What is the penalty if a safety zone mat is not provided for group 4/5 vaults?

In gymnastics judging, the requirement for a safety zone mat for group 4/5 vaults is crucial for the safety of the athlete. If a safety zone mat is not provided, it significantly increases the risk of injury during the vaulting skill, as the mat is there to absorb the impact and provide a safe landing area.

When assessing the situation, if the safety zone mat is absent, the difficulty and execution of the vault cannot be appropriately judged under the current safety standards, which is why the entire routine is deemed void. Without the essential safety equipment in place, it invalidates the performance. Thus, the decision to mark the vault as VOID reflects the critical nature of safety in gymnastics.