2004-2005 NGJA/USAG Rules Interpretations #6
Dan Bachman
National Technical Vice President
National Gymnastics Judges Association
The MPC has authorized a skills evaluation committee to interpret skills
and publish these for use in
Changes
from a previous version of this document will show *** in front of the interpretation.
Depending on how often elements are submitted, this document could get updated very frequently. Please consult this often.
If you have additional questions on the 2004 - 2005 rules, please click here to e-mail those to the skills committee. Please feel free to include attachments with video clips or drawings.
The old Code
2001-2005 will be valid for 2005, with the following adjustments (FIG – Jan.
2005):
- Special Requirements, except dismount requirements
will count 0.10 points instead of 0.20 points, in other words – each
missing Special Requirement (except dismount requirements) will be
deducted with 0.10 points.
- Dismount requirements will remain
unchanged.
By consequence, Chapter 4, “The Evaluation of
Competition Exercises”, Art. 11, “General Rules”, point 2 will have the following content:
A-Jury
Difficulty 2.80 points
Special
Requirements 0.60
points
Bonus Points 1.60 points
5.00
points
B-Jury
Exercise presentation
(technique and position) 5.00
points
Document Precedence
Please refer to the NGJA document precedence rules as outlined in "NGJA Document Precedence"
These rules determine which documents apply to each level of competition and in what priority order.
How to Submit New Elements for Evaluation?
If you are a coach and wish to submit a new element or sequence for evaluation, please send me mail.
General Rules
The following guidelines determine
how to evaluate unlisted skills and when to give no value for a skill:
- Skills not listed in the code:
Strength skills on PB not already listed are non-permitted elements (ex. V-sit)
Strength skills on SR in straddle where not listed as straddled are non-permitted elements (ex. straddled maltese)
Specific elements listed in the NGJA/USAG interpretations are non-permitted
Skills not listed but that are simple versions of existing A skills or are transitional skills are given no value and no deduction (ex. cartwheel and forward roll on FX, shoulder roll on PB)
Other skills must be interpreted using your
best gymnastics sense, and submitted for evaluation. No interpretation will be
considered official for
- Skills will be not recognized if:
They have deductions that specifically require non-recognition based on performance factors (ex. inverted cross >45 high)
There is no momentary landing position shown where required (ex. dismount that lands on all fours or on back)
The skill is not permitted (see above)
Skill Evaluations
Floor Exercise
1. A gymnast can only straddle up to a V, Manna, or handstand if he starts from a split. Once the legs come together they must remain together.
2. When pressing through to handstand from an L or V sit, the legs must remain together. (disregard drawing in the code showing a straddle)
3. All side flipping skills must show at least head height. Also, side flips must show a distinct side flipping rotation prior to the vertical.
4. Arabian front flips must show completion of the 1/2 turn before the feet pass the vertical position (above the head).
5. A round off is now an A skill, a cartwheel remains a permitted skill with no value.
6. Front Salto Tuck and Pike remain in one box, with Front Salto Stretched in a seperate box. This is an exception to the way all other front salto skills are valued. (Please refer to FIG MTC newsletter #16)
7. Article 27 rule 3e (combining and connecting passes) is interpreted as follows:
All multiple skill passes are categorized as 1 of 2 Types
Type 1 Any pass with 2 bounding elements that can be
combined, including 1 element of D or higher natural value (box in the code)
Type 2 All other passes with 2 or more bounding elements that can
be combined
In any routine, a gymnast can do as many Type 1 passes
as possible, and the combining rules apply to all of them.
Additionally, a gymnast will be allowed to use the
combining and connecting rules on the first 2 Type 2 passes performed.
All other Type 2 passes
receive the values of the individual skills with no combining or connecting.
Some examples:
routine
1
DB
first Type
1
=E
BB
second Type
2
=C
DBC third
Type
2
=DBC
CB
fourth Type
2
=CB
routine
2
EB
first Type
1
=SE
BDC second
Type
2
=E+D
BD
second Type
1
=E
CC
third Type
2
=CC
DB
third Type
1
=E
All of these examples assume that there are no repeated skills and that all
passes are eligible for combination under Article 27 rule 3b.
For additional examples see the FIG MTC Q&A document http://www.ngja.org/pub/0001/fig2001/q&a.zip
8. A double front tuck with a full turn = E
value (USAG
9. A full twisting “front” side somi = C value (Element Group V “sideward elements” – only if it truly
shows a side position in the air, otherwise, it will be Element Group I which
is the forward acrobatic element group). USAG
10. Back layout quadruple twist (4/1 twists) =
Super E value (USAG
Pommel Horse
1. A 3/4 Bailie (Bailie down, saddle to end) is a pommel loop which starts from a 1/2 wendeswing backward. It includes a 1/2 turn in 1 (or 1 1/2) circles and is therefore a stockli (B value in group IV).
