How are Gymnastics Routines Scored?

When you think of gymnastics scoring, you probably think of the traditional 10-point scale that has been used for years, and still is used for NCAA and teams outside of the Federation of Gymnastics jurisdiction. When you watch the Summer Games in Paris this month, you won’t see Simone Biles scoring a 10 for a perfect floor routine. You may see her scoring somewhere around a 15 instead. Why? 

In 1958, the Women’s Code of Points was introduced to women’s gymnastics. This Code of Points as well as all revisions through 2006 were based on the 10-point scale we all know. After the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, the scoring system was overhauled for gymnastics and the new International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Code of Points (COP) was introduced. It has been in use for gymnastics competitions inside of FIG’s jurisdiction (e: Nationals, Worlds, Olympics, etc.) since 2006. 

How does it work?

This new COP divides the score into two parts: execution score (E-score) and difficulty score (D-score). To impartially judge each routine, there are two panels of judges - one who judges difficulty and one who judges execution. 

The E-Score

• The execution score judges the execution and artistry of a skill during the routine. 
• The base for all E-scores is 10, just as traditional gymnastics scoring. 
• Judges evaluate the technique, execution, artistry, errors in form, and routine composition.
• Deductions are classified as small, medium, or large. Each deduction is worth 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 points respectively. 

The D-Score

• The difficulty score evaluates the difficulty of the skills in a routine based on 3 different criteria.
• Difficulty Value (DV): The DV of a routine is the combined total of the eight elements a gymnast performs with the highest value according to the Table of Elements (see below). Elements are rated from 0.10 to 1.0 according to difficulty.
• Composition Requirements (CR): Gymnasts are required to perform 4 required Element Groups on each apparatus.  For each composition requirement completed, 0.5 points are awarded. The maximum CR score is 2.00.
• Connection Value (CV): Athletes earn extra points by connecting two or more skills together. The number of points awarded is determined by the rating of the elements performed in combination.
• Table of Elements 
• The Table of Elements is the section of the COP that identifies, classifies, and assigns a value to gymnastics elements. All skills are listed, illustrated, and assigned a point value. 
• Difficulty ratings (except for Vault) are assigned a value from A (worth 0.1) - J (worth 1.0). 
• The ratings of each skill are used to tabulate the D-score. 
• For Vault:  each vault is assigned a difficulty value ranging from 2.0 (easiest) to 6.4 (most difficult)
• While the D-Score judges do not make deductions to the gymnast’s score, they can choose not to award points if elements are not performed incorrectly or not completely. Additionally, judges can choose not to award CV points if there are extra steps or pauses between elements. 
• There is no upper limit to D-scores.

At the end of a routine, the E-score and the D-score are combined for the gymnast’s final score on the apparatus. 

There you have it! You can now see how Team USA will be scored in the upcoming Paris Games. 

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Points_(gymnastics)

https://www.gymnastics-history.com/2022/03/1958-the-very-first-womens-code-of-points/