The NCAA has released the 2026-2027 Rules Modifications for NCAA women's gymnastics, and the NCAA has made some key changes that will impact routine construction and potentially, scoring in the coming season.  The key changes reduce the base "Start Value" (SV) on UB, BB and FX from 9.4 to 9.2, and add a combination of 0.8 in new "Composition Credits" and bonus.  However, the net effect of the reduction in start value is largely on face value, not in greatly increased requirements for most gymnasts.  The reduction in SV for many athletes will be a mathematical exercise that shifts former content or composition deductions into credits, versus being subtractive from the final score.   The changes will mostly impact UB and FX, with a de-emphasis of key release combination(s) in the former and slightly higher tumbling requirements in the latter.  BB sees some changes in minimum dance content while vault in nearly untouched.  (Note article was updated on 9/4)

At the same time, the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program (WDP) Code of Points has also undergone a revision.  Many of these changes are primarily related to evaluation, required technique and skill value.  These will flow through to the NCAA program.  In fact, the switch to a lower start value and "Composition Credits" is reflected in this source document.  At a very high level, the structure is now more similar, but the NCAA variations require less difficulty, in general.    

A general theme in the new modifications is the replacement of various special requirements, including "up to the level" requirements and bonus credits, into a new "Composition Credit" (CC) on UB, BB and FX.  No other Connection Credits, Special Requirements, or Event-specific Structure Deductions from the USAG WDP code are applicable. The "Start Value" (SV) is the base score a gymnast received after certain minimum requirements were met.  In the prior system, this was a 9.4 on UB, BB and FX.  A gymnast could earn up to 0.6 in bonus tenths for extra difficulty and skill combinations to hit a 10.  However, they all had to meet certain extra compositional requirements or tenths could be deducted. 

In the new system, the SV will start from 9.2, and Composition Credits will provide an opportunity to get back to the 10.0 SV.  0.6 tenths will come from the extra difficulty skills (Difficulty Value, DV skills rated "D" or "E") and/or eligible combinations of skills (Connection Value, CV).  At least 0.1 must come from DV and 0.1 from CV.  The qualifying elements must receive value part (VP) credit and must be performed without a fall or a "spot" (coach intervention).  The final 0.2 CC comes from event-specific requirements and must be from elements that receive their VP credit and be performed without a fall or a spot.  The USAG WDP code uses a similar structure, but with 0.5 from difficulty and 0.3 from Composition Credits.    

A few changes were also made to the rules around judges' conferences.  The Chief Judge or Panel Judge may call a conference only when the counting scores are out of range, there is an impossible SV, a team neutral deduction occurred (new for 2027), a scoring input, the meet referee calls an inquiry conference when bringing a Routine Inquiry to the panel or, when an "impossible score" is identified.  The impossible score must be the result of an obvious flat deduction or event-specific structure deduction (new for 2027) that was not implied.

Early versions of the USAG WDP code and NCAA modifications spawned rumors of additional changes, but several key ones were pulled.  Here are the changes in each event:

Vault

The vault score value table is untouched from the last cycle, so all start values remain the same.  There is a new process for approving new vaults and assigning Start Values, which will require ratification by the WCGA (Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association) Board of Directors.

Uneven Bars

The changes on UB primarily impact gymnasts that used Maloney to Pak or Overshoot to handstand structures in their routines.  These have become highly popular at both the NCAA level and in the USAG Level 10 ranks.  The new Composition Credit on UB is rewarded as a total of 0.2 comprised of the following:

• CC Release Difficulty (+0.1):  The release must be one of the following
  • A single bar release of D value or higher
  • A release element valued at E
  • Or, a minimum of two D releases
• CC Dismount Difficulty (+0.1): The dismount must be one of the following
  • A D or E dismount
  • A C dismount preceded by a D or E element

A major change was made concerning Connection Value (CV) bonus for a certain popular skill connection.  A Maloney to Pak or Overshoot to Handstand no longer earns 0.1 in CV, just the 0.2 in DV.  The D to D combination bonus for these combinations was originally 0.2 in the 2024-2025 cycle, lowered to 0.1 in 2025-2026, and now has been set to zero.  What used to be 0.4 in bonus (in 2024-2025) is now just 0.2 in difficulty bonus.  Any E release element or single bar D still earns a 0.1 in extra difficulty bonus, which may cause some gymnasts to switch their composition entirely.    

