Junior Olympic Rules

Includes Updates 1 & 2

Contents

• Judging Mechanics• JO Judging Guidelines • JO Judging Rules• Compulsory Judging Rules• Optional Judging Rules• Junior Olympic Vault Rules

NGJA 2

TOM VARNER

Judging Mechanics

Before the Meet

• Know your assignment• Study your event• Have a phone number of someone

at the meet.• Make cheat sheets• Get Directions to the gym• Be on time

– On time is 1 hour prior to march in

Before the Routine• Know the competition level• Check equipment

– Set for level; check mat requirements• Verify:

– The compulsory routine – Optional requirements

• Check your equipment– Ink / lead– Cheat sheets– Flasher / score card

• Verify the competitor #– Call name if possible to help verify

• Signal gymnast

During Routine (Comp.)

• Note missing or added parts– Need to identify somehow on your

paper

• Record execution errors• Record any bonus eligible parts• Note Stick bonus

After Routine (Compulsory)

• Record base score• Record bonus score • Sum the deductions• Record final score• Check math

During Routine (Optional)

• Record every skill– Symbols (very important)– Or Difficulty with Element Group

somehow designated

• Record execution errors– Might be good to use letters

instead of numbers for deductions– s m l

After Routine (Opt. - Symbols)• Identify Difficulty of the presentation• Identify Element Group requirements• Identify Bonus eligible presentation• Record Presentation errors• Compute Start Value

• Difficulty + EG + Bonus• Determine the Final Execution Score

• Subtract total deductions from 10.0• Sum the Start Value and Presentation• Subtract any Neutral Deductions

• May be provided a way to record this• Record Final Score• Check math

What is start value?

• Technically - Difficulty + EG score + Bonus• Sometimes you may add total presentation

score (10.0)

• This is dependent on the scoring system.• Most of the time the Start value is flashed

including the 10.0 for presentation.• Some scoring systems require them to be

input separately.

NGJA 10

After Meet

• Sign sanction form• Verify all scores are in• Check with Meet Director

or Host before leaving• Pick up check

Junior Olympic Judging Guidelines

• The slides in this presentation represent the JO program document and the updates from the AGC.

• It assumes knowledge of the FIG and USA / NGJA Interpretations.

• Yellow boxes identify updates• Underlines in text identify updates

NGJA 13

Junior Olympic Compulsory Guidelines

Junior Olympic – Compulsory Levels

Level

Score Components

Base Score Specified Bonus

Virtuosity Stick Bonus Maximum Score

3 No Evaluation Criteria

4 10.0 1.0 .5 .2 11.7

5 10.0 1.5 .5 .2 12.2

6 10.0 1.5 .5 .2 12.2

7 10.0 2.0 .5 .2 12.7

See Vault Section for Vault Scoring

14NGJA

General rules

B. Uniforms – Levels 6 through 10 follow FIG guidelines

• Dark pants are allowed

– Levels 4 & 5 required to have shirts and shorts with or without footwear

– Must wear a shirt at all times (even warm-ups)– No jewelry of any kind– Medium deduction (-.03) per event

• Must warn gymnast & coach

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C. Coaches Attire–No sandals–No denim or cargo–Collared shirts–No hats–No back packs while spotting

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D. Spotting– Spotters required HB, SR, V– No spotters FX & PH

• Spotter deduction -.5 from final score

– Additional spotters allowed on SR, V, PB, HB– Spotters must be USAG member and safety certified– Incidental touch is not a deduction– Cannot spot on a level higher than the landing error

NGJA 17

Equipment Rules

• FIG height is maximum height.– No minimum height on PH, V, PB

• Panel mats can be used to mount.• Spring board can only be used on PB and Vault• See Table for minimal mat requirements

– FX – can use additional mat for “C” value skills (up to 4”)

– Additional 8” mat can be used on SR, V, PB and HB

18NGJA

Junior Olympic Judging Rules

General Rules

A. Document Precedence– JO rules and Updates take precedence – NGJA rules are next in line– Unless superseded by above documents the FIG

rules stand

B. Judging Duties– judges perform both D and E Jury tasks– No time limit on Floor Exercise

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C. Minimum score– Minimum score for any event is 1.0

