Summary of USAG
Rule and Policy Changes,
Code of Points (2001)

NOTE: The rules and policies stated here are extracted from the USA Gymnastics and FIG's web sites. The rules here are in condensed form. The rules as stated here are not guaranteed to be accurate or to be implemented as described. Please visit USA-Gymnastics web site or refer to the official "Rhythmic Program Rules and Policies" (2001) for the official view if a concern arises. Visit Federation International de Gymnastique for FIG information.

  • Sep 1, 2001 -- Click here for a useful Age Bracket Chart
  • July 26, 2001 -- This is old information that I am adding so I don't forget.
    • Level 10 Juniors that turn Senior in 2000, must qualify to the East/West Open meet through the Level 9 Championships process.
    • Elite Juniors that turn Senior in 2000, automatically qualify to the East/West competitions.
    • Current Level 10 and Elite Seniors also automatically qualify to the East/West competitions.
    Distinctions between various Level 10's.
    • All qualifiers to Nationals Junior and Senior are designated level 10. They are the top 20 Juniors and top 20 Seniors from combined results of the East and West Qualifier competitions.
    • The top 12 Juniors and top 12 Seniors from the Nationals competition will be designated Elite status.
    • The top 8 Juniors and and top 8 Seniors will be the National team members for the upcoming year.
  • July 7, 2001 -- FIG has added some new elements which are valued at 0.6 and 0.7 Here is a link to FIG's Newletter of June 2001
  • Mar 21, 2001 -- The 2001 Code of Points is now available in the US from USAG. Cost is $50.00.
  • Feb 21, 2001 -- Scoring totals for level 9/10 with the new COP.
      AV EV TV Total
    JR 10 10 6 26
    SR 10 10 10 30

    The TV score is derived from the number of elements allowed in the two age divisions.

