In recent years, the NCAA has placed an emphasis on judge education and the judge assignment system. This assignment system ensures a diverse panel of judges in distributed across the country by an independent assigner. Judges cannot judge a team more than twice, and the system strives to have no more than 50% of the panel from the host team's state. Regular seminars and education programs, in addition to a pre-meet conferences, strive to improve consistency in evaluation of key deductions. At the same time, the rules have been modified to reduce variation in the enforcement of certain deductions.
In some seasons, the difference is dramatic. In others, usually those between the Olympic years, the changes are more evolutionary. The Women's NCAA code modifications are, as the name implies, a modification of an existing code. In this case, it is the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic code for L10. This past year, the Junior Olympic code underwent a relatively large change. However, the NCAA modifications for women went through more of an evolutionary change. The underlying changes in the JO code, however, do ripple through, in the area of difficulty values and execution deductions.
Here's an event by event look at the NCAA rules for women in 2009-2010, what are some the current trends, and what to watch for in understanding the score. What follows below assumes some familiarity with scoring at the NCAA or USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic program level. This differs completely, for the women from the FIG code used in international competition. A short tutorial on scoring will be published at a later date.
Not all of the things we'll tackle here are new to this season -- we'll also address some of the most common sources of deductions that you'll see. With an increased emphasis on education, some items that were already existing deductions may seem to be more strongly enforced in the meets you are watching.
First off, however, let's highlight a few key execution deductions that impact all of the events:
- Hops and steps: Many fans are familiar with the deductions for hops and steps on dismounts and landings. Hops and small shuffles are worth up to 0.1, a step is 0.1, and a large step or hop (3 feet or more) is now a flat 0.2. A large 3 foot hop at the end of a vault, for example, is worth 0.2 points. Just because her feet stayed together does not mean she automatically qualifies for the smaller deduction. The deduction is measured by the distance covered, not the number of toes involved. A gymnast is allowed to take a step and be deducted on 0.1 (or 0.05 for a shuffle) and then bring the feet together in either order, as long as control is shown.
- Twisting: Crossed legs during twists (during salto or acrobatic skills) are now a flat 0.1 points of deduction. These are commonly seen on FX and BB dismounts.
- Feet: Flexed feet during value elements are now 0.05 points.
- Loss of Bonus: In the past, a poorly performed skill could lose bonus if enough execution deductions were tallied. Now, only a fall or the failure to meet certain minimum criteria for body position will invalidate a skill, perhaps even causing difficulty or combination bonus to be lost.
Vault
Vault once again remains largely unchanged at the NCAA level, in terms of the maximum value for difficulty ("Start Value") assigned to each vault. The value of the two of the most popular vaults, the Yurchenko layout with a full twist and the Yurchenko layout with a 1/2 twist, remain the same. The full chart is available at the Judges' web site.
For fans, a lot of emphasis is placed on the landing of the vault. But with an increasing number of the same vaults being performed, it is important to look at other aspects of execution. A good vault should show rise off the table and good distance. For the layout Yurchenko position, no piking of the hips should be shown. A common error is for an athlete to pike her hips down to complete the landing of a Yurchenko full. In constrast, an extreme arched position during a layout can also incur a deduction.
As noted, not all steps on landing are created equal. A small step of about 12 to 18 inches may be a tenth of deduction, but a larger step or hop of 3 feet is worth a flat 0.2. Arm motion, posture and movement of the trunk can also be deducted.
In addition to the landing, the form during the preflight (before contacting the table) is important, as well as during contact of the table. Bent arms are only allowed during certain types of vaults, and on the leading arm only.
Another common error on an otherwise dynamic vault is a low chest position on landing. A deep squat is also considered a fault. However, usually (but not always), piking down, a deep squat and a low chest are all interrelated to a vault with poor height and distance.
Uneven Bars
If you wanted to have a healthy debate, you could argue that the latest set of UB code modifications has made it easier to achieve a 10.0 start value (SV) without suffering built-in compositional deductions. A compositional deduction is one whereby the judges evaluate the content of the routine to ensure it meets certain standards for construction and content. These deductions can be thought of "extra requirements" in order for the gymnast to achieve a high score.
