11-12 Spirit Online Rules Clinic€¦ · 1. The term “top person” has replaced “flyer” throughout the book. 2. Sections in all rules have been revised, reordered, combined

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2011-12

WIAA/NFHS

Spirit Rules

Clinic

Cindy AdsitAssistant Executive Directors

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

2011-12

NFHS Spirit

Rules Changes

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2011-2012 Major Editorial Changes to NFHS Spirit

Rules Book include:

1. The term “top person” has replaced “flyer” throughout

the book.

2. Sections in all rules have been revised, reordered,

combined or eliminated.

3. Rule 1 – Several definitions have been changed,

reordered, clarified or eliminated and new definitions

have been added.

2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges

Rule 1-1-1

Stunt/Partner Stunt – definition no longer includes

tumbling.

Rule 1-9-2

“Deadman lift” is now “Flatback”. Old definition of

flatback has been eliminated.

Rule 1-10-8

“Load-in Toss” is now “Quick Toss”.


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Addition - Rule 2-4-9d, 3-3-5c

A spotter must not:

Hold objects in her/his hand(s).

____________

Exception added - Rule 2-5-13c

A backward leapfrog to a prone position is permitted

provided there are at least two catchers and the top

person maintains hands-to-hands contact with the post

throughout the transition. The original bases, post and

catchers must remain stationary.


Rule 2-6-2

Basket tosses, elevator tosses and similar multi-base

tosses are permitted only on grass (real or artificial) or a

mat.

NOTE: A 6’ x 8’ or 6’ x 10’ nonskid surface mat is

required for performing tosses on a hard surface. Folding panel mats and yoga mats are not acceptable nor appropriate.


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Addition - Rule 2-6-4c

Quick/load-in tosses that begin with the top person in weight-

bearing contact with the performing surface and ends in a stunt or pyramid are legal provided all the following conditions are met.

a. The toss does not significantly exceed the height of the intended stunt.b. The top person is not tossed again or does not lose contact with the base(s) without first dismount to a cradle or the performing surface.new - c. The top person does not twist during the release unless performed on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.


Addition - Rule 2-7-7c

A swinging stunt is legal provided all the following is met

a. The top person is swung in an upward direction.

b. The top person is face up.

new - c: The top person begins from a cradle or the

performing surface.


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Addition - Rule 2-8-9b

A twist to a cradle is permitted only on grass (real or

artificial) or a mat.

Addition - Rule 2-9-5

Airborne twisting tumbling skills are permitted only on

grass (real or artificial) or a mat, with the exception of

roundoffs and aerial cartwheels.


Addition - Rule 3-1-5

Dance, drill and pom teams must wear footwear that is

appropriate for activity involved. At a minimum,

footwear must cover the ball of the foot. Exception:

Dancers performing on a floor cover may be barefoot.

Note: The WIAA Executive Board approved in 2007

that dancing while barefoot or with any partial covering

of the soles and/or toes is appropriate.


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CONTINUED EMPHASIS

The WIAA Executive Board approved NFHS Spirit Rule

2-3-3 Addition beginning with the 2009-10 school year:

Members of a cheer squad involved in stunting,

including bases, fliers and spotters, shall wear their

hair away from the face and off the shoulders. (WIAA

Handbook rule 54.3.01)

2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges Continued

Major editorial changes have

been made to the 2011-12 book.

Rule 1 – Definitions

This section is now divided into

the following categories:

Stunts, Stunting Personnel, Non-

Release Stunts, Release Stunts,

Suspended Stunts, Dismounts,

Tumbling, Body Positions, Drops

and Props.

Points of Emphasis – Rule 1Definitions

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All provisions of the NFHS spirit

rules book shall be in effect for

all spirit team activities including

practices, games, performances and

competitions.

Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management

Rule 2-1-5: Performance surfaces and areas must be suitable for spirit

activities.


The following surfaces/situations

would be considered illegal for

stunting:

- While the gymnasium lights are

off except for a spotlight on

player’s being introduced

- On a cinder track

- On a wet track

- On concrete

- Close to a wall

The following surfaces/situations

would be considered legal for

stunting:

- An asphalt track

- In a gymnasium while all lights

are on and no ball is in play

- Basket tosses and twist cradles

can only be performed on grass

(real or artificial) or a mat.

