What are the other penalties in rhythmic gymnastics?
A · Advanced · Faults and penalties · 1 of 2Penalties taken from the final score by the line, time and responsible judges. Touching outside the floor with the body or the apparatus costs 0.30 each time. Every second over or under the time limit costs 0.05. Faults of attire, jewellery, hair or make-up cost 0.30, and breaches of discipline 0.50.
How it works
- The line: "Any part of the body or apparatus touching outside the boundary of the floor area will be penalized", 0.30 each time.
- On the line: touching the line itself is not a fault.
- In the air: an apparatus that passes over the boundary without touching the ground is not penalised.
- Finishing outside: 0.30.
- Started outside: a difficulty or artistry component begun outside the floor is not evaluated.
- Time: "0.05 p. for each additional or missing second", counted in whole seconds. 1:30.99 is in time and 1:31.00 is not.
- Delay: more than 30 seconds getting ready, such as untying a knot, costs 0.50.
- The leotard: tight-fitting and not transparent from chest to crotch. A short attached skirt is allowed, a tutu is not.
- Jewellery, hair, make-up: small and tight-fitting, neat and compact, clear and light. Each breach costs 0.30.
- Discipline: arriving early or late, warming up in the hall or a coach communicating with the gymnast during the exercise each cost 0.50.
- If the music fails: the gymnast must stop. With the approval of the president of the superior jury she performs again.
- Interrupted for injury: the difficulties already done are counted, and artistry and execution each penalise the full 10.00.
The glossary has the neutral deduction, the final score, the judges, the exercise and the D, A and E scores entry.
Tricky cases
The ball rolls onto the line but not past it. Is that penalised?
No. There is no line penalty when the apparatus or the gymnast touches the line.
The music cuts out halfway and the gymnast carries on to the end. Can she protest afterwards?
No. It is her responsibility to stop, and a protest about the music after the exercise is completed is not accepted.
An exercise lasts 1 minute 12 seconds. What is the penalty?
0.15, for three missing seconds under the minimum of 1:15.
A slipper comes off during the exercise. Is that an attire fault?
No. No penalty is taken if a slipper comes off involuntarily.
Why the rule exists
The floor, the clock and the dress rules are the frame every gymnast shares, so breaking them is priced apart from the judging of the gymnastics. The time penalty is small and counted by the second so that a slightly long exercise is nudged and not ruined. The tight-fitting rule is practical: judges must see body positions.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Line penalty 0.30 each time | FIG RG Part 1, A 7.2 |
| Group | 0.30 for each gymnast and each apparatus | FIG RG Part 2, A 9.2 |
| Group entry | Must march on quickly with no music, or 0.50 | FIG RG Part 2, A 8.1 |
| Artistic floor | Line and time amounts differ | ../artistic/ set |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Part 1, section A, articles 2, 7, 8 and 10 to 14. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Rhythmic Gymnastics (PDF).