All-Star As Jewelry / Nails Rules

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Apr 14, 2017
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Been seeing a lot of AS athletes with painted nails at comps and jewelry at practice. As an old person, this makes me cringe.

When did the rules loosen up about this? I mean, I guess I get it: judges can’t see your nails so it’s not like it should affect your appearance scores. And I guess if you’re worried that jewelry might affect athlete safety, it’s probably better to recognise that the double downs/fulls will more likely result in injury rather than a charm bracelet. All in all, it seems like the rules have been modified to show that AS has bigger things to worry about.

That said, I still get unreasonably anxious and huffy when I see a necklace on a flyer.

When did these rules change?
 
The rules didnt change. People just dont follow them. My kiddo has plenty of scars from bases nails.

IT’S SO PREVALENT. Even at these top gyms where I’d assume they’d know better. I’m not aware of any other sport that allows jewelry during practice — not softball, swimming, gymnastics, etc. — so I’m unclear on the leniency. Especially given that cheer is basically a contact sport.

And even if injuries from jewelry — somehow — weren’t an issue at a gym, it’s still just... so unnecessary. Why invite trouble that’s so easily avoided?
 
IT’S SO PREVALENT. Even at these top gyms where I’d assume they’d know better. I’m not aware of any other sport that allows jewelry during practice — not softball, swimming, gymnastics, etc. — so I’m unclear on the leniency. Especially given that cheer is basically a contact sport.

And even if injuries from jewelry — somehow — weren’t an issue at a gym, it’s still just... so unnecessary. Why invite trouble that’s so easily avoided?
We need to make it clear that cheer is not a pageant. The lines get blurred because of the bling, make up, hair, etc. Its a performance sport like figure skating with the costumes/uniforms etc. But nails for me are a big no.
 
My coach actually made us condition when she saw some girls with painted nails during a game lol. Times certainly have changed. What happened to waiting for off season to get the nails done/new piercing?
 
My coach actually made us condition when she saw some girls with painted nails during a game lol. Times certainly have changed. What happened to waiting for off season to get the nails done/new piercing?
My girl never had her nails done until she finished worlds this year. She has always cheered so never had the chance to have nails. She never had a problem with not having nails, probably because she does have some scars from other girls' nails. As soon as we got back from worlds, she retired and got her nails done for prom.
 
CP's team warns them that they'll be excluded from training with long/false nails. One of the coaches apparently has nail clippers and has shared some pretty horrible pics of fingernails ripped off in stunting injuries.

Judging by the number of "has anyone seen my ring/bracelet/necklace left on a speaker in the gym?" posts on the group chat they're pretty strict at making them remove jewellery too.
 
CP's team warns them that they'll be excluded from training with long/false nails. One of the coaches apparently has nail clippers and has shared some pretty horrible pics of fingernails ripped off in stunting injuries.

Judging by the number of "has anyone seen my ring/bracelet/necklace left on a speaker in the gym?" posts on the group chat they're pretty strict at making them remove jewellery too.
Yep a team from our gym got points off for an ankle bracelet on....
 
I believe years ago the nail polish rule was specifically for emergencies, so they could get an accurate pulse oximeter reading. The new equipment can evidently give accurate readings with nail polish, acrylics and gels, and I haven't seen the "no nail polish" posted in comp rules for quite a few years. Has anyone seen the "no nail polish" rule recently in competition rules (not gym rules)?
 
I believe years ago the nail polish rule was specifically for emergencies, so they could get an accurate pulse oximeter reading. The new equipment can evidently give accurate readings with nail polish, acrylics and gels, and I haven't seen the "no nail polish" posted in comp rules for quite a few years. Has anyone seen the "no nail polish" rule recently in competition rules (not gym rules)?

Per the 2019 General Rules:

"Jewelry of any kind, including but not limited to, ear, nose, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniforms is not allowed. Jewelry must be removed and may not be taped over. Exception: medical ID tags/bracelets. Clarification: Rhinestones are legal when adhered to the uniform and illegal when adhered to the skin"

No mention of nail polish. So looks like nail polish is allowed/you will face no penalties by USASF. As far back as I could find (2010), USASF has never enforced a nail polish/fake nails ruling.

When I did Pop Warner, I remember the coaches being militant about nail polish and nail length and having nail checks by safety judges. Some gyms may enforce it at the gym level. But doesn't look like USASF does.
 
Our team was allowed nude, neutral or white nails last year. I think one team a few years ago did pink (team color). It is up to the coach. School cheer is a different story. No color at all for practice, comps or games.

Jewelry is a no for comps. I think it depends on what it is for practice. CP has some friendship bracelets she wears on her ankle. Those are on during practice. She removes them for comps.
 
Been seeing a lot of AS athletes with painted nails at comps and jewelry at practice. As an old person, this makes me cringe.

When did the rules loosen up about this? I mean, I guess I get it: judges can’t see your nails so it’s not like it should affect your appearance scores. And I guess if you’re worried that jewelry might affect athlete safety, it’s probably better to recognise that the double downs/fulls will more likely result in injury rather than a charm bracelet. All in all, it seems like the rules have been modified to show that AS has bigger things to worry about.

That said, I still get unreasonably anxious and huffy when I see a necklace on a flyer.

When did these rules change?
CP is in her sixth season and they have had gym wide red nails since she started. Idk about fake nails since she's 8 but I don't see a problem with paint on their natural nails. They don't make them take out earrings or take off fitted bracelets or arm bands at practice but I've never seen a loose necklace or anything. The earrings bothers me a little bit but there is literally no off season so I get leniency at the beginning of the new season for new earrings. However as team mom last year I had to take out multiple earrings before warm ups, I think they should do no jewelry in the gym once comp season starts.

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Per the 2019 General Rules:

"Jewelry of any kind, including but not limited to, ear, nose, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniforms is not allowed. Jewelry must be removed and may not be taped over. Exception: medical ID tags/bracelets. Clarification: Rhinestones are legal when adhered to the uniform and illegal when adhered to the skin"

No mention of nail polish. So looks like nail polish is allowed/you will face no penalties by USASF. As far back as I could find (2010), USASF has never enforced a nail polish/fake nails ruling.

When I did Pop Warner, I remember the coaches being militant about nail polish and nail length and having nail checks by safety judges. Some gyms may enforce it at the gym level. But doesn't look like USASF does.
Always thought the no nail polish rule was for youth league and school cheer (I remember my dumb a$$ kid picking her gel nail polish off before a competition one time). All star never cared although most of her teams wanted something neutral and non-distracting if you were wearing polish. Jewelry has always been no across the board. We have heard of kids getting deductions for bandaids on a piercing, not sure why anyone would ever risk that.
 
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