WHAT S NEW FOR THE JO PROGRAM?

WHAT S NEW FOR THE JO PROGRAM? 2 016-2 017

CLUBS CARE CAMPAIGN Take the time to learn about all the valuable resources that are provided with the Clubs Care Campaign. Visit usagym.org/clubscare. Club owners - if you have not downloaded and read the quick reference guide, please do so.

CLUBS CARE CAMPAIGN The Clubs Care Campaign is extending, as a member club benefit, a NEW university course, U302 Recognizing and Responding. This course will teach about the various forms of child abuse, indicators of abuse, and about how to effectively report abuse. This course provides State specific information on Reporting Laws.

MEMBER CLUB ADVOCACY PROGRAM MCLA is a National Legislative Advocacy Program for Member Clubs that provides basic tools for building awareness with your state legislators on the economic, social and business impact gymnastics provides in each city and state. With the increase of legislation in each of our states, having relationships that allow the gymnastics community to influence the outcome of this legislation is important. The MCLA program assists in facilitating that. Go to the USA Gymnastics Club Services Page for more information.

The new Meet Reservation system will provide club administrators a tool to assign coaches and athletes to sanctioned competitions. While this new tool is not developed to accept payments for competition entries, Meet Directors can rest assured that the member are valid and reduces the opportunity of invalid member s participating in sanctioned events. Learn more at our lecture! The New USA Gymnastics Meet Reservation System & The My USA Gym App Sunday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. LL21 - A MUST for all Meet Directors!

USA GYMNASTICS MYUSAGYM APP KEY FEATURES OF THE FREE APP ARE: tracking specific athletes scores through the favorite feature easy to set up and see an athlete s competition history newsfeed of gymnastics news scores from USA Gymnastics-sanctioned events and invitationals, as well as state, regional and U.S. Junior Olympic Championships for men s and women s gymnastics information and scores for premier events, including the AT&T American Cup, Pacific Rim Championships, P&G Championships, U.S. Olympic Team Trials website, myusagym.com, for access to results from a computer or phones and tablets that do not use ios

JUNIOR OLYMPIC PROGRAM OF THE YEAR 2016 Nominations for JO National Program of the Year Region 1 All American Gymnastics, Lindon, UT. Region 2 Hawaiian Island Twisters, Honolulu, HI. Region 3 Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Coppell, TX. Region 4 Twin City Twisters, Champlin, MN. Region 5 Cincinnati Gymnastics, Fairfield, OH. Region 6 Connecticut Gymnastics Academy, Wallingford, CT. Region 7 Central Bucks School of Gymnastics, Doylestown, PA. Region 8 American Twisters, Coconut Creek, FL.

JUNIOR OLYMPIC PROGRAM OF THE YEAR CONGRATULATIONS TO TEXAS DREAMS GYMNASTICS FOR BEING SELECTED AS THE 2016 USA GYMNASTICS JO PROGRAM OF THE YEAR!

JUNIOR OLYMPIC CALENDAR

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES Meet Director Women s Rules and Policies, Chapter 3 page 26, E.9. Add, If a Meet Director incurs three sanction violations in one competitive season, he/she will be placed in pending status. He/she must re-take and pass the Meet Director Exam before being placed in active status.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES Competition Policy At a USA Gymnastics sanctioned event, no e-cigarettes will be allowed on the field of play. Women s Rules and Policies page 76, C.5.a. Remove the words religious reasons or.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES Declaration Date Clarification: Amend p. 77, D.1. of the R&P to the following: The highest level the athlete competes in a sanctioned competition after the declaration date designates her level for the remainder of the current season.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES Inappropriate Attire Clarification - Tennis shoes are NOT considered gymnastics footwear. If the athlete wears tennis shoes while competing, a 0.20 deduction for inappropriate attire will be applied.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES State and Regional Championship Entry Fees The maximum entry fees to State AND Regional Championships will increase by $10.00. ($75.00 for JO Compulsory and Xcel Bronze, Silver, and Gold and $85.00 for JO Optionals and Platinum and Diamond Xcel.)

