What is the deduction for a vault executed without a signal from the chief judge?

When a gymnast executes a vault without a signal from the chief judge, a deduction is applied to ensure that athletes follow proper protocols during competitions. The standard deduction for this infraction is 0.5. This penalty serves to maintain order and proper timing in the competition, as the signal indicates readiness for the next athlete to perform. Following competition guidelines is essential for the fair and organized flow of events.

Choosing a deduction of 0.0 would not reflect the importance of adhering to the competition's procedural rules, while higher deductions like 1.0 or 1.5 would be considered excessive for this specific violation compared to the established rule of 0.5. The deduction of 0.5 is thus the correct response, reinforcing the necessity of compliance with the established signals in a gymnastics competition.