Newsletter 1

As stated in the apparatus norms, the tension of the cables for Rings and Horizontal Bar must be set between 1000 and 5000 newtons. At major competitions, there will be a TCS device attached to each apparatus which will report when the cables are out of spec.

The TC conducted a review of the Code of Points following the Worlds Cups series and various Continental Championships. The one area that has received consistently negative feedback was the requirement for the gymnast to include a one leg balance in his floor routine.

The original vision for Floor was to mix acrobatic elements together with other gymnastic elements such as strength, balance, flexibility, handstands, and choreographic combinations, all forming a harmonious rhythmic exercise. The balance, in isolation, was never intended to be the only change that would lead to the full scope of the floor and move us away from endless tumbling passes.

Allowing a gymnast to choose skills that lend themselves to his favoured ability, whilst at the same time encouraging choreographic combinations that show harmonious rhythm between tumble passes, will ultimately improve the overall balance and appeal of the floor exercise.

Therefore, the gymnast must show either a one leg balance or a jump/leap with or without turn from the list of specific elements. The balance or jump/leap may be outside the counting 8 elements. A 0.3 neutral deduction will be taken by the D Jury if this requirement is not fulfilled. The list of allowable jumps or leaps, which all have a minimum of A value are as follows (See Appendix for illustrations):

• I.67 Jump bwd. to front support
• I.68 Jump bwd. with pike-stretch or with 1/1 turn to front support
• I.74 Butterfly with 1/1 twist fwd. or bwd.
• I.75 Butterfly with 2/1 twist
• I.15 Jump fwd. with 1/1 turn to front support
• I.16 Jump bwd. with 3/2 twist to front support
• I.17 Jump fwd. with 2/1 twist to front support
• I.43 Jump fwd. with ½ turn to momentary handstand
• II.8 Dive roll with 1/1 twist
• I.73 Stag Leap with 1/1 turn

The performance expectation for the Endo Jump on Floor (I.68) is that the gymnast must land on the hands and lower to the front support with control. The Endo jump performed in the attached video was not recognized by the D-Jury and was also deducted by the E-jury for uncontrolled landing.

A gymnast must start his exercise with an acrobatic tumbling pass (not with a non-acrobatic element), otherwise a 0.3 neutral deduction will be taken by the D Jury.

The review also identified that gymnasts were either performing poorly executed corner transitions or using the same transitions in every corner. The following amendments will be made with immediate effect.

Choreographic leaps and turn combinations should be used, specifically in the corners, to create harmonious rhythm between tumbling passes.

• Simple steps, with or without 180° turn, will attract a small deduction for lack of artistry.
• All choreographic leaps, jumps and turns must show amplitude and appropriate extension or will be deducted with a small error.

Beginning 1st January 2026, all corner transitions must be different or will attract a 0.3 neutral deduction taken by the D jury. The enclosed video captures examples of the types of permitted transitions.

In order to gain consistency and simplify judging across the apparatus from 1st January 2026, the D jury will first count the dismount before then counting the next 7 highest elements.

To be recognized as one individual element, the Spindle must be performed within a maximum of 2 circles (3 front support positions from the original start position). For elements #93 and #100, this rule is further clarified that the gymnast does not have to achieve the 3rd front support position because they will be rising handstand during that phase. (Please refer to the accurate diagram in the CoP)

A perfect Manna position is where the legs are horizontal. If the legs are up to 30° short of horizontal there will be a 0.1 or 0.3 deduction. All other leg positions up to vertical will be evaluated as a V-sit with no deduction. If the legs are short of vertical up to 15° is 0.1, > 15° to 30° is 0.3 deduction. More than 30° is non-recognition.

In the case of scissor elements, where the gymnast supports themselves with their leg before completing the element, the element will not be recognized and receive 0.5 deduction for interruption of exercise without a fall. Scissor elements may be recognized if there is a small arm bend, or slight touching of the horse with 0.1 deduction for each.

Bertoncelj (II.57) may be performed to either cross support OR side support on one pommel. Therefore, a Bertoncelj to side support on one pommel may begin a flop or combined sequence.

There are five elements which fulfill the swing to handstand requirement. These are:

• I.75 Swing fwd. to handstand or giant swing bwd. to handstand (2 s.)
• I.81 Uprise bwd. to handstand or giant swing fwd. to handstand (2 s.)
• I.86 From support swing bwd. to handstand (2 s.)
• I.87 Honma and swing bwd. to handstand (2 s.)
• I.88 Honma straight and swing bwd. to handstand (2 s.)

From support or upper arm, swing backward with hop ¾, 1/1, or 3/2 turn to handstand must be performed with flight. These include elements II.82, II.83, II.84, and I.41. These elements must be performed with at least 3/4 of the turn performed in flight before regrasping of the first arm. Gatson style elements performed with a lack of flight will not be recognized for difficulty.

A cast, consisting of a maximum of three swings, is permitted in order to begin an exercise without deduction. Each movement forward and/or backward counts as a swing. Further, either a jump to a swing or a coach pushing the gymnast into a swing counts as a swing.

An additional grip change is considered an “additional or intermediate hand support” and will be deducted 0.1 each time.

Examples include:

• Zou Li Min to mixed grip followed by an immediate grip change will be deducted 0.1, but the Zou Li Min is recognized.
• Adler 1/1 turn to mixed grip followed by an immediate grip change to undergrip will be deducted 0.1.
• Endo, Kip or Uprise backward with overgrip followed by two consecutive grip changes to undergrip will be deducted 0.1 for the second grip change

Elements in mixed grip (Giant Forward, Endo, Uprise backward, Kip etc.) followed by one grip change to undergrip will not receive a deduction.

As a mount, if a gymnast performs an Uprise backward to support followed by a free hip (or other movement) they will receive a 0.3 deduction for Reversal of Direction (CoP 15.2.1.2.d) If no support is shown during the swing rearward, then there will be no deduction. Support is when the arm angle is less than 45° from arm to body.

A salto bwd. with ½ turn over the bar (II.82) and Gaylord 2 (II.83) are considered as Kovacs style flight elements when applying the special repetition rule, which allows a maximum of two elements of each flight style.

The gymnast may perform a 5th flight (group II) among the 7 counting elements if at least two flights are directly connected (Minimum C+C).