2007-08 NFHS Girls Gymnastics Rules Interpretations

Publisher's Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2007

Rules Book Changes: Two year publication, no further changes from last year as listed below.
Pages 10 and 21, Rules 2-2-1b(12g) and 6-5-3e, change (See page 82) to (See page 81); page 15, Rule 4-1-2E(2), delete "an" and add "s" to high superiors and back-to-back superiors"; page 19, Rule 6-1-7, revise to read, "A manufactured spotting block may be used." Delete "not"; pages 26 and 48, Rules 7-1-3a and 8-1-3a, delete second sentence. "The top landing mat shall be secured to prevent slippage"; page 67, Rule 9-1-3, last sentence, delete "except to place/remove mat(s) on or near the boundary line"; page 97, FE scoresheet under Event Requirements add "Tu-Dn-Tu/Dn-Tu-Dn _____."

SITUATION 1: On the balance beam, a gymnast attempts a cartwheel but falls before her first foot touches the beam. The judge does not award a medium for the cartwheel. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A cartwheel that does not bear weight on the beam is considered a skill of no value. (8-2-7)

SITUATION 2: A judge does not award bonus to a bonus high superior skill because the gymnast fell immediately after landing the skill. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A bonus high superior skill does not receive bonus credit because it can not have more than 0.3 in deductions under Executions. (4-1-2E)

SITUATION 3: A gymnast falls immediately after completing a round-off layout back salto on the beam during her first pass. After returning to the beam, the gymnast continues her routine with a series of leaps. The judge awards bonus high superior credit to the layout back salto because she thought the layout back salto had a two-foot landing. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: Bonus high superior credit may not be awarded to a skill that has 0.3 or more in E/A deductions. The fall belongs to the layout back salto. (4-1-2E)

SITUATION 4: A gymnast falls on a tuck back salto on the beam. Later in her routine, the gymnast performs another tuck back salto on the beam. The judge does not award 0.2 BHS credit in the bonus category because the tuck back salto was performed a second time. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: If a bonus high superior is not given credit because it has more than 0.3 in E/A deductions, it may be performed and given bonus high superior credit if it has 0.3 or less in E/A deductions when performed a second time. (4-1-2E)

SITUATION 5: The coach of a gymnast who is performing a round-off back salto is standing at the end of the landing mat to keep it from moving. The superior judge voids the vault and gives it a score of zero and notifies the coach/gymnast. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The coach must be present during a round-off entry vault. Present means the ability to spot. (6-2-2)

SITUATION 6: A gymnast performs a swing ½ turn to a pendle kip in her routine. The judge does not award direction change credit. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A swing ½ turn is not a skill of value. A direction change must come from a skill of value. (7-3-3c)

SITUATION 7: A beginning gymnast performs a squat onto the low bar, stands on the low bar and does a ½ turn on the low bar to catch the high bar. The judge does not award direction change credit. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A squat on, stand and turn around is not a skill of value. (7-3-3c)

SITUATION 8: A gymnast performs a back giant followed by a back giant with a full turn. The judge awards direction change credit. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: A giant with a full turn does not move the body in the opposite direction. (7-3-3c)

SITUATION 9: To try to achieve artistic presentation in her routine, a gymnast uses focus changes. The judge awards 0.1 for artistic presentation. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Artistic presentation can be defined as the expressive use of creative skills or combinations of skills and other choreographed movements/dance skills. (9-3-3c)

SITUATION 10: A coach steps inside the boundary line to remove a sting mat that is near the boundary line. The judge voids the routine. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: If a sting mat is on/near a boundary line, a person may remove it. (9-1-3)