How gymnastics meets and scoring work

The big picture

Artistic gymnastics is a judged sport. Instead of racing a clock or counting points scored against an opponent, each gymnast performs a routine on an apparatus, and trained judges evaluate it. Girls and boys compete on different sets of equipment. You can read about each one in gymnastics events explained.

A gymnast might compete on every event or only on some, depending on the level, the program and the meet. Results are usually reported for individual events, for the all-around and, in many meets, for teams.

How a meet is organized

• Check-in and warm-up. Gymnasts arrive at a set time, check in with a coach and go through a general warm-up. Many meets also give each group a short timed warm-up on each event before competition starts.
• March-in. Teams often line up and are introduced before the first event begins.
• Rotations. The gymnasts are split into groups. Each group begins on a different event, and when the event is finished everyone moves to the next apparatus, usually in a set order. This is called a rotation.
• Awards. After the last rotation, scores are tallied and awards are given. Some meets hold awards at the end of the session, and others present them after each group finishes.

Meets can run long, because each group works through its events in turn and large meets may have several sessions. Bring snacks, water and patience. Schedules and rules differ by organization, so read the information the host sends ahead of time.

How routines are judged

Judges watch each routine and decide a score based on a code of points, which is the rulebook that describes how skills are valued and what mistakes cost. Different organizations, countries and levels use different versions, so the exact numbers are not the same everywhere. In general, a score reflects two big ideas.

Difficulty

What the gymnast attempted: the skills, how hard they are and, at some levels, whether the routine includes certain required elements.

Execution

How well the skills were performed: form, body position, control and landings. Judges take deductions for errors such as bent knees, steps on landings, falls and poor posture.

At many beginner levels the routines are set by the governing body or the program (often called compulsory routines) and the judges mostly look at execution. As gymnasts move up, their routines get more individual and difficulty counts for more. Some systems add the difficulty and execution scores together, while others start from a fixed value and subtract deductions, so a score from one meet or level should not be compared directly with another.

All-around, event and team results

• Event placings. A gymnast is ranked against others on a single apparatus, such as beam or floor.
• All-around. A gymnast's scores from all events are added together, and the highest total wins. It rewards well-rounded athletes.
• Team scoring. Team formats vary a lot. A common idea is that the best several scores on each event count toward the team total, which means one fall does not necessarily end a team's day. Ask the host how scores count.

What parents can expect and do

• Cheer for every gymnast. Gym families usually clap for everyone.
• Stay quiet and calm when a gymnast is on the apparatus. Some events are especially hard to watch up close, and a loud shout can break concentration.
• Do not coach from the stands. Let the coach handle corrections.
• Expect a score to be shown or posted soon after a routine, but remember that scores differ by judges and by meets. A number is not a measure of your child's worth or progress.

Watching a first meet

Focus on the small wins: a smile at the salute, a strong landing, a skill finally done in front of a crowd. Gymnastics rewards patience and repetition, and meet scores are just one snapshot. If you want to learn the vocabulary you will hear on the floor, our gymnastics terms for new parents glossary is a good companion, and how to prepare for gymnastics season covers the practical side. The sport hub at /guides/gymnastics/ collects everything in one place.