowed in competition. With these changes, the level system will still stay the same. There will continue to be five levels of compulsories and five levels of optionals. Level 4 […]
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, […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2026-2030 Code of Points. What skills make up a great Level 10 beam routine? At Level 10, the requirements are much more rigorous than other levels. In 2026, a change was made to incorporate routine composition into the Start Value. Under these rules, gymnasts must earn Composition […]
This article has been updated to reflect the 2026-2030 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 tools available, in the form of composition, to separate gymnasts of different skill levels. In 2026, […]
The optional season is officially in full swing, so I thought this would be a good time to review some of the changes and updates for this season. There are several changes to the Level 6/7 vault deductions, along with updates in several other areas. General: Video review is now allowed for spotting deductions and […]
Inquiries… the only allowable form of communication between coaches and judges. I’ve been on both sides of the inquiry process – as a coach who strongly disagreed with a score given to one of my gymnasts, and as a judge filling out the form and trying to be fair to the gymnast, while still upholding […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes, and was updated again in July 2023. Compulsories, by their nature, are repetitive. You might wonder, how can I catch the judges’ attention during the same old-same old Level 4 floor routine? Once, I was coaching Level 4 at an early-season meet and […]
