IMPORTANT RULES CHANGES
AACCA has released new rules for Elementary, Middle and Junior high school cheerleaders that I wanted to share with all of Varsity employees. This is a big change! Click on the following link to check out the blog pertaining to these changes. Click here to view important rules changes.
GLOSSARY AND RULES
HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE AND REC DIVISIONS AND GUIDELINES
Spirit Cheer adheres to the AACCA Cheer rules. Click below for the Recreation Divisions and Guidelines for 2011-2012 at aacca.org.
USASF CHEER RULES
Spirit Cheer adheres to the USASF Cheer Rules. Click on the USASF logo for the USASF Cheer Rules for 2011-2012.
USASF DANCE RULES
Spirit Cheer adheres to the USASF Cheer Rules. Click on the logo for the USASF Dance Rules for 2011-2012.
USASF CHEER GLOSSARY
Spirit Cheer adheres to the USASF Cheer Glossary. Click here for the USASF Cheer Glossary for 2011-2012.
USASF DANCE GLOSSARY
Spirit Cheer adheres to the USASF Dance Glossary. Click here for the USASF Dance Glossary for 2011-2012.
SPOTTERS
Spirit Cheer does not provide spotters at any of the Regional or National events. You may however provide your own spotters for the routine.
INJURIES
In the event that an injury occurs in the warm up area or on the competition mat you will be given 45 minutes to rework the routine with the available members (available members would be anyone within your program that is age eligible for that team). The competition Director will re-work your team into the flow of the competition. (This is also based upon discretion of Event Director and what is happening during the event at that time) If any part of the routine is unable to continue due to the absence of an available member then those parts of the routine will count as a missed skill.
PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY
Divisions are determined by the age of the participant according to USASF Guidelines.
Participant eligibility for a school and rec team is determined by the rules set forth thru AACCA.org.Persons wishing to challenge participants eligibility must submit a formal complaint with proof to Spirit Cheer which we will intern submit on your behalf to the USASF Disciplinary Committee. High School and Recreation will be determined by grade. This can be found on our registration form. All formal challenges must be made in writing and signed.
ROUTINE TIME
Routine time limits are 2:30 for cheer and 2:30 for dance.
Your entire routine may be choreographed to music but it is not a requirement. Spirit Cheer will be providing a CD player, and I-Pod hook up for your music on the main practice floor as well as the main stage. In the event that your music stops or skips in the routine you will have the option to start your routine again at the point of malfunction. There will be no more tape players being provided. You are responsible for your music to play not the equipment provided for you to use.
ROUTINE BEGINS WHEN??
The timing of routine will begin at first organized movement or sound of music. Organized cheer’s chants etc. will signal the start of your routine.
MUSIC STATION
A coach or representative will be needed to run your music while your team is performing. We are not responsible for burned CD’s not working, we highly advise you to bring a second copy as a back-up. Rest assured we use the highest quality of equipment. Many people are downloading their music on I-Pods to insure safety, sound quality, and tempo.
In the event your routine is interrupted because of failure of equipment, facilities, etc. you will be permitted to begin your routine over from the point of failure. In the event your routine is interrupted because of failure of your CD, equipment, supplies or coach, you may continue or withdraw. Spirit Cheer does not take responsibility for a coaching error. In the event an injury occurs during your performance, Spirit Cheer will work with you to help rework if needed and help you to continue, we will rework you in the schedule. We also reserve the right to stop a performance. Teams will also have the option to withdraw with-out refund.
PERFORMANCE AREA
The performance areas will be a 54'x42' Spring floor with carpet-bonded foam strips running front to back. There will be a penalty for stepping off the performance surface at 2 day national events, ALL skills MUST be performed within the 54'x42' competition area.
INDIVIDUAL CHEER AND STUNT DIVISIONS:
Individual cheer routines cannot exceed 1 minute and 30 seconds. The cheer may be performed over the music but does not have to be. There is no required length of cheer whether it is performed over the music or throughout the routine. Individual routines should include dance, cheer, motions, standing/running tumbling and jumps. Non-tumbling divisions (NT) should include all of the above with the exception of tumbling. The same rules apply for duo and trio cheer groups. No stunting in duo and trio cheer groups. Individual divisions encompass skills from level 1 thru level 5 while tiny and mini participants are allowed the highest skill level allowed in that division.
Stunt group routines may not exceed 1 minute and 15 seconds. The entire routine should be all music. Only stunt skills should be included in this performance. All stunt groups must provide their own qualified spotter. Stunt groups can include up to 5 members and are open with skills ranging from level 1 thru level 5 stunt skills. Mini stunt groups may only perform level 1-3 skills in their stunt routine.
Partner stunt routines cannot exceed 1 minute and 15 seconds. The entire routine should be all music. Only stunt skills should be included in this performance. All partner stunt competitors must provide their own qualified spotter. Partner stunt groups can include up to 2 members and are open with skills ranging from level 1 thru level 5.
DANCE SOLO/DUO/TRIO:
All solo, duo, trio and ensemble (4-5 members) routines cannot exceed 1 minute and 30 seconds. Solo, duo, trio and ensemble divisions can be found on our registration form. Please double check and make sure you have signed up for the proper division. Ensemble is 4 members (5 or more members is a team).
Tumbling of any kind is not permitted. With limited exception (i.e. forward rolls, shoulder rolls, back bend kicks/walk-over and aerial cartwheels are allowed). Dance lifts of any kind are not permitted.
SCHOOL AND REC TEAMS
The total routine time for School and Recreational teams cannot exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. All School and Recreational routines may be choreographed to all music or may contain a cheer or chant. The maximum allowable music for the cheer division will be 1:30 of music. Words may also be used with music or during the musical portion of the routine. These routines would be in the All-Music Division. The time given to the cheer/chant portion is completely up to the team/coach. All School and Recreational divisions can be found on our registration form. Please double check and make sure you have signed up for the proper division. JV & Varsity Cheer teams must compete in the division corresponding to their NFHS or State designation for Football/Basketball. If the designation is different for those two sports, the team must compete in the higher of the two. Spirit Cheer follows AACCA guidelines. Please see these listed at AACCA.org.
PROPS
The only props allowed are signs, megaphone and poms. Signs must be used to evoke a crowd response. All props must be carried onto the performance area by the competitors. No stationary props allowed (ex. placing props on floor to help mark spacing). All Props must be used in the routine.
OPEN CHEER TEAMS/COLLEGE CHEER DIVISIONS:
Open Cheer Teams and College cheer routines may not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Cheer division you have up to 1:45 of music, max. Routines may be performed to all music. Routines may also contain a cheer or chant.
All Open Cheer Teams and College Team divisions can be found on our registration form. Please double check and make sure you have signed up for the proper division. College teams will follow AACCA rules and guidelines. AACCA.org Open Cheer Teams will follow the guidelines specified by USASF for Level 6 All-star teams. Any questions please call our offices.