Updates and Clarifications 2014-2015 The following information is my own reiteration of the National Xcel Board minutes. For exact language or official reference, please see the USAG minutes at: https://usagym.org/pdfs/women/committee%20minutes/nxc/nxc_052914.pdf Jane Caruso Region 7 RXC
General Information The SAC may determine the declaration date for Xcel gymnasts Bronze warm-up time is increased to 30 seconds ONE D skill per event is permitted by a DIAMOND gymnast on Beam, Bars or FX. There is NO bonus There is NO penalty The D may count as a lower value part if needed, as well as count for special requirement A second D on the same event will receive a.5 deduction from the start value for an unallowed skill.
Vault Bronze Vault Vault 1B New deduction: Failure to show an inverted vertical position from hands to hips, for example, (performing a forward roll action) up to 2.00 The start value for Bronze vault 1A will be 4.5, and the start value for Bronze vault 1B will be 4.5, totaling a 9.0 start value. Rationale: Across the country, some coaches started out with vault #2 and switched to vault #1 because the scores were higher. The input across many parts of the country indicated that a difference in SV would help align the scores.
Vault Add new Silver vault option: Vault 1A and 1B. 1A Stretch jump onto the vault table, 5.0 start value. 1B Kick to handstand flat back onto the stacked mats behind the horse that are 8 inches, plus or minus 2 inches above the height of the table; start value 4.5. Total vault start value is 9.5. The deductions for vault 1A and 1B in Bronze division will apply for vault 1A and 1B in Silver division. The table may be lowered to any manufactured setting that locks in to facilitate the stretch jump entry. Rationale: The option of a handspring vault over the resi sideways was defeated due to concerns over the meet logistics of providing both vault setups. The new vault described above has a 9.5 start value to help align scores.
Vault For the Silver vault option that is performed via handstand onto the table to a flat back landing: The stacked mats behind the horse are required to be 8 inches above the height table, plus or minus 2 inches (6 to 10 inches). Coaches are reminded that they may use the alternative springboard with no deduction. Rationale: The required mat height should help eliminate the reported problem that gymnasts were hitting their heads on the table.
Vault Diamond Vault: Change the start value of the front handspring and the Yamashita vaults to 9.4 Add 2.301: Handspring on, front tuck salto - 10.0 SV Add 3.304: Layout Tsukahara 10.0 SV Add 4.305: Layout Yurchenko - 10.0 SV
Bar Clarifications Silver and Gold Divisions are not allowed to perform any giant circles, not on the high bar, not on the low bar. This means no low bar giants, even though they are only an A value part! A glide-out back to stand is one A element. If the gymnast then performs a back pullover, she gets a second A element (even though they are both listed as mounts!) Amend the Platinum Special Requirement of a Circling Skill to include the words no mount or dismount.
Bar Changes A cast to squat, straddle, or pike onto the bar is considered as ONE element. If the gymnast does a cast squat on, and then performs a 360 o sole circle or a sole circle dismount, she has performed TWO A skills. A cast to shoot-thru is ONE A skill. (B/S/G skill chart) For the Gold Division only: Eliminate the angle deductions for the clear hip circle. Angle deductions for the clear hip circle apply only to Platinum and Diamond Divisions.
Bar Changes: Casting Angles for Special Requirements Bronze: Hips must leave the bars Silver: Cast to 45 o below horizontal Gold: Cast to horizontal (1 o below does NOT meet requirement!) no longer any forgiveness deductions Platinum: Cast to above horizontal at horizontal is no longer acceptable 1 o above horizontal is OK! Diamond: Cast to 45 o above horizontal (same as last season) Rationale: This provides a better transition of cast expectations as gymnasts progress through the levels.
Bar Changes Add the following deduction for a Tap-swing Counterswing (listed as an additional A element for Silver and Gold divisions and a one-time A for Platinum) On the counterswing (backward, upward swing), if the body is arched and/or hips are open to an extended position with the feet over the low bar, deduct 0.30. Add a Bar mount to the Xcel Code of Points: Jump to clear support to immediate back hip circle.
Beam Clarifications Bronze and Silver: In order to receive credit for the Special Requirement of a minimum of a 180 o turn on one or two feet (Bronze) or on one foot (Silver), the gymnast must complete at least 91 o of the 180 o turn. This means at least one degree past half of the turn! All Divisions: A Pullover mount has been added to the JO Code and will also appear in the Xcel Code. Hand position on rolls It does not matter where the hands are placed.
Beam Clarifications Cartwheel to handstand dismounts listed in the Additional Skills Charts for Bronze, Silver and Gold may actually have any entrance. This would allow for entry into the dismount from Press Handstand, Back walkover, etc. Gold Division Special Requirement #3 Wording clarification: Two Acro Skills with or without flight (isolated or included in a series), one must achieve or pass through vertical. A series is not required. Add the following A Beam element to the Xcel Code: From back lying position, push up to bridge (support on head and/or hands), kickover backward. Beam Skill Chart - Additional A Value Part Skills: Bronze Division: Under Acro Skills Partial Handstand. Change wording in parenthesis to Feet/legs are not required to join/close. Lead (back) leg must be a minimum of 45 from vertical.
Floor Exercise Clarification Bronze and Silver A Cartwheel ¼ turn out to a second cartwheel involves a pivot turn on the landing foot which breaks the connection. It IS possible to connect two cartwheels IF: The 2 cartwheels are performed totally sideways (no pivot action) OR The first cartwheel finishes with a ¼ turn inward and the second (free) leg steps forward directly into the second cartwheel (Counter action)
Floor Exercise Clarification Bronze and Silver A Roundoff rebound, ½ turn step out to another acro skill will not count for the acro series Special Requirement for any Division because the rebound breaks the series. Any time an acro element lands on 2 feet, the next acro skill must immediately take off from 2 feet to be considered connected. Exception: Bronze and Silver gymnasts may perform a Roundoff rebound to a backward roll for a Special Requirement acro series.
Floor Exercise Clarification All Divisions A roll of any type cannot be used to fill the acro flight Special Requirement Example: A gold gymnast cannot do a front handspring dive roll for her acro series.
Floor Exercise Clarification Recommendation to allow a tumbling strip to be used for competition for Bronze and Silver Divisions, It must be a minimum of 8 wide and 56 long. The Meet Director must indicate this in the pre-meet information. Change the wording of the Silver Floor Special Requirement #2 to: Either a 2nd Acro connection with a min. of two directly connected skills with or without flight OR one isolated acro skill with flight. Change the wording of the Gold Floor Special Requirement #2 to: Either a 2nd Acro connection with a min. of two directly connected skills with or without flight OR one isolated aerial or salto.
That s all for now! Thanks! Contact me at janecaruso@comcast.net with questions!