SECTION 12 — Balance Beam

Artistic Performance 2 An artistic performance is one in which the gymnast demonstrates her ability to transform her balance beam exercise from a well-structured composition into a performance. In so doing the gymnast must demonstrate creativity, confidence of performance, personal style and perfect technique. This is not “what” but how the gymnast performs.

Composition & Choreography 3 The design, structure and composition of the exercise includes: A rich and varied selection of elements from different structure groups in the table of elements Changes of level (up and down) Changes of direction (fwd, bwd, swd) Changes of rhythm & tempo Creative or original movements and transitions. This is “what” she performs.

Rhythm & Tempo 4 The Rhythm and tempo (speed/pace) must be varied, sometimes lively, sometimes slow, but predominately dynamic and above all uninterrupted. The transition between the movements and elements should be smooth and fluent; without unnecessary stops or prolonged preparatory movements before elements The exercise should not be a series of disconnected elements.

General 5 The evaluation of the exercise begins with the take-off from the board or the mat. The Mount and Dismount may be on the same end. The 10cm mat may not be moved to the unpermitted end of the beam. (0.50 deduction). It is possible to dismount off the side of the beam. Additional supports under the board (ie: an extra board) are not permitted.

Mount 6 A gymnast is permitted a 2nd attempt to mount (with a penalty) if she has not touched the springboard or the apparatus. Deduction-1.00 D - panel judges will take the deduction from the Final score. A 3rd attempt is not permitted. If gymnast fails on her 2 nd attempt the deduction is a total of 2.0 taken by the D Panel plus 0.10 – mount not from the table (E Panel deduction)

7 Mount: If the gymnast on her first attempt touched the springboard, or the apparatus. Deduction D- panel judges will take the deduction from the Final score. She must start her exercise No Value will be awarded for the Mount. Deduction for “Mount not from the Table of elements” will be applied by the E Panel 0.10.

Timing 8  The duration of the exercise on the balance beam may not exceed 1:30 minutes (90 sec).  The Time Judge 1 (Assistant) begins timing when the gymnast takes-off from the springboard or mat. She stops the clock, when the gymnast touches the mat upon completion of her beam exercise.  A signal (gong) will be communicated ten (10) seconds prior to the maximum time limit (1:20) and again at the maximum time limit (1:30) to indicate that the exercise is to be finished.

Timing 9  If the dismount lands at the sound of the second signal, there is no deduction.  If the dismount lands after the sound of the second signal, there is a deduction for exceeding the time limit. The deduction for overtime will be taken, if the exercise is more than 1:30 minutes (90 seconds)-0.10

Fall Timing: Fall time period 10 seconds allowed 10 Time Judge 2 begins timing when the gymnast is on her feet after the fall. The duration of the fall is timed separately; it will not be calculated in the total time of the exercise. The fall period ends when the gymnast takes-off from the mat to remount the beam. After remounting the beam the resumption of timing by Time Judge 1 begins with the first movement to continue the exercise.

Fall Timing 11 The elapsed time during the fall will be displayed in seconds on the scoreboard. A signal (gong) will be communicated at the 10 second time limit. If the gymnast does not remount the beam by the 10 second time limit, the exercise is considered terminated.

Difficulty Value 12 Maximum 5 acro (Including Dismount) Minimum 3 Dance

12.3 Composition Requirements (CR) D- Panel 2.50 (0.5 each) 13 CR 1 : One connection of at least 2 different dance elements, 1 being a leap, jump or hop with 180° split (cross or side), or straddle – i.e. Johnson leap would fulfill the requirement of leap - Do not need to be in the 8 counting elements - One of the two elements may be a turn - Developé technique may be used in split leap – front leg must extend.

12.3 Composition Requirements (CR) D- Panel 2.50 (0.5 each) 14 CR 2 Turn May be any turn from Group 3 CR3. One acro series, min. of 2 flight elements 1 being a salto (elements may be same)

12.3 Composition Requirements (CR) D- Panel 2.50 (0.5 each) 15 CR 4. Acro elements in different directions (fwd/swd and bwd)  Arabian elements are considered forward Flight not necesssary. CR must be performed on the Beam. Rolls, handstands and holds may not be used to fulfill CR.