    • SR -- Ten elements scored out of 12 allowed to be performed. Execution: As for seniors - 10,0 p
    • TV: Juniors can submit 10 difficulties, 8 will count towards the score.
    • up to 4 of the difficulties may be combinations.
    • remaining elements scored as isolated.
        Maximum Score for TV
        Combinations Isolated
        4 @ up to 1 point each. 4 up to 0.5 points each
        4 combinations, up to 1,0 p each: 4,0 p 4 isolated, up to 0,5 p each: 2,0 p Total TV: 6,0 p Total score for juniors: 26,0 p (Seniors are 12/10.) AV: As for seniors - 10,0 p
      • Jan 25, 2001 -- Mario Lam has put together a very good set of pages which depict all of the elements in the new COP, their value, and scoring symbol. It is very worth while to visit this page. Of particular interest may be the elements sorted by value. Click here and be informed. A special thanks to Mario for all the work he did to make this available to us.
      • Sept 18, 2000 -- Level 5-8 requirements outlined on USAG.
      • Sept 11, 2000 -- Received copy of provisional code. Highlights to follow.
      • August 29, 2000 -- News of the new provisional COP is trickling out. Here are some of the latest:
        • All codes (artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, etc) must be uniform.
        • The codes must be valid and uniform for a minimum of eight years.
        • The Code is limited to organization of juries and evaluation of exercises.
        • All FIG disiplines must have: A-content score, B-performance, and for rhythmic C-artistic for at total of 30 points divided by 3 i.e. (10 + 10 + 10) / 3. NOTE: previously these were known as artistic value, technical value, and execution value. And were weighted (5 + 5 + 10) / 2
        • Difficulties go from A to E and can be done in combination.
        • Score determined by adding the value of 10 elements. Each difficulty can count only once whether alone or in combination.
        • There are no bonus points.
        • Rules for Juniors are the same as for Seniors.
        • Gymnasts will submit a written list of difficulties in each routine (previously reported)
        • The Code is still being finalized. The continental judges course will be January 21-26 in Los Angeles.
        • The Provisional code is to be sent out at the end of August to the various Federations.
      • The new Code of Points is not out yet. Fig has announced that the Code of Points will be released the end of July to the various federations.
      • July 14, 2000 -- Starting January 1, 2001, it will be permissible to use vocal sounds as musical accompaniment to rhythmic gymnastics, provided that the voices are used like instruments and do not contain any words. (Quoted from FIG's web site)
      • June 14, 2000 -- USAG announced new rules concerning competitions in 2001.
        • Group Competition: Duets and Trios will be able to perform exhibitions at meets in 2001.
        • Beginner Group is removed from J.O. competition. Intermediate and Advance will advance to J.O. from Regional competitions.
        • Group Events for 2001:
          - Beginner - FX Ball
          - Intermediate - FX Ball
          - Advanced - FX Ribbon
        • Awards: At State and Regional Events:
          - Individual AA medals to 50% of field to 6th place
          - Individual event medals to 50% of field to 6th place, and single streamer rosette from 7th to 12th place.
          - 1st - 3rd place AA Group medals (1¾" size) awarded to each member of the group.
      • May 11, 2000 -- Additional rule changes for 2001
        • All levels will be based upon a maximum score of 10.000
        • Mobility: A sanctioned meet AA score of 30.00 must be obtained to be elegible with approval of her coach be elevated to the next highest level.
        • Before the 2001 season begins coaches may place gymnasts as they deem appropriate.
        • Level 5 will be a competitive level in 2001 at State and Regional meets.
        • Entry Fees limits for Qualifying, State and Regional Meets:
          Level 5 & 6 - $ 50.00 maximum
          Level 7 & 8 - $ 75.00 maximum
          Level 9 & 10 - $ 80.00 maximum
        • Attire: A leotard deduction can be taken at J.O.'s if the leotard gives the suggestion of excessive nudity. (-0.2)
        • Level 7 & 8 may wear optional leotards in all events. But is not required to have a different leotard for each event.
        • Cumpulsory exercises
          - Level 5 & 6 -- are fully choreographed routines.
          - Level 7 -- Will have required elements with optional choreography. Floor exercise will be the same for each club.
          - Level 8 -- Is the same as level 7 but with different difficulties. The floor exercise will be with optional choreography.
      • May 8, 2000 -- Monthly Meeting
        • Non-Citizens may qualify and attend the 2000 East/West competitions from the level 9 championships. (Zone meets.) They may not take the place of a U.S. citizen, but if there score is equal to or higher than the last qualifiers score they will qualify for East/West meets.
        • Non-Citizens who's score equals or exceeds the last citizen qualifyer to the Nationals will be designated a level 10 for the following season.
        • Non-Citizens who currently hold a designation of level 10 or Elite will also be invited to East/West championships.
        • East West Qualifiers:
          - The top 25 AA Juniors and top 15 AA Seniors qualify to the East/West meets from the level 9 championships.
          - All current level 10 and Elite athletes also qualify to the East/West meets.
          - The top 20 AA Juniors and the top 20 AA Seniors from the combined results of the East/West competitions will qualify for the National Championships.
          - Non-Citizens are not eligble to compete at the Nationals.
      • Feb 6, 2000 -- Monthly meeting results.
        • Nominal funding to be provided to clubs with the top five seniors and top four juniors from the Rhythmic Challenge. Additional funds to the athletes who have international assigments.
        • Any club that wishes to attend a meet in a foreign country must request permission from the Rhythmic Program Director, and receive written permission from USAG.
        • Top 25 Juniors and 20 Seniors to advance from level 9 championship to East/West champ. (See clarification above.)
        • Once an athlete obtains a level 10 ranking they shall retain that ranking regardless of subsequent qualifying scores in following years.
        • Concerning Non-Citizens:
          - Non-Citizens will be able to compete up though level 9 regionals or zone meets.
          - Non-Citizens may not compete at J.O. Nationals, East/West qualifying meets or the National Championships. (See May 8th for further changes on this rule.)
          - Non-Citizens may compete at Level 9 championships under separate award categories.
          - Former non-citizens who were national team members will be invited to the Nationals as guests. (How sweet.)
      • Feb 4, 2000: FIG Report
        • Beginning with the next cycle (2001), there will be four levels of Brevet judges. See USAG for more info.
        • Coaches will now be required to submit a form to the judges that lists all of the difficulties in the routine. The TV judge will check off the credited difficulties and return the form to the coach.

© 2001, Randy Brown, all rights reserved.