Several changes and clarifications have recently been made to the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Rules and Meet Procedures Handbook for 2016-2017. We have outlined the most notable alterations below.

 

First and foremost, a significant change has been made regarding start values on vault. Surely the most popular vault in the NCAA is the Yurchenko layout full, with a Yurchenko layout half likely coming in second. The rule changes have de-valued both a Yurchenko layout full and Yurchenko layout half to a 9.95 start value.
**Note: A Yurchenko pike full is still valued at a 10.0. Also, a Yurchenko half front layout (Arabian style) still starts at a 10.0, as well as a Yurchenko/Tsukahara Tuck 1 1/2. 

 

A rule that has often been the center of much debate, especially in Championship competition, is the “up to competitive level” deduction. This is a deduction placed on a routine that may start from a 10.0, but does not include skills that are “up to the level of competition.” For example, a bar routine that includes enough combinations and pirouetting elements to achieve a 10.0 start value, but does not contain major release moves, may receive this deduction. The rules denote that this deduction is standardized at a flat 0.10. This basic rule has been in place for years, but the choice of elements that are “up to the competitive level” will now be defined by the following basic standards:

On bars

Single bar release with a minimum of a “D” value

OR a release move valued as an “E”

OR a minimum of two “D” releases

OR minimum of two “E” level skills

 

On floor

Flat .10 deduction if missing an “E” valued element (acro or dance)
OR two different “D” elements (one of which must be an acro element)

 

Additionally, gymnasts still must perform a minimum of a C dismount on beam, but they will now be given credit for a B dismount preceded by and directly connected to any D acro element. 

 

Another rule is that all NCAA competitions will be conducted according to JO level 10 rules as of 11/1/15. However, if the value of a JO skill on events other than vaulting is raised after 11/1/15, the value of the skill will be immediately effective in the NCAA. But if an element value is lowered in JO after 11/1/15, it will remain at the higher value for collegiate competition until the change is reviewed by the NCAA women’s gymnastics committee.

 

Lastly, there is an update to the video review process, which can only be used during regular season competition. An institutional team video or television production footage must be used and reviews may be viewed in slow motion. 

See the full list of changes on the NCAA Handbook

 

Comment below with your opinions of the rule changes! How do you think the big vault start value change will pan out?