What's New in the Dev (former JO) Program in 2022-23?

The 2022-2026 DP Code of Points is out, and as always, there are some changes!

In this post, I’ll go through the changes, by event and by level, so you can easily scroll through and find what you’re looking for.

These changes come from both the USA Gymnastics Code of Points, along with the minutes from the May 2022 meetings.

Did you find a change I missed? Leave a comment and I’ll make sure to update it!

General Changes

General Changes from the DP Code of Points

Clarification for “Exercise without a dismount”:

Gymnast does not attempt a dismount
Early termination of the routine
Dismount is a restricted element for the level
Dismount element is not listed in the Code of Points

Clarification of the coaching deduction: If a coach or teammate uses technical verbal cues to a competing gymnast, they will receive a warning. If it continues, a 0.20 deduction is taken. EXCEPTION: if the gymnast is competing and the coach tells them what to do next (i.e. repeat a requirement), the 0.20 is taken without a warning.

Level 9

Level 9 gymnasts may receive +0.10 “D” bonus for 1 “D/E” skill on each event: bars, beam, and floor. Bonus is only given to the first “D/E” skill in the routine. “E” skills will only receive +0.10 bonus in Level 9 (this is different than Level 10). See below for more details.

General Changes from the 2022 Minutes

Attire Clarifications

The definition of backless leotards has not changed, but it has been clarified that racerback leotards are considered backless.

Ankle length tights can now be worn over OR under the leotard, based on the preference of the gymnast.

Equipment Clarifications

Clubs may no longer bring equipment (ex: vault hand placement mat) for gymnasts to use during a competition.

On Vault, Bars, and Beam: chalk marks may be placed on landing mats as a visual cue.

On Bars, a coach may stand on more than one spotting block or folded mat to spot a release move, as long as all of the matting is removed immediately after the release move.

On Bars and Beam, if a gymnast falls due to equipment failure, judging resumes at the point of the equipment failure.

On Beam, ALL beam areas (under the beam and both dismount areas) are allowed to have up to 9″ of matting on top of the competition landing mat.

On Floor, it was clarified that the gymnast can use two mats in different corners of the floor. These mats may be in the SAME diagonal, or in DIFFERENT diagonals.

Fall Time Clarification

All events: If a gymnast falls and is being assessed for an injury, the fall time begins after the injury assessment is complete. This means that if the medical professional has the gymnast stand up as part of the evaluation, the fall time will not start.

Clarification on Level 8&9 Restricted Skills

If a Level 8 or 9 gymnast performs a restricted skill, but NO Value Part credit is awarded, the gymnast MAY repeat it a second time for Value Part credit. No deduction will be taken for performing a second restricted element in this scenario. This second attempt can be given bonus if applicable.

Example: Level 9 attempts a Pak salto, does not touch the bar, and receives no VP credit. She repeats the Pak salto and completes it, receives “D” VP credit and +0.10 bonus.

If the gymnast performs a restricted skill, falls, but DOES receive VP credit, she WILL receive the 0.50 deduction for any additional restricted skills performed. No VP or SR credit will be given to these additional restricted skills.

What’s the takeaway here? You should only repeat a restricted skill if you are sure that it didn’t get credit the first time. (Examples: release skills that never touch the bar, beam acro that doesn’t touch either foot to the beam, floor tumbling that does not land feet first.)

It was also clarified that Level 10’s can only receive D/E bonus one time for the same skill. (This has not changed.)

2022 Vault Changes

Vault Changes from the DP Code of Points

New vaults in the Code:

Front handspring to board, HS 1/1 off = 8.90 SV
RO, FF 1/2 on, handspring 1/2 off = 9.10 SV
RO, FF 1/1 on, handspring 1/2 off = 9.20 SV

There are also a handful of vaults that have changed their values. Refer to the Vault Charts in the Code of Points for specifics.

New vault deductions for 2022-26:

Run onto board/step onto vault table OR rebound off board and come to support on vault table – VOID
Wording change: arched body in 1st/2nd flights is now “excessive arch” – up to 0.20
Piked body in 1st flight – up to 0.30
Prescribed LA turn begun too early in 2nd flight – up to 0.50
Wording change: steps/hops on hands now “steps with hands” – each 0.10 (max 0.30)
Hops with both hands simultaneously – 0.30
Wording change: “brush or hit of body on far end of vault table” – up to 0.20

Vault Changes from the 2022 Minutes

Level 6

Failure to land on the feet first in Level 6 vault is no longer VOID, the deduction is now 1.00.

