📚 WAG Code Content Display — English

The Code of Points provides an objective means of evaluating gymnastics exercises at all levels of regional, national, and international competitions.

The Code of Points standardises the judging across the four phases of FIG official competitions: Qualifications, Team Final, All-Around Final, and Apparatus Finals.

The Code of Points assures the identification of the best gymnast in any competition.

The Code of Points guides coaches and gymnasts in composing competition exercises.

The Code of Points provides information about additional technical rules and regulations frequently needed at competitions by judges, coaches, and gymnasts.

The gymnast has the right to have their performance judged correctly, fairly, and in accordance with the stipulations of the Code of Points.

The gymnast has the right to receive in writing the evaluation of the difficulty rating for a submitted new vault or element within a reasonable time prior to the start of the competition.

The gymnast has the right to have their score publicly displayed immediately following their performance or in accordance with the specific regulations governing that competition.

The gymnast has the right to repeat their entire exercise (without deduction) with the approval of the Superior Jury if the exercise has been interrupted for reasons beyond their control or responsibility, or if a handguard is significantly torn causing a fall or interruption.

The gymnast has the right to briefly leave the competition hall for personal reasons; however, the competition may not be delayed through her absence.

The gymnast has the right to receive through their delegation leader the correct official result output showing all scores received in the competition.

The gymnast has the right to have identical apparatus and mats in the training halls, warm-up hall and on the competition podium that conform to the specifications and norms for FIG official competitions.

The gymnast has the right to place the take-off board on the supplementary 10 cm landing mat (UB & BB).

The gymnast has the right to use magnesium on Uneven Bars and to make small markings on the Balance Beam.

The gymnast has the right to have one spotter on Uneven Bars.

The gymnast has the right to rest or recuperate for up to 30 seconds following a fall from the UB and 10 seconds following a fall from BB (without deduction).

The gymnast has the right to confer with their coach during the time available to her following a fall from the apparatus and between the first and second vault.

The gymnast has the right to request permission to raise both bar rails (UB) if their feet touch the mat during the exercise, according to the most recent Apparatus Norms.

Each competing gymnast, including substitutes, is entitled to a touch warm-up period immediately prior to the competition on the podium on all apparatus in accordance with the Technical Regulations governing that competition.

Vault (VT): For teams and individual groups. In All-Around Final, Team Final, and Apparatus Final – two attempts only. In Qualification to Apparatus Final – maximum of three attempts.

Balance Beam (BB) and Floor Exercise (FX): 30 seconds each.

Uneven Bars (UB): 50 seconds each, including preparation of the apparatus.

In Qualifications and Team Final: the entire warm-up time belongs to the team except Vault. In mixed groups, warm-up time belongs to the gymnast individually. In Apparatus Finals, warm-up is divided into two groups: first group warms up and competes, second group warms up and competes afterward.

The end of the touch warm-up period is signalled by a gong. If a gymnast is still on the apparatus, she may complete the element or sequence. Following the warm-up or competition pause, the apparatus may be prepared (max. 2 persons on UB) but not used. A clear signal from the D1 Judge (green light in FIG competitions) will occur 30 seconds before their exercise is expected to begin.

The gymnast must know the Code of Points and conduct themselves accordingly.

The gymnast, or their coach, must submit a written request (at a time in accordance with the rules governing the competition) to the Chair of the Superior Jury to assess the difficulty of a new element.

The gymnast, or their coach, must submit a written request to raise both Uneven Bar rails. This must be announced to the organisers (at a time in accordance with the rules governing the competition) and verified by the Chair or a member of the Superior Jury during the training.

The gymnast must present themselves in the proper manner (arm/s up) and acknowledge the D1 Judge at the start and end of the exercise.

The gymnast must begin the exercise within 30 seconds of the green light or signal from the D1 Judge (on all apparatus).

The gymnast must remount within 30 seconds after a fall from UB or 10 seconds after a fall from BB. During this time she may rest, re-chalk, confer with her coach, and remount.

The gymnast must leave the podium immediately after completing her exercise.

The gymnast must refrain from changing the height of any apparatus unless permission has been granted.

The gymnast must refrain from speaking with active judges during the competition.

The gymnast must refrain from delaying the competition by staying on the podium too long, remounting unnecessarily, or abusing their rights.

After a fall from the apparatus, the gymnast must not intentionally remain off her feet to avoid the 30 second fall clock (resting, adjusting grips, receiving chalk, delaying competition, etc.).

The gymnast must refrain from undisciplined or abusive behaviour or infringing on other participants (e.g., marking floor carpet with magnesium, damaging apparatus parts, using water on BB surface, removing springs).

The gymnast must leave the supplementary mat in position for landing during the entire exercise (UB & BB).

The gymnast is permitted to use an additional 10 cm soft mat on top of the existing 20 cm landing mats for dismounts on VT, UB, and BB.

