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 |
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| no more than three root skills can be used in an uneven bars routine (e.g., Stalders, toe ons, hip circles, piked Stalders, etc.) |
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| no more than one Tkatchev-type release without a turn from the same root |
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| 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 |
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| gymnasts cannot do more than one wolf turn in their beam and floor routines (THANK YOU FIG) |
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| gymnasts may not wear "excessive makeup" |
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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 |
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| on both beam and floor, gymnasts must show complex and creative choreography |
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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 |
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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 | 
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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) |
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banned after 1992 carried serious injury risk resulted in Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina becoming paralyzed |
| any tumbling pass ending in a forward roll |
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banned after 1992 carried serious injury risk |
| standing on high bar, layout backflip to regrasp high bar (Korbut) |
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banned after 1985 involved standing on the high bar |
| standing on high bar, layout backflip with full twist to regrasp high bar (Mukhina) |
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banned after 1985 involved standing on the high bar |