In gymnastics, loose hair isn’t just messy—it can be dangerous. It might block a gymnast’s view or get in the way during a skill. That’s why competitions have clear rules about how hair should be styled.
This 2025 guide explains what the rules say, how judges check for them, and how to avoid hair-related deductions at meets.
1. The FIG Baseline: Tidy, Secure, and Logo-Free
At the international level, hair regulations fall under the broader category of competition attire. According to the FIG Rules for Competition Clothing and Advertising (2025–2028), every aspect of a gymnast’s appearance, including hair, must meet strict standards for safety and presentation.
For the first time, Appendix E clearly outlines head covering rules: they must be
- tight-fitting,
- match the color of the leotard,
- leave the face fully exposed, and
- carry no sponsor or manufacturer logos.
Hair isn’t listed item-by-item in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points, but Article 5.10 of the FIG Technical Regulations refers all attire-related issues back to the clothing rules. That means hair violations count as improper uniform, earning a 0.30 deduction from the Superior Jury.
What This Means in Practice:
- Long hair must be anchored tightly enough that it never swings into the gymnast’s face—even upside down.
- Clips and barrettes should lie flat against the head to avoid snags or falling out.
- Bows, ribbons, and scrunchies are fine—but they must be logo-free and not oversized or unstable.
Judges won’t measure bun diameter, but they will notice an accessory that looks loose or ready to fall. If something hits the mat during a routine—it’s an automatic problem.
Source: CODE OF POINTS 2025-2028
2. USA Gymnastics: The Clearest Wording in the Sport
When it comes to hair, USA Gymnastics (USAG) leaves no gray area. The rule is simple:
“Hair [must be] secured away from the face so as to not obscure vision of the apparatus.”
This line appears verbatim in both the Women’s Development Program Rules & Policies and the Xcel Code of Points.
Loose, drooping, or face-obstructing hair is treated as a uniform violation—a Category 3 deduction. Judges can take up to 0.20 per routine, assessed by the Chief Judge.
What That Means in Competition:
- This rule is listed alongside minor attire issues like chalk spills or missing numbers.
- That 0.20 deduction may seem small, but it can easily decide a podium spot—especially at tight meets like Level 10 State Finals.
- Judges often give a heads-up during open stretch if they spot a hairstyle that looks risky.
- Once march-in starts, though, the warning window closes. The deduction becomes automatic.
So if your gymnast’s bun starts to fall apart after march-in—even if the routine is flawless—it could still cost her in the final score.
Source: USA Gymnastics
3. TeamGym, Acro & Aerobic: “Must Not Touch Face, Neck or Shoulders”
In group-based disciplines like TeamGym, Acrobatic, and Aerobic Gymnastics, expectations around hair go beyond tidy—it must be completely out of the way. These sports involve partner lifts, tosses, and tight body contact, so the rules are stricter to prevent interference.
- TeamGym Rules & Policies say hair must not touch the face, neck, back, or shoulders.
- FIG Aerobic Gymnastics simplifies it even more: “Hair must be secured close to the head.”
Why so strict? In these events, a swinging ponytail can block a spotter’s vision or become tangled in a grip—posing real safety risks.
What Happens at Multi-Discipline Meets:
Because many meets include multiple disciplines, meet directors often apply the strictest standard to everyone. That means even artistic gymnasts could be held to TeamGym or Aerobic rules.
If a hairstyle grazes the shoulders during a back walkover or aerial, expect it to raise eyebrows.
Source: USA Gymnastics
4. NCAA Collegiate Gymnastics: No Line Item, But Zero Tolerance
Oddly enough, the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Rule Modifications (2024–2026) don’t mention hair at all. There’s no line item, no listed deduction. But that doesn’t mean hair isn’t a big deal.
Instead, it’s enforced under broader NCAA expectations that all appearances must be “safe, neat, and identical.” These standards are taken seriously—especially for meets under broadcast cameras.
In Practice:
- If hair covers an athlete’s name or number, meet management can pause warm-ups or require a redo before competition begins.
- Most NCAA teams have internal appearance guidelines, often stricter than the official rules. Common bans include:
- Beads or decorative claws
- Oversized bows
- Styles that don’t match the team look for televised events
Violating these expectations isn’t just a styling mistake—it can get you pulled from lineups before the judges even weigh in.
So while there’s no formal deduction, the real consequences are steeper. Hair choices can affect broadcast eligibility, team scoring strategy, and your spot in the rotation.
Source: College Gym News
5. Accessories, Color, and Glitter—What’s Allowed in 2025?
Hair can absolutely reflect personality, but when you’re on the floor, safety and scoring still take the lead. Here’s what’s officially allowed—and what’s risky—according to 2025 rules:
✅ Approved (If Secured Properly)
- Scrunchies, elastics, and braided headbands
These are legal across FIG, USAG, and NCAA as long as they lie flat to the head and are either neutral or match the leotard.
⚠️ Discouraged or Risky
- Metal barrettes, claw clips, rhinestone bows
Technically FIG-legal, but USAG and most clubs discourage them because they tend to fall out during landings.
→ If one hits the floor, judges may deduct for a dropped accessory under presentation or artistry.
✨ Glitter & Color Spray
- Neither is expressly banned—but USAG judges can deduct if decorations “draw attention away from the performance.”
→ A light shimmer is usually fine.
→ A disco-ball ponytail could absolutely cost you artistry points.
🧕 Religious Head Coverings
- Fully permitted under FIG Appendix E, with no pre-approval required.
Coverings must:- Be tight-fitting
- Expose the full face
- Contain no logos
Coach-Tested Checkpoints to Dodge the Deduction
The simplest way to dodge uniform or presentation deductions? Do a 60-second “shake test” before every rotation.
Here’s how:
- Have the gymnast hit a quick handstand,
- Simulate a back-tuck swing,
- Shake her head side-to-side like she’s mid-salto.
If anything loosens? Reinforce it on the spot—add a discreet bobby pin, another elastic, or tighten the base. It’s way better to fix it now than have it fall apart mid-routine.
Build a Floor-Corral Hair Kit:
Pack these staples in your team tote or coach bag:
- Leotard-matching elastics
- A neutral-tone scrunchie
- Travel-size hairspray
- Two spare bun nets
- A pouch of bobby pins
Judges cannot penalize adjustments made during warm-up, but they will deduct if you wait until competition to discover a hair malfunction.
Bottom line
Competition hair is no longer a fashion afterthought; it is regulated equipment. The 2025 rulebooks converge on a single message: keep it secure, simple and safe.
Match your head covering to your leotard (FIG), keep hair out of your face (USAG), and follow your college team’s appearance rules. Do that, and you won’t lose easy points.