CR 5 Dismount 16 No dismount, A- or B- dismount0.00 P. C- dismount0.30 P. D- or higher dismount0.50 P.

Direct Connections 17 Acro and/or dance/acro elements are performed without: Hesitation or stop between elements Extra step between elements Foot touching beam between elements Loss of balance between elements Leg/hip extension in 1 st element before take off for 2 nd element Additional arm/leg swing Poor Rhythm in connections 0.10 Connection credited

18 NEW – Key word is Fluidity Gymnast must land with arms slightly forward or back and immediately move into next element. Arm swings will break the connection – even if gymnast has continuous movement of arms.

12.4 Connection Value (CV) D - Panel 19 a) Connection Value can be awarded for direct connections. b) The CV and Series Bonus (SB) will be added into the D- Score. c) Series Bonus will be awarded for the connection of 3 or more acro elements. d) CV and SB must be performed without a fall. e) Elements are not necessarily included in 8 counting elements

NOTE: (same as Code 2009) The following B- acro elements with hand support and flight – flic-flac with legs together – flic-flac with step-out – gainer flic-flac – round-off – handspring forward may be performed a 2nd time in the exercise to receive CV 20

Acrobatic acro flight elements, excluding the dismount - all connections must be rebounding, except when stated C/D + D (or more) (Non rebounding fwd direction only) C + C B + E C/D + D (or more) B + D (Travelling in forward direction only) B + F * Connections with rebounding effect develop speed in one direction: Landing (on two feet) from the 1st flight element with hand support followed by an immediate take-off/rebound into the 2nd element or Landing from the 1st element on one leg and placing the free leg with an immediate rebound from both legs into the 2nd element

2 acro flight elements, excluding the dismount C/D + D (or more) (Non rebounding fwd direction only) 0.10 Aerial Walkover + aerial walkover D+X = 0.10 Aerial walkover + aerial cartwheel D+D = 0.10 Aerial walkover + side salto D+D= 0.10 Aerial cartwheel + side salto D+D=0.10 Aerial cartwheel + aerial cartwheel D+X= 0.10 Onodi + forward salto takeoff from one foot D+C=0.10 C + C Round off back handspring mount + back tuck salto C+C=0.10 Gainer back layout step out + back layout step out C+C=0.10 Back layout step out + back layout step out C+X= 0.10 B + E Round off + stretched back layout B+E =0.10 NOT AWARDED: Aerial walkover + back salto tuck D+C = 0.0 Front salto take off from one foot + flic flac 1/1 to straddle sit C+D =0 Front aerial walkover +Onodi D+D =

C/D + D (or more) 0.20 Round off layout mount + back layout step out D+C= 0.20 Gainer back layout step out + flic flac 1/1 to cross sit C+D = 0.20 Round off back handspring mount + Onodi C+D = 0.20 Aerial cartwheel + back tuck salto D+C= 0.20 Aerial cartwheel + back layout step out D+C= 0.20 B + D (Travelling in forward direction only) Front handspring + foward tuck salto B+D = 0.20 Forward kip mount + forward tuck salto B+D = 0.20 Front aerial walkover+ forward tuck salto D+D=0.20 B + F Round off + full twisting backward salto B+F=0.20 Back handspring+ arabian salto tucked B+F=

 Starting from B + B + C (any order)  In addition to CVs for the already stated formulas Example # 1: B + B + C = flic flac, flic flac, back layout step out D+ B + C = Round off back layout step out mount+flic flac+back layout step out  Example #2: Gainer back layout step out (C)+back layout step out (C) +back layout step out (X) C+C = 0.10; C+X= Series Bonus = 0.10 Total CV + SB = 0.30 Connections of ** 3 or more acro elements,(rebounding and non-rebounding including mount & dismount (Min C) will be rewarded with a “Series Bonus” of

Acrobatic Series Bonus 25 In connections of more than 2 acro elements, non-flight acro elements Min B (Except «holds») may be used. Series Bonus will be awarded for rebounding and non rebounding series. Examples: Roll backward to handstand (B), Roll backward to handstand (X), back salto stretched step out (C) = SB 0.10 Gainer back layout (C)+ flic flac to cross sit (B)+ roll backward to handstand (B) = SB 0.10 Flic flac (B)+flic flac to 2 feet(B)+ 2/1 salto backward stretched dismount (C) = SB 0.10 Flic flac (B) + flic flac to 2 feet (B) + backward salto stretched(C) = SB 0.10

