Order of Operations on Rings for the 2025-2028 Code of Points
Knowing the correct order of operations is essential for accurate D jury evaluations, and with the 2025-2028 Code of Points, that takes a little bit of decoding.
Each new Code brings its own changes and challenges. This Code is no exception, in fact it is full of exceptions, which makes it that much more complicated! There are so many massive changes, from the reduction to 8 counting elements for seniors (ok - it is actually 7 + the dismount) to the dismount value counting as the value of the dismount element group (except on floor, where there is no dismount element group), new special repetition rules, and exception upon exception. It is a steep learning curve for judges, coaches, and gymnasts to decipher how these rules apply to what they do. So let's get out our decoder rings and take a deep dive into judging one of the most deceptively difficult apparatus to judge under the 2025-2028 Code: Rings.
At the 2024 InterContinental Course, the Men's Technical Committee (MTC) laid out a clear order of operations for judging rings that must be followed. I will walk you through this process using Petrounias's ring routine from the 2024 Olympics:
Note the exercise in symbols. Write down all the element values and element groups. Do not upgrade any element values yet! (i.e., Yamawaki/Jonasson followed by swing to handstand) That will come later.
Select the eight highest valued elements (7 elements + 1 dismount). The order for selecting elements is as follows:
Eliminate Basic repetition (i.e., elements that share the same box in the Code of Points. The first one prevails, and the subsequent repetitions are eliminated). There are no instances of basic repetition in this Petrounias routine.
Lock in the dismount.
Select the 4 highest-value elements in each element group (EG) and eliminate the lower-value elements in the EG.
In the example routine, there are no instances of more than 4 elements in an EG.
When deciding between elements of equal value, choose the element(s) to the greatest benefit of the gymnast.
Select the highest 7+1 elements of those that remain. (Eliminate the lowest value elements from the body of the routine). Petrounias has 12 elements. Therefore, we must eliminate the two As and two of the three Cs.
As before, for elements of equal value we choose the element(s) to the greatest benefit of the gymnast. An experienced judge can predict that it is to the gymnast's greatest benefit to count the Jonasson over the two swing to handstand elements later in the routine, even though that means that he would incur a -0.3 penalty for not having a swing to handstand element. As we will see in the next step, we need to count the C1 Jonasson to break up his strength elements. Without the Jonasson, he would lose the D3 Honma to Cross and E3 Back uprise Maltese due to the Maximum 3 strength in a row rule.
Apply special repetition rules: E.g., Maximum one final strength position per EG and the maximum three strength elements in a row rule. (A maximum of 3 strength and/or swing-to-strength elements may be done in a row. The gymnast must perform a swing element of at least B value from EG1 before performing a 4th strength element from EG2 or EG3). Remember that all EG2 or EG3 count toward the maximum 3 strength elements in a row, even if they don't count among the top 7+1 elements in the routine (i.e., the A2 back lever in this routine).
Potential pitfall: Back uprise to straddle L-sit is no longer a B value EG1 element. It now gets broken up into A1 Back uprise to support and A2 L-sit. So what might have been intended to break up strength elements in the previous cycle will now contribute to the strength element count under the 2025 rules. Also consider that an L-sit and straddled L-sit are in the same box and may bring about an instance of basic repetition.
For Petrounias we need to eliminate the D2 Nakayama Cross as the 4th strength element in a row.
It seems contradictory that strength elements not in the top 7+1 count towards the Maximum 3 strength-in-a-row rule, but B or higher EG1 elements that are not among the top 7+1 do not count to break up the strength elements in the very same rule!
Hey! I don't make the rules... I'm just explaining what they are.
Don't shoot the messenger!
Note that we now have fewer than 8 counting elements.
Add back previously eliminated lower-value elements to once again have a total of 7+1 counting elements. For Petrounias, we can add back one of the C1 Swing to Handstands (saving him from a -0.3 penalty). Note, it is forbidden to add back strength elements eliminated through the maximum 3 strength-in-a-row rule (i.e., the D2 Nakayama Cross), lest we enter into a never-ending loop.
Upgrade elements: Apply upgraded value for Yamawaki/Jonasson if connected to swing to handstand. Remember, the value increases ONLY if the Yamawaki/Jonasson AND the swing to handstand are among the final 7+1 counting elements.
Count up the element and element group values to compute the final score (including stick bonus, if applicable).
Note penalties (i.e., no swing to handstand among the 7+1 counting elements)
There are no penalties in this Petrounias routine.
Got it?
Now for the test!
Let's look at Liu's ring routine from the 2016 Olympics.
Try it on your own before reading the solution.
Note the exercise in symbols. Write down all the element values and element groups.
In Liu's routine, we can only recognize the final position of both inverted crosses due to a body bend greater than 45º during the transition and too high of entry.
Select the eight highest valued elements (7 elements + 1 dismount).
Remember the order for selecting elements is as follows:
Eliminate Basic repetition: Liu has basic repetition due to the de-valuing of the inverted crosses
Lock in the dismount.
Select the 4 highest-value elements in each element group (EG) and eliminate the lower-value elements in the EG.
Again, there are no instances of more than 4 elements in an EG.
Select the highest 7+1 elements of those that remain. (Eliminate the lowest value elements from the body of the routine). When choosing between elements of equal value, we choose the element(s) to the greatest benefit of the gymnast. Again, it will be to the gymnast's greatest benefit to count the C1 Jonasson over the swing to handstand element later in the routine.
Apply special repetition rules: Remember that all EG2 or EG3 count as part of the maximum 3 strength elements in a row, even if they don't count among the top 7+1 elements in the routine. In Liu's routine, the second inverted cross that was eliminated in Step 2 due to basic repetition still counts as part of the Maximum 3 strength-in-a-row rule. Therefore, we must eliminate the back-uprise swallow and Nakayama Cross as the 4th and 5th consecutive strength elements. The non-counting Yamawaki cannot be used to break up consecutive strength elements.
Note that we now have less than 8 counting elements.
Add back previously eliminated lower-value elements to once again have a total of 7+1 counting elements. For Liu, we can add back the C1 Swing to Handstand (saving him from a -0.3 penalty) and one of the B1 elements. Neither B1 element has a greater benefit to the gymnast because even if we choose to add back the B1 Yamawaki, it is forbidden to add back strength elements eliminated through the maximum 3 strength-in-a-row rule.
Upgrade elements: There are no upgradable elements in Liu's routine.
Count up the element and element group values to compute the final score (including stick bonus, if applicable)
Note penalties: There are no penalties in Liu's routine as we were able to add back his C1 Back-uprise to Handstand.
Rings has the biggest evaluation traps of any of the apparatus. Granted, it will be much easier for judges to evaluate routines that are composed for the current code instead of retrofitting old routines to new rules. Hopefully, you won't need to solve any advanced optimization problems like in these routines from previous cycles.
Are you wondering what that horizontal line is on my evaluation sheets? See my judging computation system article that explains the system I use to judge quickly and reduce judging errors. Note: I usually don't write the EG number on my page, but I wrote them here for clarity for people who are unfamiliar with this system.
Judging examples were created with ease using my reMarkable Paper Pro Videos are used for educational purposes and fall under "fair use" rules.
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