Gymnasts that use the Maloney to Pak or Overshoot combinations now must make up for their lost bonus tenth elsewhere.  If they do not choose a different release combination, this may mean additional C+ circling elements (before or after these D+ releases or before D+ dismounts), or a new D+ element like a giant full pirouettes, stalder/endo, inverts or other skills.  They may perhaps use a C in combination with other qualifying C+ elements, or use an eligible D+ dismount combination.  These particular routines will in effect, show a bit more variety in composition as a result.  In past years, the Maloney to Pak/Overshoot and dismount (with bonus) had become almost a compulsory-level routine in widespread adoption. 

Gymnasts who had been using the Maloney to Pak combination or are frosh this season are particularly disadvantaged.  The USAG WDP Level 10 code still awards 0.2 in bonus for these combinations.  Gymnastics using a Pak have a more difficult option to try to add a connection.  Those performing an overshoot to handstand may be more easily able to add another qualifying C+ element after the handstand, to gain a tenth.  We may even see some gymnasts decide to break up the former D + D combination and simply kip and cast up to a handstand after the Maloney.  They can then add a qualifying C+ element and swing down to a Pak salto or overshoot.  This may bring more risk of missing a handstand, but could help a gymnast maintain form through the separated skills.       

In contrast, gymnasts that use clear hip (Shaposhnikova), stalder (Chow) or inbar (Komova) entry variants and connect to the Pak or Overshoot will not be impacted by this change. 

The NCAA Code Modifications also clarified rules for counting the new CC credits when a release was attempted but a fall occurred, and whether the gymnast's hands contacted or not, and if the combination was subsequently repeated.   

As is the case with the other events, the deduction of 0.05 for insufficient distribution of elements has been removed.  All the other NCAA requirements and modifications remain the same as last season.

From the USAG WDP Code, the Ejova has been raised from a D to an E.  This is a forward swing down from handstand in reverse grip on high to a layout salto forward with a half turn in flight to clear support on the low.  It is a rare skill in the NCAA but there is now some incentive to add it, for an additional 0.3 in bonus.  The 01 bonus structure for E releases (and D same-bar releases) is still in effect.  

Balance Beam

Balance Beam sees changes related to Dance value and the combinations.  The new Composition Credit on BB is rewarded as a total of 0.2 comprised of each of the following: 

• CC Dance Difficulty (+0.1):  0.1 of CC is awarded when a minimum of 0.2 total bonus is awarded for either:
  • DV bonus for D or E dance skills
  • CV bonus for eligible dance/dance or dance/acro connections
  • Or, a combination of 0.1 DV and 0.1 CV
  • The total bonus can be performed in two connections but cannot include series with a dismount.  However, D or E mounts and mount connections can be counted.
• CC Acro Difficulty (+0.1):  0.1 is awarded for one of the following:
  • An acro flight series with CV Bonus
  • Or, D/E acro element in addition to an acro series that satisfies the Special Requirement on the event.  D or E mounts or dismounts are included. 

These changes are essentially net neutral to the prior rules, even though there is an increased emphasis on dance and dance-acro.  The main routines impact that those that used an acro series (often a high value 0.3 or 0.4 combination series), a dismount with bonus, and just 0.1 in dance bonus.  These routines will need to add some form of dance bonus.  The bonus for B direct C dismounts and triple acro series are still in effect.  

Some key dance skills were devalued in the USAG WDP Code and were not retained at the higher value in the NCAA Code Modifications. 

• The straddle pike or straddle split jump in cross position with a 1/4 turn to land in side position has been devalued to a B, from a C.  This generally means a lost 0.1 in CV Bonus. 
• The corresponding jump starting from the side position to the cross position was also devalued.
• The straddle or side split jump with 1/2 turn in cross position has been devalued from a D to a C.  

These dance changes adopted from the USAG WDP Code will have the most impact on the NCAA BB sets.  Certain lost tenths will need to be replaced.  

