Most “almost stuck” landings still lose tenths for steps, hops, foot positions, or deep squats — and the exact value depends on the program’s Code of Points. This guide translates the landing faults parents notice from the stands into plain English, links Stickd’s glossary definitions, and helps families discuss specifics with coaches (not coach from the bleachers).
What parents usually see vs what judges mark
From the stands, a landing often looks binary: stuck or not stuck. Judges are applying a more granular standard — whether the feet moved, how deep the squat went, whether the feet stayed together, and whether control was maintained after the skill.
That gap is why parents leave meets saying “it looked stuck” while the scoreboard suggests otherwise. Neither view is wrong; they are different jobs. Parents watch their child. Judges apply the Code of Points in real time.
Related parent primer: gymnastics deductions for parents. Full plain-English list: Stickd glossary.
Common landing faults in plain English
The definitions below paraphrase Stickd’s glossary pages. Typical tenths shown are orientation values for parents — not a guarantee of what every judge will take on every program. When in doubt, ask the coach or check the official USAG (or other governing body) Code of Points for your gymnast’s level.
Landing Faults At a Glance
Step on landing
What parents notice: After the feet hit, your gymnast takes a step to keep balance.
Stickd glossary (plain English): Taking a step after landing a skill. Stickd’s glossary lists a typical orientation of about −0.1, noting judges may scale by how noticeable the movement is. Official meet scores remain the judges’ call.
Deep link: Step on Landing
Hop on landing
What parents notice: The feet leave the mat again in a small bounce/hop after contact — different from a clear walking step, but still a landing fault.
Stickd glossary (plain English): Hopping on landing after a skill. Stickd’s glossary lists a typical orientation of about −0.1, scaled by noticeability.
Deep link: Hop on Landing
Deep squat
What parents notice: The landing “sits” very low — thighs dropping deep — even if the feet never move.
Stickd glossary (plain English): Squatting too deep on landing (thighs below horizontal). Stickd’s glossary lists a typical orientation of about −0.3. This is one of the faults that surprises parents most, because a deep squat can look controlled from far away.
Deep link: Deep Squat on Landing
Feet apart / staggered landings
What parents notice: Feet land wide, staggered, or not together when the skill expected a controlled, closed landing.
Exact tenths and criteria depend on the Code of Points for the program. Ask the coach how foot-position faults are applied for your gymnast’s level, and use video to confirm what was visible.
Browse related landing entries via the glossary Landings section.
Fall (how it differs from steps)
What parents notice: Contact with the hands, seat, or apparatus in a way that reads as a fall — not just a step to save balance.
Stickd glossary (plain English): Falling to the floor or apparatus during or after a skill. Stickd’s glossary lists a typical orientation of about −0.5 — generally the largest common landing/execution-style deduction parents associate with “going down,” and distinct from a small step or hop.
Deep link: Fall
Parent distinction to remember: A step or hop means the landing was imperfect but upright control may still have been present. A fall is a different category of fault. When scores feel confusing, ask the coach which one was applied — the language matters for practice priorities.
Why deduction sizes are not one universal number
USAG optional vs other programs (high-level only)
Gymnastics is not one scoring table for every gymnast:
- USAG Development Program optional (Levels commonly discussed as 6–10) uses the optional Code of Points cycle in effect for that season.
- Compulsory and Xcel programs follow their own codes and cycles.
- NCAA and FIG / elite use different rulebooks again.
Because of that, articles (including this one) should not collapse “judges always take X for a hop” into a single absolute. Stickd’s glossary provides parent-friendly typical values; authoritative tenths come from the official PDF your gymnast competes under. If a number here conflicts with what your coach shows from the current Code of Points, trust the official document and your coach.
For season-cycle context (optional 2026–30 and related notes), see Stickd’s briefing: 2026–27 season Code of Points updates.
How to use meet video without coaching from the bleachers
- Film from a stable angle when allowed by meet rules and courtesy.
- After the session, watch the landing at half speed once — only the last skill or dismount if time is short.
- Name what you saw using shared vocabulary: step, hop, deep squat, feet apart, fall.
- Bring one or two observations to the coach as questions: “Was that a hop or a step?” / “Should we prioritize stick-landing work this week?”
- Let the coach set the drill plan.
Parents support; coaches coach. Video is for clarity, not for re-judging the meet.
Mapping a landing fault to a drill conversation with the coach
Stickd’s product pairs labeled deductions with suggested corrective drills so families can discuss what coaches often assign — stick-landing progressions, eccentric strength, or event-specific landing work — without inventing a home training program from a blog post.
A useful coach conversation sounds like:
- “Stickd (or our meet video) flagged a recurring hop on vault. What drill do you want us reinforcing at home vs. only in the gym?”
- “Deep squat keeps showing up on beam dismounts. Is that a strength priority or a timing priority this month?”
More on that loop: From deduction to drill and Where did the deduction go?.
FAQ
How much is a step on landing in gymnastics?
It depends on the Code of Points for your gymnast’s program. Stickd’s glossary orients parents to a typical ~0.10 step deduction (scaled by how noticeable it is). Confirm the official value with your coach or the current USAG (or other) rule PDF for that level.
What’s the difference between a hop and a step on landing?
A step is a walking/adjustment step after landing; a hop is a bounce where the feet leave the surface again. Both are landing faults. Stickd’s glossary lists typical orientation values around −0.1 for each; judges decide what they saw on meet day.
What is a deep squat landing deduction?
A landing that sits too low — Stickd’s glossary describes thighs below horizontal — often with feet still “stuck.” Stickd’s glossary orients parents to a typical ~0.30. Ask the coach how deep-squat criteria are applied under your gymnast’s code.
Why did judges deduct when the landing looked stuck from the stands?
Distance, angle, and speed hide small hops, steps, foot positions, and deep squats. Video review plus coach language usually explains the gap. Official scores remain the judges’ call.
Can reviewing phone video help parents understand landing deductions?
Yes. Frame-by-frame review helps parents name faults and ask better questions. Tools like Stickd can label deductions and suggest drills for coach discussion; they do not replace official judging.