Technical Questions & Answers by Carole Bunge, RTCC

Send Carole a question via email.   Carole's Email    The answers will be posted here.

Dear Carole,

Level 7 Beam – Acro series -if the athlete achieves vertical in a HS, yet the legs are staged or separated, she hold 2 seconds, but the legs never come together before the back walk over connection…can you give it acro series credit??

Reply: 
1.  The leg position does not affect whether it is a handstand or not, as long as the shoulders, hands, hips are aligned it is OK.

 

Dear Carole,

Is there any deduction for Level 2 & 3 vault if they take MORE than the prescribed steps into the vault?  (1-3 steps for Level 2, and 7-9 steps for Level 3).

Reply: 
1.  The number of steps is not “in stone” but is a guide for the kids so there are no deductions for taking additional (or not enough) steps.

 

Dear Carole,

Could you clarify this situation?    1. A Level 5 or 6 is doing her bar routine. Out of the long hang kip she casts to HS and then falls over the bar.  She remounts on low bar and does the entire beginning of the routine again and then continues from the long hang kip.  Do we ignore all those skills and just keep the original deductions and then start judging again from the long hang kip?  2.If while doing the beginning of the routine a second time she falls, that fall is taken correct? 

Reply: 
1.  Start judging again from the point of interruption.  2.  Yes, a fall is taken.

 

Level 5 Balance Beam Change 2006 Beam Revision 

 

JO Element Announcement

The following elements were inadvertently omitted from the list of skills that have changed value for the JO Program (as published in the minutes of the May 2006 joint J.O. and Technical Committee meeting). These values are effective August 1, 2006:

Beam:

#7.303 (C) Free (aerial) round-off, landing on both legs       raise to D new # 7.403 

#8.404 (D) Salto backward stretched with legs together     raise to E new # 8.504

 

Change in Rules and Policies Wording  page 79, #3, a., 2.   

        3.     Jr. Olympic-all levels: An additional mat may be placed on the runway (but not on the board) for any vault, provided that it is manufactured by a gymnastics equipment company and does not exceed 2 inches in height.

                a.     Effective August 1, 2006: Only the following options for Round-off entry (hand placement) mats are allowed at sanctioned Level 8 and above meets:

                    1)     Sting mat (1 m x 2 m; maximum of 2 inches in height) must be supplied by Meet Director.

                    2)     Manufactured Round-off entry mat(s) may also be used; however, at East/West & JO National Championships, only the Round-off entry mats manufactured

                    by the equipment company that is supplying the apparatus will be allowed. Clubs may not bring their own mats.

                    3)     If the Meet Director cannot supply the abovementioned Round-off entry mats, they may allow clubs to bring their own, provided the mat meets the criteria as stated above.

                    b.     By August 1, 2007, all Meet Directors of Level 8 and above competitions MUST provide a minimum of one manufactured Round-off entry mat (size to be determined).                     Sting mats will no longer be allowed for use as a Round-off entry mat for vault.

 

Level 7 Beam Clarification 

Compulsory Q&A 

Clarification on Raising Scores at State Meets     Clarification

 

Dear Carole,
In the beam compositional deductions- forward/sideward acro skill:  Tech handbook says group 1 mounts can be used.  The question has come up- press to handstand lower to clear pike support.  Would this count?
Reply: 
NO, the intent is that it is a sideward acro movement, not a move that starts with a sideward stand. For example, #1.213 Jump to cartwheel on one or both arms.
 

Dear Carole,

Would tour jete with ˝ twist and a split full jump on floor be considered the same shape?
Reply: 
NO, take-off is totally different.  The shape issue is mainly with tucks and wolfs or wolfs and pikes. Also, if straddle jump, straddle jump ˝, straddle 1/1.

 

Dear Carole,
 On page 62 in the Code it indicates that a Level 10 will be penalized for performing a squat on LB more than one time, even for repeating it after a fall.  CORRECT  However, If a Level 7-9 gymnast falls on bars and they have already done one squat on in their routine before falling, they can do another squat without penalty but does judging resume once the gymnast performs an element listed in the Code of Points even though she may be repeating kip cast squat on to get to the high bar, or do we judge from the point of interruption?
Reply: 
NO penalty for levels 7 - 9 for doing more than one squat on.  Point of interruption is for COMPULSORY routines only since we know what the routine is ahead of time.. For Optionals, we start judging as soon as they perform an element listed in the code. If they jump up to front support, then do a cast, squat on, the squat on is evaluated as part of the exercise.

 

Dear Carole,
If a gymnast falls on her 2nd back walkover and never touches the beam with her feet in her acro series for level 7, will she still receive her special requirement acro series?  ? NO. See page 134 in JO Code: F. 2.  What is the deduction? 0.50 Special Req. missing + 0.5 for fall.
Reply: 
Anytime an element is not awarded value (incomplete-not landing on feet, third time, or 2nd time in exact same connection) it cannot be used to fulfill Special Requirements or for Additive value.

