The 2026–2030 Optional Code of Points: An Easy Guide for Coaches

Levels 6–10 made simple — how Optional scores are built, the Special Requirements for every event, difficulty and Start Values, bonus, and the deductions that cost tenths.

The 2026–2030 Optional Code of Points sets the rules and scoring for USA Gymnastics Development Program Optional levels — Levels 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It is the current cycle, effective August 2026, replacing the previous quad, so everything below reflects the latest rules. This is the plain-English version: how an Optional score is actually built, what each level has to include on every event, and the deductions that quietly cost your gymnasts tenths. It's a starting map, not a replacement — the official USAG Code is always the final word.

How an Optional score is built

Unlike compulsories, Optional gymnasts choose their own routines — so scoring rewards the difficulty and composition they bring, then subtracts for execution. Four pieces decide the final score:

1. Start Value (SV) — the ceiling the routine starts from (up to 10.0). It's earned by counting the gymnast's best Value Parts (elements, rated A through E by difficulty) and meeting the event's Special Requirements.
2. Special Requirements (SRs) — four required “boxes” per event. Each SR you miss is −0.50 off the Start Value.
3. Bonus — extra tenths for Connection Value (CV) (directly connecting hard elements) and Composition/Connection (CC).
4. Execution & penalties — the judge subtracts form, amplitude, landing and artistry deductions, plus any neutral/Chief-Judge penalties, to reach the final score.

Difficulty & Start Value by level

These are the Value Parts a routine needs (by difficulty) to reach the maximum Start Value on Bars, Beam and Floor. As the level goes up, the easy “A” elements are replaced by harder “C–E” elements and the ceiling drops, so difficulty has to make up the gap.

Level 10 can earn an extra +0.10 bonus with a 10.0 SV, at least 0.6 total bonus, and an “E” element. Count your 8 best Value Parts; missing difficulty lowers the SV.

Uneven Bars — Special Requirements

Balance Beam — Special Requirements

Floor Exercise — Special Requirements

Vault — how it's scored

Vault is different: there's no routine to compose. Each vault has its own fixed Start Value, and the judge deducts through four phases — 1st flight (board to hands), support/repulsion (the block off the table), 2nd flight (table to landing), and the landing. The gymnast's score is the Start Value minus those deductions. Most levels compete two vaults and take the average (or the better vault, per the meet format).

Bonus — Connection & Composition

Bonus is where Optional routines separate. Connection Value (CV) is earned by directly connecting harder elements — the bigger the elements and the tighter the connection, the more tenths (+0.10 or +0.20 per connection). Composition/Connection (CC) adds up to a per-level cap for well-built routines:

The full connection grid (which exact pairings pay +0.10 vs +0.20 on each event) is in the printable cheat sheet below.

Execution deductions — quick reference

These come off after the Start Value, and they add up fast. The most common ones, by category:

• Landings: feet more than hip-width apart 0.10 · small hop/step up to 0.10 · large step/jump up to 0.20 (max 0.40 in steps) · squat on landing up to 0.30 · brush/touch down with hand(s) up to 0.30 · fall or support on hands 0.50.
• Leg & foot form (Value Parts): flexed/sickled feet 0.05 · knees/legs crossed up to 0.10, separated up to 0.20 · bent arms or legs in support up to 0.30.
• Amplitude: insufficient height of leaps/jumps/hops up to 0.20 · insufficient height of saltos/aerials up to 0.30 · insufficient split when required up to 0.20.
• Bars: swing forward/back under horizontal up to 0.10 · intermediate (extra) swing/cast 0.30 · insufficient amplitude of casts up to 0.30 · grasp apparatus to avoid a fall 0.30.
• Beam: extra movement to maintain balance up to 0.30 · concentration pause (2 sec.) 0.10 each · grasp of beam to avoid a fall 0.30 · supplemental support 0.30.
• Floor: out of bounds 0.10 each time · music with words or no music 0.50 · artistry/choreography, musicality, body posture and footwork each carry their own ranges.

An up-arrow (↑) on the official sheets means “up to” — the judge chooses within a range and the number shown is the maximum.

Neutral & Chief-Judge penalties

• Missing a Special Requirement: −0.50 off the Start Value (each).
• Restricted element performed: −0.50 off the Start Value.
• Short exercise: beam/floor under 30 seconds, or too few Value Parts — up to −2.00.
• Spotting assist on an element: that element earns no VP/SR/CC, and −0.50.
• Out of bounds (floor): 0.10 each · overtime 0.10 · coaching/verbal cues after warning 0.20 · incorrect attire/jewelry 0.20.
• Exceeding the fall time ends the exercise (Chief Judge terminates).

Coach takeaways by level

• Levels 6–7: the Start Value is still 10.0 — so clean, requirement-complete routines are everything. Don't chase difficulty you'll deduct back; secure the four SRs and land feet together.
• Level 8: the ceiling drops to 9.8 and “B” elements become the backbone. Start building real connections to protect the score.
• Levels 9–10: difficulty and bonus decide meets. Plan connections on purpose, train the “C–E” elements the SRs demand, and never give back the easy 0.50s to a missed requirement or a sat-down landing.

This guide is a simplified summary for coaching use. For official rules, element values and the complete connection grid, always use the current USA Gymnastics Development Program Optional Code of Points.

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