Joe McConnell
What is the difference in scoring between artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics?
Here is an overview of the ABCs, or rather the Ds and Es, of gymnastics.
In artistic gymnastics, a score of E is awarded for execution and a score of D for difficulty.
“Each execution score starts at 10.0 points,” NBCOlympics.com explains. “The execution panel judges subtract points for errors, such as landing steps, falls, bent feet, bent knees, etc.”
“The difficulty score starts at zero, and an athlete will earn points for composition requirements, element difficulty, and connection value,” the outlet continues. “In women’s gymnastics, each routine is awarded points for the eight most difficult elements, while in men’s gymnastics, 10 are counted.”
The gymnast or team with the highest combined D and E score wins gold.
Similarly, in rhythmic gymnastics, there is an E score for execution. Judges note whether there were any errors and “the sum of the technical deductions is subtracted from 10 points,” according to the FIG manual. There is also a D score for difficulty. Judges look at both the difficulty of body movements (such as jumps, balances, and rotations) and the use of the apparatus (such as how an object was thrown, caught, or handled). According to NBCOlympics.com, the highest D score is 10.
But unlike artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics also has an A rating for artistry. According to NBCOlympics.com, “Examples of elements evaluated are connection between music and movement, expressiveness, use of space, contrast in time, character and intensity of movements, etc.” Again, the FIG manual states that “the sum of the deductions for artistry is subtracted from 10.0 points.”
Whoever scores the highest E, D and A scores wins gold.
