FAQ/Supplemental Explanations

October 20, 2022

Question:  What are the leg position requirements of a switch leg leap mount (AHS)?

Answer:

• The first leg (lead leg) should swing forward to a minimum of 45° prior to swinging backward and must be straight. (No stag allowed)
  • Deduct up to 0.1 for insufficient height of leg swing.
• The split expectation is 180° after leg separation.
  • Deduct up to 0.2 for insufficient split (135° - 180°) after leg change.
• Deduct for execution and amplitude errors.

January 10, 2023

1- Uniforms--Sweat pants and baggy shorts are not allowed as part of the uniform.  Leggings and shorts should be form-fitting.  

Rule 3-3-1

2- Uniforms--It is illegal to have multiple logos on a uniform such as shorts that have the manufacturers name on the waistband and an additional manufacturers logo below the waistband or in another location.

Rule 3-3-2 

3- Vault—Facilitated salto vaults only:  The definition of facilitates is when a spotter assists the gymnast with an element/vault, which the gymnast could not have completed without the assist.  If the coach facilitates the vault in the second flight phase it is a 1.0 deduction.  It does not matter how the spotter facilitates the vault or how much the vault is facilitated. The deduction is taken whether the coach taps the gymnast, allows the gymnast to roll the salto over the spotter’s hands or lifts the gymnast through the salto. The vault is still considered to be facilitated.  If the coach facilitates any other vault except for a salto vault or a handspring vault, the vault is VOID.  Voided vaults may be repeated.

Rule 6-2-7, 6-5-1

4- BB--From cross, jump with 1/4 to hand support with swing down to cross straddle sit or to land in front side support (also known as a Schuschunova) is a high superior.  Although this element is not specifically in a box on the chart, page 70 Note 1 instructs the judge that Jump/leaps to prone shall be evaluated consistent with the root jump/leap.

Rule 8-6-2, NOTE 1

 5- FX--A dance passage includes a minimum of two (2) different Group 1 elements, directly or indirectly connected.  The passage must include both a superior and a leap in cross or side position. Two points:  there must be a leap in cross or side position and the passage must include a superior. The superior and the leap could be one and the same but the passage must include 2 different Group 1 elements.

Rule 9-2-3

6- FX--Dance Passage:  There may not be a complete stop between elements in the dance passage. A gymnast may perform an assemble into a jump.  The assemble is not considered a stop.  However, the gymnast may not come to a complete stop.  As long as the passage continues to move, even if there is a stumble or shuffle of the feet, it is considered a dance passage.

Rule 1, 9-2-3

7- FX—Any element that takes off of 2 feet is considered a jump, not a leap.  The following are examples of jumps: tuck jump, wolf jump, pike jump, straddle jump, stretched jump, sheep jump, sissonne. 

Rule 1

8- FX—Elements that are not leaps include:  hitchkick, cat leap, cabriole, Khorkina, and hops with one leg extended horizontally are not leaps and cannot be used in a dance passage as the leap.

Rule 1, 9-2-3

9- FX—Leaps that could receive credit for a dance passage:  split or stag split leap (the front leg must be extended) jeté en tournant, side split leaps, switch leg leaps, tour jetés, ring leaps with the front leg extended.

Rule 1, 9-2-3

February 1, 2023

Balance Beam

Identifying Jumps Landing in Side Position

2022-2023

Basic Reminders

There are four basic body positions (shapes) for jumps landing in side:  Refer to page 118

• Split – One leg is extended forward and one leg is extended backward with the knee turned under
• Straddle Pike – Legs are parallel to the floor and straddled at 135°, piked at the hips
• Side Split (Straddle) – Legs are straight, extended sideward with no pike in the body
• Pike – Legs straight and body is piked with a closure of 90°

Split Jumps and Pike Jumps

• Split jump (S) – Expectation is a 180° split.  Superior value part credit can be given for a split jump between 135° and 180° with an insufficient split deduction of up to 0.2.  A split jump with more than 44° (less than 91°) missing is given credit as a different element.
• Pike jump (S) – Expectation of closure is 90°.  If closure is between 134° and 91° credit is given and an up to 0.2 deduction is taken for lack of closure.

Straddle Pike Jumps and Side Split (Straddle) Jumps

• Straddle pike jump (HS) – Expectation is a 135° split.  If the thighs are up to 44° below horizontal there is an up to 0.2 deduction and if the split is missing up to 44° there is an up to 0.2 deduction.  If below expectations, credit is given for a different element.
• Side split jump (HS) – Expectation is a 180° split.  If split is missing up to 44°, an up to 0.2 deduction is taken.  If split is less than 91°, credit as a different element.

IF ALL CRITERIA ARE MET FROM ABOVE, JUMPS HAVE A HIGHER VALUE WHEN LANDING IN SIDE POSITION – KEYS TO DETERMINING VALUES…….

• Does the jump land in the side position?
• Is the shape of the jump shown while in the side position?
• Is the required degree of split or closure of pike demonstrated?
• If the shape in the side position was indeterminate, or a blend of different shapes, credit for the element is subjective according to what the judge believes she saw. 

Clarification of Jumps with ¼ twist to split jump, side split jump, or straddle pike jump (from cross landing in side) #2.306c = HS; #2.407c = AHS; #2.408c = AHS

o   Jump starts in cross position and ends is side position after the ¼ twist

o   Attaining the shape may start immediately upon takeoff or at any time, as

long as the shape is shown in the side position (facing out) before landing.

Reminder – these jumps have the same value with or without a ¼ and receive credit as long as they land in side and shape faces side (towards the judge).