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How Does Gymnastics Scoring Work Explained Simply
How does gymnastics scoring work? Gymnastics scoring adds up two main things: how hard the moves are and how well the gymnast does them. Think of it as adding points for difficulty and then starting with a high score and taking points away for mistakes. This is the basic idea behind Artistic Gymnastics Scoring.
Gymnastics looks amazing to watch, with powerful flips, graceful turns, and steady balances. But how do the judges decide who wins? It’s not just about looking good; it’s based on a clear system of rules. This system comes from the FIG Scoring Rules, set by the international gymnastics group (FIG stands for Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique). The rule book they use is called the Code of Points. It lists all the moves and how they get points.
The final score a gymnast gets for their routine comes from adding up two main parts: the D Score and the E Score. Let’s look at each one.
Figuring Out the D Score
What is the D Score? The D Score stands for Difficulty Score. It measures how hard the gymnast’s routine is. The more challenging the skills, the higher the potential D Score. There is no limit to the D Score. It can go up and up the harder the gymnast makes their routine.
The Difficulty Score is built from different things in the routine. Gymnastics judges look at the moves the gymnast does. They also look at how the gymnast links moves together and if they meet certain requirements for that event.
Let’s break down how the D Score is built:
Judging Skill Value
Every move a gymnast does has a value. The Code of Points lists hundreds of moves. Each move is given a letter value, from A (easiest) to I (hardest).
- A moves are worth 0.1 points
- B moves are worth 0.2 points
- C moves are worth 0.3 points
- D moves are worth 0.4 points
- E moves are worth 0.5 points
- F moves are worth 0.6 points
- G moves are worth 0.7 points
- H moves are worth 0.8 points
- I moves are worth 0.9 points
Gymnasts want to do the hardest moves they can do well. For the D Score, only the top 8 moves in a routine count (for most events). These top 8 moves are usually the hardest ones the gymnast performs.
Imagine a gymnast on the balance beam. If she does a very hard flip, it might be an E skill (0.5 points). If she does an even harder twisty flip, it might be a G skill (0.7 points). The judges add up the values of her 8 hardest skills.
Here’s a simple look at skill values:
| Skill Difficulty | Point Value |
|---|---|
| A | 0.1 |
| B | 0.2 |
| C | 0.3 |
| D | 0.4 |
| E | 0.5 |
| F | 0.6 |
| G | 0.7 |
| H | 0.8 |
| I | 0.9 |
Adding Points for Connections
Gymnasts can get extra points in their D Score by connecting certain hard skills together without stopping. This is called Connection Value. Doing a hard flip right into another hard flip, for example, is harder than doing them separately.
The Code of Points lists which connections give extra points. These connection values can add 0.1 or 0.2 points to the D Score. It rewards the gymnast for showing great flow and confidence.
Think about the uneven bars. Doing a difficult release move (like a Tkatchev – a B skill, worth 0.2) and immediately swinging into another release move (like a Pak Salto – a D skill, worth 0.4) might add 0.1 or 0.2 points to the D Score. This is on top of the value for the moves themselves.
Meeting Routine Requirements
Besides doing hard skills and connecting them, gymnasts must also include certain types of moves in their routine. These are called Routine Requirements or Composition Requirements. Each event (like floor, beam, bars, vault) has different requirements.
For example, a balance beam routine must include:
* A acrobatic series (like flips or handsprings in a row)
* Turns and spins
* Leaps and jumps with certain body shapes
* A dismount (how they get off the beam)
Each requirement met adds 0.5 points to the D Score. There are usually 5 routine requirements for each event (except vault). So, meeting all requirements adds 2.5 points to the D Score.
Adding Up the D Score
The D Score is the sum of:
* The value of the top 8 hardest skills (or fewer for some events/parts).
* Any extra points for connecting skills.
* Points for meeting the routine requirements (usually 2.5 points if all 5 are met).
So, the Difficulty Score shows how challenging the gymnast’s routine is on paper. It’s the starting place for building a high score.
Explaining the E Score
What is the E Score? The E Score stands for Execution Score. It measures how well the gymnast performs their routine. It’s about how clean, how perfect, and how controlled the moves look.
Unlike the D Score which builds up, the E Score starts from a perfect mark and points are taken away for mistakes. The Starting Score for the E Score is always 10.0.
