Following the 2004 Olympic Games, it was thought that the sport needed a new set of rules. it seems there were several problems at 2004 Olympic Games related to judging issues. Now remember the gymnasts had nothing to do with this, they like always were out doing their job and performing routines. The sport itself had created issued related to poor judgement in the evaluation of routines.
So, it was decided that since the administrators of the sport had caused these poor judgements, changes had to be made. Again, remember the gymnasts and coaches had nothing to do with the problems. The most important individuals in the sport, both gymansts and coaches, had to adapt to new rules based on the need for change.
So, an open end code of points was introduced as a new direction for artisitic gymnastics, even though this type of code was tested in the past and had its problems, it was presented to fix the problems and be the future. In fact, it was a code or points (rules for the sport) that would last forever and need no changes for many Olympics. Hmm, it appears it has already had many changes over the first years and now needs even more updating to fix the problems associated with it.
Is this an open ended code? I think a better terminology would be to call it an additive code. It is not open ended since each apparatus has a limit based on the element groups and the limited number of D,E and F skills on each event.
The biggest problem with the present code of points is that the events are unequal in scoring. The old 10.0 system created a more equal system (in general) so, that the outcome of the competition was not going to be determined by the event a gymnast ended the competition on. In the present code of points the two lowest scoring events are PH and HB. Is it really fair that SR and Vault are worth more than PH and HB?
The new code of points is being developed and it appears there are some changes. The rumors floating around include the following:
General – No more chronological order
1. Floor Exercise – Only one combination pass and connection only with D skills, only two diagonal passes in a row
2. Pommel Horse – nothing mentioned
3. Still Rings – Combining skills for one value part is being removed – example Honma to Cross would valued as a B and B
4. Vault – nothing mentioned
5. Parallel Bars – skills using the reverse cut to HS will become two skills – Glide to Reverse Straddle Cut would then be A and B as an example
6. High Bar – Upgrading some releases to G skills – like the Cassina. The 1/1 Tak will have two values, to mix grip D to double under grip E
Just some things to think about. However, this is still not an open end code of points, it is additive.
Problems with changes:
Floor: Only one combination pass with only D + D connection means that everyone in the world will be doing back two 1/2 punch ft. 2/1. No one wants to see a pass that is repeated by every gymnast. No one cares anymore if skills on floor are connected or not. Rather than have connection bonus, make a double layout with a full twist punch ft. one and 3/4 a ‘G’ move.
Actually, rather than moving on to G moves, why not combine A’s and B’s into one category. Moving to ‘G’ is a little ridiculus. It’s too many categories for spectators, coaches, judges, and gymnasts to keep track of.
Rings:
I think that honma cross, honma maltese, and honma invert are some of the greatest skills being done on rings. Everyone loves to watch that; it would be a shame if that were to disappear. Connection bonus on rings is making ring scores too high as compared with the other events. I don’t know why crossing the straps was made illegal. I think it would be nice to bring swing back to rings for the gymnasts who are not super strong. I would like to see cross the straps to yamawaki again; or the Scherbo again for a swinging D.
I think that special requirements are actually ruining the sport. I want to see diversity not compulsory. I want to see one gymnast go up on P-bars and do 10 underbar D’s and then the next gymnast go up on P-bars and do 10 support D’s. Then I will see a lot of variety with skills. Now I see all of the same skills being done by every gymnast. Let the gymnast decide whichever 10 skills that they want to do. Give power back to the gymnasts.
Comment by joshlevin — July 19, 2008 @ 4:00 pm |