I think you can narrow this down to 'are there ever circumstances where an illegal stunt should not be called illegal'? I think it should always be called illegal and then you have the answer to the rest of your questions and challenges.
Coach: We weren't called for this last week. Why did you call me on it this week?
Safety Judge: Is the stunt illegal the way it was performed?
Coach: Yes
Safety Judge: Then it's illegal.
Coach: We didn't choreograph it to be illegal, they just accidentally performed it that way.
Safety Judge: Is the stunt illegal the way it was performed?
Coach: Yes
Safety Judge: Then it's illegal.
Coach: We didn't intend to do something illegal. It was an accident.
Safety Judge: Is the stunt illegal the way it was performed?
Coach: Yes
Safety Judge: Then it's illegal.
Coach: We are really sorry and its going to break these kids hearts if they lose because of a penalty.
Safety Judge: Is the stunt illegal the way it was performed?
Coach: Yes
Safety Judge: Then it's illegal.
This. I never warned a team. If i see something illegal, i give the deduction.
Yes, we don't have safety judges. We expect the coaches to read the rules, and if they are not sure, they can always send a video to get it clarified.
It was a mistake that made a stunt illegal? Okay, yes that's sad, even more for the athlete who probably didn't grab in the right way or whatever situation can happen (the crossover accidently throwing a layout on a lower level).
But to be honest:
Is there another sport where you can say - oh, sorry, it was a mistake. Can we still get the score? (I know it's apples and oranges, but still)
When i started coaching, my Junior L4 got disqualified. Back then we had no deductions for illegal elements, you just didn't get scored.
We did a pyramid and she flipped over a middlayer. The rules didn't say they had to hold hands, just that they needed to be in contact.
Was it unfair? Yes, a little bit.
Did i learn to read the rules and double check on everything? Yes.
If your coaches are not good at reading rules and doing this stuff, find someone at the gym who is and will read the rules for each competition and watch the routines full out at the gym to find out if you have critical elements.
Just my 2 cents :-)
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