The gymnast must participate in the respective Award Ceremony dressed in competition tracksuit according to FIG Protocol.

The gymnast must wear a correct sportive non-transparent leotard or unitard (one piece leotard with full length legs-hip to ankle), which must be of elegant design. She may wear complete leg coverings of the same colour as that of the leotard, under or on top of the leotard.

Gymnasts are authorised to wear a head covering according to the most recent “FIG Rules for Competition Clothing and Advertising”. Neckline must be proper, not lower than the middle of the sternum or shoulder blades. Leotards/unitards may be with or without sleeves; shoulder strap width minimum 4 cm.

The leg cut of the leotard may not extend beyond the hip bone. The leotard leg length cannot exceed the horizontal line around the leg, delineated by no more than 2 cm below the base of the buttocks.

Gymnasts have the option of wearing gymnastic slippers and/or socks.

They must wear the bib number supplied by the Organising Committee. With approval of a written request, a gymnast may remove the number in rare cases of back spins on BB and FX. The number must be shown to the D-Jury at the start of the exercise.

They must wear a national identification on their competition attire, according to the most recent FIG Rules for Competition Clothing and Advertising.

They must wear only those logos, advertising and sponsorship identifiers that are permitted in the most recent FIG Rules for Competition Clothing and Advertising.

The leotard/unitard must be identical for members from the same federation in the Qualification and Team Final competitions. In Qualification, individuals from the same federation without a team may wear different leotards/unitards.

Handguards, body bandages and wrist wraps are permitted; they must be securely fastened, in good repair and must not detract from performance aesthetics. Bandages must be beige or skin-colored when available.

Gymnasts must refrain from wearing compression sleeves or compression socks during competition.

Gymnasts must refrain from wearing jewellery such as bracelets or necklaces, except small stud-type pierced earrings.

Gymnasts must refrain from wearing hip or other padding.

Face painting is not allowed; any make-up must be modest and must not portray a theatrical character (animal or human).

The normal penalty for violations in Sections 2 and 3 is -0.30 for behavioural violations and -0.50 for apparatus related violations. The penalty is deducted by the Chair of the Superior Jury from the Final Score when notified by the D-Jury.

A summary of the penalties is outlined in Section 9.3.

In extreme cases, the gymnast or coach may be expelled from the competition hall in addition to the specified penalty.

Violations of attire such as incorrect padding, missing national identification, missing start number, or incorrect attire (leotard, jewellery, bandage colour) incur a penalty of -0.30 from the Final Score.

Non-identical leotards for gymnasts from the same team result in a -1.00 penalty. Taken once per competition phase when first recognised.

Remaining on the podium without authorization results in a penalty of -0.30 from the Final Score.

Remounting the podium after the exercise is over results in a -0.30 penalty.

Any undisciplined or abusive behaviour results in a -0.30 penalty from the Final Score.

Incorrect advertising results in a -0.30 penalty from the Final Score on the concerned apparatus. When requested, applies to team or individual.

Absence from the Victory Ceremony results in the annulment of the result and the Final Score for both team and individual.

Incorrect use of magnesium and/or damaging the apparatus results in a penalty of -0.50 from the Final Score.

Addition, re-arrangement or removal of springs from the springboard results in a -0.50 penalty from the Final Score.

Changing the height of the apparatus without permission results in a penalty of -0.50 from the Final Score.

“In the name of all gymnasts/athletes I promise that we shall take part in these World Championships (or any other official FIG Event) respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of the gymnasts/athletes.”

Coaches may assist the gymnast or team under their care in submitting written requests related to raising the Uneven Bars and the difficulty evaluation of new vault(s) or element(s).

Coaches may assist the gymnast or team under their care on the podium during the touch warm-up period on all apparatus.

Coaches may help the gymnast or team prepare the apparatus for competition: VT to prepare the safety collar; VT, UB and BB to prepare the springboard and position the supplementary landing mat; UB to adjust and prepare the UB rails.

Coaches may be present on the podium after the green light is lit to remove the springboard on BB (leave immediately) and on UB (coach or gymnast may remove it, then leave immediately).

Coaches may be present at UB during the gymnast’s exercise for reasons of safety; it can be the same or a different coach who removes the springboard.

Coaches may assist or advise the gymnast during the intermediate fall time on all apparatus, and between the first and second vault.

Coaches have the right to have their gymnast’s score publicly displayed immediately following the performance or in accordance with competition regulations.

Coaches may be present at all apparatus to help in case of injuries or defects of the apparatus.

Coaches may inquire to the Superior Jury concerning the evaluation of the content of the exercise (D-score) of the gymnast.

Coaches may request from the Superior Jury a review of the Time and Line deductions, and the VT Bonus.

Coaches must know the Code of Points and conduct themselves accordingly.