A routine that meets the basic requirements is valued at 9.5, with up to 0.5 points awarded in bonus from difficult skills and combinations. Changes in the underlying L10 code in the past few seasons now make achieving the required 0.5 points in bonus easier, as "C" level skills without a turn or release are not only eligible for bonus combinations but can also serve to avoid the "up to the level" compositional deduction.
In practical terms, this means we should begin to a see a greater variety of skills being competed. Skills that were once forgotten, like the clear hip to handstand (C), toe on to handstand (C) and Stalder to handstand (D in the NCAA code, C in the JO code), are all on the rise in use.
The "up to the level" deduction is used to ensure that routines meet a certain standard of difficulty. A few years ago, in both the NCAA and L10 competition, this meant two "D" rated releases and a dismount with bonus. This compositional deduction now can be satisfied by a D or harder dismount or C dismount sequence with bonus, plus a set of skills that meet one of the following criteria:
- Two D releases in combination or a C + C + D combination of releases
- A pirouetting sequence of D + D or C + C + D, in any order.
- A combination of a release and a pirouette, D + D or C + C + D.
However, only one of the skills in the above combinations must contain a release or pirouette to qualify.
- Two D releases
- A dismount sequence of D + D or C + C + D.
In today's code, the “up to the level” deduction is worth a 0.1 point flat deduction. It's all pretty complicated, but it does mean that a wider variety of routines can meet both the difficulty and compositional requirements of an NCAA 10.0 Start Value bars set. This season, the judges cannot take “up to the level” deductions in this category if the minimum standards are met. Last season, the judges had more latitude with start values. A routine composed to meet the minimum requirements for a 10.0 start value could be deducted based on a judgment of the overall difficulty of the releases and the combinations employed.
The NCAA code encourages the use of a greater variety of skills from different families. Gymnasts that primarily do backward swinging and pirouetting moves may suffer a compositional deduction. Judges can take up to 0.2 points for this flaw.
A gymnast can also be penalized a flat 0.05 for a routine that puts all the bonus difficulty in one section of the exercise. For example, a routine that begins with a series of D and E skills but ends with a series of handstands, giant swings and a C + C dismount, while being "up to the level", could see a deduction for insufficient distribution.
Fans of the sport begin to recognize that steps on dismounts, split legs, flexed feet and bent arms are deductions. Especially during tv or video broadcasts, a commentator will place a great deal of emphasis on hitting the handstand positions. In other words, each cast, swing or uprise to handstand needs to be completed within 10 degrees of vertical to avoid a deduction. This angle is measured from the position of the feet, not the position of the hips or shoulders (although excessive arch is another fault). This includes skills that end in handstand, like a Stalder (C) and clear/free hip to handstand (C) or for the release skills that end on the low bar in handstand, like the overshoot ½ to handstand (D). Failing to end within 20 degrees of vertical on these handstand release, cast and circling skills can result in a downgrade of the value of the skill.
Turns in handstands can also be deducted. For half or full turns done with two arms, the turn must finish within 20 degrees of vertical to avoid a deduction. For 1 ½ turns and “Healy” (and other turns) on one arm, the turn must finish within 30 degress of vertical.
Another common error occurs in the popular straddle cast to handstand. The distance to vertical in handstand is not supposed to be measured until the gymnasts feet come together. Sometimes, the gymnast's feet do not come together until the downswing begins, or they come together short of vertical, with a bit of a pike in the hips.
Another area that might not be noticed by fans is the distance, height and amplitude of the release elements. Was the release completed too close to the bar? Was the release caught with bent arms? "Flipping" releases such as the Jaeger (D) and Gienger (D) should be rotated with the hips above the bar, and caught while the shoulders are above bar height. Releases that show counter rotation, such as the Tkachev/reverse hecht, should also show counter-rotation and extension before regrasp.
Excessively bent arms during skills, loose body positions, labored skill execution, and other more subtle deductions can cause a cumulative deduction to be taken during the exercise. Dismounts are also another source of deduction. Besides good leg and toe form, be sure to watch for things other than just steps: a piked down double layout, a “cowboyed” (large led separation) on a double front, or low chest on a double pike.