In addition, the USAG WDP Code elevated the "sissonne jump" from an A to a B (a sissonne is a 180 degree split jump from two feet to one, with the front leg at 45 degrees, which is generally easier that a standing split jump).  This means that it is a viable contender to replace the split jump in certain B to C/D/E combinations, including dance-acro, where a sissonne to one foot landing can lead smoothly into a D acro that benefit from a step into the entry, like aerials and kick-over fronts.  Such a combination would earn 0.2 in CV connection bonus, rather than 0.1.  Gymnasts who have a two foot landing from certain D acro or dance skills may find it easier to connect into a sissonne (B), gaining a tenth over a beat jump.  It may be easier for many gymnasts, as the lower front leg and one leg landing may make it easier to spot and control a wobble-free landing.      

As is the case on floor, the deduction of 0.05 for insufficient distribution of elements has been removed.  All the other NCAA requirements and modifications remain the same as last season.

From the USAG Code of Points, deductions for artistry have been expanded and clarified.  However, based on the past seasons, it is not clear how many will actually be taken in the NCAA, with the exception of direction and excessive preparation.  There is an artistic deduction for directions of choreography on Beam in the WDP Code that is slightly different than the NCAA "Specific Structure" deductions.  

Floor Exercise

The changes for FX slightly increase the minimum tumbling requirements, especially for two pass routines.  The new Composition Credit on FX is awarded as a total of 0.2 for the following:

• CC Dance Difficulty (+0.1):  0.1 is awarded for one of the following
  • a D or E Dance element
  • a minimum of 0.1 CV for a Dance/Dance combination
• CC Acro Difficulty (+0.1) for a 2-pass routine:  0.1 is awarded for one of the following
  • An E acro 
  • Or a D acro in each of the two passes
  • One D acro and 0.3 in total CV bonus in the other pass, AND an additional D Dance element in the routine
• CC Acro Difficulty (+0.1) for a 3-pass routine:  0.1 is awarded for one of the following
  • An E acro
  • Two different D elements, one of which must be an acro element

In a 2-pass routine, there is a 0.1 difficulty (DV) bonus for any D or E element performed in a direct or indirect acro connection in the last acro pass.  The Rudi (front 1 1/2 twist) is excluded from this rule.  This rule change also eliminates the bonus for an isolated E, like a front double full but does provide for a back 2 1/2 twist in combination.  In a 3-pass routine, there is still a 0.1 difficulty (DV) bonus for any D or E element performed in the last acro pass (except for the Rudi).  This includes the back salto with 2 1/2 twist.  In prior seasons, a double flipping salto was needed in place of the D.  The last isolated salto or last salto connection needs to be a D or E skill or C salto in a CV bonus connection.   

A new connection bonus of 0.3 has been added for an indirect acro connection of a C plus D or E.  This means a back 1 1/2 to double back can now earn 0.3 in CV bonus plus 0.1 in DV bonus.   

For gymnasts doing three pass routines, little changes for those already starting from a 10.  For gymnasts doing a two pass routine, some tumbling upgrades would be required.  A routine that last season used a Rudi to split jump and back layout 1 1/2 to front layout, plus 0.2 in dance bonus would need to upgrade the set under these new rules.  Instead, the gymnast could do a Rudi and then a whip half to front layout full to punch front, a D dance skill and another 0.1 in dance bonus to satisfy the requirement.  Or the gymnast could upgrade to a Rudi punch back layout, do a back 1 1/2 twist to front layout and add a D dance skill..  However, a gymnast doing a front double full, a back 1 1/2 to front layout and 0.2 in dance bonus would not need to change her routine to start from a 10.     

As is the case on BB, the deduction of 0.05 for insufficient distribution of elements has been removed.  All the other NCAA requirements and modifications remain the same as last season.

From the USAG Code of Points, deductions for artistry have been expanded and in some cases, clarified, quantized and quantified.  However, based on the past NCAA seasons, it is not clear how many artistry deductions will actually be taken in the NCAA.  However, there is a 0.05 deduction for more than one step to close the feet together before an acro pass, unless done with choreography.  This highly specific deduction may spur increased enforcement, but if the past is any example, only in extreme examples.    

Here are the links to the underlying rule changes.  Clarifications are in bold font, changes are highlighted in blue.  As is typical, any changes in skill value up until November 2026 in the underlying USAG WDP code can impact the NCAA.  

Link:  2026-2027 Women's NCAA Rules Modifications (PDF)

Note:  In the rush to publication, we corrected bonus history in the UB section, updated the FX examples (to clearly include a back A), and added additional connection examples in all sections on 9/4.