Accountability of the B-Panel Scores

At present, a coach can inquire about the A-Panel score and when World and Olympic Medals are on the line, it is time that both A and B Panel scores can be verified.B-Panel scores also have a bigger role to play in the development of the sport for both the gymnast and the coach. Think how valuable it would be to have this information after a major event. Where were the deductions taken from a gymnast, as it relates to the B-PANEL SCORES. This information would allow a gymnast and coach the opportunity to work on improving these execution errors.As for B-Panel deductions themselves, the gap of a .1 to .3 is too great and this can effect medal results greatly. This is a good reason to allow the B-Panel scores to be inquired upon from the coach. I mean what is there to hide? I would assume nothing since we are talking about the integrity of the sport. The sport is about honor and sportsmanship in a subjectively judged event. Therefore,  to improve the judging system the gap needs to be closed so we have the B-Panel using .1, .2, .3, etc. It just makes sense to provide these tools for the judging system. So, of course, it will be said that if you allow B-Panel inquiries then the meet will be extended in time. If done within a time limit this can be controlled but the correct score is the most important task. I am not in favor of having to pay to get the correct score, it just seems wrong. However, if you limit the number and your score can go up or down, I think this is a balance that makes a coach think before submitting the inquiry.The next topic is how can the sport improve the judging system once it is in place and used at each World Championships leading up to an Olympic Games?See you soon………  

High Bar Video – A little History

The Process of Developing the Code of Points

Gymnastics Coaches and Gymnasts:

After returning from the 2007 Beijing Good Luck Invitational, an event that is the precursor to the 2008 Olympic Games, I wanted to provide some additional thoughts as to the direction of the 2009-2012 code of points.

I had the opportunity to talk to many coaches from around the World and can see that this next step in the codes’ development is on everyone’s minds. The coaches and gymnasts live the sport 24/7 and are the true benefactors or feel the biggest lost with how the rules are designed. I can tell you there are many great coaches around the World and have great minds to help the sport grow. The hope is that their input will be heard and their ideas they present be used.

The open end code is a very complex system and this is the comment made by many who have looked at offering ideas to refine and improve the new system. What everyone is realizing is that any change to the code does not stand alone, it effects all the apparatus in either a positive or negative way.

So where can you begin and what are the issues that the code faces? Lets start with; “what is the goal of the code of points” I think it should have many goals to enhance the sports’ growth and to excite the fans who come to see these great athletes. Lets face it a sporting event that lasts over two hours is losing fans these days for sure.

Ok, where to start to refine this open end code system?

• First, evaluate the difficulty tables. This creates many of the present problems. The number of skills that a gymnst designs his routine with on each apparatus is not equal. There should be the same number of A,B,C,D,E and F skills in each element Group for each apparatus.
• Second, for the sport to place value back in the Team and All-Around competitions you can not have SR and Vault being worth more than PH and HB. One apparatus should not be worth more than another.
• Any rule changes that affect the A=Panel on one apparatus can affect the potential end score on another. Example, having rules that limit the use of a number of skill types. Pommel Horse has a rule thats a gymnast can only use two russian skills. This limits the scoring potential, where Still Rings allows multiple skill use of the Maltses and Inverted Cross as examples. So, do you now limit only using one Maltse and one Inverted Cross to bring the scores down to match pommel horse? Or, do you find a way to bring PH scores up to the SR scores.?

Ok, this is only a start and the comments made here by other coaches are and will be greatly appreciated.  The next chapter will discuss having accountability on the B-Panel side of the scoring game.

What is the future of gymnastics (both men and women’s) as a spectator sport? These and other code topics are coming.