Clarification and Update

NAWGJ-FL: For the benefit of the gymnasts...

send email November 17, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With the meet season well underway and the Compulsory State Championships rapidly approaching, I have been asked to send out a few reminders.

Please remember that the JO Compulsory text is THE source for all answers. If you can’t find the answer in the text description for a routine or in the updated deduction pages, please send me the question and I will be happy to research the answer.

For Level 2 Balance Beam – there is no requirement to grasp the underside of the beam during the forward roll.

When judging USAG Levels 5, 6, and 7 vault, please remember that deductions for the ‘angle of repulsion’ and ‘too long in support’ may be applied. (You might try using the environment to help maintain consistent use of the deductions from squad to squad (lines on the wall, door jams, windows...))

Please be sure that all of the judging aids you use are correct.

The mileage rate in effect is as follows:

     USAG - .55 per mile

     FGAAU - .55 per mile

    TFAAU - .55 per mile for qualifiers and .40 per mile for Championship events

   The deduction of 30 miles for a solo driver to a meet is a per day deduction. This is documented on page 80 of 2011 – 2012 Women’s Program Rules and Policies.

CLARIFICATION OF MOUNT FOR LEVEL 4 BARS FOR FLORIDA AAU:

send email October 24, 2011

All routines start from a 9.5 UNLESS the gymnast successfully completes a GLIDE KIP mount WITHOUT coaches assistance (spot) OR a fall. If a glide kip in totally finished on the top of the bar with NO spotting OR falling, the routine will then have a 10.00 start value, with a MAXIMUM total deduction of .30.

A 9.5 start value is applied in the following circumstances:

1. If gymnast attempts a glide kip mount and does not complete the skill due to A FALL either on the apparatus or to the floor OR coach TOUCHES (spots) gymnast at any point during the skill. There is no deduction for the fall. THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO SPOTTING A GLIDE KIP (see below).
2. Gymnast only performs a pullover mount with no attempt at a glide kip.

FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS:

If a gymnast initiates a glide kip mount and the coach sports her during any portion of the skill the following rules will apply:

A. - .50 for the spot.
B. 9.50 start value.

If the gymnast is assisted back up to the bar by the coach or just jumps to a front support after attempting a glide kip after falling and DOES NOT perform a pullover mount, a FURTHER DEDUCTION of .30 will be applied for not performing a mount.

To make this even simpler:

EXAMPLES:

A. Gymnast attempts a glide kip mount and the coach spots her by assisting her in the completion of the kip. Gymnast continues with her routine, she does not perform a pullover mount:

Results:

9.50 start value
-.30 taken from the start value of 9.50 for no mount (kips mounts are only allowed totally unassisted for ANY CREDIT).
-.50 for the spot.
No further execution deductions

B. Gymnast attempts a glide kip mount and gymnast falls before completion of the skill. She then performs a pullover:

Results:

9.50 start value
Execution deductions apply to the pullover.
No deduction for fall from glide kip.

Gymnast attempts a glide kip and coach spots the skill to completion. Gymnast jumps down to the floor and then performs a pullover mount:

9.50 start value
-.50 for spot
No deduction for jumping down as the gymnast must be on the floor to initiate the pullover.
Execution deductions apply to the pullover.

So the rule is: GYMNAST HAS THE RIGHT TO ATTEMPT A GLIDE KIP MOUNT, BUT THAT ATTEMPT MUST BE TOTALLY UNASSISTED. THIS IS THE ENTIRE POINT OF ALLOWING THE ATTEMPT WITHOUT PENALTY. IF THE GYMNAST IS UNSUCCESSFUL IN HER UNASSISTED ATTEMPT (SHE FALLS), SHE MUST THEN PERFORM A LONG HANG PULLOVER MOUNT IN ORDER TO AVOID THE .30 DEDUCTION FOR NO MOUNT.

COACHES, DO NOT HAVE YOUR GYMNAST PERFORM A GLIDE KIP WITH A SPOT, SHE WILL END UP WITH A TOTAL OF .80 IN DEDUCTIONS FROM A 9.50 START VALUE ANYWAY, SO IT IS NOT TO HER ADVANTAGE! ALSO, IF YOU KNOW THE GYMNAST HAS NO CHANCE OF COMPLETING THE KIP, IN ORDER TO NOT WASTE TIME, DO NOT ALLOW HER TO ATTEMPT IT. THIS IS A WASTE OF THE OFFICIALS TIME AND EVERYONE ELSE INVOLVED. THE RULES OF ALLOWING A GLIDE KIP ATTEMPT IS TO GIVE THOSE GYMNASTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE KIP IN THE GYM BUT MAY BE STILL "HIT AND MISS" THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT SKILL, OR REWARD THOSE GYMNASTS WHO CAN PERFORM THIS IMPORTANT SKILL THE REWARD OF A HIGHER START VALUE. HOWEVER, EVEN IF THE GYMNAST COMPLETES THE SKILL, THIS DOES NOT MEAN HER SCORE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE HIGHER THAN IF SHE PERFORMED A CLEAN, CORRECT PULLOVER.

USAG-FL: Clarification regarding circling elements for P.R.E.P. Optional Noice Bars

sent email January 27, 2011

The Long Hang Pull over (skill number eight (8) in the Level 6 compulsory bar routine; also identified as skill number 4.102 in the JO Optional Code) is consider an ‘A’ circling skill and may be used to meet the circling skill SR for Novice P.R.E.P Optional bars. To receive ‘A’ value part credit, the skill MUST be initiated from a cast. (Please review the text associated with the skill on page 101 of your JO Optional Code.)

This skill MAY NOT be used to fulfill the circling skill requirement at the Open Division as the requirement reads as follows:

1 skill from Group 3, 6, 7 OR one ‘B’ circle skill from Group 4

As this is an ‘A’ skill from Group 4, it may not be used to fulfill the SR in this case.

A long hang pull over initiated from a jump from the low bar is NOT considered a circling element. For the Novice Division this skill should be given an ‘A’ for the purpose of skill counting, but will not fulfill the Novice ‘A’ circling skill requirement. It is considered equivalent to the back hip pullover mount, but performed within the routine. This skill will receive zero ‘0’ VP credit if performed in the Open Division; regardless of how it is performed as it is not a skill listed in the JO Optional Code.

USAG-FL: P.R.E.P OP- Clarifications for Beam

sent email January 12, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A couple of coaches have submitted questions that have resulted in the following clarifications for the USAG-FL P.R.E.P. Op program. Please make sure you have this with you for the weekend!

· The split leap SR on beam

This should read “leap or jump”.

The rational is that this should be line with the other optional levels on beam and with the Region 8 rules.

· Requirements to receive acro credit for a handstand on beam

o Novice Division

In order for a handstand on beam to receive VP credit as an “A” acro element, the handstand must achieve vertical. There is NO hold requirement.

o Open Division

In order for the handstand on beam to receive VP credit as an

“

”

acro element, it must meet the requirements documen

ted in the JO Optional Code of Points. This means that at this level, there MUST BE a 2 second hold.

NAWGJ-FL: Gentle reminder for Beam Bonus on the two-acro flight series and CV for L9 (B + C)

sent email January 11, 2011

This topic has been discussed in several circles recently so the information is being provided as a “gentle reminder” as many coaches and judges do not think it makes any sense. While this issue has be elevated to the Technical Committee, there has not yet been any announced change.