Here is a list of some of the most common or most used gymnastics deductions taken by judges. These deductions are applicable to compulsory gymnastics levels 1-5. If you are looking for ways to improve your gymnastics score this might be a good place to start. By being more aware of what deductions judges are looking for, you can work hard to make sure you don’t earn them! The error is listed first followed by the deduction that is taken from the start value. When the deduction listed is an “up to” deduction, the judge uses their discretion to decide how much should be taken, up to the maximum value. Also remember that in compulsory gymnastics deductions are taken on any mistakes you make in performing the routine as well as any mistakes made in the execution of the skills. So knowing the exact routine is important!
Update 7/27: These HAVE been updated for the new gymnastics rules for 2013-2021.
General Compulsory Gymnastics Deductions:
(These apply on Uneven Bars, Beam and Floor Exercise.)
- Toes not pointed on major skills: each time .05
- Legs separated when they should be together: up to .20
- Not maintaining tight body position on skills: up to .20
- Bent arms or legs: up to .30
- Balance errors- small, medium,large: up to .30
- Fall: .50
Uneven Bars Compulsory Gymnastics Deductions:
(The general deductions apply as well as these specific Uneven Bars deductions.)
- Extra cast or swing: .30
- Extra arm swing after landing dismount: up to .10
- Taking steps after landing dismount: each .10 (max .40)
- Very large step or jump after landing dismount: .20
- Additional upper-body movements to maintain balance on landing dismount: up to .30
- Squat upon landing dismount: up to .30
Balance Beam Compulsory Gymnastics Deductions:
(The general deductions apply as well as these specific Balance Beam deductions.)
- Failure to kick leg horizontal or above when required: up to .10
- Uneven leg separation in leaps/jumps: up to .10
- Insufficient split when required: up to .20
- Extra kick up to handstand: .30
- Grasping beam to avoid a fall: .30
- Swinging arms upon landing of dismount: up to .10
- Taking steps after landing dismount: each .10 (max .40)
- Very large step or jump after landing dismount: .20
- Additional upper-body movements to maintain balance after landing dismount: up to .30
- Squat upon landing dismount: up to .30
Floor Exercise Compulsory Gymnastics Deductions:
(The general deductions apply as well as these specific Floor Exercise deductions.)
- Failure to kick leg horizontal or above when required: up to .10
- Uneven leg separation in leaps/jumps: up to .10
- Insufficient split when required: up to .20
- Extra kick up to handstand: .30
We haven’t listed vault deductions because the deductions are different for each compulsory gymnastics level. And for the other events, this is not a comprehensive list of the deductions gymnastics judges use to score compulsory gymnastics routines, these are just some of the most commonly used. We hope this helps to give you a better idea of how gymnastics routines are scored. Here is a list of common optional gymnastics deductions.
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55 Comments
Thanks for sharingf. What is the deduction for undergarment showing?
Hi Jennifer,
Most judges would ignore a slip of underwear or bra strap, but if it’s blatant and a clear violation then there is a .2 deduction for incorrect attire. Let me know if you have more questions 🙂
Jessica
What is the lowest score u can get on bars?
What about music and nail polish deductions?
No but some coaches prefer for you to not wear nail Polish.
Why can’t we wear nail polish.
because it can be a distraction to some people
I have a comp tomorrow and I am nervous , I’m trying so hard to kick up to a handstand on beam but it’s not full what’s the deduction for that and also my bars, my legs keep separating is that a high deduction??
For not kicking up to vertical on handstand can be up to .03 and for every time your legs are separate on bars is up to 0.2 depending on how far apart they are.
Hello. My daughter had a level 4 completion this weekend and lost her grip prior to performing first kip on lowbar. She did not fall but instead swung twice prior to recovering and basically doing a kip from no swing. Would there be .3 deductions for each swing prior to the kip?
Yes there would be.
What is the deduction for finishing off the music on a floor routine?
That is a 0.1 deduction.
How much of a deduction would it be to arch in a jump to high bar?
0.2 about
Is there a deduction on any/all of the events for your head sticking out?
It could be depending on how bad
Up to .2
What’s the deduction for only having 2 skills in a tumbling pass?
That depends on the level, in level 6, you can do a front tuck as a pass with no deductions besides how well the tuck is performed. Also, in Xcel, at least in the lower levels, many gymnasts will have passed with less than three skills.
Hi – This site is really helpful. Thanks. I also have a question – in a young children’s competition (elite) if the coach has to step in unexpectedly and use his hand to support the child over the vault due to incorrect hand placement – what would be the deduction?
Do you get marked down for natural hyperextension of the elbows? My daughter has this and I cannot seem to find out if its classes as bent arms or not? Its natural for her not caused by an injury?
I have a competition on Friday and had my last practice today, I’m really worried about my bar routine. I can link my kip to my cast but the cast is not very high, and in this competition you lose 0.5 for the cast not being above horizontal. I don’t know whether to pause after my kip to allow myself to get the cast higher or not? The additional problem is that I can link my back hip circle to my squat on and kip on high bar but I cannot link my high bar kip to my undershoot off. I want to do the best I can in this comp, so I don’t know what to do? Pause or go for it?
What about bra strap deductions???????
I think most judges just ignore it, but if it’s blatant and/or a clear violation there is a 0.2 deduction.
How many points do they deduct if your legs are bent and not together in your back-handspring?
Is there a deduction for an anklet/braided friendship string style?
how about feet crossing/covering one another on bars instead of side by side?
What about contractions, or proper placement in the floor, even not doing required skills?
Hi! What is the deduction for stepping out of the square in floor? Also, what is the deduction for having bent legs in a back handspring? Thanks!
Whats the deduction of not holding your hanstand on beam long enough
What is the deduction for having a hair tie fall out in a routine?
What deductions would it be if you forgot to salute at the end of your routine?
How much is it if you are level five and you do a round of back hand spring back handspring
For my bar tap swings what’s the most u can get off for it togther
Can the gymnast do a shoulder press on level 3 1/4 turn dismount if falling the wrong way to correct it ?
What’s the deduction for a skirt no long then the very upper thigh in ARTISTIC gymnastics??
Cause I just bought one & going to where for a competition please inform me fast
I also have another question is it okay if you do a backhandspring step out on FLOOR instead of a regular backhandspring
Please reply to both my questions
I also have another question is it okay if you do a backhandspring step out on FLOOR instead of a regular backhandspring
Please reply to both my questions
Hi – all of your questions would best be answered by your coaches. The answers depend on what level you are and could depend on a few other things as well, so it’s best to ask your coaches.
What is the deduction for bending your legs during pullover
Bending your arms/legs on any event/position is up to a .3 deduction
If possible please answer my question as well
How much is the duduction if you go the wrong derection on FLOOR
is there a deduction for sticking your head out in handstand on beam?
What’s the deduction for wearing shorts?
There is no deduction as long as they are plain black and have no logos
What’s the deduction for having a bracelet on during a competition?
Any deduction fir standing on the floor in level 3- 6
thanks!
My daughter fell off the beam while doing her routine. How much is the deduction for that? She also took 1 step forward while doing her routine on the bars how much is that deduction as well?
It’s about 0.5 for the fall on beam. On bars depending on the size of the step it could be up to 0.5 or usually it’s around 0.3