Judges watch the routine and look for anything that is not perfect form, control, or artistry. They take away points for these mistakes. These are called Gymnastics Deductions.
Gymnastics Deductions
Gymnastics Deductions are points taken away from the E Score (which starts at 10.0). Judges use a list of possible mistakes and how much each mistake costs. The Code of Points lists all the possible deductions.
Deductions are grouped by how big the mistake is:
- Minor Faults: Small errors, like a slight bend in the knees or a small wobble. These usually cost 0.1 points.
- Medium Faults: Bigger errors, like a noticeable bend in the arms or a bigger wobble. These usually cost 0.3 points.
- Major Faults: Large errors, like falling off the apparatus but catching yourself, or a large loss of control. These usually cost 0.5 points.
- Falls: If the gymnast falls completely off the equipment or onto the floor. A fall costs 1.0 point.
Let’s look at common mistakes and how they affect the E Score:
- Form Errors: These are about the shape of the gymnast’s body.
- Bent arms or legs
- Flexed feet (feet not pointed)
- Legs apart when they should be together
- Poor body tension (looking floppy)
- These can cost 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 points depending on how bad they are.
- Execution Errors: These are about how the moves are done.
- Not completing a turn fully (e.g., doing a 180 instead of 360)
- Not getting high enough on a jump or flip
- Extra swings on bars
- Touching the apparatus when not supposed to
- These also vary in cost.
- Amplitude/Height: Not getting enough height or distance on skills.
- Short jumps, low flips.
- Can cost 0.1 or more.
- Landing Errors: Mistakes made when finishing a pass or dismount.
- Small step on landing: 0.1
- Medium step on landing: 0.3
- Large step or hop on landing: 0.5
- Steps/hops in multiple directions: up to 0.5
- Landing with bent knees/hips: 0.1 or more
- Falling on landing: 1.0
Every mistake, no matter how small, takes away from the starting 10.0. The goal is to have as few deductions as possible.
How Gymnastics Judges Get the E Score
There are usually several E-judges watching the routine. Each E-judge watches for mistakes and writes down deductions. After the routine, they add up all the deductions they saw.
For example, if an E-judge sees a small bent knee (0.1) and a medium step on landing (0.3), their total deductions are 0.4 points. Their E Score for that gymnast would be 10.0 – 0.4 = 9.6.
There are multiple E-judges (often 5 or 6). They each calculate their own E Score. The highest and lowest E Scores are thrown out, and the remaining E Scores are averaged. This average is the final E Score for the routine. This helps make sure one judge’s view doesn’t affect the score too much.
Putting It Together: The Final Score
The final score for a gymnastics routine is simple: you add the D Score and the final E Score together.
Final Score = D Score + E Score
Remember, the E Score is 10.0 minus all the deductions. So, it’s really:
Final Score = D Score + (10.0 – Execution Deductions)
Let’s look at an example.
Imagine a gymnast does a floor routine.
* The D Score judges calculate her difficulty based on her skills, connections, and requirements. Let’s say they give her a D Score of 5.8.
* The E Score judges watch her perform.
* Judge 1 sees 0.5 in deductions (bent legs, small hop). E Score: 9.5.
* Judge 2 sees 0.4 in deductions (pointed feet, small wobble). E Score: 9.6.
* Judge 3 sees 0.6 in deductions (big step on landing, bad form). E Score: 9.4.
* Judge 4 sees 0.5 in deductions. E Score: 9.5.
* Judge 5 sees 0.4 in deductions. E Score: 9.6.
Let’s say the lowest (9.4) and highest (9.6) scores are dropped. The remaining scores are 9.5, 9.6, 9.5.
The average E Score is (9.5 + 9.6 + 9.5) / 3 = 28.6 / 3 = 9.533.
The final score for the gymnast is the D Score plus the average E Score:
Final Score = 5.8 + 9.533 = 15.333
This number, 15.333, is the gymnast’s score for that routine. Higher scores mean better performance (fewer mistakes) and harder routines.
Role of Gymnastics Judges
Gymnastics Judges are key to the scoring process. They are trained and certified to use the Code of Points. There are different panels of judges for each event.
