Team dealers will want to be aware of the news that high school athletes participating in girls’ gymnastics now have additional uniform options beginning with the 2022-23 season.

Among the changes adopted were an expansion of acceptable uniforms, as well as others not as of much interest to dealers, such as procedures for correcting scoring errors during a meet, athlete safety following a fall, revaluing leaps and jumps on balance beam that land in the side position and the addition of a dance passage and a turn to event requirements on floor exercise.

“The Girls’ Gymnastics Rules Committee adopted the new uniform changes to reflect current uniform trends in the sport as well as accommodate cultural and religious norms,” says Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the committee.

According to Rule 3-3-1, gymnasts will now have the option to wear black undergarments, unitards, ankle-length leggings, tights or fitted shorts that may be worn with the leotard provided the apparel meets color requirements.

Additionally, head coverings worn for religious reasons were added as part of the acceptable uniform.

Girls’ gymnastics featured 18,658 participants throughout 1,578 schools, according to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey.

A complete listing of the girls’ gymnastics rules changes is available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.