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES Regional Petitions Regional petition requests and results are due the Monday following the State Championships. All other required documents (physician s note) are due the Wednesday following the State Championships.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES JO NATIONALS AND EASTERN/WESTERN CHAMPIONSHIP COACH REGISTRATION Add to page 84 of the R&P, 3.b. and page 87 of the R&P, 3.b.3): Coaches ARE REQUIRED to register online through the USA Gymnastics Meet Reservation System. The number of Credentialed Coaches for East/West Championships and/or Junior Olympic National Championships allowed per club are is follows: 1-4 athletes participating maximum of 3 credentialed coaches allowed on the field of play 4-9 athletes participating maximum of 4 credentialed coaches allowed on the field of play 10+ athletes participating contact the Women s Junior Olympic Program Director for coach credentials Upon approval of the Women s Junior Olympic Program Director, additional credentials may be purchased for $100.00. Payment is due at the time of the request.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES ELITE PETITIONS TO THE JO PROGRAM Amend page 77 of the R&P to the following: D.4. A US Elite gymnast (an athlete who has competed as a Junior or Senior International Elite in a Classic Meet or higher) who wants to enter the JO Program MUST petition to drop back to the JO program, regardless of the year of competition, by sending a reason for change letter FROM HER COACH to the National Junior Olympic Committee Chairman. For Information regarding Foreign Athlete (Elite or non-elite) participation in the Jr. Olympic Program, please refer to Chapter 2, page 23.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES ELITE PETITIONS TO THE JO PROGRAM Amend page 78 of the R&P to the following: D.4.d. Clarification: An elite athlete dropping back into the JO program is considered a JO athlete when she enters her first USA Gymnastics sanctioned event as a Level 10 athlete AFTER the petition has been granted. D.4.e. All scores obtained before the petition is granted are INVALID for qualification to State Championships and above in the current season.

UPDATES TO RULES & POLICIES INVITATIONALS REMOVE the following from page 76 the R&P: C.2. For invitationals and qualifying meets below the State Championships, the Meet Director may determine the age divisions and must publish such information in the premeet information.

TECHNICAL CLARIFICATIONS/CHANGES

NEW SKILLS DONE AT JO NATIONALS Vault: ¼ (90 ) on ¼ (90 ) off front salto tucked with 1½ twist: #3.508 - Carey - awarded a 10.0 +.10 Start Value

NEW SKILLS DONE AT JO NATIONALS BALANCE BEAM: 3/1 turn in tuck stand on one leg, free leg in forward horizontal, placing of free leg at end of turn: #3.506 - George E

NEW SKILLS DONE AT JO NATIONALS BALANCE BEAM: 2/1 or 2½ turn in tuck stand on one leg, free leg in forward horizontal, rising to finish turn in stand: #3.406 variation - Swartzentruber D

NEW SKILLS DONE AT JO NATIONALS BALANCE BEAM: Salto forward tucked, take off from one leg to land on one knee and one foot simultaneously: #8.401 variation - Hawthorne D

NEW SKILLS DONE AT JO NATIONALS BALANCE BEAM: Free aerial round-off, from stand on one leg, swing free leg through backward, landing on both legs: #7.403 variation - Burgess D

NEW SKILLS DONE AT JO NATIONALS BALANCE BEAM: Salto backward tucked with step-out and a ¼ (90 ) turn to land in side stand: #8.303 variation - DeVries C

APPARATUS CLARIFICATION Clarification regarding spring configurations: Approval to utilize a 3 or 4-spring pattern as shown below in sanctioned USA Gymnastics events has been granted. The diagrams below will be added to page 89 of the R&P.

APPARATUS CLARIFICATION

MEET FORMAT A new Meet Format was presented and accepted. Modified Traditional #2 One Vault, one set of bars, two balance beams, and one floor exercise mat in the competition gym. No warm-up gym. Timed warm-ups immediately preceding competition on each event with continuous rotations. The judges move from the A beam to the B beam for competition.

LEVEL 10 JO NATIONALS Effective August 1, 2016 The minimum qualifying score will be a 35.00 All-Around, achieved at Regional Championships. If any region is unable to field a team of seven gymnasts per age division, the open slots will be allocated to the regions based on a percentage of eligible athletes in each region, in each age division. Regional teams consisting of individual athletes from other regions will be eligible for Regional Team Awards.

VAULT Effective August 1, 2016, the use of an alternative springboard for Level 2 will be allowed. Amend page 90 of the R&P to the following: II.A.1.d. Levels 4-5: All age divisions may use the vault table at any manufacturer setting. Levels 6-10: All age divisions may use the vault table at any height; however, the height must be within a minimum of 100 cm (+ 1 cm) and a maximum of 135 cm (+ 1 cm). Amend the following on page 91 of the R&P: D.1.d. Landing into a "LOOSE-FOAM PIT" AREA IS NOT ALLOWED FOR COMPETITION, unless the pit area is covered by a stable (wooden or metal) surface. Exception this is allowable if the landing surface is deemed firm by the Meet Referee and Meet Director prior to the competition.

