What is the penalty for supporting one leg against the side of the beam?

The penalty for supporting one leg against the side of the beam is a flat 0.2 deduction. This specific deduction is imposed because supporting a leg against the beam indicates a lack of proper balance and control during the performance. In gymnastics, maintaining balance is crucial for a successful routine, particularly on the beam, which is a challenging apparatus due to its narrow width. Therefore, when a gymnast exhibits such a support, it reflects a deviation from the expected execution and poise, warranting a deduction that is standardized in the scoring rules. The flat nature of the deduction means that it remains consistent regardless of the routine's overall performance quality.