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The FIG's rules in the Code of Points aren't restricted to element values, requirements, connection bonuses, and deductions. Sometimes a certain skill or combination is so overused (or even dangerous) that the FIG has to ban it.

Specific Rules[]

Rule Change Example 1 Example 2
no more than three root skills
can be used in an uneven bars
routine (e.g., Stalders, toe ons,
hip circles, piked Stalders, etc.)
no more than one Tkatchev-type
release without a turn from
the same root
Ezgif-2-f9d6ee0106 Ezgif-2-09ececb937
on floor exercise, no more
than one turning ring leap
or jump
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on floor exercise, gymnasts
may not use a free or side
aerial to fulfill the requirement
for acrobatic elements in
different directions
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also on floor exercise,
gymnasts may not leap or
jump out of more than one
tumbling pass
gymnasts cannot do more
than one wolf turn in their
beam and floor routines
(THANK YOU FIG)
Ezgif-3-0a1d1321afdd Ezgif-3-b37dd76b01a2
gymnasts may not wear
"excessive makeup"
gym fans call this the "van Gerner rule"

Requirements[]

There are some requirements that are technically not worth anything towards the start value. However, failing to meet these requirements results in execution deductions.

Requirement Example 1 Example 2
on balance beam, gymnasts
must show elements or
choreography low on the beam
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also on balance beam,
gymnasts must show elements
or choreography
sidewards on the beam
Ezgif-3-3205d2d9bbdf Ezgif-3-3e728c960e8a
on both beam and floor,
gymnasts must show complex
and creative choreography
Ezgif-6-7cc99df08146 Ezgif-6-518903440ef6

IMPORTANT NOTE[]

Starting in 2017, a dismount of D-value or higher was removed as a composition requirement. However, starting in 2022, a bonus 0.2 is awarded for a dismount of D-value or higher. It is not a requirement, but it is something gymnasts will take advantage of to boost their start values.

UB BB FX
Gfr9s Gfvm9 Geps9

Banned Skills[]

When some skills are doable but either overdone or carry risk of injury, they're usually downgraded. In the case of these skills, they were banned outright for being too dangerous.

one-arm piked Geinger Gfcth banned after 2012
to discourage one-armed
elements on uneven bars, as
they were considered too
dangerous
1¾ flip with 1½ twists
ending in a forward roll
(Thomas salto)
Thomas-salto banned after 1992
carried serious injury risk
resulted in Soviet gymnast
Elena Mukhina becoming
paralyzed
any tumbling pass
ending in a forward roll
Roll-out-pass banned after 1992
carried serious injury risk
standing on high bar,
layout backflip to regrasp
high bar
(Korbut)
Korbut banned after 1985
involved standing on the high bar
standing on high bar,
layout backflip with full
twist to regrasp high bar
(Mukhina)
Mukhina banned after 1985
involved standing on the high bar
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