How much is deducted for a gymnast's performance with a fall in a directly connected series?

When a gymnast experiences a fall during a directly connected series, a deduction of up to 0.2 is applied. This amount is set to reflect the significant impact that a fall has on the continuity and overall execution of the routine. A directly connected series refers to elements that are intended to flow seamlessly into one another, and a fall disrupts this fluidity, demonstrating a lack of control and mastery over the skills being performed.

By establishing this deduction, the judging guidelines emphasize the importance of performing connected elements with precision and stability, as falls detract from the overall presentation and difficulty of the routine. Although there may be other deductions for different errors or falls, specifically for those occurring within a directly connected series, the maximum deduction is capped at 0.2 to standardize scoring and reflect the impact that such an error has on the performance.