2008 Summer Newsletter

2009 JUDGES’ COURSES

- The format for all courses will be a written and practical exams to directly follow the lectures on each event.

-           USAG BREVET         

Evaluation for current FIG or USAG-Brevet rated officials:

·         Timed 50-question multiple choice open-book exam

·         Practical exam (1 demo & 5 routines per event)

      Course passing grade is 80%

Evaluation for those taking the USAG-Brevet for the first time:

·         Timed 50-question multiple choice CLOSED-book exam

·         Practical exam (1 demo & 5 routines per event)

      Course passing grade is 80%

-           NATIONAL COURSES

-     for current National-rated judges

·         Timed 50-question multiple choice open-book exam

·         Practical exam (1 demo & 5 routines per event)

Course passing grade is 80% average, with a minimum of 70% on each part.

-     for first-time National Course participants

·         50-question multiple choice (CLOSED-book) exam (10 questions per event and general information)

·         Practical exam (1 demo & 5 routines per event)

Course passing grade is 80% average, with a minimum of 70% on each part.

-           CHIEF JUDGE FEES

Chief judge fee be paid only at:

- USAG State Meets with FOUR-judge panels

- USAG Level 8-10 Regional & Level 9 East/West and Level 10 National competitions, regardless of the number of judges per panel

Reminder: Chief Judge fees are NOT paid at any invitational competitions.

Clarification: The Meet Referee will continue to receive an additional $10 per day at all USAG State, Regional, East/West and National Championships. As in the past, no dual compensation is given if the Meet Referee also serves as a Chief Judge.

VAULT

-        Recommendation that for twisting vaults #1.105, 1.205, 1.305, 1.206:

Delete the following from the parenthesis “both must turn in the same direction and”

uneven bars

         -        level 4 & 5 compulsory bars

Clarification on the cast following the front hip circle:

For Level 4, the Front hip circle, small cast is considered one major element (#2 worth 0.60). If the gymnast is unable to cast immediately (or does not cast at all) following the front hip circle, a flat 0.30 deduction is applied (basically the last half of the element was “incomplete”). If the front hip circle itself was not completed, a deduction of “up to 0.30” can be applied. However, do not deduct “up to 0.6” for the incomplete front hip circle, plus an additional 0.30 for lacking the immediate small cast.

For Level 5, the front hip circle is major element #2 (worth 0.60) and the Cast to horizontal is major element # 3 (worth 0.80). If the gymnast omits the cast, the deduction for omitting a major element is applied (double the value of the element = 1.6).

-        additional bar element - element # 3.207:

Clear hip circle forward (Weiler kip) that finishes above horizontal will receive B value. 

-        Level 7 Bars Clarifications:

-        Under Special Requirement of one cast to a minimum of 21°- 45°, add the words “from handstand (vertical).” 

-        Counting of elements

         The casts will be considered different if they receive either no Value (below horizontal), an A value (21°-45° from vertical) or a B (within 20° of vertical), they all will be considered different for the counting of value parts. Examples:

         a.      Gymnast performs a cast to 45° (A), then a clear hip circle to 45° (B) to a glide kip, then immediately performs another cast to 45° cast to clear hip to 45°, the gymnast has done the same exact sequence; therefore, the second clear hip will be given 0 value part credit.

         b.      Gymnast performs a cast to 45° (A), then a clear hip to 45° (B) to a glide kip, then immediately performs another cast to horizontal (no value) to a clear hip to 45° (B), the connection WILL be considered different, so the second Clear hip will receive B credit.

-        Dismounts on Beam or Bars (refer to JO Code of Points, pages 49 and 131):

If a gymnast performs a dismount element:

-     without a value, or

-     attempts to perform a salto dismount but never initiates the salto

action and falls without landing on the feet, or

-     makes  no attempt to dismount,

Deduct       0.50 Fall

0.30 No dismount (off Start Value)

0.50 Special Requirement for dismount not fulfille.

BALANCE BEAM

- Compulsory Beam:

         Clarification for the Handstand dismount: If the coach pushes the gymnast over to assist the gymnast in completing the element, there is a 0.50 deduction for the spot, plus no value is given for the element.

