You Be The Judge
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Difficulty Score: difficulty and technical content
The Difficulty Score represents what was previously known as the start value and includes difficulty and credit for connections (two high-level skills that are connected) and element group requirements, which are the basic categories of skills/elements that must be included in a routine. The element group requirements vary by apparatus. This score is determined by the A Panel, which is a two-person panel.
The difficulty value is determined by totaling values for the 10 most difficult skills, which includes the dismount. Each skill has a set difficulty value, as outlined in the Code of Points, and for the women are divided into seven classifications, with six for the men. The difficulty value of a skill or element is not recognized if it fails to meet its technical requirements. Also, credit is also only given once for a skill.
Connection value is awarded when specific skills or skill types are executed successfully in succession. The women can earn connection values for the balance beam, uneven bars and floor exercise, while the men can earn it for the floor exercise, still rings and horizontal bar. For men and women, each connection value is either 0.1 or 0.2 points.
Element group requirements are the basic skills or elements that must be included in each routine and vary by apparatus. This area is similar to the special requirements in the past. If all of the requirements are included, a maximum of 2.5 points is awarded.
Execution Score: execution, artistry, composition and technique
The Execution Score, determined by a six-person B Panel, now begins at 10 and deductions are made for errors and faults in technique, execution and artistry/composition. Each judge independently determines his/her score. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the gymnast’s Execution Score is the average of the remaining four judges’ scores. Deductions for neutral errors are subracted from the sum of the Difficulty and Execution Scores.
The deductions for various errors have changed and now range from 0.1 point for a small error to 0.8 point for a fall. Neutral errors include those for stepping out of bounds or violating time requirements, as well as attire or podium violations.
Total score
The gymnast’s final score is the total of the Difficulty and Execution Scores less any deductions for neutral errors. Here’s an example on how the scoring is calculated. The example uses a woman’s routine.
Difficulty Score
Difficulty# (4C=4x.3, 4D=4x.4, 2E-2x.5) +3.8 points
Element groups (5x0.5) +2.5 points
Connection value^ +0.6 points
Total Difficulty Score 6.9 points
Execution Score*
Base start 10 points
Deductions&
Execution -0.7 points
Composition/artistry -0.3 points
Total Execution Score 9.0 points
Final score 15.9 points
* The Execution Score is calculated by averaging the middle four of six scores.
# Includes a D level dismount.
& For the men, deductions are listed as exercise presentation deductions rather than divided into execution and composition/artistry.
^ The connection value used in the example is for women and does not reflect a viable number for the men.
This explanation of the new scoring system reflects the set-up at FIG events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups.
As the system is used, the FIG may make adjustments as needed, which has been done in the past with other changes. Although the “10” designation is no longer the top score, the new system enables fans to see what a gymnast has scored and how it was determined. The new system, in essence, is a new calculation of the previous pieces of start value, deductions and score.
How would you score the following routines ?