D. Range of Allowable Scores

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E Panel Score Allowable Deviation

9.60 – 10.0 0.10

9.4 – 9.6 0.20

9.0 – 9.4 0.30

8.5 – 9.0 0.40

8.0 – 8.5 0.50

7.5 – 8.0 0.60

< 7.50 0.70

E. Routine Repetition– One attempt allowed– Can repeat a routine, if something occurs that is out of

the gymnasts control

F. Spotting Deductions– Spotting deductions taken from final score– No spotter when required

• Deduct .3 and warn• An additional infraction will disqualified athletes on that event

– Assistance gets a 1.0 deduction and execution errors• Denial of skill value is at the discretion of the judge

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G. There is no video tape reviewH. Falls

– A fall onto or from the apparatus will be deducted 1.0.– Announce 30 seconds to remount and sound off the

remaining seconds (20, then 10, then 5)– Coach can ask judge if the last skill received credit.– A fallen skill may be repeated to earn its value.

• This includes dismounts for both compulsory and optional routines.• Includes special bonus skills

J. Stick Landings– A stick landing means the feet do not move.

23NGJA

Compulsory Judging Guidelines

Score Components

B. Base Score– “E” score is 10.0 for all compulsory routines

C. Specified Bonus– Each specified bonus skill receives 0.5– Different levels have differing numbers of stated

specified bonus.– Can be repeated ????? Not clear look for further

clarification– Not awarded if there is a large error (-0.5) or fall.

• There are exceptions written in the code

25NGJA

Score ComponentsD. Virtuosity

– New definition for the compulsory routines.– There are skills with stated virtuosity value.

• Three in each routine– Can only be awarded for a skill with a small error (0.1) or

less.– Maximum of 0.5 can be awarded

• 0.1 for each stated virtuosity• Up to 0.2 at the judges discretion

E. Stick Bonus – All stuck landings are +0.2– Levels 4 – 6 PH divided between Mushroom and horse

26NGJA

Table of Routine Errors and Deductions

Error Deduction

Missing Part 1.0

Non-recognized Part Element no recognized and execution deductions

Routine Composition Error 0.5 once per routine

Fall (per FIG) 1.0

Large Error 0.5

Medium Error 0.3

Small Error 0.1

Empty and intermediate swings (per FIG)

Empty (1/2 ) 0.3Intermediate (full) 0.5

27NGJA

F. Specific Guidelines1. Explanation of a part and composition error

– A part is identified as a numbered skill or set of skills.– Missing part is omitted or unrecognizable– A part is partially completed if more than 50% has been

performed.• It should receive credit and the appropriate execution deductions.

– Added parts like circles on PH or giants on HB are routine composition error.

– Routines done out of sequence represent a routine composition error.

– Added swings are not routine composition errors. They are intermediate and empty swings.

– Routine Composition Deduction is .5

28NGJA

2. Handstands are shown at plus or minus 15 degrees.5. Required Holds

– Are two (2) second holds.– Momentary holds must show a definite hold to 1 sec.

• No momentary hold receives a 0.1 deduction

6. Added holds are rhythm errors– Multiple added holds are a routine composition error

7. Steps– no required number of steps– If stated in number, more or less deduct -.1

29NGJA

Event Guidelines8. Specified Bonus

– Specified Bonus• +.5 each• No large deductions can be present• Can repeat a skill for value

– Virtuosity Bonus• Maximum +.5 per routine; 3 stated bonus per routine• Individual skills can get a maximum of +.1 • Get the bonus if .1 deduction or less• Additional +.2 available

– Stick Bonus• +.2 per dismount• PH split on For Level 4 through 6 between PH and mushroom

30NGJA

Event Guidelines9. Vault Bonus

– Virtuosity Bonus• Up to .5 for exceptional power and blocking• Awarded in increments of small med and large

– Stick Bonus• +.2 for stuck landing• Level 5 bounder can have a rebound and then stick

