In order to petition to Level 9 or 10 Regional Championships, a completed petition form must be submitted to Marian Dykes. It is the coach’s responsibility to get all information needed for the petition. The petition must be received no later than the Wednesday following the state meet. Please call or fax Marian to notify her that a petition is coming. A check for the petition entry fee must accompany the petition form sent to Marian. If the petition is accepted, Marian will forward the check to the Meet Director.
Qualification to Level 7 and 8 Regionals is by placement. Therefore there are no petitions to Level 7 or 8 Regionals. There are no petitions to Prep Opt Regionals.
Mileage rate change
Following USAG guidelines, the mileage rate used to reimburse judges for travel changed to $.50 effective 1/1/10. The mileage rate changes automatically any time the IRS changes the mileage rate. The IRS determines the mileage rate using data complied by the National Automobile Association on the average cost to operate a vehicle.
Some optional reminders
A new optional rating is required as of January 1, 2010. If a judge has not recertified at their old rating as of the first of the year, they can only be assigned based on any rating they have passed on the new test. The judge will also be paid based on ratings obtained on the new test. The USAG web site has a complete listing of judging exams if a judge still needs to test.
Inquiries - Reminder to judges that if a coach has a question regarding an exercise during the competition, the judges should advise the coach to submit an Inquiry Form to officially receive information. There should be no casual conversation between a coach and a judge during the competition regarding the evaluation of an exercise.
Vault Matting – Please be sure and review your Rules and Policies under the equipment section regarding vault matting. Whenever a 4” supplemental mat (“throw” skill cushion) is used for Level 7-10, it must be a minimum of 7’ by 10’. Any dimension of sting mat is allowed.
Remember the guidelines from the JO and Technical Committee that were presented in the summer clinics and judging courses. The judges Start Value should reflect exactly what was done. The judge should not be giving questionable skills or connections thinking this will make everyone happy. The gymnast and coach should know exactly where they stand every weekend they compete so they can know what needs improvement. There should be no surprises at states, regionals and nationals.
Optional Bars - There are several skills in the code that states from a handstand...
This is the wording in the description for both a giant and a flyway for example as well as several other skills. If a gymnast performs a skill that states from a handstand, but does not start in a handstand, still give value part for the skill and deduct for amplitude based on how far she is from the handstand when she starts.
Dance Passage Clarification
IV . Clarification regarding the breaking of a dance passage: A dance passage on floor is considered broken ONLY when there is a pause, stop, 1/1 turn or more, or an acro element between the dance elements. Scooching or bouncing out of control between elements would be considered execution errors and deducted, but credit for the dance passage may still be given.
In order to receive Connection Value bonus, the element must be directly connected.
