MAG ROUNDTABLE
2017-2020 Code of Points
Facilitator: Steve BUTCHER
FIG MTC President
The MTC
• President: Steve BUTCHER (USA)
• Vice-Presidents: Liping HUANG (CHN), Hiroyuki
TOMITA (JPN)
• Members: Dr. Yoon Soo HAN (KOR); Julio
MARCOS FELIPE (ESP); Holger ALBRECHT (GER);
Arturs MICKEVICS (LAT).
• Athlete Representative: Jani TANSKANEN (FIN)
• All members are VOLUNTEERS & all have full-time
jobs to support their families
Ground Rules for Today
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Each subject item will be introduced by the facilitator
All conversation will be restricted to the items introduced
This is not a debate. It is an open forum.
Every attempt was made to include comments from everyone
making a submission.
Respect needs to be shown for all opinions voiced.
No more than 3 minutes will be allotted to a speaker on a
discussion item
No more than 3 people may speak on a discussion item
No decisions will be made today by the MTC
This is the first opportunity to provide input for the Code and
probably not the last
There will be no mention of the federation or person submitting
because many topics are duplicates.
MAG and WAG
• Please remember, any changes must be
considered for WAG as well.
• The FIG EC has already required uniformity on
many issues to help the media and public’s
understanding of our sport.
Opening Question
• Archaev in his book suggests that the TCs lack
accountability. In an era in which
transparency in governance has taken on such
primary importance, would the TCs consider
recording and publishing transcripts of their
meetings’ discussions/debates and if so, what
obstacles might impede this broadening of
communication?
Opening Question 2
• Are there a set of “first” or fundamental
principles that underlay the Codes and by
which the TCs frame discussions regarding
specific issues or decisions, and if so, what are
they?
• Safety, Fair Play, Universality
Age of Junior gymnasts
• Was 14-18, Now 14-17
• This is problematic. Many eighteen year olds
get lost in the system trying to participate as
seniors and many 14 year olds struggle trying
to fit into a four year age bracket.
• Can a change be made? YOG uses 16-17
Universal Code of Points
How will the FIG better follow this mission and make
the Code more suitable for use by juniors and age
group gymnasts?
Elements in the Code of Points
• That the utility of the Code of Points be
enhanced, by re-introducing many of the basic
and interesting elements that were removed.
Gymnast Safety
• What is being considered in regards to
improving the safety conditions for the
gymnasts?
• The present Code of Points seems to have the
goal of testing the limits of human capacity.
Gymnast Safety 2
• A ceiling should be established to eliminate
the escalation of dangerous elements in order
to be successful.
• This is supposed to be Artistic Gymnastics.
Return to the 10.0
• The 10.0 is simple and understandable to
everyone. Can we return to the 10.0?
• The complicated scoring system we have
presently is confusing to the general public,
media, and has forced both coaches and athletes
to take unhealthy risks in order to be competitive.
Artistry has been overshadowed by difficulty and
no new interesting, yet simple elements have
been introduced into the sport.
Number of Elements
• Can MAG move to 8 elements per exercise like
WAG?
Virtuosity, Originality, & Artistry
• Can Virtuosity or Originality be brought back?
• Can Artistry be added, similar to WAG?
• Presently a majority of gymnasts are only
focused on adding more difficulty and less on
perfect execution.
Judging Process
• How can we simplify the judging process?
• There are so many types of elements where
only two are permitted. (I call this Special
Repetition) Can this be eliminated?
Element Groups
Can we move from 5 to 4 element groups per
exercise?
Elements Groups
Floor Exercise:
• Make a special requirement, to have perform
two different double somersault elements
from three existing - forwards I, backwards or
Arabian.
• Require a double rotation salto (with or
without twist)
Element Groups
Pommel Horse:
• Add a Thomas/Flair element group
Element Groups
Rings:
• Require more of a hold and not a stop on
strength elements to receive value and the EG
Element Groups
Vault
Comment• The true vault champion should be able to
execute one vault with a single salto (with or
without twists) and the second vault with a
double salto (with or without twists).
Element Groups
Parallel Bars:
• Create an element group “to upper arms”
• Combine the Long Swing and Underswing
element groups (the Long Swing group is very
difficult for taller gymnasts)
Element Groups
Horizontal Bar
• Add a requirement for flight elements with
salto over the bar
Execution Deductions
• The range in which judges have for their
execution score is too large. The range should
be reduced. And the re-introduction of a 0.2
deduction should be included.
• Should the E deductions be doubled in order
to add greater emphasis to execution
Connection Bonus
• This should be removed for FX and HB.
Floor Exercise
• Tracking the tumbling lines made by the gymnasts
• Currently done by the E judges
• Few able to keep track of gymnasts exceeding more
than 2 times along the same diagonal.
• Can we consider using the line judge to perform this
duty by recording the pattern?
RINGS
• Can a Rings timer be added to count the
length of all hold elements?
• Presently it is almost impossible for a Rings E
judge to record all possible deductions and
also account for the hold times of elements.
THANK YOU
We really appreciate your participation!