What is the deduction for a grasp of the beam to avoid a fall?

Grasping the beam to avoid a fall is considered a significant safety issue in gymnastics. When a gymnast reaches out to hold onto the beam, it indicates a loss of balance and control during the routine, even if it prevents a fall. Therefore, this action is taken seriously in terms of scoring.

The deduction for this specific situation is 0.50. This value reflects the seriousness of the error since it not only affects the gymnast's performance but also poses a risk to their safety. Holding onto the beam shows that the gymnast was unable to execute the skill independently, which is crucial at this level of competition.

In contrast, lower deductions for other errors, such as minor balance checks or steps out of bounds, usually indicate less severe disruptions to performance. In this case, the grasping action is considered a critical fault, deserving a higher penalty to emphasize the importance of maintaining control throughout the routine.