When assessing a UB routine, how is a choice of release element that is directed to C penalized?

In assessing a Uneven Bars (UB) routine, if a gymnast performs a release element that is directed to a C element, it is penalized due to the failure to meet the requirements set forth for release moves. The difficulty level of the element plays a significant role in this assessment.

A choice of a release element that is only classified as a C indicates that the gymnast is not utilizing the full range of required difficulty for that routine level, specifically during a skill that is expected to showcase a higher degree of risk and complexity. The penalty of 0.2 reflects the importance of difficulty in gymnastics scoring, particularly in a Level 10 routine, where gymnasts are expected to demonstrate advanced acrobatic skills.

A 0.2 deduction appropriately reflects the seriousness of the error, as it emphasizes the judges' priority for pushing boundaries with more challenging skills in competition routines. In competitive gymnastics, each deduction serves not only to reward skill execution but also to encourage gymnasts to aim higher in their technical abilities.