In case you missed it, last week we analyzed the top US beam workers by D-score, explained the mechanics behind each gymnast’s D-score and discussed what gets them their points. Today, we’re focusing on floor exercise. Similar to beam, the D-score for floor is calculated by adding the composition requirements (2.5), a maximum of top five acrobatic elements, a minimum of three dance elements, and any connection value.

Check out our summary of the top floor workers in the country below. Keep in mind, this only looks at D-scores—we’ll discuss execution at a future date.

Simone Biles: 6.9 D-score

Once again, she's at the top of the heap for difficulty. Biles' most recent routine performed at Pacific Rim Championships notched a 6.9 in start value. Her D-score is composed mostly of highly difficult acrobatic elements with two H skills, a G skill and an E skill going toward her score. She gets so much of a boost from her acrobatic skills that she doesn’t even need much connection bonus—she only has one in her whole routine for an extra 0.10.

Maximum 5 Acrobatic Elements

• Full twisting double layout: H (0.80)
  
• Double layout half out (“Biles”): G (0.70)
  
• Double twisting double back: H (0.80)
  
• Full twisting double back: E (0.50)
  

Biles’ total acrobatic score is 2.8

Minimum 3 Dance Elements

• Split leap 3/2: D (0.40)
  
• Switch leap 1/1: D (0.40)
  
• Straddle 1/1: C (0.30)
  
• Double wolf turn: D (0.40)
  

Biles’ total dance score is 1.5

Connection Value

• Biles + Sissone: +0.10
  

Adding it all together

Biles’ total D-score is composed of: 2.5 (Composition Requirements) + 2.8 (Acrobatic) + 1.5 (Dance) + 0.10 (Connection Value) = 6.9

MyKayla Skinner: 6.7 D-score

Her current floor routine is right up there with Biles’ at a huge 6.7 in start value. But Skinner has not yet managed to achieve her full start value due to some form deductions. Interestingly, her dance elements total the same as Biles’, and her acrobatic elements are just 0.10 below Biles'. Skinner also doesn’t have any connections in her routine, so her score relies heavily on performing her acrobatic and dance skills successfully.

Maximum 5 Acrobatic Elements

• Moors: I (0.90)
  
• Double twisting double back: H (0.80)
  
• Full twisting double back: E (0.50)
  
• Triple twist: E (0.50)
  

Skinner’s total acrobatic score is 2.7.

Minimum 3 Dance Elements

• Double wolf turn: D (0.40)
  
• Split leap 3/2: D (0.40)
  
• Switch 1/1: D (0.40)
  
• Hop with leg at horizontal 1/1: C (0.30)
  

Skinner’s total dance score is 1.5

Connection Value

None

Adding it all together

Skinner’s total D-score is composed of: 2.5 (Composition Requirements) + 2.7 (Acrobatic) + 1.5 (Dance) = 6.7

At Jesolo, Skinner was awarded only a 6.1 start value. She likely had a couple of skills devalued, including her Moors, which appeared to be more tucked. Her triple twist was also not fully pulled around, so it’s possible it was downgraded to a 2.5, and she probably had some points taken off from her leaps.

Aly Raisman: 6.6 D-score

Her D-score on floor is only slightly lower than Biles’, but the composition of her routine is quite different. Raisman relies heavily on connection value, and almost all of it comes from her opening pass. While Biles has no acrobatic connections, Raisman has two which total an extra 0.40 in connection value. Raisman also has difficult tumbling in her routine, which boosts her D-score.

Maximum 5 Acrobatic Elements

• 1 ½ twist: C (0.30)
  
• Tucked double arabian: E (0.50)
  
• Piked double arabian: F (0.60)
  
• Double layout: F (0.60)
  
• Double pike: D (0.40)
  

Adding these elements together, Raisman’s total acrobatic score is 2.4

Minimum 3 Dance Elements

• Switch leap 3/2: D (0.40)
  
• Switch leap 1/1: D (0.40)
  
• Double turn with leg raised at horizontal: D (0.40)
  

Adding these elements together, Raisman’s total dance score is 1.2

Connection Value

• 1.5 twist + double arabian (indirect acro connection): +0.20
  
• Double arabian + punch front layout (direct connection): +0.20
  
• Piked double arabian + stag jump: +0.10
  

Adding these connections together, Raisman’s total connection value is 0.50.

Adding it all together

Raisman’s total D-score is composed of: 2.5 (Composition Requirements) + 2.4 (Acrobatic) + 1.2 (Dance) + 0.50 (Connection Value) = 6.6

Maggie Nichols: 6.3 D-score

Out of the top four, she actually has the toughest dance elements with four skills that add up to 1.6 to contribute to her D-score. She’s the only one in the bunch who competes an E-level dance skill: a triple-wolf turn. Nichols also includes difficult tumbling to boost her start value. Like Skinner, Nichols doesn't have connections in her routine, so she relies solely on each skill she performs.

Maximum 5 Acrobatic Elements

• Double twisting double back: H (0.80)
  
• Full twisting double back: E (0.50)
  
• Full twisting double pike: E (0.50)
  
• Double tuck: D (0.40)
  

Nichols’ total acrobatic score is 2.2.

Minimum 3 Dance Elements

• Triple wolf turn: E (0.50)
  
• Switch leap 3/2: D (0.40)
  
• Switch leap 1/1: D (0.40)
  
• Switch ring: C (0.30)
  

Nichols’ total dance score is 1.6

Connection Value

None.

Adding it all together

Nichols’ total D-score is composed of: 2.5 (Composition Requirements) + 2.2 (Acrobatic) + 1.6 (Dance) = 6.3





Related:
The U.S. Beamers: The Top D-Scores
2016 Elite Season D-Score Rankings
Crafting a Floor Routine: An Analysis of the D-Score