Acrobatic Series Bonus More Examples: 0.10 Aerial walkover (D)+ flic flac (B)+ back salto stretched step out (C) Round off(B) + flic flac (B) + backward salto tucked (C) Flic flac(B) + flic flac to 2 feet + double backward piked salto dismount (E) Aerial cartwheel(D) + back salto stretched (C) + flic flac (B) Forward aerial walkover (D)+flic flac (B) + flic flac (X) Flic flac ¾ twist (D)+ flic flac (B) + backward salto piked(C) Flic flac(B)+ flic flac to 2 feet(B) + 1 ½ backward twist dismount(C) Flic flac+ (B)flic flac to 2 feet(B)+ double salto backward tuck dismount(D) Round off(B)+ flic flac(B)+ double salto backward tuck dismount (D) Backward roll to handstand(B)+ flic flac(B)+back salto stretched step out(C) More than 3 elements – Series Bonus = 0.10 Example: Aerial walkover forward(D)+flic flac(B)+ backward salto tuck (C )+ flic flac on one arm(B) 26

Combination CV + SB Examples Round off flic flac mount(C)+ flic flac with piking and extending of hips to cross sit (C )+ roll backward to handstand (B) CV:C+C= SB =0.10 Total= 0.20 Flic flac (B)+ flic flac to 2 feet (B) + salto backward stretched with legs together (E) CV: B+E = 0.10; SB = 0.10 Total = 0.20 Flic flac (B)+ back salto stretched step out (C)+ back salto stretched step out (X) CV: C+C = 0.10; SB = 0.10 Total= 0.20 Aerial cartwheel(D)+ back salto stretched step out (C ) + Onodi (D) CV: D+C= 0.20; C+D = 0.20; SB = 0.10 Total =

28 Round off flic flac mount (C ) + back salto stretched step out (C ) + back salto stretched step out (X) CV: C+C = 0.10; C+X= 0.10; SB = 0.10 Total = 0.30 Gainer back salto stretched step out (C ) + Onodi (D) + front aerial 1 ½ twist dismount (C) CV: C+D-= 0.20; SB = 0.10 Total = 0.30 Front aerial walkover(D) +aerial cartwheel (D) + flic flac with ¾ turn (D) CV: D+D= 0.10; D+D = 0.20; SB= 0.10 Total = 0.40 Flic flac (B)+ flic flac to 2 feet(B)+back salto stretched with legs together(E)+ flic flac to Cross sit(B) CV: B+E= 0.10; SB = 0.10 Total= 0.20 Combination CV + SB Examples

29 Dance & Mixed (acro flight element only) excluding dismount C + C or more A + C (turns only) D(salto) + A dance D(salto) to 1 foot + A Scale (this order & no step is permitted D + D or more: Example: 2/1 turn+ aerial walkover Note: Turns may be performed on the same support leg, or with step into turn on opposite leg (brief demi- plié on one or both feet is permitted

Mixed D- salto + A- Scale = Must be performed:  Only in this order  No step into scale Scale (4.102) (with/without hand support) Requires ： 180˚ split (and hold 2 sec.), if less - No DV, No CV, but no deduction for split

May be performed ：  On the same support leg or  With step into turn on opposite leg (brief demi- plié on one or both feet is permitted)  No preparation for the 2 nd turn 31 Turns A + C (or reverse) = 0.10

12.5 Artistry & Choreography ARTISTRY OF PERFORMANCE Insufficient artistry of performance throughout the exercise including: Confidence Personal style Rhythm & Tempo · Insufficient variation in rhythm & tempo in movements (no DV) · Performance of the entire exercise as a series of disconnected ele. & Mvts X X

12.5 Artistry & Choreography Composition & Choreography Lack of creativity of mvts and transitions Lack of side movements (No DV) − Insufficient use of entire apparatus: − Mount not from the Table of elements One-sided use of elements: · More than one ½ turn on 2 feet with straight legs throughout exercise XXX XX XXX XX Missing Movements close to beam with a part of torso (including thigh) and/or head touching the beam Element not necessary