Balance Beam
On the Beam, one popular skill that was devalued this year was the ever popular straddle jump in "cross" position (facing the end of the Beam; the side straddle jump is valued higher). It was devalued from a C to a B, which means certain bonus combinations no longer earn as much bonus. This serves to make it more difficult to achieve the five full tenths of bonus an athlete needs to get a 10.0 start value. Just last season, the frequently (over)used switch split to straddle jump to straddle jump earned a big 0.3 points in bonus. Now it earns just 0.1.
However, the NCAA and L10 code did not devalue the straddle jump with a 1/4 turn. This skill variation is now rising in popularity, as it is still worth a C. Similarly, the split jump with 1/2 turn is a C, and is seeing similar popularity.
Other than that, the code modifications were minor. Certain skills like the back handspring with full twist (with or without swingdown) are now an E, up from a D.
Dismounts that include a bonus combination into a "B" level skill would have garnered an "up to the level" compositional deduction last season. That restriction has been removed, enabling the return of dismount combinations such as the back layout stepout to immediate back layout full off the beam.
Judges can also take up to 0.1 off for insufficient distribution of elements. This means that difficulty should be distributed throughout the routine, and not just in the beginning. A routine with a big tumbling series and D/E skills in the first half, but only includes C level skills in the 2nd half, including the dismount, may be subject to this deduction. For this reason, you will see gymnasts put a D level leap or salto late in the routine.
So besides the code modifications and compositional deductions, what else are judges taking off for?
As on UB, common execution deductions like bent legs, flex feet, extra steps, and bent knees will be taken. If you are fan, you are also certainly able to spot the wobbles, major balance errors, and falls that all add up in deductions.
However, in today's NCAA competition, a large source of deductions, outside of the more obvious errors, is in the execution of the leaps and dance combinations. In particular, turning jumps need to be completed while still in the air, and split, pike, tuck and "wolf" positions must be clearly shown. In the case of the popular switch split leap (C), this means showing at least 45 degrees of leg angle on the first leg lift, before showing at least 135 degrees of split on the main part of the skill (to get credit only; 180 degrees and both legs parallel to the floor is required for no deduction). On tuck jumps, the thighs need to be above horizontal to escape deduction.
Turning jumps must show the full degree of turn to get credit, or get downgraded. Carefully watch the feet to ensure that the required turn has been completed. Sometimes, there is also a tell-tale shift of the upper body as a turning jump is "squared out" after the feet have already contact the beam.
Combinations of skills must show continuity of movement and the absence of concentration pauses. Skills like sheep jumps and ring leaps need to show the rear leg at head height to avoid deduction; a rear leg at hip height or without a proper head release (looking up to the sky) will not get credit.
Like on UB, there are cumulative execution deductions that can be taken, with regard to rhythm, dynamics, and elegance.
Floor Exercise
Floor scores are causing confusion among the fans this season. The changes to the NCAA code this season are the most significant on this event, versus the other three. In aggregate, the changes have served to lessen the importance of tumbling difficulty and have created sharper penalty on dance execution.
Last season, to avoid an "up to the level" deduction, a gymnast needed to finish their routine with a C+ bonus combination or greater and include a separate tumbling pass with a D salto. This season, all of the requirements can be satisfied by a single dismount series of three skills.
But, the biggest change for this season is the fact that, to avoid a deduction, a gymnast must earn bonus points from dance combinations. Without at least one tenth of bonus from dance, a gymnast will suffer a flat 0.1 deduction. This means execution of this series is critical. A stutter between jumps or an incomplete turn (1/4 or more) can result in the loss of bonus value plus the 0.1 point compositional deduction. A routine with flawless tumbling and with only 0.4 of tumbling bonus and with a missed dance bonus connection will now score no higher than a 9.8.
Gone also is the requirement for a dance combination. A dance "passage" must now include a leap (takeoff from one foot) that shows 180 degrees of split and is directly or indirectly (through steps or shuffles) to another leap or jump.
Increased attention is also being paid to execution of these dance series. Turning jumps need to be completed, and not "cheated" by turning the feet prior to the start of the skill or after the completion of the skill. Watch the position of the feet on the take-off of the turning jump. Sometimes, a gymnast may "cheat" either the start or the end of the skill. The gymnast may plant her lead foot (or feet) at angle and turn the hips before leaving the ground. Or, the gymnast may land short of the required turn and spin her feet around to complete the turn. In some cases, both faults are made!
