ROTATIONS
SCORING
Six athletes compete on each event and the highest FIVE scores count, meaning teams get to drop the lowest score on each event. Those FIVE scores are added together for a team’s combined event score and then all four event scores add up to the team’s final score.
Start value is the starting score that the judges will take deductions from. On bars, beam and floor, gymnasts start from a 9.4 and 0.6 or more worth of bonus is added to the routine to make it start from a 10.0.
During a routine, the judges will take deductions throughout the routine for flaws in the execution of the skills. Execution is the form or technique of a skill. Things like steps on landings or flexed feet can range from .05-.3 off, depending on the severity of the mistake.
Vault is a little different since there isn’t a routine but just one skill performed. On the event, each vault has a specific start value depending on the difficulty of the move. Most of the vaults you’ll see at a given collegiate gymnastics meet start from a 9.95, but more difficult vaults start from a 10.0.
KEY TERMS
All-arounder: A gymnast who competes on all four eventsHit: When a gymnast performs a routine well and provides a usable scoreRotation: When all gymnasts compete on one event (think: inning or quarter)Salute: The official start and end of a routineSpecialist: A gymnast who competes on three or fewer events. Commonly referred to as a “(insert event here) specialist.”Stick: A landing that is fully controlled with no extra steps or movement once the gymnast’s feet hit the ground.
