Girls Gymnastics Points of Emphasis - 2026-28

1. Sportsmanship:

Good sportsmanship is essential in the education-based gymnastics setting, as in any other sport. The positive and respectful environment that is imperative in the gymnasium is the same as which is expected in the classroom. Sportsmanship enhances the experience for athletes, coaches and spectators, and promotes the values of which the NFHS and high school associations are built upon – fair play, respect and integrity.

Recent studies continue to demonstrate the declining number of licensed sport officials and the alarming rate of turnover of coaches and athletic leaders. Having so many new faces each year who may have little to no experience, only exacerbates the challenges of addressing issues of unacceptable sporting behavior.

In order to make a positive impact on sportsmanship in gymnastics, there must be collaboration by all stakeholders – coaches, gymnasts, school administration, spectators, and by the judges themselves. Each of these play a key role in making the high school gymnastics experience a meaningful one, creating lifelong and treasured memories for all.

Here are some key aspects of how all involved can invest in the process and be proactive in their efforts to create a positive environment:

Respect for Opponents:

• All in attendance must treat the opponents with the same courtesy and respect that they would expect to receive both on and off the competition floor.

Encouragement:

• Acknowledge and appreciate good performances. These competitors have invested hours of their time and have dedicated each practice to honing their skills. This should be applauded by all, regardless of which school they represent.

Fair Play:

• Follow the rules of the sport and adhere to the principles of fair play.

• When inquiring about the decisions of judges, do so with respect and in an appropriate manner.

• Accept the decisions of judges gracefully, even if you don’t agree.

Humility:

• Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

• Be respectful when celebrating a successful routine.

• Celebrate the successes of others as enthusiastically as those of your own team/teammates.

Maintaining Composure:

• Keep emotions in check, both in victory and defeat.

• The actions of the coach have a significant impact on the actions of the gymnasts, the parents and other spectators in the stands.

Responsibility:

• Watch the rules videos, take rules exams, attend clinics and seek opportunities to be an informed resource for others.

• Take responsibility for your actions, whether positive or negative.

• Admit mistakes and learn from them, always striving to improve.

Post-Competition Interaction:

• Engage in respectful interactions with opponents and judges after the competition.

• Show appreciation for the time and the commitment from all who work to make a high school gymnastics event possible.

Through the efforts of all involved and by embodying these foundations of sportsmanship, together we can continue to exhibit the principles on which education-based athletics has been built, and thereby have a significant impact on the lives of so many.

2. Equipment failure

a. Uneven bars: Although the tightening of the cable tension is the responsibility of the coach, if the cable tension slips while an athlete is competing, it is considered equipment failure. The fall deduction does not apply.

b. Balance beam: If the end cap detaches while the gymnast is performing a dismount, it is considered equipment failure. The fall deduction does not apply. However, if the end cap detaches at any other time during the routine, it is not considered equipment failure.

3.      Eliminating dismount deduction

The elimination of the dismount deduction was the result of an analysis of multiple deductions for a routine without a dismount of value. The 0.30 deduction for no dismount has been removed. However, the 0.20 deduction for lack of a superior dismount under event requirements will still apply.

4.      Matting

The rules committee adopted changes to equipment requirements regarding matting for risk minimization. A specification for uneven bars was added; the working and dismount area must be 36 feet long. On balance beam the dismount area must now include matting extending out 4 feet x 4 feet from both sides of the dismount area. On floor exercise, additional matting must be placed prior to the start of the routine. No deduction is taken if a coach briefly enters the floor area from the nearest boundary to remove a mat. An alternate skill cushion may be used during warm-ups, however it may only be used during competition on bars for release elements and must be immediately removed.

5.      Acro passes on floor exercise

A number of changes were adopted regarding acro passes on floor exercise. The rules now embrace a single element pass, indirect connections within a pass and changes to a two-element pass. The changes reflect the current trends of high school gymnastics.