- D-Judges (Difficulty Judges): These judges focus on the difficulty of the routine. They identify the skills performed, check for connection value, and make sure all routine requirements are met. They work together to agree on the final D Score. There are usually two D-judges.
- E-Judges (Execution Judges): These judges focus on how well the routine is performed. They look for mistakes in form, technique, and artistry. They take deductions from the 10.0 Starting Score. There are usually 5 or 6 E-judges.
- Reference Judges: Sometimes there are extra judges to check the D Score calculation.
- Head Judge / Superior Jury: This judge oversees the panel, deals with questions or issues, and confirms the final scores.
The judges sit at a table near the event and watch every move carefully. They have forms to write down skills and deductions. Using multiple judges helps make the scoring fair.
Deciphering the Code of Points
The Code of Points is the rulebook for Artistic Gymnastics Scoring. It’s a large and detailed book that is updated regularly (usually every 4 years).
It contains:
* Descriptions and drawings of every recognized skill on each apparatus.
* The value (A to I) for each skill.
* Rules for connection value.
* Details on routine requirements for each event.
* A comprehensive list of Gymnastics Deductions for every possible error, from minor form breaks to major safety faults and falls.
* Rules for the competition format and how judges should work.
Gymnasts, coaches, and judges study the Code of Points to understand how routines should be built and scored. It is the foundation of the entire scoring system.
A Look Back: From Perfect 10 to Open-Ended Scoring
For many years, the perfect score in gymnastics was 10.0. Gymnasts aimed to get as close to a 10.0 as possible. This system was simpler, but it had problems.
- It was hard to separate gymnasts when many got 10.0s.
- Gymnasts didn’t always try super-hard skills because a small mistake on a hard skill could cost more than doing easier skills perfectly.
After a judging scandal in the 2004 Olympics, the FIG Scoring Rules changed. They moved to the open-ended scoring system we use today. This system encourages gymnasts to try harder skills because the D Score has no limit. It also gives judges more room to separate gymnasts based on both difficulty and execution.
The old perfect 10 is now just the starting point for the E Score.
Diving Deeper into Gymnastics Deductions
Let’s explore some common Gymnastics Deductions on different events to show how the E Score is affected.
Floor Exercise Deductions
- Out of Bounds: Stepping or landing outside the marked floor area.
- One foot out: 0.1
- Both feet out: 0.3
- Body out (excluding hands): 0.5
- Landing Control: Steps or hops on the landing of tumbling passes.
- Small step: 0.1
- Medium step: 0.3
- Large step/hop: 0.5
- Fall on landing: 1.0
- Form on Tumbling/Jumps:
- Bent legs/knees/arms: 0.1 to 0.3
- Flexed feet: 0.1
- Lack of height/amplitude: 0.1 to 0.3
- Turns/Dance Elements:
- Not completing rotation: 0.1 to 0.3
- Poor body shape (bent legs, poor posture): 0.1 to 0.3
- Wobbles on turns: 0.1
- Artistry: Judges also look at how the gymnast performs to the music.
- Not matching music: 0.1 to 0.3
- Lack of expression/confidence: 0.1 to 0.3
Balance Beam Deductions
The beam is only 4 inches wide, so staying on is key!
- Wobbles/Balance Checks:
- Small balance check (no arm swing): 0.1
- Medium balance check (arm swing): 0.3
- Large balance check (big arm swing, bending body): 0.5
- Falls:
- Falling off the beam: 1.0
- Form on Skills:
- Bent legs/knees/arms on flips, jumps, turns: 0.1 to 0.5
- Flexed feet: 0.1
- Poor body shape on leaps/jumps: 0.1 to 0.3
- Landing on Dismount: Same as floor exercise landing deductions (0.1 to 1.0 for a fall).
- Touching the Beam: Using hands to prevent a fall (but not falling): 0.5
Uneven Bars Deductions
Bars require lots of swinging and difficult release moves.
- Form on Swings/Skills:
- Bent arms/legs: 0.1 to 0.5
- Flexed feet: 0.1
- Legs apart when they should be together: 0.1 to 0.3
- Poor body tension (arching/piking too much): 0.1 to 0.3
- Execution of Transfers/Release Moves:
- Not catching the bar cleanly: 0.1 to 0.3
- Too close or too far from the bar: 0.1 to 0.3
- Extra swings between skills: 0.1 to 0.3
- Dismount Landing: Same as floor exercise landing deductions (0.1 to 1.0 for a fall).
