Hot off the press, the official Code of Points for 2017-2020 was released by the FIG just last week. While much of the Code remains the same, there are also big changes ahead in the value of skills and overall scoring of a routine. If you're in the mood for some beach reading, you can check out the complete new Code here, but we'll also break down the big changes for you below.

Let's start with one of the most important sections of the code: The regulations governing the D- and E-scores.

Stay tuned for part two of this article, where we'll break down some of the major changes in skill values.

Composition Requirements - Losing the dismount

When a gymnast's total D-score is being calculated, a major part of this for bars, beam and floor is a set of composition requirements that a gymnast must meet to get full credit. "Full credit" is currently 2.50 in the code, but it's been lowered to 2.00 in the new code. The 0.50 that has been removed is from the dismount. The current code awards 0.50 for D-skill dismount or higher on all three events. The new code no longer counts this, so the dismount will only be counted as one of the top skills in the routine.

Direct Connections - A slight hesitation is okay

The new code has a few wording changes that might make a big impact with regards to direct connections. The code used to say direct connections are those in which elements are performed without "hesitation or stop between elements." The new code changed to say only "stop between elements." This should actually make things easier for gymnasts when attempting connections on beam in particular.

The new code also added one condition about when a direct connection wouldn't count: If there is "obvious leg/hip extension on first element before takeoff for second element." This was likely added for clarity around the momentum that should exist for connections, given that the word "hesitation" was removed.

Execution Faults - A broader definition of "hesitation"

The biggest change under "execution faults" regards hesitation. In our current code, the judges could deduct 0.10 for "hesitation during jumps, press or swing to handstand."

In the new code, this has changed to cover pretty much any kind of hesitation. The code says that judges will be able to take 0.10 off for "hesitation during performance of elements and movements."

Landing Faults - From "shoulder-width" to "one meter"

Much of the landing deductions in the new code are the same as our current code, but there is one big change regarding steps taken on a landing. If a gymnast has "extra steps" or a "slight hop" on landing, they incur a 0.10 deduction--this has not changed with the new code. The biggest change comes with a "large step." As it stands now, a gymnast will incur a 0.30 deduction for a large step "more than shoulder-width." The new code has the same deduction, however it defines a large step as "more than one meter," which is much larger than shoulder-width.

D-Panel Deductions - Spelling out the series bonus rules

The major change on the D-Panel side in the Table of General Faults & Penalties is regarding the series bonus on beam, which is awarded when a gymnast performs three acrobatic moves in connection on beam. In the current code, if a gymnast performs a connection with a fall, they lose the connection value. In the new code, the FIG also indicated the gymnast will not receive a series bonus, either. This may seem fairly obvious, but it was never spelled out in the current code. The same applies when a gymnast fails to land feet-first (or in the prescribed position from the element), and if the gymnast receives spotting help.

Read a more in-depth explanation on the events below:

Vault & Bars
Beam & Floor

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