Allowable Elements

Rookies may use A elements from the JO Code of Points and any element from the Level 1-6 routines to satisfy their special requirements.  (Exceptions:  cast, squat on, jump off dismount on uneven bars and split jump on balance beam are allowed)

Novices may use  A elements and acro/strength B elements from the JO Code of Points and any elements from the Level 5 routines to satisfy their special requirements.  Level 4 skills may be used to satisfy special requirements on uneven bars only.  (Exceptions:  clear hip circle and mill circle on uneven bars and flyspring on floor are allowed)

Prep 1 gymnasts must use elements from the JO Code of Points to satisfy special requirements.

If a gymnast uses a compulsory element in her routine, you should apply compulsory deductions.

 Example:  If a gymnast performs the Level 5 dismount on uneven bars and fails to re-grasp the bar after the half turn, you should apply the failure to re-grasp the bar deduction.

Example:  If a gymnast performs a counterswing on uneven bars with legs straddled, you should apply the deduction for leg separation.

Mounts

There is no requirement for a mount on any event at any level of Prep Op.  Therefore, mounts may be skills of no value without incurring a specific deduction.  However, this could be considered a lack of dynamics in the overall evaluation of the routine.

Dismounts

The only special requirement for a dismount occurs on Rookie level uneven bars. 

In a Rookie level bar routine, if a gymnast jumps down from the equipment without attempting to perform a dismount, deduct 0.3 from the start value for no dismount and deduct 0.5 from the start value for the dismount special requirement.  If the gymnast performs a dismount element of no value, deduct 0.5 from the start value for the dismount special requirement, but do not deduct 0.3 for no dismount.

For all other Prep Op levels and events, if a gymnast jumps down from the equipment without attempting to perform a dismount, 0.3 should be deducted from the start value.  Do not deduct 0.5 for a fall unless the gymnast actually falls from the equipment.

Counting Skills

A gymnast may receive credit for a skill two times provided that the element occurs in a different connection (has a different entrance or exit).   If a gymnast performs an element for a third time, value part credit is not awarded, and the skill may not fulfill any special requirement.

***THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ROUND OFFS, FLIC FLACS, OR FRONT HANDSPRINGS IN ACRO SERIES ON FLOOR EXERCISE****

Long Hang Pullover

A long hang pullover is an A element in the JO Code of Points, so it can be used at all levels of Prep Op.  A long hang pullover will only fulfill the requirement of a circling skill if it starts and finishes on the high bar.

Movement Between Levels

There is no mobility allowed from the Prep Op program into the traditional JO Optional levels.  In order to compete at Level 7, a gymnast must meet the mobility requirement of scoring a minimum of 31.00 at Level 6.  This can be done at a small mobility meet, but it must occur at a USAG sanctioned event.