- Hitting the Bar: Touching the bar with feet or body during a skill: 0.1 to 0.5
Vault Deductions
Vault is different because it’s one or two quick movements.
- Pre-Flight (off the springboard to the table):
- Lack of height/distance: 0.1 to 0.3
- Form in the air: 0.1 to 0.3
- Post-Flight (off the table to the landing):
- Lack of height/distance/rotation: 0.1 to 0.5
- Form in the air (bent knees, legs apart, etc.): 0.1 to 0.5
- Not completing twists: 0.1 to 0.5
- Landing: Same as floor exercise landing deductions (0.1 to 1.0 for a fall).
- Blocking Error: Not pushing off the table correctly.
- Spotter Deduction: If a coach touches the gymnast during the vault (even if they don’t fall), there is a large deduction (often 1.0).
These examples show how many small things the E-judges are watching for. Every tiny error adds up.
Deciphering the Score Sheet
When you see scores posted at a competition, they often show the breakdown.
Here’s a simple example of what a score sheet might show:
| Gymnast Name | Apparatus | D Score | E Score | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simone B. | Floor | 6.8 | 9.400 | 16.200 |
| Sunisa Lee | Uneven Bars | 6.4 | 9.166 | 15.566 |
| Rebeca A. | Vault | 6.0 | 9.500 | 15.500 |
You can see the D Score and E Score listed separately, and then the final Total Score. This lets you see if a gymnast scored high because of a very hard routine (high D Score) or because they did a routine very cleanly with few mistakes (high E Score). The best gymnasts usually have both high D and high E scores.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scoring
Q: Is a perfect 10 still possible?
A: Not in the way it used to be. Under the current FIG Scoring Rules, the E Score starts at 10.0, but deductions are almost always taken. So, getting a 10.0 E Score means the gymnast did the routine absolutely perfectly with zero mistakes, which is extremely rare at the elite level. The total score (D + E) can go much higher than 10.0 because the D Score has no limit.
Q: How do they judge difficulty (D Score) on Vault?
A: Vault is different. Each vault skill is listed in the Code of Points with a set D Score value. There’s no adding up top skills or requirements like other events. A gymnast declares which vault they will do before competing. If they do that vault, they get its set D Score. If they do a different vault, there can be deductions or a zero score depending on the mistake. At top competitions, gymnasts often do two different vaults, and their scores are averaged.
Q: Why do scores seem different in different competitions?
A: Scores can sometimes seem a little different depending on the panel of Gymnastics Judges and the level of the competition. While the Code of Points provides clear rules, there can be small differences in how judges see minor errors. However, at major international events, judges are highly trained, and the system (like dropping the highest and lowest E Scores) helps keep things fair.
Q: How are ties handled?
A: If two gymnasts have the exact same final score, the tie is usually broken by looking at the E Score first. The gymnast with the higher E Score wins the tie. If the E Scores are also tied, they might look at the D Score. In team competitions, all individual scores are added up.
Q: Does the music affect the score on Floor Exercise?
A: Yes, but only as part of the E Score under “Artistry” deductions. Judges look at whether the gymnast performs in time with the music and expresses the music’s mood. Poor artistry can lead to deductions (usually 0.1 to 0.3).
Bringing It All Together
Scoring in Artistic Gymnastics Scoring might seem complex at first, but it’s built on two simple ideas:
- The D Score: Points for how hard the routine is (Difficulty). This score builds up based on the value of the skills, connections, and meeting routine requirements. It has no upper limit.
- The E Score: Points for how well the routine is performed (Execution). This score starts at 10.0, and points are taken away (Gymnastics Deductions) for mistakes in form, control, and artistry.
Gymnastics Judges use the detailed rules in the Code of Points and the FIG Scoring Rules to calculate both scores. The final score is the sum of the D Score and the E Score. The gymnast with the highest final score wins.
This system rewards gymnasts who push the limits of difficulty while also performing with excellent technique and few errors. It’s why you see routines packed with difficult flips and skills, performed with pointed toes and straight legs – every detail counts!