2. A full Bailie (from saddle to saddle) includes 2 full circles with a 1/4 turn in each circle. It is therefore evaluated as 2 pommel loops (each with a 1/4 turn) and is given a B value in group II.
3. There is no specific deduction for not working all three parts of the horse. There is a possible deduction for 1 sided construction of an exercise.
4. A swing (not circle, but from a false scissor) hop handstand with side travel = C value in group I
5. A Cheguinian (PH) (pg. 65 #2) not used as a dismount, but worked back into the middle = B value in group IV
6. A full kehre to flop sequence connects (if only a 1/2 circle in between)
7. A Sivado travel can connect to a flop sequence if that flop sequence begins with a cross support step up with 1/4 turn (see flop document). Also, if a flop sequence finishes with a Stockli A to the end it connects to an immediate Sivado. Otherwise a flop sequence cannot connect to a Sivado. A flop sequence can connect from a Mogilny travel if only a 1/2 circle is executed between. There can only be 2 or 3 hand placements on the leather for this to connect.
8. Please refer to this set of drawings for corrections to the drawings in the Code of Points for scissor elements. The numbers above each drawing refer to the box in the code in which they belong. The bottom drawing clearly shows the double back scissor.
9. The Flop Rules document is considered an appendix to this document.
10. Moguilny does connect to Magyar travel even though there is a 1/4 turn in between. A full Kehre on
the end also connects to a Magyar.
11. A 360 degree russian around both pommels = E skill in group IV
12. A stockli or Bailie to handstand where the legs straddle in the circle that lifts to handstand IS allowed with no deduction.
13. For the 3/3 travel upgrade to the handstand turning dismount (see FIG MTC Newsletter #16), the handstand must be initiated with at least 1 hand on one end, have continuous movement, complete a 360 degree turn, and have the last hand placement on the leather on the opposite end.
14. The new flop rule (see FIG MTC Newsletter #16) requires that the gymnast must leave the single pommel he is performing the first sequence on (either flops or combined russian and flops) and perform at least a B level skill before going back to a single pommel to perform the second sequence. If he does not do this, the second sequence will not be recognized.
15. The Wu can be completed with any variation of hand placements and/or use of pommels. If there is a 720 degree russian turn and 3/3 travel the skill receives an E value in group IV. If there is less than 720 dgrees of turn but at least 630 degrees, the skill receives a D value in group IV.
16. The 720 degree Mogilny is a D value in group IV.
17. A 360 degree rear stockli as a mount is an E, same as from circles.
18. A magyar can be connected to flops if there are 2 hand placements on the end on the leather and the third hand placement goes to the pommel (1/4 turn back) and begins a stockli B.
19. A Wu can connect to a Sivado if there are 2 hand placements on the end and the third hand placement is on the pommel beginning a Sivado travel. A third hand placement on the end on the leather constitutes a back loop and breaks the connection.
20. In General, bonus skills on pommel horse can connect if there is no possible way to begin the second skill sooner and there is not a full circle between the 2 skills. Given that, it is still not certain you will receive connection bonus for any sequence unless it is submitted for evaluation to the skills committee and it is forwarded to the FIG for evaluation.. The exception to this rule is the specific flop sequence connection rule stated in the FIG MTC newsletter #16.
21. Skills that finish in a rear support sideways on the end (full kehre, flops, flops to russian on 1 pommel) all connect to either a Mogilny, flops, a russian 1080 on the end, or a Wu. None of these skills, however, can connect to a Magyar travel. The flop connection rule in interpretation 14 above is still in effect. This means that where these skills finish in rear support sideways on the end of the horse:
Full Kehre
connects to: Mogilny, Flops, Wu, russian 1080 on end
Flops to russian connects to: Mogilny, Wu, russian 1080 on end
Flops
connect to: Mogilny,
Wu, russian 1080 on end
22. A
full 360 degree Kehre starting from 1 pommel and
finishing on 1 pommel. Super E value
(Element group 4). USAG
Still Rings
1. A stretched guzoghy can be initiated with a rounded body, but most of the element must be performed stretched for an E value. If there is a clear piking at any point it will be evaluated as a D value.
2.
