Section 5: Rules of Play
General Competition Structure
FIG Artistic Gymnastics competitions follow a structured format with distinct phases (per FIG Technical Regulations and Competition Regulations):
- Qualifications (Podium Training): Prior to competition, athletes have access to apparatus for training. At World Championships, a single podium training session of 30–40 minutes per subdivision is held.
- Qualifications (Competition I): All qualified gymnasts/teams compete. Scores from Qualifications are used to determine advancement to Team Final, All-Around Final, and Event Finals. Qualification scores do not carry forward to Finals (fresh start in Finals).
- Team Final (Competition II): Top qualifying teams compete. Each team presents gymnasts on each apparatus per the 4-up, 3-count format.
- All-Around Final (Competition III): Top 24 individual qualifiers (max 2 per country) compete on all events.
- Event Finals (Competition IV): Top 8 qualifiers per apparatus (max 2 per country) compete for individual apparatus medals.
Rotation and Start Order
In team and all-around competition, gymnasts rotate through apparatus in a set order. In MAG, the order is: Floor Exercise → Pommel Horse → Still Rings → Vault → Parallel Bars → Horizontal Bar. In WAG, the order is: Vault → Uneven Bars → Balance Beam → Floor Exercise. The rotation order may be adjusted slightly by the competition organizer but must follow the official apparatus sequence (FIG Technical Regulations, Article 10).
Athletes are announced and have a 30-second preparation time from the moment the green light signals permission to start (CoP MAG/WAG 2022–2026, Chapter 1, General Rules). The preparation time clock is visible to the athlete. Failure to begin within the preparation time results in a deduction (see Section 7).
Routine Requirements — WAG
Per CoP WAG 2022–2026:
- Vault: Each gymnast performs one vault in Qualifications/Team Final/All-Around. In Event Finals, gymnasts perform two vaults of different values (different families). The maximum time from the signal to vault is 30 seconds.
- Uneven Bars: A routine must include a minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 elements from the Code of Points. The routine must include: one release element, a bar change (transition from high bar to low bar or vice versa), and a dismount. The minimum working time is not specified, but the routine ends with a dismount. The gymnast must mount within 30 seconds of the green light.
- Balance Beam: Duration: minimum 70 seconds, maximum 90 seconds (measured from the first movement/jump on the beam after mounting to the landing of the dismount). A time violation is assessed for routines shorter than 70 seconds (0.10 deduction) or longer than 90 seconds (0.10 deduction per 5-second interval, per CoP WAG 2022–2026, Chapter 7, Article 7.1). Requirements include: at least one acrobatic series, a dance series, an acrobatic element with flight, and a dismount.
- Floor Exercise: Duration: maximum 90 seconds (including music). The routine must begin at the sound of the music and end no later than the music conclusion. Music must be instrumental only (no lyrics/singing/humming/beatboxing) — this rule was updated effective January 1, 2023 for WAG (CoP WAG 2023 update). A time violation deduction applies if music/routine exceeds 90 seconds.
Routine Requirements — MAG
Per CoP MAG 2022–2026:
- Floor Exercise: Duration: maximum 70 seconds. Men's floor exercise is performed without music. Routine must include a minimum number of acrobatic and non-acrobatic elements. The gymnast must use the entire floor area (all four corners must be touched or passed through).
- Pommel Horse: Routine must include at least one circle on each pommel and at least one circle on the entire horse (end-to-end travel). The routine must end with a dismount. Maximum 8 counting elements.
- Still Rings: Routine must include two strength elements (at least one static strength hold, minimum 2-second hold time), swinging elements, and a dismount. Maximum 8 counting elements.
- Vault: Each gymnast performs one vault. Must be from the official MAG Vault Table (CoP MAG 2022–2026, Appendix: Vault Table).
- Parallel Bars: Routine must include both above-bar and below-bar elements. Maximum 8 counting elements.
- Horizontal Bar: Routine must include a minimum of one release-and-regrasp element. Maximum 8 counting elements. The dismount must be performed from a swing (not a static position).
Salute and Protocol
Prior to mounting and after dismounting, the gymnast must salute the head judge (Chief D Judge or Referee) to signal readiness and completion. The green light or flag signal from the judging panel gives permission to begin. If a gymnast begins before the signal, a deduction applies. After the routine, the gymnast again salutes; judges then post scores.