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. Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2019

SITUATION 1: A coach assists a gymnast in the second flight phase of a Tsukahara vault. The judges deduct 1.0 for facilitating the gymnast. Each judge automatically deducts the maximum of 0.50 for lack of height and 0.30 for lack of length. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: Judges should only deduct the amount for height and length that is proportionate to the error demonstrated. (6-4-3h, i)

SITUATION 2: On bars, a gymnast casts to 50 degrees from vertical prior to performing a backward giant. The judges do not deduct for lack of amplitude for the cast because the element following the cast was a backward giant. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: All casts, except for a cast preceding squat/stoop/straddle onto the low bar jump to high bar, are expected to go to vertical regardless of the succeeding element. The judges should have taken a .05 deduction for lack of amplitude for a cast that is less than 45 degrees. (7-4b Figure 2)

SITUATION 3: A gymnast performs a clear hip circle on bars that exits at 80 degrees from vertical. The judges deduct .20 – .25 for lack of amplitude. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The deduction for lack of amplitude at the completion of a clear hip circle between 45 degrees and 90 degrees is .05 – .25. [7-3-4c (9)]

SITUATION 4: A gymnast’s beam routine contains the following acro elements: flic flac, flic flac, layout step out, and a separate tuck back on the beam. The dance elements in the routine are: two tuck jumps, split leap and a cat leap. The judges deduct 0.10 in composition. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The deduction for lack of balance in the level of acro vs. dance Value Parts is up to 0.10 in composition. 8-3-3 (4)

SITUATION 5: A gymnast’s beam routine contains two cartwheels during the first pass and a single cartwheel during the third pass. Additionally, the gymnast performed a forward roll. The judges deduct 0.10 in composition. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The deduction for lack of variety of acro elements is an up to 0.10 deduction in composition. 8-3-3 (1)

SITUATION 6: A gymnast’s floor exercise routine contains two cat leaps in the opening series of dance combinations and a single cat leap in the middle of her routine. The judges deduct 0.10 in composition for performing more than three cat leaps. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The composition deduction for performing more than two dance elements of the same shape with or without a twist is 0.10 each. 9-3-3 (8)

SITUATION 7: A gymnast performs a wolf jump with a double twist during a floor exercise routine. The judges do not give Value Part credit to the wolf jump double twist because it is not listed in the book. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: An Advanced High Superior that exceeds the required twist receives AHS credit. (9-6-1 NOTE 3)