Coaches must submit the competition order and other information required in accordance with the Code of Points and/or the FIG Technical Regulations governing that competition.

Coaches must refrain from changing the height of any apparatus or adding, re-arranging or removing springs from the springboard. (Refer to Section 2.1.2 for raising the rails at UB).

Coaches must refrain from delaying the competition, obstructing the view of the judges, or abusing/interfering with the rights of any participant.

Coaches must refrain from speaking to the gymnast or from assisting her in any way (signals, shouts, cheers or similar) during her performance.

Coaches must refrain from engaging in discussions with active judges and/or other persons outside of the inner arena circle during the competition (exception: team doctor, head of delegation).

Coaches must refrain from any other undisciplined or abusive behaviour.

Coaches must conduct themselves in a fair and sportsmanlike manner at all times during the competition.

Coaches must participate in a sportsmanlike manner in any applicable Award Ceremony.

In Qualifications and Team Final: Teams are allowed 1 female and 1 male coach, or 2 female coaches. If only 1 coach is present, they may be either female or male.

In Qualifications and Team Final: Individual gymnasts (F or M) are allowed 1 coach.

In All-Around Final and Apparatus Finals: Each gymnast is permitted 1 coach (female or male).

Unsportsmanlike conduct by the coach valid for all phases of the competition, without direct impact on the gymnast/team performance.

1st time – Yellow card (warning); 2nd time – Red card and removal of the coach from competition and/or training hall.

Other flagrant, undisciplined and abusive behaviour valid for all phases of competition results in immediate red card and removal of coach from competition and/or training hall.

Unsportsmanlike conduct with direct impact on the gymnast/team performance (delays, interruptions, signals, speaking to active judges, shouts, etc.).

1st time – Penalty of -0.50 from the gymnast/team at event and Yellow card for the coach (warning).

1st time – Penalty of -1.00 from gymnast/team at event and Yellow card for coach if coach speaks aggressively to active judges.

2nd time – Penalty of -1.00 from gymnast/team at event and Red card with removal of coach from the competition floor.

Flagrant, undisciplined or abusive behaviour with direct impact results in -1.00 penalty, immediate red card, and removal from the competition floor.

If one of two coaches from a team is dismissed from the competition inner circle, it is possible to replace that coach with another coach one time in the entire competition (e.g., Qualifications).

1st offence = Yellow card.

2nd offence = Red card, at which time the coach is excluded from the rest of the competition phases.

If there is only one coach, then the coach would remain in the competition but would not be eligible for accreditation at the next World Championships, Junior World Championships, Olympic Games, or Youth Olympic Games.

If one of two coaches from a team is dismissed from the competition inner circle, it is possible to replace that coach with another coach one time in the entire competition (e.g., Qualifications).

1st offence = Yellow card.

2nd offence = Red card, at which time the coach is excluded from the rest of the competition phases.

If there is only one coach, then the coach would remain in the competition but would not be eligible for accreditation at the next World Championships, Junior World Championships, Olympic Games, or Youth Olympic Games.

Detailed procedure for the request of Inquiry as per TR (Section 1, Art. 8.5).

“In the name of all Coaches and other members of the athletes’ entourage, I promise that we shall commit ourselves to ensuring that the spirit of sportsmanship and ethics is fully adhered to and upheld in accordance with the fundamental principles of Olympism. We shall commit ourselves to educating the gymnasts/athletes to adhere to fair play and drug-free sport and to respect all FIG Rules governing the World Championships (or any other official FIG event).”

At official FIG Competitions and the Olympic Games, the members of the FIG Women’s Technical Committee constitute the Superior Jury and act as Apparatus Supervisors at the different apparatus.

The President of the Women’s Technical Committee or her representative serves as Chair of the Superior Jury. Her responsibilities and those of the Superior Jury include the following:

To supervise the overall technical direction of the competition as outlined in the Technical Regulations.

To call and chair all judges’ meetings and instruction sessions.

To apply the stipulations of the Judges’ Regulations relevant to that competition.

To deal with requests for the evaluation of new elements, raising the Uneven Bars, removal of bib number, and other issues. Such decisions are normally made by the Women’s Technical Committee.

To make sure that the time schedule published in the Workplan is respected.

To control the work of the Apparatus Supervisors and intervene if necessary. No change of score is generally allowed after the score has been flashed on the scoreboard, except in case of inquiry or time/line errors.

To deal with inquiries as outlined in the FIG Technical Regulation (TR 8.5).

In cooperation with the members of the Superior Jury, to issue warnings or to replace any person acting in any judging capacity who is considered unsatisfactory or who has broken the oath.

To conduct a post competition video review (PCVR) with the Technical Committee to determine errors in judgment.

To supervise the checking of the apparatus measurement specifications according to the FIG Apparatus Norms.