10. Salto requirement– FX and dismount saltos rotate around center of mass.

11. PH – Single leg cuts and pendulum swings– top leg horizontal and hips

extended– All elements start and end in front support– Extra circles are judged for execution only

31NGJA

12. SR– Basic swings involves the turnover action

13. Vault– No zero vaults– Deduct 1.0 from start value of the second vault.– No third attempts

14. HB– Unless specified all swings will be tap swings

32NGJA

Specific Errors and Deductions for Compulsory Vault

Error Small Medium Large

Run Deductions

Slows before hurdle, insufficient velocity .1 .3 N/A

Improper arm swing in run .1 .3 N/A

Stutter steps or rhythm break .1 .3 N/A

Hurdle Deductions

Insufficient knee lift .1 .3 N/A

Feet not clearly in front of hips .1 .3 N/A

Reach insufficient or poor arm lift .1 .3 N/A

Pre-Flight

Diving or insufficient rotation .1 .3 .5

Body position too arched or piked .1 .3 .5

FIG deductions .1 .3 .5

Post-Flight

Repulsion not within 15 degrees of vertical .1 .3 .5

Lack of distinct lift .1 .3 .5

Body too arched or piked .1 .3 .5 33NGJA

Optional Judging Guidelines

Routine Construction Table

Levels

8 9 10

Presentation “E” Score 10.0 10.0 10.0

FX, PH, SR, PB, HB

See Vault Section for Vault Rules

Number of skills for “D” Score

8(7 +

Dismount)

8(7 +

Dismount)

10(9 +

Dismount)

No limit to the number of skills that can “count” in an Element Group

Element Group(must count dismount)

2.0 2.5 2.5

Required Dismount Value(only designated skills)

B B C

Stick Bonus for Required Dismount Level

.2 .2 .2

Execution Bonus With .8 or less in deductions

.2 .2 .2 35NGJA

B. General bonus– Execution bonus is awarded if there is less than .8

in deductions– Added to the start value and can only be awarded

if the EG receives full value– Stick Bonus

• +.2 for stuck dismounts• Added to the Start value

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1. FX– Multiple salto skills +0.1

• Level 10 – stretched double salto skill +0.2

– “C + C” connected acrobatic skills +0.12. PH

– “B or higher” flair skill +0.1• Does not apply to JO excepted dismount

– “B or higher” spindle skill +0.1– “B or higher” flair spindle +.2– Magyar skill with 1 circle in center E

• Can only be done once

– Magyar skill with 2 circles in center F• Can only be done once

– Flop sequences below C and EG IV• Stockli B to Stockli B• Stockli B to pommel loop• Pommel loop to Stockli B

37NGJA

Event Specific Specified Bonus3. SR

– EGIII and EGIV “B or higher” skills +0.1 (up to -0.3 ded.)

38NGJA

4. VT – First vault scored normally– If decide to do bonus vault, must announce so and the name

of the vault– Both vaults must flip, come from different EG but can have

the same second flight– Second vault cannot have a large error– Determine the sum of the SV to find the bonus– Bonus added to SV of the first vault– Add stick bonus for both vaults– If balk at first vault, cannot do the bonus

NGJA 39

Event Specific Specified Bonus5. PB

– All Giant swings with turns +0.16. HB

– “C” EGll +0.1– “D” EGll +0.2– Quintero to elgrip (“E” value) +0.2– Any “E or higher” EGll skill +0.3– Any Kovacs +.3– “C+ C” connected EGll +0.1– “C” value Jam to handstand +0.1

40NGJA

D. General Exceptions1. Dismount Exceptions

– Only a skill designated as a dismount may receive EG5– Level 8 & 9 require a “B” EG5 dismount for full value– Level 10 requires a “C” EG5 dismount for full value

2. Recognizable skills– Any recognizable skill not listed in FIG, Interpretations, Updates, or JO manual receives

an “A” value with no element group– New or original skills not listed receive an “A” value with no EG until evaluated by

committee

3. Straddling of the legs is permitted on skills including strength and hold.4. Short routine rule

– Less than 6 skills is deducted from the “E” score– Deduct 1.0 for each skill less than 6

