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Please tear out along the perforations. You may make copies of this form.
22
position on the opposite leg. The dip may or may not pass through
prep level before release.
30.Top Person:
A person who is not in contact with the performing
surface and is being supported or stabilized by another person or
has been tossed into the air.
31.Toss:
An airborne stunt where the base(s) executes a throwing
motion from below shoulder level to increase the height of the top
person and the top person becomes free from all bases, spotters,
posts or bracers.
32.Tumbling: Gymnastic skills that begin and end
on the performing surface, including rolls,
inverted extended skills (cartwheels, handstands,
walkovers, handsprings, etc.), aerials, twist and
flips. NOTE: Jumps, leaps and side rolls on the
performing surface are not considered to be
tumbling.
B. General
1. These rules are to be in effect for all practices, games, competitions
and other performances.
2. Cheerleading squads should be placed under the direction of a
qualified and knowledgeable coach.
3. All practice sessions should be supervised by the coach and held
in a location suitable for the activities of cheerleaders (i.e., use of
appropriate mats, away from excessive noise and distractions, etc.).
4. Coaches should recognize a squad’s particular ability level and
should limit the squad’s activities accordingly. “Ability level” refers to
the squad’s talents as a whole and individuals should not be pressed
to perform activities until safely perfected.
5. All cheerleaders should receive proper training before attempting any
form of cheerleading gymnastics (tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids
and jumps).
6. Professional training in proper spotting techniques should be
mandatory for all squads.
7. All cheerleading squads should adopt a comprehensive conditioning
and strength
-
building program.
8. An appropriate warm
-
up routine should precede all cheerleading
activities.
9. Prior to the performance of any skill, the immediate environment
for the activity should be taken into consideration including, but not
limited to proximity of non
-
squad personnel, performance surface,
lighting and/or precipitation. Technical skills should not be performed
on concrete, asphalt, wet or uneven surfaces or surfaces with
obstructions.
10. Programs should qualify cheerleaders according to generally
accepted teaching progressions. Appropriate spotting should be used
until all performers demonstrate mastery of the skill.
11. All jewelry is prohibited during participation. Religious medals
and medical medals are not considered to be jewelry. A religious
medal without a chain must be taped and worn under the uniform. A
medical alert medal must be taped and may be visible.
12. Supports, braces and soft casts which are unaltered from the
manufacturer’s original design/production do not require any
additional padding. Supports/braces and supports/braces that have
been altered from the manufacturer’s original design/production
must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no
less than one-half inch thick if the participant is involved in partner
stunts, pyramids or tosses. A participant wearing a plaster cast or a
walking boot
must not be involved in partner stunts pyramids or
tosses.
13. Squad members must wear athletic shoes (no gymnastic slippers).
14. When discarding props (signs, etc.) that are made of solid material or
have sharp edges/corners, team members must gently toss or place
the props so that they are under control.
15. The use of mini
-
trampolines, springboards, spring
-
assisted floors or
any other height
-
increasing apparatus is prohibited for competition or
performance. These devices may be used for skill development and
practice under the supervision of a coach
trained in their use
.
C. Partner Stunts
1. Partner stunts (free
-
standing or as part of a pyramid) higher than
shoulder stand level must have a separate, continuous spotter for
each person over shoulder stand level.
2. The bases of any extended stunt must have both feet in direct weight-
bearing contact with the performing surface.
3. Bases may not:
a. Hold any objects in a hand that is supporting the top person
b. Assume a backbend, handstand or headstand position.
4. A spotter is required for single base shoulder level stunts in which the
feet of the top person are in the hand(s) of the base.
5. In stunts requiring a spotter, a spotter:
a. Cannot provide primary support for a top person. Primary
support means the majority of the top person’s weight
b. Must be in a position to protect the top person’s head, neck and
shoulders when coming off a stunt or pyramid or landing in a
cradle. In most stunts this is behind or beside the top person
c. Spotters must have their attention focused on the top person.
Momentarily looking away in order to assess environmental
safety factors (poms, signs, another stunt, etc.) is allowed as long
as their focus returns to the top person.
d. May not have their hands behind their back.
e. May not support under the heel or sole of the top person’s foot
in a single based extended stunt. They may hold at the ankle of
the top person and/or the wrist of the base or any combination
thereof.
f. May not hold any objects in their hands.
6. The total number of twists in a dismount from a stunt cannot be greater
than 1 1/4 rotations
.
7. Partner stunts and pyramids may not pass over, under or through
other partner stunts or pyramids.
8. Cradle dismounts from partner stunts or pyramids shoulder height or
above to the original base(s) require an additional spotter in position
to protect the head, neck and shoulders of the top person.
9. In all dismounts to catchers who are not the original bases, the
following conditions must be met:
a. The top person must be cradled by two catchers and a hand-and
shoulders spotter/catcher.
b. The new catchers must remain close to the original bases.
c. The new catchers must be in place and not
involved in any other skill when the release is
initiated.
d. The top person may not perform any skill (twist, toe touch, etc.)
following the release.
10. In all cradle dismounts, the top person must not hold props that are
made of hard material or have corners or sharp edges.
11. Unless listed below,
a Release Stunt must either be cradled or
connected to at least one bracer.
a. Helicopters are allowed provided all of the following conditions
are met:
1. The top person makes no more than a 180 degree rotation
(half
-
turn).
2. Four bases must be in position during the entire release.
3. There must be a base at the head/shoulder area during
the initiation of the toss as well as the catch.
4. The bases are not allowed to change positions during the
release.
5. The top person must begin and end in a face up position.
6. The top person cannot perform a twisting skill.
b. A log roll is legal provided it does not involve more than one
complete rotations and the top person is not in contact with a person
in a release stunt.
1. In a single-base log roll, the top person must rotate toward
the base and begin and end in a face-up position.
2. In a multi-base log roll, the top person may begin and end
in a face-up or face-down position.
c. A multi-base, free standing tick-tock that begins at shoulder level
is permitted. If braced, bracers must follow the rules for released
pyramid transitions.