Olympic Gymnastics Scoring: The Basics and What to Watch For (2024)

When it comes to the Olympics, gymnastics has consistently been the most viewed event. But in spite of it’s popularity, Olympic gymnastics scoring remains a mystery for many viewers.

If ever there was a group of people who would qualify for possessing super powers, it would be gymnasts!

Gymnasts are the epitome of making extremely difficult athletic feats look like a piece of cake. We watch each performance in awe of their skills combined with such beauty and grace.

But one tiny group of individuals has a very different way of viewing each performance: the judges.

The critical eye of an Olympic judge has spent years in training to see what 99.9 percent of us do not see.

Below is an explanation of how final scores are calculated. There’s also a few things you can watch for on events other than the obvious falls, major balance errors, or large steps on landings.

Elements in routines happen quickly!Judges have also developed ‘super powers’ whenit comes to seeing beyond what the average person sees.Try spotting one or two of the ones listed below and watch the videos attached for additional help.

Understanding the judging a bit more will increase your appreciation and enjoyment for this amazing sport!

How Olympic Gymnastics Scoring Works

A gymnast’s final score is a combination of two categories added together: Difficulty and Execution.

Difficulty Score (D): Two judges determine the D-score. Scoring starts at zero. Difficulty adds to the score.The D-score includes points for difficulty value, compositional requirements, and connection value. The eight most difficult elements are counted.(In men’s gymnastics, 10 are counted.)

Execution Score (E): Each judge on a five judge panel takes execution deductions. Scoring starts at 10 points. Execution subtracts from the score.Each error receives a specific deduction. Bent knees, lack of height, foot form and dozens of otherdeductions can be applied. Afterward, the lowest and highest scores are thrown out and the three remaining are averaged. E-scores are often posted next to the final score on scoreboards.

Bars, beam, and floor each havetheir own particular requirements that add to the D-score.Vault is scored differently and is covered below.

Individual Events

Under each event listed below, you’ll find the E-score and D-score ranges for what a typical elite gymnast receives. Final score ranges for 2023 elite competitions are also posted.

Uneven Bars

E: 8.0-8.6 /D: 6.3-6.7 /Final: 14.9-15.3

Watch for:

• a straight body position in handstands that reach vertical
• completion of handstands at vertical, not before or after
• rhythm breaks
• bar video

Balance Beam

E: 7.8-8.5 /D: 6.0-6.9 /Final: 14.5-14.9

Watch for:

• slight arm or knee bends during back or front handsprings
• upright body positions throughout a leap or jump
• flexed feet
• beam video

Floor Exercise

E: 8.0-8.5 /D: 5.5-6.8 /Final: 14.1-15.4

Watch for:

• all jumps must have feet together upon landing
• flexed feet (common deduction in tumbling and dance passes)
• leg separations and/or crossed legs or feet during piked or layout tumbling passes
• floor video

Olympic gymnastics scoring must include the smallest of errors. Though some of these deductions may seem trivial, when you’re judging the very best of the best, it’s the tiniest things that separate one amazing athlete from another.

Men’s gymnastics has a similar scoring system which also uses the Difficulty and Execution categories.

USA Gymnastics scores are calculated on a 10 point basis. There are not two categories. For a more in depth coverage of the Xcel and Junior Development gymnastics scoring system for USA Gymnastics, this article will be helpful:

Understanding Gymnastics Scoring: From Artistry to Execution

How Olympic Gymnastics Scoring Works for Vault

How in the world can anyone accurately score an event that lasts a total of 5 or 6 seconds – of which only about 2 of those seconds is the actual skill?

Hint: It takes years of practice and a panel of judges!

Vault uses the same Olympic gymnastics scoring categories as the other events: Difficulty and Execution.

Difficulty score (D)
Unlike the other events, vault is the only one that has a predetermined D-score. Every vault has a value attached to it which has been determined by officials at the International Gymnastics Federation. Olympic D-scores usually range between 5-6, with a few reaching into the mid 6s. The vault value is shown to the judges before the vault is performed.

Execution score (E)
There are five judges on the panel that determine the E-score. E-scores begin at 10.0 and all errors are subtracted from that point. Each judge records the deductions they see. Afterward, the lowest and highest scores are thrown out and the three remaining are averaged. This averaged E-score is added to the D-score for the final score.

The Final Score

Team Finals
When a gymnast competes vault as part of the team, he or she performs one vault and the final score is the result of the three averaged scores of the judges.

Individual Event Finals
When a gymnast qualifies as an event specialist, he or she must perform two different vaults from two different vault groups during the individual event finals. In this case, each vault is judged separately by the panel and averaged. Then those two scores are combined and the average is taken again for the final score.

Top scores can range from 14.0 – 15.0. The exception is Simone Biles, who achieved a 15.975 on her Yerchenko double pike – a vault only men had performed until she nailed it.

With a Difficulty score of 6.4, Simone could fall on her landing and still take the gold!

The Vault Breakdown

Vault is broken down into three primary phases plus the landing.

This vault videoshows the breakdown of deductions Simone was given in each phase during a 2018 competition.

Pre-Flight
Judging begins when the gymnast hits the springboard. The run is not judged, though it should show explosive acceleration. The pre-flight begins when the gymnast leaves the springboard and takes to the air. It ends when her hands touch the vault table.

Watch for:

• a tight stretched body position
• feet and legs together
• arms by ears with head right in between, not sticking out

Repulsion
This phase happens in the blink of an eye! It begins when the gymnast touches the tableand ends as soon as his hands leave. Large deductions can be taken here if he leaves the table after vertical or doesn’t get enough height.

Watch for:

• a powerful, high, vertical push (called blocking) that
• maintains a tight body position

Post-Flight
This is the gravity-defying phase that wows the audience with twisting and flipping! The quality of the block in the repulsion phase determines the outcome of the rest of the vault. Height and distance are major parts judges look for.

Watch for:

• the body to rise and be propelled forward a reasonable distance
• flexed feet or feet/legs crossed

Landing
The landing is not always labeled as a primary phase of the vault, but it can be a make-it-or-break-it moment for the gymnast. The ability to direct such an immense amount of force into a controlled stick takes incredible strength and precision. Falls, extra steps, and obvious balance errors are easy to spot. Here are a few not-so-obvious deductions.

Watch for:

• deep squatting
• fingers brushing the mat
• chest bent forward
• poor alignment: landing too far to the right or left of the table

To learn more about how vault is scored at USAG meets, check out this article:

Gymnastics Vault Scoring: A Guide to Solving the Mystery

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve gained a better understanding of how the Olympic scoring system works for gymnastics. As you watch each event, pick just one or two things to focus on from each list. If you do this often enough, you too can develop a critical eye for judging and your appreciation of the sport will go up a notch or two. Who knows – you may find you really like this judging stuff and might decide to become one yourself! The National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges is always looking for new judges!

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All of these world-class gymnasts have one thing in common: they started gymnastics classes at a local gym! By enrolling your child in gymnastics, every part of their body undergoes a fitness challenge.

But that’s not all! The mental and emotional development that occurs prepares them to meet the future with a strong, disciplined mind.

Try any of our classes for free!

About EmethGym

At EmethGym, our gymnastics, tumbling, and ninja classes not only provide fun and fitness, but also challenge kids to grow both inside and out. We have written curriculums for our athletic programs and our character training program.

We use caring coaches, character training, and focus on individual progress. Our coaches receive regular safety and gymnastics training. They also focus on applying our unique character training program during each class. As a result, we’ve been producing confident, fit, young leaders since 2000. To learn more about the Emeth Way, click here.