What can be deducted for expressing insufficient projection, emotion, or focus in a routine?

When evaluating a gymnast's routine, projection, emotion, and focus are critical components that contribute to the overall performance quality. Insufficient projection refers to the gymnast's inability to engage with the audience and judges effectively, which can detract from the impact of their routine. Similarly, a lack of visible emotion or focus can suggest to the judges that the gymnast is not fully committed to their performance.

In terms of deductions, the standard deduction for expressing insufficient projection, emotion, or focus is set at 0.15. This specific deduction aligns with the judging guidelines that aim to encourage gymnasts to bring an emotional connection and overall presentation quality to their performances. Higher deductions may typically apply to more serious errors or significant execution faults. A 0.15 deduction allows judges to address issues in presentation and artistry without being overly harsh, given that these elements are somewhat subjective compared to technical execution. Thus, it effectively captures the essence of the performance without imposing excessive penalties for artistic expression.