VAULT BALK RULE For Compulsory (Levels 1-5) and Optional Vault (Levels 6-10): If the athlete comes to a rest or support on top of the vault apparatus (table or mat stack), it is considered a void vault and will receive a zero.

VAULT A proposal was presented to the Committees outlining a progressive Vault curriculum for Levels 1-7. The recommendation is to review the proposal, make any necessary changes and/or updates, and prepare for limited implementation into the Junior Olympic Program August 1, 2018.

OPTIONAL UPDATES - VAULT Amend page 90, B.1.c. of the R&P: Athletic tape, Velcro strips or small chalk marks may be placed on the vault runway, provided that such markings are removed no later than the end of the rotation. Maximum width of Velcro strip or athletic tape is 5 cm (2 ), maximum length is 3 feet.

OPTIONAL UPDATES LEVEL 8 VAULT Amend page 30, II.A.4. and page 32, F.6.b. of the JO Code of Points for Level 8 Vault: Effective August 1, 2016, DELETE the following: (Exception, If a Level 8 gymnast, attempts/performs a second vault, the score for the second vault is the final score, regardless of the result.) and If a second vault (same or different) is attempted/performed, the score for the second vault is the FINAL score, regardless of the result.

OPTIONAL UPDATES LEVEL 8 VAULT Level 8 Vault only - the following vaults will be awarded a 9.0 Start Value: 1. 1.106 - ¼ ½ (90-180 ) turn on repulsion off 2. 4.101 - round-off, flic-flac on repulsion off

UNEVEN BARS Add the following elements to the JO Code of Points: page 132: 1. Clear pike circle backward arriving in a clear pike support position B, #7.213. 2. Clear pike circle backward, disengage legs prior to a clear support at or above horizontal C, #7.313. 3. If the element is performed within 20 of vertical, award D value (#7.413).

UNEVEN BARS Clarification: At all USA Gymnastics sanctioned events, a spotting block or folded mat that is used for spotting purposes between the bars may remain in place as long as the coach continues to utilize it during the routine.

OPTIONAL UPDATES - UNEVEN BARS Change Level 9 Uneven Bar Special Requirement number 3 on page 74 of the JO Code of Points to the following: A second (different) flight element (minimum C excluding dismount), OR one element with LA turn of 180 or more (minimum of B excluding the mount and/or dismount).

OPTIONAL UPDATES - UNEVEN BARS Add the following to skill 4.201 on page 111 of the JO Code of Points: Handstand on high bar, swing down between bars, swing forward with a ½ (180 ) turn above high bar height within 21-44 of vertical B.

OPTIONAL UPDATES - UNEVEN BARS Add another variation to Bar element #8.107 (Front flyaway in tuck, pike or layout) - Swing down in regular grip between the bars with grip change to cross grip and ½ (180 ) turn in range of hang position and swing backwardupward to salto forward tucked, piked or stretched.

COMPULSORY BALANCE BEAM Clarification: Compulsory Balance Beam - If a gymnast falls between two jumps that are supposed to be connected, the "continuity between jumps" deduction (up to 0.20) is applied in addition to the fall deduction (0.50) unless after the fall, the gymnast repeats and connects the two skills.

COMPULSORY BALANCE BEAM Effective August 1, 2016, for compulsory Balance Beam Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, allow a straight leg closed finish on beam acro skills landing OR the text as written.

OPTIONAL UPDATES BALANCE BEAM Add the following examples to page 164, D. of the JO Code of Points: Level 8 Beam Acro Not up to the Competitive Level up to 0.20 deduction Example 1: The Level 8 routine contains 1 B acro flight element in series and a single A Dismount. The athlete would receive 0.20 deduction. Example 2: The Level 8 routine contains a 2-B-acro flight series plus an additional acro on the beam, with a 2-element Dismount or a single B dismount. The athlete would receive no deduction.

