What deduction applies if a gymnast falls on their knees or on the apparatus during the landing phase?

When a gymnast falls on their knees or on the apparatus during the landing phase, it indicates a significant lack of control and stability upon landing, which can lead to serious deductions in scoring. A deduction of 0.5 is applied in this situation because it reflects a substantial error that impacts the overall execution and final presentation of the routine. The fall demonstrates not only a physical error but also a failure to maintain the necessary technique and form expected at this level of competition. In gymnastics, such mistakes are taken seriously, as they affect the safety and artistry of the performance, prompting judges to impose a higher penalty compared to minor errors in execution.