• 5 skills = -1.0, 4 skills = -2.0

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General Exceptions

5. Skill exceptions– Skills designated by the JO Committee have their

own “virtual” code box– But cannot repeat the “base skill”– Exception is Peach on PB

• Can repeat the B peach and the FIG peach

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Exceptions to the FIG1. FX

– Can use a 4” mat for “C or higher” value skills– Cannot use the mat for rebounding or to punch– Level 10 can only perform one roll-out skill of “C” or higher

value• Levels 8 & 9 are not allowed

2. PH– Skewing deductions are taken once per skill

• Differs from the FIG rule; of deducting per section– Any handstand dismount as long as you do not use feet to

push off the horse receives “C” credit and a maximum of -0.5 in deduction

• If use feet or legs to push off no EG or difficulty

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3. SR– Front or back salto tucked EG5 and “A”– No Guczoghy skills– No Li Ning skills– Level 10 can only perform 2 honma skills from EG1.

Additional from EG3 allowed• Level 8 & 9 can only perform 1 honma skill EG1. Additional from

EG3 allowed

4. VT – Hand front pike w ½ (vault number 120) = 4.0 SV– L8 can only perform EG1 and EG2– L9 can do EG3 maximum 1 salto and 1 twist

44NGJA

Exceptions to the FIG

5. PB– Peach to less than nominal hand with straight

arms “B”– Stutz above 45 degrees “B”– Front or back salto tucked EG5 and “A”– Giant swing backward may be performed twice– Peach hand may be performed twice– An empty swing (1/2) allowed prior to EGIII and

EGIV skills

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6. HB– Front or back salto tucked EG5 and “A”– Any “C” EGll can be repeated as long as it is done in direct connection

with another “C or higher” EGll– An elgrip hop to undergrip that goes over the bar receives EGIV credit

(must complete giant afterwards) “A” value• Also includes a hop pirouette

– After a release can perform a swing with ½ turn• “A” no EG

– Maximum 5 forward and backward movements. The fifth movement is a skill.

– Partial backuprise up to the 4th swing is ok. No deduction– Jam skill evaluation

46NGJA

Element Group IV Jam Difficulty

0 to 15 C + .1

16 to 45 C

46 to 90 B

< horizontal A

Junior Olympic Vault Rules

• Landing:– Small step or hop (< shoulder) = 0.1– Large step or hop (> shoulder) = 0.3– Touch hand w/o support = 0.3– Touch hands w/ support = 1.0– Fall = 1.0

• Axis:– Touching 1 foot/hand outside the zone = 0.1– Touching 2 feet/hands, other, outside = 0.3– Landing directly outside the zone = 0.3– Land w one foot out and step out

with other foot = 0.3• The distance from the table to the 1.5 meter mark is

600cm. (approx 19.5 feet)

Basics of Compulsory Vault Evaluation

Alignment S, M, L Height S, M, LBody S, M, L

Legs S, M, LBody S, M, L

Arms S, M, L Base scoreLegs S, M, L Performance Bonus Preparation S, M, LBody S, M, L Stick Bonus

Start value Landing ErrorsDeductions Small step or hop S

Run Final score Large step or hop MSpeed, Stride, arms S,M Touch hands w/o support M

Hurdle Axis Deductions Touch hands w/ support -1.0Foot position, arms, no knee lift S,M 1 hand or foot S Fall -1.0

2 feet or hands Mland with both feet or hands M

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Compulsory Vault Table Error Small Med Large L4 L5 L6 L7

Run deductions Forward handspring to back

Bounder Front Handspring

¼ ¼ 12.0 Hndsprg 12.0 Handspring 1/1 12.5 Yamashita 12.5 Yamashita ½ 13.0

Base 10.0 V .5

Base 10.0 V .5 Stick .2

Base 10.0 V .5 Stick .2

Run Runs slows before hurdle

.1 .3 N/A Must increase in speed

20 to 60 feet

Improper arm swing

.1 .3 N/A Rhythmical swing

Stride issues .1 .3 N/A Hurdle Deductions

Insufficient knee lift

.1 .3 N/A Body should not rise

Feet not clearly in front of hips

.1 .3 N/A

Arm circle or swing insufficient

.1 .3 N/A

Pre-Flight Deductions Diving or insufficient rotation to table

.1 .3 .5 Str arm; quick blocking action

Distinct rise

Too arched or piked

.1 .3 .5

Other deductions per FIG

.1 .3 .5

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Compulsory Vault Table Error Small Med Large L4 L5 L6 L7