Specific Apparatus Deductions Poor rhythm in connections with DV Each 0.10 Pause (2 sec) and/or excessive preparation before elements Each 0.10 Poor body posture throughout Body posture, head position 0.10 Feet not pointed 0.10 Amplitude (maximum elongation of body movements)

Specific Apparatus Deductions Faults or more E Panel Additional support of leg against the side surface of the beam X Failure to meet the technical requirement of the element through use of additional support. X Grasp on beam in order to avoid a fall 0.50 Additional movements to maintain BalanceXX0.50 No attempt to dismount*

Dismount with fall 36 a. If the salto for the dismount has not begun (no initiation of rotation) and a fall occurs, or b. No attempt for DMT at all (landing on feet or falling after landing on feet) Example: Round off, jump off BB: Evaluation: – No CR (D- panel) – No DV – count 7 elements only (D- panel) – 0.50 No attempt to dismount (E- panel) – Fall or apply landing deductions if no fall (E- panel)

Dismount with fall 37 If the salto for the dismount has begun and then a fall occurs where the gymnast does not land feet first: Example: Round off, double salto backwards tuck dismount and gymnast does not land feet first. Evaluation: – No CR (D- panel) – No DV – count 7 elements only (D- panel) – Fall (E- panel)

Notes 38 Falls – Acro and Dance Elements Acro and Dance Elements must return to the beam with foot or torso in order to be awarded difficulty. a) with a landing on 1 or 2 feet or in prescribed position on the beam – DV given b) without a landing on 1 or 2 feet or in prescribed position on the beam – No DV is awarded (element may be performed again to receive DV)

Notes 39 Mounts Only one acro element may precede the mount Mount elements (rolls, handstands and holds) may be performed within the routine but receive DV only once for the same element.

Notes 40 Holds  Handstands (without turns) & holds must be held for 2 sec. when prescribed in the table of elements in order to receive DV. If the element is not held for 2 sec. and does not appear as another element in the Code, award 1 DV lower. (HSTD or hold position should be completed). For CV “Hold” acro elements (with flight) may be used as the last element in an Acro series or mixed connection. Flic flac with ¾ twist will be credited 1 DV lower if the handstand is not held for 2 seconds

Clarifications 41 Specific Elements

Flic Flac 1/1 turn 42 If front hand completed turn – award DV (apply deduction for precision) Correct Correct 1 DV lower 0.10 precision Award DV 0.10 precision

Flic Flac 270° turn D Requirements: min. 270° turn If moving hand: If moving hand:  0.10 precision (E panel) 43

Reminder Aerial Fwd 44 Landing on 1 foot 2 feet Arabesque ( less than 180°leg split) Same D- element

Split Leap with Leg Change 45 Change leg leap with ½ turn  It must show a cross split position, or the “Johnson” leap will be credited. Free leg swing must be a min. of 45° ● If less than 45° or bent credit Split Leap ½ turn

In order to recognize element # gymnast should show split position (180°). If there is no split, credit no DV and no deduction for insufficient split. 46

5.313 Guideline for recognition of pike salto bwd 47  For recognition of  a gymnast must take off upward- backward and lands close to the place where she took off.

48  A gymnast must take off upward- backward and show stretched position in inverted position.  If piked before inverted position it is a back pike salto. (5.513) Guideline for recognition of Salto backward stretched with legs together

Gainer Salto at end of Beam Gainer stretched without twist: If gymnast lands directly in front of beam = D If gymnast lands slightly side ward of end of beam = A Gainer stretched with 1/1 twist If gymnast lands directly in front of beam = E If gymnast lands slightly to the side of the end of the beam = E If gymnast lands both feet to the side of the end of the beam = B

3.405 Illusion 1/1 50 Gymnast is permitted to start the turn with the support foot turned in to approximately 45 degrees. The turn can be completed as the leg is going down.

5.412 Salto sideward tucked 51 This element must show a clear side position immediately after take off and maintain this position until landing. If the turn is late a forward salto, take off from one leg (5.311) plus ¼ turn. If landing is with the 1 st foot along the beam, an aerial cartwheel will be recognized. (5.409)