 

Dear Carole,
Level 7 Beam.Gymnast does not have to perform a “B” element in her acro series ( she can perform 2 “A’s”) or in any other part of her routine.  Is this correct?
Reply: 
Acro series may be 2 A’s, but a acro flight is also required at some point in the exercise. All acro flights are B’s, so in fact they must have a B acro element to fulfill the acro requirement worth 0.50..
 

Dear Carole,

Can a straddle cut be considered a flight element if it used as a mount?  Can a mount be used for the turn requirement?
Reply: 
In the JO Code of Points on pages 61 & 62, it states that element #1.204 Straddle Cut Catch will be considered a flight element and it may be performed as the mount. The element with a turn must be performed within the exercise (not as a mount or dismount).
 

Dear Carole,

I have a question regarding bars.  In the April, 2005 Technique, Page 24 for new elements or elements that will change:
2.  Back uprise (or turning uprise) to clear hip to handstand no longer considered two elements: The uprise is a "B" and the clear hip backward is either a "B" or "C" depending upon the angle achieved.  This doesn't make sense to me.  When it was explained again at the Technical Symposium, it still didn't make sense or I wasn't listening!
Reply: 
I know why you are confused because  it was wrong in the April Technique. It is no longer "one" element is what it should have said. The back uprise will be awarded a "B" and the Clear hip to handstand a "C", if it is within 20 degrees of vertical. If it is short award it a "B" clear hip.

 

Dear Carole,
Does USAG have any rules regarding the team competition leotards? Do they have to be long sleeved?  I have browsed their website now for an hour and do not see anything regarding this.

Reply:

Tanks are fine.  The attire regulations are on page 5 of the new JO code (not online).   Acceptable attire is a one piece leotard with or without sleeves and no bare midriff.   The leg cut of the leotard must be below the pelvis/hip bone.   Backless leotards are not acceptable.   Underwear (including sports bras) should not be visible.   One pair of stud earrings are allowed; one earring per ear.   Necklaces and bracelets are not allowed.   Spaghetti straps are considered inappropriate attire.  Straps must be a minimum of 2 cm (7/8”) wide.   Elastic waistbands traditionally worn as training aids are incorrect attire.  (This does not include medically necessary bandages).

 

Dear Carole,
What would the deduction be on Level 4 floor for a gymnast doing a back extension roll instead of the back pike roll?

Reply:

This situation is somewhat of a problem, but in talking with Connie we feel if the gymnast comes within 20 degrees of vertical then you could take up to the value (0.60) for changing the element. She did do a backroll, it was just to the wrong degree. Hope this helps.

 

Dear Carole,
Level 4 bars- Straddle leg cut? What if they move the hand to the other side of the leg before cutting the leg backward? We were told that would be a substitution and to deduct 2x the value.

Reply:

You are correct it should be considered substitution as the gymnast did not do a leg cut they did a leg swing. The deduction is 2 X .4 = .80.

 

Dear Carole,
Level 4 bars- Straddle or pike glide to stand- is it permissible to straddle the legs on the back swing just before the stand?

Reply:

NO

Dear Carole,

Level 4 bars- If they mount off a mat stack or board, is it permissible to finish the back swing of the glide on the mat stack or board or must it finish on the floor? (some level 4 gymnasts are so small that they cannot reach the floor if hanging from the low bar!)

Reply:

They must place their feet on the floor. The bar needs to be lowered so the gymnast can reach the floor.

 

Dear Carole,
Level 4 bars- May the gymnast do an immediate punch from the backward swing of the glide right into the pullover, or do they have to come to a complete stand, then raise the legs up?

Reply:

I have a note from when it was taught that they can "jump into" the back hip pullover, so I would assume they may do an immediate punch..

 

Dear Carole,
Level 4 bars- Can an athlete stand on a wedge sloping down forward to do the glide, return...this allows the athlete to get the jump they need for the glide, yet allows them to return to a somewhat lower surface for the pullover.

Reply:

The answer is NO, as it currently states panel mat or board. I also talked to Tom Koll regarding this question. He said for this year that is all that is allowed.

 

Dear Carole,
Level 4 bars- We're seeing different interpretations of the word "immediately" in the L4 Bar mount.  Some gymnasts are being taught to glide and instead of returning to a straight
STAND, they're gliding back and BOUNCING into the back hip pullover.  Sometimes this causes a knee bend, sometimes not.  Is the quick bounce acceptable technique or should
they perform a defined stand prior to lifting the legs?

Reply:

The gymnast must place her feet on the floor to finish in a straight stand prior to the pullover.  It is acceptable to jump into the pullover.
 

Dear Carole,

Level 4 bars- if the gymnast hooks her knee to complete the forward stride circle and falls backwards, does the .50 deduction include the extra swing to come back on top of
the bar, but 2 or more attempts to get back up would be deducted at .30 each?

Reply:

YES and YES.