Connection Value on Uneven Bars Explained

Key takeaways

Connection value on bars is earned for linking two high-value skills directly, with no extra swing between them.

Two D-value or harder skills earn +0.10; certain combinations involving flight elements earn +0.20.

An empty swing or an unnecessary intermediate swing, either between the skills or after the second, cancels the bonus.

Connections can include the mount or the dismount, and the same element can appear twice in one connection.

Uneven bars rewards more than just performing hard skills — linking the right skills together, with no break in the swing, adds difficulty of its own.

The formulas

The 2025–2028 WAG Code of Points sets out exactly which direct connections earn a bonus:

Bonus	Connection
+0.10	D + D (or higher)
+0.20	D flight (on the same bar, or from the low bar to the high bar) + C or higher on the high bar — in that order
+0.20	E + E (or higher), one of them a flight element
+0.20	F + D (or higher), both flight elements

Where a C or D element is part of a qualifying connection, it must include flight or at least a half turn. The bonus is added to the D-score — see the D-score.

What counts as flight

The Code defines flight elements on bars as those with visible flight: from the high bar to the low bar or the reverse; counter flights over the bar, vaults, hechts and saltos followed by a re-grasp of either bar; and flight dismounts. A hop grip change, even with a turn, doesn’t count. See uneven bars release moves.

Where connections can happen

A connection can be built at three points in a routine: from the mount into the next skill, within the routine, or into the dismount. The same element can be performed twice within one connection to earn connection value, though it earns its difficulty value only once.

Why a connection can fail even if both skills succeed

Because the bonus is about the link, timing matters as much as the skills. The Code cancels connection value if there is:

an empty swing — a swing forward or backward without a skill from the Code before the swing reverses; or
an intermediate swing — an extra swing, such as a pump swing from front support, not needed to perform the next skill —

either between the two skills or after the last one. There is one exception: certain swings after a Shaposhnikova-type element aren’t treated as empty. See the Shaposhnikova.

A fall on either skill also cancels the connection.

A worked example

A Shaposhnikova (D, a flight from the low bar to the high bar) linked directly into a C-value or harder skill on the high bar earns +0.20. The same Shaposhnikova followed by an extra swing before the next skill earns nothing for the link, even if both skills are performed well.

For connections on the other apparatus, see gymnastics connections.