Always a crowd favorite, the floor exercise is an event that tends to generate some of the highest scores in the NCAA. Specific deductions, other than steps and falls, are often hard to notice. The high level of capability of the athletes and the maturity level of dance and execution leads to the potential for high scores. However, the same rules for execution apply here. Jumps and leaps should be completed with precision, with the full completion of the attempted turn to receive full credit. Jumps and turns more than 45 degrees away from their intended rotation will be credited with a lower value. Turns that are not complete can lead to the loss of bonus value, either in the skill and/or in the connection.
Landings have always been critical on tumbling skills, but the position of the body in the air and upon landing is also important. Tumbling should be high, dynamic and be performed with good toe and leg form. Tuck and pike saltos should show opening of the body prior to landing, and layouts must be held extended for the duration of the salto. Twists should appear evenly paced and tightly controlled. They should be completed before the feet hit the floor. Any twist with greater than 90 degrees from completion may be credited at the lower difficulty value.
Composition rules for FX are also a potential loss of value. Routines should show a tumbling difficulty level at the level of the competition, and have sufficient dynamic highs and lows. A routine with all front tumbling and no double salto will be taxed relatively heavily in composition. Likewise, a predominance of skills from one family could be judged to be lacking. For examples, the overuse of front tumbling or twisting skills could all generate a composition deduction. These deductions can occur even if all other requirements are met. For example, there is a special requirement to include both back and front tumbling skills. A routine with all front tumbling and just one "A" value salto from the other family meets the SR by the letter, but not the spirit. As mentioned before, difficulty to the level of the competition means that at a high level meet, an "E" value mount may be needed to garner full point scoring potential.
One key area on FX for potential hidden deductions is the last tumbling pass. The last tumbling pass should include some form of bonus, and ideally include difficulty comparable to the other tumbling passes in the exercise. For example, a routine that ends with a double twisting back layout may meet the minimum requirement, but may garner a composition deduction. Even routines with bonus from a C+A tumbling combination in the last pass could generate a composition deduction, especially if the first pass was an E level skill.
The Final Tally
After paying attention to start values, composition, and execution, are you still confused? Well, join the crowd! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the competition. Understand that the judges are doing their best to be fair, accurate, and apply the rules as written. Trust that the outcome, in the end, will be the correct one.