Kip to maltese
= E value in group
3. Inverted Cross lower to Maltese is connected. This is only connected if the arms remain at least 45 degrees from the body and there is slow continuous movement throughout. A Planche lower to Maltese is not connected.
4. Back salto dismount with 1 1/2 turns = B value in group V
5. Back salto with 2 1/2 turns = C value in group V
6. For all strength skills requiring a pull through a lever position to a strength hold position, the body and arms must remain straight through the lever to the strength position. No kipping action will be accepted, or it will be evaluated as the lower value kip to strength hold.
7. For skills that require a lower from a maltese or planche to a lever, the body must remain horizontal.
11. For skills that require a pull to a strength hold position, there is no allowable entry position other than the final strength hold position. This is not equivalent to a swing to a strength hold where you are allowed 15 degrees above the final position without deduction.
12. For dismounts not listed in the code, there is no value raise for the first 1/2 twist, only for a full twist. Therefore tuck double back with 1 1/2 twist = C value in group V.
13. Front dismount with 2 1/2 twist = D value in group V.
14. For Honma to strength skills, there can be no intermediate support position (arms must remain at least 45 degrees from body) and there must be continuous movement throughout, or it breaks into 2 seperate skills. Honma to maltese = E value in group Honma to inverted cross = E with piked body and SE with straight body.
15. *** A maltese to azarian roll
DOES connect as long as the arms remain wide (>45) and there is continuous
slow movement. This would also
connect from a planche.
16. A Pineda should be performed with straight arms throughout. For arm bends evaluate per FIG deduction table. Any arm bend greater than 45 would cause non-recognition of the skill.
17. *** A Maltese or inverted cross to
Pineda or Azarian does connect. Neither the Pineda or Azarian
connect from a planche.
18. Kip
to Inverted = E value in group
19. From a still hang, vertical pull with
straight arms to a Maltese = SE value in group IV. During the vertical pull,
the arms need to remain straight and the shoulders must stay within the rings.
20. From a strength move such as a Nakayama or Azarian, lower to a vertical hang, immediately pull up
to a Maltese would receive a D+E and connection. In this case the vertical pull
to Maltese is only given an E value, not SE since the code specifically has a
lower value for skills that lower to a hang and immediately pulls back up (i.e.
FIG pg. 78, #53). In addition, connection bonus will only be given if there is
no pausing or stopping. This combination should be executed in a slow and
deliberate manner. If the gymnast bounces at the bottom of the skill, an
execution deduction should be taken.
21. A
felge to inverted swallow (FIG, pg. 76 #10) = SE
value only if there is no sign of support after the felge
and before he lowers into the inverted swallow. NOTE: It is important
that the body position is correct during the inverted swallow. The body should
be in the rings, horizontal, and level. Otherwise, body and angle deductions
will apply. (USAG
22. *** A back uprise
planche (D) lower to Nakayama (D) will not
receive connection bonus. (USAG
Vault
Parallel Bars
1. Upper arm roll (shoulder roll) on Pbars is a permitted skill that has no value
2. Peach 1/2 to hand can connect in either direction if performed with continuous movement.
3. Front uprise stutz can connect only in the "healy" direction, and only if performed with continuous movement.
4. Peach skills are the same value if done on end of bars facing out.
5. Vorapiev is now in the same box as Makutz (I.24) = D value group I
6. Makutz reverse pirouette to one bar healy does not get connection bonus.
7. Back uprise hand to 1/1 pirouette on 1 bar = B (group II) + C (group I)
8.
German up rise on PB = A to upper arm and B to support
in group
9. Peach to support is an allowable scill with no value.
10. Piked moy to upper arms = B value
in group
11. Jump straddle cut to L seat mount is an A value mount.
12. Glide on 1 bar stoop in and turn to L seat is a non-permitted skill.
13. Glide reverse straddle cut on end is a C skill to handstand.
14. Glide kip reverse cuts to support (not continuing to handstand) is not a value skill.
15. 3/4 Diamidov to undergrip and 3/4 pirouette back to middle = C value in group I
16. Peters to outward facing handstand to a Healy from one rail to support = D + E and connection if done with continuous movement and there is no hand change in between the skills.
17. Gatson and Diamidov 1 1/2 both finish with a handchange to a final handstand position. This breaks connection to any subsequent skill. A Diamidov 1 1/2 that passes through a double undergrip on 1 bar and therefore does not have this hand change still connects in both directions if done with continuous movement.
18. Manna is a C from uprise and fulfills element Group II
19. Full pirouette on 1 arm without hop = C value in group I
20. Giant with 1/1 turn must be continuous and show a Diamidov technique in order to receive D value. A giant 1/2 and pirouette will be evaluated as C+A.
