What are the rules for the men's floor exercise?
I · Intermediate · The men's apparatus · 5 of 9An exercise of up to 70 seconds on a 12 by 12 metre floor, with no music. It is mostly tumbling, with strength, balance and flexibility elements between. The gymnast must go to or from every corner, must not use the same diagonal three times in a row and must finish with a salto landed on both feet.
How it works
- What it is: mainly acrobatic elements, combined with strength, balance, flexibility, handstands and choreographic combinations.
- Time: "a maximum of 70 seconds", with a warning signal at 60 seconds and again at 70. "There is no minimum time."
- The start: inside the area, from a still stand with legs together.
- Four element groups: non-acrobatic elements, acrobatic elements forward, acrobatic elements backward and single saltos with one or more turns.
- A multiple salto: one is required among the eight counting elements, as the dismount for seniors.
- Corners: the gymnast must go to or from each corner of the floor. Failing to costs 0.3.
- Diagonals: the same diagonal "may not be used more than 2 times in a row". A third time costs 0.3.
- Controlled landings: each acrobatic element or series must end in a visibly controlled landing before he moves on.
- No waiting: pauses of two seconds or longer before a tumbling line are not permitted.
- The end: an acrobatic salto landing with both feet together.
- Lines: the line is part of the floor. Stepping on it is allowed, over it is not.
- Connections: 0.1 or 0.2 for acrobatic elements of D value or higher linked directly to another.
- One strength element: at most one may count for value, and at most one circle or flair element.
The glossary has the floor exercise, the tumbling pass, the somersault, the twist, the element group, the stick and the neutral deduction.
Tricky cases
A gymnast stands in the corner for three seconds to catch his breath. Is that allowed?
No. A pause of two seconds or longer before an acrobatic element is not permitted, and moving the arms does not stop the count.
He steps on the white line but not over it. Is he out?
No. Lines are part of the floor area.
He begins a tumbling line with one foot already outside. Does the salto count?
No. Elements initiated outside the floor area are judged for execution but not recognised for difficulty.
Does a man have to include dance?
No. The code asks for choreographic combinations and a balance element on one leg, but it has no dance requirement and no artistry deductions of the women's kind.
Why the rule exists
Seventy seconds is short enough that every tumbling line is done tired, so the landing rule tests control and not only power. The corner and diagonal rules make a gymnast use the whole floor. The men's exercise has never had music, and the code asks for rhythm in the movement instead.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men's floor | 70 seconds, no music, four element groups | FIG MAG 10.2.1; FIG MAG 10.2.2 |
| Women's floor | 90 seconds, music, at most four acro lines | FIG WAG 13.1; FIG WAG 13.2 |
| Other men's apparatus | Three element groups and a dismount group | FIG MAG 7.2 |
| Juniors | The multiple salto need not be the dismount | FIG MAG 10.2.2 |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, MAG article 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Women's Artistic Gymnastics and Men's Artistic Gymnastics (PDF).