Note: Stunting must be performed only on appropriate surfaces and where

there is adequate space and lighting. An asphalt track is considered to be

appropriate for stunting, except for basket tosses and twist cradles,

provided it is dry, even and free of loose gravel.

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Rule 2-1-6

Use of mini-tramps, springboards, spring-assisted floors

or any height-increasing apparatus is illegal for use

during performances/competitions.

Rule 2-1-12

Participants must not stand behind the free throw lane

extended during a basketball game. (see page 43, NFHS

Spirit Rules Book)


Rule 2-2-1: A participant, coach, substitute, trainer or other

team attendant must not commit an unsporting act.

Situation: Cheerleaders make a large paper sign for their team to

run through before the game. The sign says a) “Obliterate the Bengal Babies”;b) “Rangers Rise to the Top”

Ruling: (a) illegal(b) legal

Comment: (a) This signage is considered to be a form of baiting/taunting.


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Rule 2-3-1

Jewelry of any kind is prohibited except for the following:

A religious medal without a chain is allowed and must be

taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert medal

must be taped and may be visible.


Rule 2-3-2Fingernails, including

artificial nails, must be

kept short, near the end of

the fingers.

(Emphasis added.)


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Rule 2-4-9

A spotter must not:

a) Grasp the sole of the top

person’s foot;

b) Grasp the base(s) hand(s)

under the top person’s foot;

c) Place her/his torso underneath

the stunt.

d) Hold objects in her/his hand(s)


Rule 2-4-10A spotter is required for stunts in which the supporting

arm(s) of the base(s) is (are) fully extended above the

head, except for the following:


a. Chair

b. Russian lift

c. Torch

d. Double-base split catch

e. Triple-base flatback/deadman lift

f. Triple-base extended splits

g. Double base vertical T-lift

h. Triple-base Swedish fall provided

all three bases face the top person

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Rule 2-5-4

Dismounts passing through an inverted position are

illegal with the exception of forward suspended rolls.

(A suspended roll is a person in contact with bases or

post performs continuous foot-over-head rotation)


Rule 2-6-2Basket tosses, elevator

tosses and similar multi-

base tosses are permitted

only on grass (real or

artificial) or a mat.

(Emphasis added.)


ADD MEDIA CLIP

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Rule 2-6-7

In release transitions all of the following conditions must be met

throughout the transition:


a. The top person has at least 2 bases,

except that a single-base tick tock is

permitted provided the top person

remains upright.

b. The bases remain stationary except as

necessary for safety adjustments.

c. The top person maintains hand-to-

hand/arm contact with at least one

bracer.

d. The top person and each bracer has

a separate spotter with the exception

of bracers in shoulder sits and thigh

stands.

e. The bracers do not provide primary

support for the top person.

f. The release is a continuous, vertical

up-and-down movement in which the

top person remains over the base(s).

g. The top person is not released to a

toss or to separate bases.

Rule 2-8-1Dismounts passing

through an inverted

position are illegal with the

exception of forward

suspended rolls.


ADD MEDIA CLIP

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Rule 2-9-1

Tumbling over or under a stunt, person or prop is illegal

with the exception of a forward roll over a prop.


Rule 2-8-4No skill (e.g. toe touch, twist, etc) without constant hand-

to-hand contact shall be performed prior to landing on the

performing surface.


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Points of Emphasis – Rule3

Dance/Drill/Pom

Risk Management

Rule 3-1-4Apparel and accessories must be appropriate for the

activity involved.

Rule 3-1-5Dance, drill and pom teams must wear footwear that is

appropriate for activity involved. At a minimum, footwear

must cover the ball of the foot. Exception: Dancers

performing on a floor cover may be barefoot.

.

Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management

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Rule 3-1-4a

When standing at

attention, apparel must

cover the midriff.


