For what issue is the smallest deduction applied during a vault?

The smallest deduction during a vault is attributed to incorrect head alignment. In gymnastics judging, deductions are categorized by the severity of the errors observed during the performance. While maintaining proper body alignment is crucial in all aspects of gymnastics, head alignment issues usually result in smaller deductions compared to other more significant faults.

For instance, if a gymnast's head is misaligned during the vault, it may indicate issues with body posture but does not affect the overall execution or safety to the same extent as faults such as bent legs or separated legs, which can significantly impact the aesthetics and technical execution of the vault. Therefore, incorrect head alignment is assessed as a minor error and is penalized with a smaller deduction in comparison to more severe infractions.