21. A giant with a hop 3/4 turn and pirouette in will receive a D value and does connect to a following skill if there is continuous movement. ***A giant with a hop 1/1 turn is an E value.
22. Peters with extra 1/1 or 3/4 pirouette
on same bar = E value in group I and must be continuous, ***can connect
in either direction. see # 30 below
23. Front uprise to Bilozercev or Peters = E value in group II
24. A glide straddle on 1 rail must continue to handstand or it is not given value.
25. The
peach 1/2 and peach 1/1 are not dependant on hand
placements for value. The turning must be initiated on the way up and
performed on 1 rail with continuous motion regardless of hand placements. Any
hesitation at the end of the skill breaks the connection to the next skill.
26. If a gymnast performs a jump to forward roll as a mount this will incur a .2 deduction for a pre-element
27. Side rail Endo (straddled) up with hop 1/2 turn = B value in group IV with hop 3/4 = C
28. Streuli to 1 bar (English handstand) = C value in group II with 1/4 turn to 1 bar (stomach facing in = C), with 3/4 turn to 1 bar (stomach facing out) = D
29. The healy from 1 bar ((see FIG MTC Newsletter #17) initiated from a 1 rail handstand with the stomach facing outward (1 and 1/4 turn) = E value. From an English handstand held 2 sec = E value. ***In order to get this E value, the A handstand must receive credit. Since all handstands are in 1 box, this must be the first handstand held for 1 second or more in the routine. If you have already given credit for a handstand, then the healy is a D value, and a second healy would not receive any credit. Even if the previous held handstand was at the conclusion of a press, the healy will not get E value (this is a specific exception). From an English handstand held less than 2 sec = D value (same skill as from 2 bars) The 2 second handstand receives A credit and breaks any possible connection prior to the skill. A healy to upper arm is a C skill.
30. A peach to support is now an allowed part with NO VALUE.
31. For any Stutz or toss to 1 bar skill that immediately
continues to a pirouette, the value of the original skill is raised 1 letter
for a 3/4 or more pirouette. For a Peters or Stutz to outward facing handstand
in double overgrip, this raises to an E value. For a stutz to english handstand this raises to a D value. A 1/2 pirouette does not
raise the value. Examples:
Stutz to English HS with 1/2 turn = C value
Stutz to English with 1/1 or 3/4 turn = D value
Stutz to outward handstand (both hands in overgrip)
with 3/4 turn = E value and does not connect to next skill
Stutz to outward handstand (hands in mixed grip) with 3/4 turn = E value and
does connect to next skill
Stutz or toss skills that
immediately pirouette are interpreted as 2 separate skills, the original skill
with it's original value and a separate pirouetting skill with it's own
value. These can not combine. The following examples
illustrate how this is now interpreted:
Stutz to outward handstand (both hands in overgrip)
with 3/4 turn = D value stutz and B pirouette and no
following skill can connect
Stutz to outward handstand (hands in mixed grip) with 3/4 turn = D value stutz and B piroueete and no
following skill can connect
Stutz to outward handstand with only 1 hand placement on the bar, and where a
hand change is required to complete the pirouette = D value and cannot connect
to a following skill
Stutz to outward handstand with only 1 hand placement, and where NO hand change
is required to complete the pirouette = D value and CAN connect to a following
skill.
All Stutz skills with the same value are in 1 box. All toss skills that
have the same value are in 1 box. The distinguishing factor is the
technique used to initiate the skill. For a clear Stutz skill, the
gymnast initiates the skill while remaining on the post arm and turning while
swinging towards the handstand. For a clear toss skill there is a
simultaneous release of both hands. Intermediate
positions/techniques risk receiving the lower value or not receiving value
32. ***
A peach full turn to handstand will receive a SE value only if it is
performed using the Diamidov technique or a
peach ¼ turn to one bar catching in double undergrip,
immediate 3/4 pirouette out. Both variations must show continuous movement on
the way up. Furthermore, they will receive connection bonus on skills that
follow as long as there are no hand changes after the pirouette. However, if a gymnast does a peach ½ turn to
one bar, ½ pirouette out, this will receive an E + A and no connection bonus.
Horizontal Bar
1. 1/2 Tak to one arm blind = D and B
2. Piked endo to 1/1 on one arm and 1/1 back (like Zou Li Min) = C and C
3. Stemme up, overgrip inbar endo, 1 handchange to undergrip, 1/1 turn to elgrip = E value, the handchange does not break the connection. This applies to all skills of this family.
