AboutPam Rafe-Borges Expertise I can answer questions about technique, choreography, skill values for both Women's USAG JO rules and NFHS rules. I have been in this sport for 35 plus years as an athlete and a coach. I have been a judge for 15 plus years.
Experience I have been in the sport for 30 plus years, as a gymnast, coach, choreographer,pre-school gymnastics instructor, and official.I was the gymnastics director for 10 years at a summer day camp
Organizations I have a USAG level 10 judges rating. I am also a NJSIAA judge which uses the NFHS rules.
Question I would like to know what kind of deductions are given if a gymnast switches from right to left in a routine. How important is it for the gymnast to choose a dominant side at a young age. I have several young gymnasts who are new to my class who are doing left roundoffs and because they are righthanded, and do the rest of their gymnastics with the right dominating, I thought it would be best to switch them while they are still little...what do you think?
Answer Hi Lori,
The deduction for reversing a compulsory element that is not allowed to be reversed is 1/2 the value of the element. The elements that can be reversed are marked with an asterisk and tend to be tumbling elements.
Which hand a child holds a pencil is irrelevant to which side they use as a dominant side in gymnastics. Right now I have 7 lefties and 3 righties. They all hold a pencil in their right hand.
At a young age they gymnasts should be working both sides equally. If you get to a time when you have to choose, go by their jump full turn. If it is identical on both sides, try a jump 1 1/2. You will see the weak side by the tilt in the gymnast. If that fails to determine I like to flip them upside down and see which way they turn around to look behind them. In a handstand bend their legs over your arm and lift them from the floor, then say look behind you, or turn around. Which ever shoulder goes back is the arm I grab and stand them up by. That arm is the domant turning direction (left or right) At that point you will have a good idea which direction to choose.
There is no deduction in optionals for going lefty/righty.