In unusual or special circumstances, to nominate a judge to the competition.

To submit a report to the FIG Executive Committee within 30 days after the event, including general remarks, special occurrences, conclusions, recommendations for the future, analyses of judges’ performance, proposals for rewards and sanctions, all interventions, score changes before/after publication, and technical analyses of the D-scores.

During each phase of the competition, the members of the Women’s Technical Committee or their representatives will serve as members of the Superior Jury and Apparatus Supervisors for each apparatus.

To participate in the direction of the judges’ meetings and instruction sessions and guide the judges to perform the correct work on their respective apparatus.

To apply the “Judges’ Regulations” control with fairness, consistency, and completely in accordance with the currently valid regulations and criteria.

To record the entire exercise content in symbol notation.

To calculate the D and E-Score (control scores) for the purpose of evaluation of the D and E Juries.

To control the total evaluation and the Final Score for each exercise.

To ensure that the gymnast is given the correct score for her performance or intervene as ruled herein.

To check the apparatus used at training, touch warm-up and competition with the FIG Apparatus Norms.

Judges are fully and independently responsible for their scores.

Judges must thoroughly know the FIG Technical Regulations, Code of Points, FIG Judges’ Rules, and necessary technical information.

Judges must possess a valid International Judge’s Brevet for the current cycle.

Judges must have the appropriate judging category for the level of competition.

Judges must have extensive knowledge of contemporary gymnastics and understand the intent and application of rules.

Judges must attend all scheduled instruction sessions and judges’ meetings.

Judges must adhere to all organizational and judging-related instructions.

Members of the D-Jury must attend podium training.

Judges must be thoroughly prepared on all apparatus.

Judges must be capable of completing score sheets, using equipment, ensuring efficient competition flow, and communicating effectively.

Judges must be well-rested, vigilant, and present at least one hour before competition start or as specified in the Work Plan.

In case of an intervention by the Superior Jury, the judges have the right to explain their score and agree or disagree with a change.

If a judge disagrees, the Superior Jury may overrule the score, and the judge shall be informed accordingly.

In case of arbitrary action against a judge, they have the right to appeal to the Superior Jury or the Jury of Appeal depending on who initiated the action.

The D-Juries record the entire program content in symbol notation, evaluate independently without bias, and jointly determine the D-Score. Discussion is allowed.

The D2 Judge enters the D-Score into the computer.

The D-Score includes Difficulty Value, Composition Requirements, Connection Value, and special apparatus bonuses.

The D-Jury ensures that the Line Judge on Vault correctly controls the touch warm-up time.

The D1 Judge serves as the liaison between the Apparatus Jury and the Apparatus Supervisor.

The D1 Judge coordinates the work of Time Judges, Line Judges, and Secretaries.

The D1 Judge ensures the efficient running of the apparatus, including control of touch warm-up time.

The D1 Judge displays the green light or clear signal to notify the gymnast she must begin within 30 seconds.

The D1 Judge ensures all penalties (time, line, behaviour) are applied before flashing the Final Score.

The D1 Judge must ensure penalties are applied for: failure to present, invalid vault, coach assistance, short exercise.

Line Judges determine stepping outside the border markings on FX and VT and acknowledge the fault by raising a flag.

Line Judges must inform the D1 Judge of any violation or deduction and sign and submit the written record.

On Vault, Line Judges count the gymnast’s touch warm-up attempts.

Time Judges time the duration of exercises on Balance Beam and Floor Exercise.

Time Judges time the duration of the fall period on UB and BB.

Time Judges time the duration between the green light and the gymnast’s start of the exercise.

Time Judges ensure adherence to touch warm-up time and provide written information to the D-Jury in cases of non-adherence.

Time Judges must give an audible signal to the gymnast and D-Jury on Balance Beam.

The Final Score on each apparatus is determined using two separate scores: the D-Score and the E-Score.

The D-Jury establishes the D-Score, which represents the content of the exercise.

The E-Jury establishes the E-Score, which represents execution and artistry.

The Final Score is the sum of the D-Score and E-Score, minus any applicable penalties.

The All-Around Score is the sum of the Final Scores from all four apparatus.

The Team Score is calculated according to the Technical Regulations of the competition.

In principle, repetition of an exercise is not permitted.

For execution and artistry, the gymnast may earn a maximum E-Score of 10.00 points.

A routine with 7 or more elements receives no deduction for short exercise.

A routine with 5–6 elements receives a deduction of 4.00 points.

A routine with 3–4 elements receives a deduction of 6.00 points.

A routine with 1–2 elements receives a deduction of 8.00 points, and a routine with no elements receives a deduction of 10.00 points.

Example: A Floor Exercise gymnast falls and injures herself after performing only 4 elements. Final Score after applying short exercise penalty: 8.10 − 6.00 = 2.10 points.