4.
An inbar endo
(in overgrip) up to 1/2 turn to el-grip = D value in
group
5. Inbar stalder to Tkatchev DOES NOT UPGRADE.. Straddled or piked = C Stretched = D see FIG MTC newsletter #15
6. A stemme where the entire body is higher than the high bar receives an A part
7. A Gaylord 2 may be performed in any "clear" position, tucked piked or stretched with no deduction. Intermediary positions will be deducted as defined in Chapter 13, paragraph 2 of the Code of Points.
8. Multiple release skills that are bonus eligible can connect to previous and subsequent skills. Ex. jam 1/2 turn to handstand to stretched Tkatchev to straddled Tkatchev = D + E
9. For Quast and Rybalko skills (with or without a Stalder
before the release) will receive the following values (USAG
The following skills will be given a C value:
1.
A Quast (Element Group I)
2.
Stalder Quast (in Element Group
3.
Stalder 1/1 turn or
Stalder 3/2 turns to mixed grip without a hop (same
box)
The following skills will be given a D value:
1.
A Rybalko to mixed grip (Element Group I) = D value
2. ***
Stalder Rybalko to mixed
grip (Element Group
3. ***
Or an Inside Stalder Rybalko
to mixed grip. = SE value (USAG In this case, the skill prior to the Rybalko to mixed grip does not increase the value of the
skill
4.
Stalder 3/2 turns
to double elgrip (without a hop) = D value
5.
Inside Stalder 1/1 turn with or without a hop = D value
The following skills will be given an E value:
1.
A Rybalko to double elgrip (Element
Group I) = E value
2. ***
Stalder Rybalko to double elgrip (Element Group
3. ***
Or an Inside Stalder Rybalko
to double elgrip. = Super E (USAG Again, in each case, the skill prior to the Rybalko does not change the value of the Rybalko.
10. Weiler kip to full turn to el-grip on High Bar = D in group
11. The Zhou Li Min variant that begins from El-Grip is also devalued to a C.
12. A full Ono from double elgrip 1/1 turn to double undergrip is a D value in group I. This skill is seen as an elgrip giant with 1 hand release after the bottom of the swing and full turn to undergrip handstand. This skill can connect from a skill that finishes in an elgrip (e.g. endo 1/1 turn to elgrip)
13. A Rybalko should show flight (both hands off the bar at the same time) in order to receive value. This is also subject to review and clarification by the FIG.
14. A Rybalko to 1 arm elgrip receives the same value as a Rybalko to 2 arm elgrip and is in the same box = E Value in group I. It must show completion of the turn continuously at and immediately from the regrasp. If a gymnast regrasps in an intermediate position and hesitates until near the bottom to complete the turn, this will not receive the higher value for finishing in elgrip. This results in the skill being viewed as a Quast to 1 arm for C credit. This is subject to further interpretation and clarification from the FIG.
15. The following language was developed to help in determining when to give connection on HB
Each full circle around the bar is seen as a seperate element. For skills that pirouette at the end of the skill, in or near a handstand, the pirouette is considered part of the previous skill. An example is the Inbar Endo 1/1 turn to elgrip. This is considered 1 skill that is complete when the second hand regrasps the bar in elgrip. This may actually take place well past the handstand but it is still considered part of the previous skill. Applying this principle you get the following examples:
Inbar endo 1/1 turn to elgrip
(completes when the second hand regrasps the bar in elgrip) to
Elgrip giant hop out to 1/1 turn to elgrip (completes when the second hand regrasps
the bar in elgrip)
= E+D and DOES receive connection bonus. This is because the elgrip hop out to 1/1 turn to elgrip is all considered a single skill.
Inbar endo 1/1 turn to elgrip
(completes when the second hand regrasps the bar in elgrip) to
Elgrip giant to handstand to
Inbar Elgrip Endo
= E B D and DOES NOT receive connection bonus. This is
because there is a complete Elgrip Giant between the
E and D skills.
16. A Quast with an
extra full turn (Hop 2/1 twist) = E D value (Element Group I). Note: The
hop must show flight. (FIG March 2005).
17. *** A Quast with
an extra 3/2 turns to one arm elgrip (Hop 5/2 twists
to one arm elgrip) =
SE, = E value
(Element group 1). However, a Stalder hop 5/2 twists
to one arm elgrip is a Super E skill (Element group
3). Both elements must show flight. (USAG 4/4/05, 5-12-05
18. Endo elgrip full ono to undergrip = E value.
National Technical Vice President
National Gymnastics Judges Association