Level 8-10

Coaches can either flash, or verbally state, the NUMBER of the vault to be performed at ALL sanctioned competitions.

If the gymnast’s first vault is given a 0 due to failure to land on the feet first, a video review may be performed immediately. The video review must take place before the second vault occurs.

Coaches – you may want to have someone designated to take a video of your gymnasts’ first vault, just in case! Remember, you can ask the judges for the score of the first vault. So if it’s close, review the video. If the video clearly shows the gymnast landing on her feet first, ask the judges for the score, and if it’s a zero, ask for a video review. Have the video readily available. Hopefully, this doesn’t happen often, but it’s a great tool to have so the gymnast can get the benefit of the doubt!

2022 Bars Changes

Bars Changes from the DP Code of Points

Level 10 gymnasts may only perform one PLANNED squat/stoop on in their routine. Additional squat/stoop ons receive a 0.10 deduction, each time. EXCEPTION: If a gymnast falls from the bars, she is allowed to perform a squat/stoop on to resume her routine, without deduction.

It is now specified that if a gymnast is in front support on the low bar, and climbs up to the high bar, the deductions are:

0.10 for uncharacteristic element
0.10 for lack of continuity

If a gymnast attempts a squat on and falls backward, continuing with a kip, it is not considered a fall. Execution deductions apply.

The ideal amplitude for a Pak salto has been defined as hips at the level of the high bar at the highest point of the salto. It should finish in a definite front support on the low bar.

Bars Changes from the 2022 Minutes

There is no penalty for standing on the board to spot a release move, as long as the board is removed immediately.

Level 3

The Level 3 dismount can be performed as a squat OR pike on, jump off.

2022 Beam Changes

Beam Changes from the DP Code of Points

Level 6’s are now allowed to perform 1 “C” dance element without penalty. Any other “C” or higher skills will be subject to the 0.50 deduction for a restricted element.

Level 7’s may perform unlimited “C” dance elements. C acro and D/E skills are not allowed.

The body posture/flexibility deduction has been changed to “incorrect body alignment, position, or posture on non-VP’s – up to 0.30 (throughout exercise”.

The tempo deduction for series connections has been clarified to include:

0.05-0.10 Body moves in line with the beam, but arms swing between skills OR legs extend (but not fully) and bend again to take off for the 2nd skill in series
0.15-0.20 Trunk deviation in line with beam, with or without arm swing between elements
Backward and sideward-backward acro series must show a quick connection, there is no tempo deduction for these series (this is not new).

The gymnast (Level 8/9/10) must show 2 of 3 directions of choreography (forward, sideward, backward). The deduction is now 0.05 for each direction not displayed.

Beam Changes from the 2022 Minutes

ALL beam areas (under the beam and both ends) are allowed to have up to 9″ of matting on top of the competition landing mat. No more of the intermittently enforced rule that mats are only allowed in 2 areas!

The cat leap description now includes the wording “legs parallel or turned out”.

New Beam Skills (or wording) in the 2022 Code of Points

Mount #1.113: Cartwheel to front support mount = A

Mount: #1.301: Free split jump with change of legs prior to split position, landing on 1 or 2 feet, approach from end of beam. (Whipple) = C

Turn #3.206: 1/1 turn in tuck stand on one leg, free leg in forward or sideward horizontal = B

Turn #3.309: 1/1 turn with hand(s) holding leg upward in 180 split = C

Handstands #5.208: Jump to cross or side HS from 1 foot (dive) or 2 feet (jump) – hold 2 seconds = B

Dismount #9.104: Forward salto tucked or piked from 1 foot (and swing-through) or from 2 feet, also with 1/2 turn = A

All variations of cartwheels are considered different skills for Value Part credit:

Cartwheel
1 arm cartwheel
Forearm cartwheel
Chest stand cartwheel

The same applies to dive cartwheels:

Dive cartwheel with flight PRIOR TO hand contact
Dive cartwheel with flight AFTER hand contact
Roundoff

2022 Floor Changes

Floor Changes from the DP Code of Points