OPTIONAL UPDATES BALANCE BEAM Add the following to page 164, IV.F. of the JO Code of Points. Connections with Tempo deductions of up to 0.20 for dance and mixed, and counter series: Arms land after first element in place to take off for second element with immediate take-off for second element (legs in plié and are not pumping) -0.0 Arms and body still moving but swing between elements (legs moving, but not straightening) possible tempo deduction 0.05-0.10 Body position alters and arms swing between elements bigger deduction for body posture and tempo 0.15-0.20

OPTIONAL UPDATES BALANCE BEAM Clarification for Connection Value on BEAM In a connection of three or more elements, whichever element is the last element of the first Connection may be used again as the first element of the 2 nd Connection: The following examples will be added to page 172, E. 1. Flic-flac (B), flic-flac (B), Back salto stretched with step-out (C), back salto stretched with 1/1 twist dismount (B) Award +0.10 only for B + B + C. The Back layout step-out is the last element of first connection. The connection of the C-salto + B- dismount does not receive CV (must have at least two elements on the beam prior to dismount). 2. Flic-flac (B), Back salto stretched with step-out (C), flic-flac (B), back salto stretched with 1/1 twist dismount (B) Award +0.10 for B + C-Salto and +0.10 for the three-element connection of C + B + B-dismount for a total of +0.20

BALANCE BEAM LEVEL 6 ONLY A completed balance beam routine that includes all Special Requirements, contains all required Value Parts, and has a 10.0 Start Value, and is less than 30 seconds receives a 0.50 deduction, not the 2.00 deduction, for short exercise.

OPTIONAL UPDATES BALANCE BEAM Clarification JO Code of Points, page 162, III.A.1. applies to backward acro flight series AND sideward to backward acro flight series.

COMPULSORY FLOOR EXERCISE Clarification: If a compulsory (Level 3,4,5) gymnast does not connect tumbling elements as designated, the 0.30 deduction for each stop between elements in an acro (tumbling) series is applied. Do not apply the up to 0.20 lack of acceleration deduction when the 0.30 stop between elements deduction is taken.

FLOOR EXERCISE Clarification to page 231, IV.D. of the JO Code of Points: Performing skills outside the boundary applies to optional (Levels 6-10) ONLY. Clarification: Regarding the Lack of Variety of Acro Elements (up to 0.10) this DOES NOT apply to Floor Exercise.

JUDGING

BREAK TIME Judges are to be provided a 30-minute break time between scheduled sessions. If the break time is not provided, DAILY payment is calculated from the contracted report time for the first session to the completion of the last session of the day.

VIDEO REVIEW Regarding video review at State Championships and above, add the following example to the R&P, page 106, H.5.a. and to the JO Code of Points, page 26, E.2.c. Examples: 3) To verify if the gymnast grasps or touches the bar with one or two hands before falling on a release element

JUDGES The Committees discussed avoiding having compulsory and optional re-certification during the same year. The current optional cycle will be extended to 2018. In 2018, all optional (Levels 6-10) judges will be required to re-test. A National/USA Brevet course will be conducted in 2018. New compulsories will be presented in 2021.

TERMINATION OF AN EXERCISE If a gymnast falls on her first vault attempt and an injury is being assessed, she will be allowed a maximum of one minute after the completion of the judgment to leave the landing area. If the gymnast remains in the landing area for more than one minute after the judgment is complete, a second vault will not be allowed. In this instance, the Chief judge will monitor the time. Add the following to page 7, l.13. and page 33, F.14. of the JO Code of Points: Terminates an exercise if after a fall, the gymnast exceeds the allotted fall time. Vault (1 minute after the judgment is complete), Uneven Bars (45 seconds) and Beam (30 seconds).

JUDGING Chief Judge deduction for Failure to Present JO Code: page 5, #12. d., Change wording to Failure to present to Chief Judge before exercise; failure to present at end of exercise (delete to any judge ) Each time 0.10

JUDGING Judges attire At a theme meet, the judge has the option of wearing the official uniform or dressing in the theme of the meet. Sanction Violations Meet Referees are reminded that it is their responsibility to notate any Sanction violations on the Sanction Report form.

JUDGING ASSIGNMENTS Assignments of Judges with wrong ratings to meets Current Optional-rated officials will be allowed to judge compulsory vault IF there are not enough available compulsory rated judges, provided the Regional Technical Committee Chair has given permission.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON THE FIELD OF PLAY Change the wording under Judges Specific Responsibilities, page 19 in Rules and Policies: V. D. 5. 2 nd sentence: Judges may use electronic DEVICES (to include cell phone, tablets, etc.) only for gymnastics purposes on the Field of Play.

SYMBOL CORRECTIONS Symbol corrections on Beam and Floor Element descriptions and symbol charts in JO Code Page 190 BB element #2.307 and symbol chart: add symbols for ring leap and stag-ring leap Page 266 FX element #1.210 add symbols for first figure (ring & stag-ring LEAP Move top symbol to 2 nd figure (ring jump) and add stag-ring jump symbol

THE END!