Rule 3-1-9A single/partial/whole manufacturer’s logo/trademark (no

more than 2 ¼ inches square with no dimension

exceeding 2 ¼ inches) and/or an American flag (no more

than 2 inches x 3 inches in size) is permitted on the

apparel.

Rule 3-5-1Knee, seat, thigh and split drops from a jump, stand or

inverted position are illegal unless most of the weight is

first borne on the hands or feet, or the descent is

controlled.


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Rule 3-2-2

The weight-bearing surface of

props used as bases must not

exceed five feet in height.


Rule 3-2-1Headstands and handstands

on a prop are illegal. Other

inverted positions are legal

only in the following

situations:


a. The top person has at least one foot in

weight-bearing contact with the prop

and the supporting surface is at least 2

feet by 2 feet.

b. The top person is lying on a prop that

is at least 1 foot wide and no more

than 3 feet high.

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Rule 3-4-2

Dismounts to the performing surface from props higher

than 3 feet must have an assisted landing.

Rule 3-4-6

When dismounting from props higher than 3 feet, no skill

(e.g. toe touch, twist, etc.), shall be performed, unless the

top person maintains constant hand-to-hand/prop contact

prior to landing on the performing surface.


Please note that the NFHS Spirit Rules Book no longer

has the Coaches’ Responsibilities and the Participants’

Responsibilities sections after the pictures. Because of

increasing liability concerns, the NFHS has removed

these two sections from the rules book and they can

now be found on the NFHS Web site (www.nfhs.org) in

the Spirit section.

Coaches’ Responsibilities

Rule 2-1-1

A coach must not permit a team member to participate if,

in the judgment of the coach, the participant does not

conform to NFHS rules.

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Stunt certification is REQUIRED for CHEER AND

DANCE/DRILL COACHES who intend to have their

team perform stunts. The certification program must be

approved by the WA State Cheer Coaches Association,

WA State Dance/Drill Coaches Association or the WIAA.

Coaches’ Responsibilities

• Coaches must be recertified every three (3) years.

• For the most up-to-date listing of approved stunt

certification clinics, check the WA State Cheer Coaches

Association Web site (www.wscca.com). Click on

‘Conferences,’ ‘Workshops.’

Why Rules Matter

The purpose of the NFHS Spirit Rules is to minimize the risk to spirit

participants. For this reason, coaches must recognize why these rules were

written and understand rule specifics. In order to continue the promotion of

participant safety, coaches have a responsibility to read the rules book,

including the situation rulings, to fully comprehend all rules in order to safely

and correctly teach skills to athletes. To help athletes progress, coaches

should be transferring their knowledge of the rules to participants to help

build a foundation of rule awareness and safety. As role models, coaches

are expected to follow all of the rules in the intent that they were written.

Ignoring or interpreting rules to suit individual needs is not in the best interest

of ensuring athletes’ safety or minimizing their risk.

GeneralPoints of Emphasis

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Progressions

As with any athletic activity, the coach is responsible for enforcing general

risk management rules, recognizing a team’s particular ability level, and

ensuring that team members follow progressions. Only those skills mastered

in practice by being consistently executed safely and correctly should be

performed in public. Coaches are accountable for approving and

documenting mastery of skills before allowing participants to progress to the

next level or to perform skills in public. If trends continue in poor execution of

skills, especially elite stunts such as double downs and basket tosses, the

NFHS will be forced to review these stunts and minimize risk. Elite-level

stunts can be performed safely when appropriate progressions are followed

and team members are properly trained and prepared.

GeneralPoints of Emphasis

NFHS Philosophy

Competition requires the development of physical skills, performed in a

choreographed routine. Each local school system, state high school

association or organization governing spirit activities in that state shall

determine whether spirit competition is allowed for high school students.

If spirit competition is approved as part of the school’s activities, it should be

placed in perspective with the total educational program, and should not

interfere with the primary responsibility of spirit groups, which is to support

the interscholastic athletic program. Spirit competition should strive to

develop leadership, confidence and skill.

Documents

11-12 Spirit Online Rules Clinic€¦ · 1. The term “top person” has replaced “flyer” throughout the book. 2. Sections in all rules have been revised, reordered, combined