-  Clarifications in JO Code of Points:

 - Gainer saltos backward:

-        Page 219 - All backward salto DISMOUNTS performed off the end of the beam, but starting facing in towards the length of the beam, may be performed with a two-foot or one-foot (swing through) take off.

-        Page 221 – All gainer saltos backward performed off the side of beam have a one foot take-off (swing through).

-        Page 222 - To be considered a gainer salto at the end of the beam, the gymnast must be facing out and performing a salto backward toward the beam (similar to an inward dive).

- Level 7 Beam Clarification:

Beginning last August 1 of 2008, #302 Straddle pike jump from a cross or side position was approved for use at

Level 7 with “B” value given. Since there are two elements listed in the JO Code (page 168) under #2.302, the

Straddle pike jump with a ¼ turn is also allowed.

- Level 7 & 8         

         Acro connections: if gymnast attempts a Back Walkover, Back Walkover series, and either breaks the connection or falls on the first Back Walkover, then performs a Handstand (with no 2-second hold; therefore, no VP) connected to a Back Walkover, the 2^nd performance of the Back Walkover will not receive “A” value credit because it is not considered a different connection.

         Reminder: If no value-part credit is given for an element, that element cannot be used to fulfill a Special Requirement.

-        Scales forward: In order to receive value part credit for #5.101 and 5.201 (Scale forward), the back leg must be held above horizontal for two seconds.

-     Beam mount: #1.409 should also include the McCool mount, Jump to handstand with hip angle (pike) to handspring forward to land on two feet (flyspring). This element was already added to the Beam symbol chart from November 2007.

Floor Exercise

-        JO Code of Points, Page 242, Large faults, #5 “Relaxed or incorrect foot/leg/body/posture” refers to posture faults on non-value part connections throughout the exercise. Deduct up to 0.30

-        If the gymnast lands an element and is moving toward the edge of the floor area (or actually goes out of bounds) and is spotted (touch/pushed) by the coach to prevent them from either going out of bounds or to prevent them from falling on the area outside the floor exercise mat, then only one 0.50 deduction will be taken, regardless if it results in a fall. If the gymnast does go out of bounds, a 0.10 deduction will be taken from the average score.

-        Page 5, JO Code of Points: n. Coach on floor exercise mat: Add the words, “inside the border marking”

         -        Matting on floor: Rules and Policies - Page 82, F. 2

Clarification: Only one skill cushion per tumbling pass may be used; however, a sting mat may be placed on top of the skill cushion.

-        JO Code of Points, page 5. p. Excessive use of magnesia (chalk):

         Clarification: a single-line arc drawn with chalk in the corner of the floor mat is acceptable. No tape or Velcro markings are allowed within the floor exercise area. It is still acceptable to place tape markings on the corner lines to indicate the boundary line.

meet formats

The committees would like to remind meet directors that the only acceptable formats for sanctioned events are listed in the current Rules and Policies. If any individual has an idea for a new format, it should be submitted to Tom Koll for consideration and/or approval and possible inclusion in future Rules & Policies. Otherwise, all coaches and judges have the professional responsibility to report violations of the Rules & Policies.

A maximum of 80 gymnasts per session for competitions that have sessions of ONLY Level 7 competitors, using non-traditional formats.

All judges and coaches should reference the full text of the minutes for specific wording as well as additional changes and clarifications to deductions and skill values.

Many of you are sending contracts, in-gym forms and availability by e-mail.  This is great.  I am all for fast transmission and definitely want to save the trees.  Several items that will help if you use e-mail as your preferred method of delivery:

-        Include your name on the file as part of the title on the file you are sending

-        Please sign your correspondence with both your first and last name.  You may think you are the only Gertrude in Region 8, but there could be several.  A last name is a big help.

A special thank you to NAWGJ for all of their help at Level 9/10 and Level 8 regionals as well as at the Level 9 Eastern Championships with supplying the auxiliary judges for these championship meets hosted in Region 8. Mary Ann Wallace, Alabama NAWGJ State Judging Director coordinated volunteers at the Level 9/10 regionals.  Tennessee NAWGJ did a wonderful job helping with volunteers for Level 8 regionals.  Mark Robbins worked with Florida NAWGJ to coordinate volunteers for Level 10 JO Nationals.  Thank you!