In Olympic gymnastics, the score for an athlete is based on two different components; the Execution Score and Difficulty Score.
Each Execution Score starts at 10.0 points. The judges on the execution panel deduct points for errors, such as steps on landings, falls, flexed feet, bent knees, etc. The Difficulty Score starts at zero, and an athlete will earn points for composition requirements, difficulty of the elements and connection value. In women’s gymnastics, each routine receives points for the eight most difficult elements, while in men’s gymnastics, 10 are counted.
How do you calculate a team score in gymnastics?For the team event in gymnastics, there are two rounds. In qualifications, four athletes compete on each apparatus, with the three top scores counting for each team. Those three scores are added together for the team score. From the qualification round, the top-eight teams advance to the finals, where three athletes from each team compete on each apparatus. All of the scores are tallied, and the highest score wins.
How is a gymnast’s final score determined?For each Olympic gymnastics event, nine judges are chosen from a pool of multinational candidates approved by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). They are categorized into three groups:
D-panel: This panel calculates the Difficulty Score.
E-panel: This panel calculates the Execution Score.
Reference panel: This panel corrects any problems with the Execution Score.
Two judges sit on the D-panel and determine the Difficulty Score. A routine has a set difficulty score that is calculated starting from 0 and determined by combining the total difficulty value achieved through each skill and connection.
Six judges sit on the E-panel to determine a routine’s Execution Score. This is determined by the execution and artistry of a gymnast’s routine. This score starts at 10.0 and deductions are made for various errors.
The difficulty score and execution score are combined for the final score. A score under the current Code of Points typically lands between 12 and 15 points.
Final Score = [Difficulty + Execution] - Any neutral deductions
Difficulty Score
Both judges on the D-panel individually record a Difficulty Score. This includes the dismount. The two judges compare scores following the completion of a routine and reach a consensus, which becomes the Difficulty Score.
The difficulty value of a routine is determined by totaling the values of the most difficult skills in the routine. The eight most difficult skills are counted for the women and the 10 most difficult skills are counted for the men. Each element is assigned a set difficulty value as outlined in the Code of Points. Elements must be performed as technically described to receive the difficulty value and can only be performed once in an exercise.
Judges also award connection values on every event, except for vault, for unique combinations of elements. These connections are evaluated at 0.1 or 0.2 points.
Composition requirements are the basic skills or elements that must be included and differ by apparatus. The men define ‘composition requirements’ as Element Groups in their Code of Points. If all the requirements are included, a maximum of 2.5 points are rewarded.
Vault is the only apparatus that has a predetermined difficulty score, which is shown to the judges on a scoreboard at the beginning of the runway. The difficulty score is assigned to each vault in the Code of Points.
Execution Score
Six judges on the E-panel independently record a routine’s Execution Score. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, with the four remaining scores averaged for the final Execution Score. The score is determined based on the execution and artistry of a routine with deductions for falls, errors in technique and execution. Deductions range from 0.1 to 1.0. Neutral deductions can be taken for stepping out of bounds, violating time requirements, as well as attire or podium violations.
Final Score
The gymnast's final score is determined by totaling the Difficulty Score and the Execution Score, then subtracting any neutral deductions.