What is a "Bent Arms" deduction in gymnastics?

What it costs

The typical value for bent arms is 0.10. Judges scale it by how noticeable the error was.

These are typical values used for practice feedback. Official values come from the code your meet is judged under: USA Gymnastics — Rules & Policies, FIG Code of Points.

Where it shows up

Events: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise.

Skills where bent arms is common:

• Front Handspring VaultVault
• Cast HandstandUneven Bars
• GiantUneven Bars
• KipUneven Bars
• Beam Back HandspringBalance Beam
• Beam HandstandBalance Beam
• Back HandspringFloor Exercise
• CartwheelFloor Exercise
• Front HandspringFloor Exercise
• HandstandFloor Exercise

How to fix it

Strengthen straight-arm support (planks, wall handstand holds) and cue locked elbows on every support skill.

Common corrections:

• Arm strength training
• Handstand drills
• Release exercises

Muscles involved

Drills that help

• Back Extension Roll Drills
• Dead Hang & Active Hang
• Front Hip Circle Drills
• Glide Swing Drills
• Back Hip Circle Drills
• Kip Timing Drills on Strap Bar
• Backward Roll Progressions
• Giant Swing Progressions

Related deductions

• Balance Check−0.10
• Bent Knees−0.10
• Extra Arm Swing−0.10
• Flexed Feet0.05 each time
• Heel Drop During Turnup to 0.10 each
• Hit Apparatus−0.10
• Incomplete Turn−0.10
• Insufficient Distance−0.10
• Insufficient Post-flight−0.10
• Low Cast Angle−0.10
• Pre-flight Angle−0.10

Common questions

What is a "Bent Arms" deduction in gymnastics?

Arms not fully extended when they should be straight. It falls under the execution category of deductions.

How many tenths is the bent arms deduction?

The bent arms deduction is typically 0.10, and the judge scales it by how noticeable it was. Official values come from the USAG or FIG code your meet uses.

Why do judges take the bent arms deduction?

Locked arms show control — the judge deducts any time an arm should be straight but isn't.

How can my gymnast stop getting the bent arms deduction?

Strengthen straight-arm support (planks, wall handstand holds) and cue locked elbows on every support skill.

Which events is the bent arms deduction called on?

In Stickd's rule set, the bent arms deduction applies on Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise.

Which skills commonly get the bent arms deduction?

Stickd's skill data links the bent arms deduction to 10 skills, including Front Handspring Vault (Vault), Cast Handstand (Uneven Bars), Giant (Uneven Bars), Kip (Uneven Bars), Beam Back Handspring (Balance Beam), and Beam Handstand (Balance Beam).

What drills help fix the bent arms deduction?

Standard Stickd drills that target the bent arms deduction include Back Extension Roll Drills, Dead Hang & Active Hang, Front Hip Circle Drills, and Glide Swing Drills.