If a gymnast performs a D or E dismount that is not up to competition level, what score should be given?

When a gymnast performs a dismount that is recognized as a D or E level, but it fails to meet the standards required for competition, the gymnast is not penalized by a minor deduction, but rather, the score reflects that the performance is unacceptable for that level. Awarding a score of 0.0 signals that the dismount was not performed at an appropriate competitive standard, indicating a complete failure to fulfill the requirements necessary for a successful dismount at that level. This approach emphasizes the importance of meeting performance expectations and discourages the execution of elements that do not appropriately challenge the gymnast’s skill level according to the competitive guidelines. In essence, a score of 0.0 is a clear message that the dismount performance did not meet the minimum criteria necessary for that level of competition.