2008-09 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 © 2008

Corrections to Rules Book: Pages 73 and 89, at completion of list of HS and BHS skills add "NOTE: Bold-faced items are Bonus High Superior."

CALCULATING DIFFICULTY AND THE BONUS CATEGORY

When calculating difficulty, skills of a higher value can count for skills of a lower value on a 1-for-1 basis, but the higher value skill still retains its actual higher value. For example, a HS still retains its value as a HS even if the HS is used to count as a S in difficulty. In order to receive .1 in the Bonus category, for an extra HS or BHS, there must be more than eight skills in a routine because full difficulty requires a minimum of eight skills.

Example No. 1: A routine that has 3 M, 2 S and 4 HS fulfills all of the difficulty requirement and can receive .1 in the Bonus category for having performed an extra HS.

Example No. 2: A routine with 1 M, 1 HS and 6 different BHS performed with .3 or less in execution errors, receives full difficulty credit. Additionally, the routine will receive .4 in the Bonus category for having two different BHS performed with .3 or less in execution. This routine will not receive .1 in the Bonus category for extra HS or BHS because all eight skills are needed to fulfill difficulty.

Example No. 3: A routine with 4 M, 3 S, 1 HS and two different BHS performed with .3 or less in execution errors, receives full difficulty credit. Additionally, the routine will receive .4 in the Bonus category for having two different BHS performed with .3 or less in execution. One-tenth would not be awarded in Bonus for having an extra HS/BBS/BHS. Note: A HS must be used to fulfill difficulty first before using a BHS for difficulty.

Example No. 4: A routine with 3 M, 2 S, 2 HS and 1 BHS performed with .3 or less in execution errors, receives full difficulty credit. Additionally, the routine will receive .2 in the Bonus category for a BHS performed with .3 or less in execution errors. There are only eight skills in this routine; therefore, there are no extra skills to receive .1 in the extra Bonus category.

Example No. 5: A routine with 4 M, 3 S, 1 HS and 3 sets of BBS would receive full difficulty credit. Additionally, the routine will receive .1 in the Bonus category under extra HS/BBS/BHS for having performed more than two sets of BBS.

Example No. 6: A routine with 3 M, 2 S, 2 HS, 1 BHS performed with .3 or less in execution errors, and three sets of BBS would receive full difficulty credit. Additionally, the routine will receive .2 in Bonus for the BHS performed with .3 or less in execution errors and .1 in the Bonus category under extra HS/BBS/BHS for having performed an extra BBS.

Example No. 7: A routine with 3 M, 2 S, 2 HS and 1 BHS performed with a fall and 2 BBS would receive full difficulty credit. All eight skills are required for difficulty; therefore, there are no extra skills to receive Bonus credit. The two sets of BBS would receive .2 in the BBS category.

SITUATION 1: A coach places a sting mat on the floor exercise mat over the boundary line and uses athletic tape to mark the boundary line. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Although the rule book states that the mat shall be marked with chalk, athletic tape is also acceptable. (9-1-4)

SITUATION 2: A gymnast attempts to do a squat on and falls before contacting the high bar. The judge awards a medium for the squat on. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: When a majority of the squat on is completed and the body is over the LB, credit for a squat on may be given. (7-5-4)

SITUATION 3: The gymnast performs her first vault with a sting mat on the runway instead of a hand placement mat. The judge scores the vault and takes a 2.0 deduction for altering/exceeding equipment specifications for using the sting mat instead of a hand placement mat. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Although the judge followed correct procedure, it is important for judges to visually check equipment specifications before they signal the vaulter to begin vaulting. It is, however, the gymnast's and the coach's responsibility to conform to equipment specifications. (6-1-3d)

SITUATION 4: A gymnast performs a handspring vault with low height on the second flight phase. The judge deducts for insufficient height up to .5 and does not take a lack-of-repulsion deduction. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Lack of repulsion is no longer a deduction. The height of the second flight should be relative to the vault performed and the height of the gymnast. (6-4-3g)

SITUATION 5: A gymnast performs a handspring front in the tuck position. The judge deducts .2 for the shoulder angle being closed. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The result of the hands remaining on the table too long is poor technique causing the angle between the arms and the body, known as the shoulder angle, to be closed. A closed shoulder angle is considered poor technique and up to .2 deduction may be taken. (6-4-2a(1))

SITUATION 6: A gymnast does a giant with a ½ turn using a blind change completed at vertical. The judge does not deduct for the timing of the turn. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If a gymnast is performing a giant with a ½ turn regardless of the technique used - pirouette, blind change or Higgins - the turn must be completed within 20 degrees of vertical to avoid deduction. (7-4 Figure 2)

SITUATION 7: In a bar routine, a gymnast performs a cast to a giant; however, the giant stalls out at 30 degrees from vertical before it makes a complete circle. The judge awards credit for the giant. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: A giant must be completed to within 20 degrees of vertical to receive value part credit. (7-4 Figure 1)

SITUATION 8: A gymnast circles her arms five times when she lands a Tsuk vault trying to maintain her balance. The judge deducts .5 total, .1 for each arm swing. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: The judge should have taken a maximum of up to .1. One tenth is not taken for each arm swing. No arm swings are allowed without deduction. The category allows for a general deduction of up to .1, or a maximum of .1 for one or more arm swings. (6-4-4b)

SITUATION 9: A gymnast lands a handspring front vault and takes a very large step to maintain balance. The judge deducts .2 on the landing. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A very large step (jump) is considered approximately 3 feet or more. Steps less than 3 feet are considered extra steps with a deduction of .1 each up to .3 total. (6-4-4f)

SITUATION 10: A gymnast is completing her routine on the UPB and performs a double back flyaway for her dismount. She lands on her feet and bears weight, then drops to her seat. The judge awards credit for the skill but does not award credit in the Bonus category. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: No "bonus credit" is earned because of the fall. The skill could still be used to fulfill other requirements. (7-3-5d Note)