For a gymnast's legs not being parallel to the beam in a split or straddle pike, what is the assessed penalty?

When assessing a gymnast's performance on the balance beam, leg alignment is a critical factor for executing skills such as splits and straddle pikes. If the gymnast's legs are not parallel to the beam during these elements, it indicates a lack of proper form and execution. The standard penalty for this misalignment is up to .2, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper leg positioning for both aesthetic and technical reasons in gymnastics.

The rationale behind this penalty is that a lack of parallel alignment can significantly impact the overall quality of the element. Faults in body position can detract from the execution and presentation scores, which are important criteria in the overall assessment of a routine. Therefore, up to a .2 penalty appropriately reflects the importance of proper leg positioning in achieving the required standards.

In contrast, lesser penalties such as .1 or flat .1 would typically apply to minor errors or less significant faults, but leg alignment issues are viewed as more serious infractions and warrant a larger deduction.