The ever popular switch ring leap must show the lead leg rising to at least 45 degrees from vertical then the switch leg split to the required angle. Plus, the back leg must be bent at a 90 degree angle with the head showing release (neck bent, looking up) from vertical. Without the proper position, the skill could lose its C value and bonus is lost in the key dance combination.
Split positions need to be hit at least 160 degrees in order to get credit for the skill and to meet the special requirement. Missing a special requirement is worth 0.2 off the score. Positions are important, whether they be split, straddle, pike, "wolf" or tuck. Split or straddle jumps without 180 degrees of split may get credit but still garner a deduction.
These new changes are already reflecting in the lineups of some of the teams. Gymnasts with slightly weaker tumbling but with excellent dance execution may start earning lineup slots ahead of stronger tumblers with execution problems in their dance. Even some of the strongest tumblers in the NCAA are showing problems in the execution of their dance series. Although they may still be getting credit for the skill, they may be losing 0.05 or 0.1 because they did not hit a split or straddle position to the full extension required.
Fans should also pay attention to key parts of the tumbling execution, as it is still important. With the general ability of the athletes on the rise combined with relaxation of the difficulty requirements, execution becomes critical. Split or "cowboyed" (straddled) legs and flex feet in double backs/pikes will earn deductions. A low chest in landing a double pike or Rudi (front with 1 1/2 twists) is a common mistake, even if the skill appears to be otherwise "stuck". Ideally, the double pike should show an opening before landing as well. A gymnast that rotates a double pike and lands in a deep pike with her chest at horizontal should likely see a deduction of more than 0.1. A Rudi that pikes down and lands with the chest at horizontal is also a deduction.
It's also worth noting that there is no exception made (at least written!) for the difficulty of the skill. A low landing on a full-in or a cowboyed double Arabian should earn execution deduction. A routine packed with tumbling difficulty but with missed dance bonus and execution deductions, but with "hit" landings can still easily earn below a 9.7.
Control needs to be exercised during the landing, although unlike the elite code, the gymnast is allowed to assume a lunge position after landing. A lunge that is too large or done without showing control will get a deduction.
Crossed legs in front and back tumbling need to be cleaned up or risk a flat one-tenth (0.1) deduction each time. The use of the front layout-front layout combination is on the rise, as it earns 0.1 in (B+B) bonus without the risk of crossed legs during a twist. Also, a couple of seasons ago, these fell out of favor as the rules pushed for more difficult middle tumbling passes with at least a C salto. Execution problems still abound on this pass. Piking into a front layout is another common fault, and can even cause the loss of value and/or bonus points. Excessive arch or low amplitude (height above the floor) are also common errors in this skill.
Looking Forward
Unlike some of our past articles, we've combined some of the code changes with some of the more common deductions being seen this season. As the season wears on, you'll see the athletes begin to address these small corrections, and the level of the scores being to rise. So, keep in mind, although it may look like the scoring is easing up, in many cases, it is the execution that is improving as athletes and coaches address these finer points of execution. In some cases, you will see new combinations or skills inserted, in order to avoid deductions.
Does this all sound complicated? Well, it is. So, understandably, you are going to see some variation in application by the judges. Even something as simple as the judges position on the floor can affect his/her ability to catch a deduction or evaluate its severity. And, in rare circumstances, a mistake may be made. But, the increasing parity in skill level in the sport combined with higher standards for skill execution may be making it harder for fans to distinguish between similar performances. More and more teams are capable to performing routines that meet both the base and compositional requirements for a 10.0 score. But, as youve seen, there is still plenty of room left in the area of execution to allow the judges to separate the great from the good.
Some Handy References:
A cheat sheet for the Junior Olympic code is located here at the USA Gymanstics web site. Remember, only the execution deductions for the USA Gymnastics apply in NCAA competition. Different Special Requirements and Compositional Deductions apply in NCAA competition.
The NCAA modifications are located at the judges website. The Full Modifications. The Judges' Reference. Clarifications.