Run deductions Forward handspring to back

Bounder Front Handspring

¼ ¼ 12.0 Hndsprg 12.0 Handspring 1/1 12.5 Yamashita 12.5 Yamashita ½ 13.0

Base 10.0 V .5

Base 10.0 V .5 Stick .2

Base 10.0 V .5 Stick .2

Post-Flight Deductions Repulsion greater than 15 degrees

.1 .3 .5

Lack of distinct rise .1 .3 .5 Body too arched or piked

.1 .3 .5 Maintain str body

Str arms; full extension

Landing Deductions No maximum deduction for steps etc.

Small step or hop (each) < shoulder width

Larger step or hop (> shoulder width); touch hands w/o support

Touch hands with support; Fall -1.0

Controlled landing with tight body

Controlled landing

Basics of Optional Vault Evaluation

SV

- Deductions

Score

+ Performance Bonus

+ Stick Bonus

Score

2nd vault Bonus if awarded

Final Score

SV

- Deductions

Score

+ Performance Bonus

+ Stick Bonus

Score

2nd vault Bonus if awarded

Final Score .3

Type of error Small (.10) Medium (.30)

Large (.50)

D Jury Deductions Deviation from axis (80 cm) 1 hand or foot

over line both feet,

hands over line

Land Outside lines

Approach > 25 m (D jury) + Illegal or prohibited vault 0.0 Failure to use safety collar 0.0

Type of error Small (.10) Medium (.30)

Large (.50)

E Jury Deductions Execution errors in 1st flight + + + Technical errors in 1st flight + + +

Handstand position not passing through vertical

+ + +

Execution errors in 2nd flight + + + Technical errors in 2nd flight + + +

Insufficient height + + + Lack of extension in preparation

for landing + +

Vault Optional Rules• One vault Level 8 & 9• Level 10 can do 2 vaults• 25 meter start• may only take off forwards or backwards

– For RO entry safety collar mandatory– hand mat before board OK for RO entry only

• Level 8 cannot do EGIII, IV, V vaults• Level 9 cannot do multi- salto or twist > 1/1

twisting in EGIII, no EG IV or V

Vault Optional Rules

• JO has no zero vault except failure to attempt– 2nd attempt with 1.0 deduction– No 3rd attempt score = 1.0

JO Vault Bonus TableLevel 10 Bonus

Sum of SV Bonus6.4 to 7.1 .27.2 to 7.9 .38.0 to 8.7 .4

8.8 to 9.5 .59.6 & above .6

•Add the difficulty score for the two vaults and determine Bonus eligibility. Bonus is added to start value of first vault.

•Both vaults must flip; no large error on bonus vault.

•Coach must state intention of 2nd vault, and name the vault.

•Both from different EG; same post flight is OK

• Salto vaults must display a distinct opening phase in preparation for landing.

• Vaults must show conspicuous rise above center of gravity at time of spt.

• A landing that is not prepared is a sign of an error in technique and will usually result in a technical execution deduction as well as a landing deduction.

• Article 40• I. Handspring / Yamashita• II. Tsukahara / Kasamatsu• III. Round-off Entry• IV. Round-off w ½ tw entry• V. Round-off w 1/1 tw entry

Vault – Zero Vaults• Steps on to the springboard and/or touches the horse

w/o vaulting.• Approach interrupted and the gymnast returns for a

second attempt.• Vault so poorly executed that it cannot be

recognized. Or pushes off with feet• The gymnast double touches the horse.• Does not touch horse.• Feet do not touch first in landing (at least 1)• Land intentionally in a side stand.• Performs a prohibited vault • 2nd vault same as first• No safety collar for RO entry vault