With each quadrennium, the FIG releases a new Code of Points. This typically takes place after the Olympic year, and gymnasts must adapt to changes in composition requirements, skill values, and connection bonuses. A routine's D-score varies depending on which code it is being measured against. Because of the changes in composition value and requirements, it's hard to compare scores from one quad to scores from a quad years later. 

Ever wonder how some routines from years ago would measure up using today's 2017-2021 code? We have taken a look one of the top routines from a decade ago -- Shawn Johnson's beam routine from day two of 2007 Nationals -- to give you an idea. The routine is made up largely of difficult acrobatic skills, including her famous three-part series at the beginning of her routine, and she has very few dance elements. She earned a 6.9 D-score for the routine and scored a total 16.1.

Video via USA Gymnastics

So what D-score would the routine receive in today's Code? Find out below.

COMPOSITION REQUIREMENTS

The 2017-2021 code lists the following Composition Requirements, worth a total of 2.00 of the D-score:

1. One connection of at least 2 different dance elements, 1 being a leap, jump or hop with 180 degree split (cross or side) or straddle position (0.50)
2. Turn (0.50)
3. One Acro series, minimum of two flight elements (with or without hand support), 1 being a salto (elements may be the same) (0.50)
4. Acro elements in different directions (forward/sideward and backward) (0.50)

Johnson's 2007 routine meets all of the above requirements. She satisfies No. 1 with her split jump to pike jump connection. She satisfies No. 2 with her full L turn. She satisfies No. 3 with her back handspring, back handspring, layout series. And she satisfies No. 4 with her front tuck. She gets the full 2.00 points for Composition Requirements.

CONTENT OF EXERCISE

Moving on to the content of the exercise, the 2017-2021 code counts the eight highest difficulty skills, with a minimum of three dance and three acro, plus two optional elements. In Johnson's 2007 routine, these elements are:

1. Full twisting double back dismount: G (0.70)
2. Standing full: F (0.60)
3. Layout to two feet: E (0.50)
4. Front tuck: D (0.40)
5. Back layout step-out: C (0.30)
6. Full L turn: C (0.30)
7. Switch leap: C (0.30)
8. Switch side: C (0.30)

Adding these together, Johnson's total counted skill value from the routine is 3.4

CONNECTION BONUS

The last area to calculate is connection bonus. Connection bonus is often what changes the most when a new code is released. Here are the connection bonuses Johnson's routine would receive in the 2017-2021 code:

1. Back handspring (B) + Back handspring (B) + Back layout to 2 feet (E) = +0.20
Johnson receives +0.10 for connecting B+E acro skills, and an additional +0.10 for 3 acro skills in a row (Series Bonus)
2. Switch leap (C) + Layout stepout (C) + Back pike (C) = +0.20
In this series, Johnson only receives bonus for the layout stepout + back pike acro connection and the 3 element series bonus. She does not receive anything for the switch leap to layout stepout specifically. In the 2017-2021 code, the only mixed connections that are awarded bonus are B+D or D+D.
3. Split jump (A) + Pike jump (A) + Back tuck (C) = None
Again, Johnson does not receive any bonus for the A+C mixed connection.
4. Round-off (B) + Full twisting double back (G) = +0.20

Adding these together, Johnson's total connection bonus from the routine is +0.60

THE FINAL D-SCORE

The D-score is calculated by adding the Composition Requirements, Content of the Exercise, and Connection Bonus. In the 2017-2021 code, Johnson's 2007 routine would receive a 6.0 D-score.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS CODE?

Johnson's 2007 routine is nearly a point lower in D-score in 2017 than what it received in 2007 on day two of Nationals. This is for a few reasons, one of which being that the Composition Requirements are lower -- they are now worth 2.00 as opposed to the previous 2.50. 

The other reason is connection bonus has changed -- there is a big difference when compared to the 2013-16 code, particularly in the dance and mixed section. Previously, gymnasts could achieve bonus from any C + C mixed connection (for instance, Johnson's switch leap to layout stepout in 2007). Now, the C + C bonus is only awarded for two C dance elements. For example, The Netherlands' Eythora Thorsdottir's 2017 routine includes a full L spin connected to a switch leap, both C elements.

The previous code also used to award bonus for a D (salto) + A (dance) connection (for instance, the common front aerial + wolf jump connection). In the 2017-2021 code, this connection is not awarded bonus anymore. Instead, bonus is awarded for a B + D mixed connection. An example of this is from China's Li Qi, who notched a 6.6 D-score at Chinese Nationals with her routine. She competes a front aerial to split jump connection in her routine.

Hopefully, this blast from the past has helped to explain how much the Code of Points can change with each new quad.