Significant changes have
been made to competition Rules & Regulations for 2008.
It is each Coach's
responsibility to review these changes carefully. Review, print
or download:
I. CHEERLEADING RULES AND REGULATIONS
A. Divisions—Division type and size will be determined by the
company hired to judge the competition.
B. Time Limit
Scholastic: 2 minutes & 30 seconds overall, only 1 minute
and 30 seconds of your routine can be performed to music.
All Star: 2 minutes & 30 seconds, all performed to music
C. Performance Area
Scholastic: Foam floor 54 feet wide x 42 feet deep (9
strips)
All Star: Spring floor 54 feet wide x 42 feet deep (9
strips)
D. Team Competition Routine Components & Rules
1. Each squad presentation must include at least one
cheer or sideline chant.
2. Timing will begin with the first movement, voice or
note of music, whichever comes first.
3. All introductions (tumbling, chants, entrances,
spell-outs etc) are considered part of the routine and are
timed as part of the performance.
4. There should not be any organized exits or other
activity after the official ending of the routine.
5. Individuals may cheer on a school squad and an all
star squad, but may not cheer on multiple scholastic squads
(ie a competition team and a football team or a JV and a
Varsity team from the same school).
6. All members of a scholastic cheer team must be in good
standing according to ASAA regulations.
7. All scholastic cheer teams must adhere to NFHS safety
guidelines.
8. All All-Star cheer teams must adhere to USASF safety
guidelines and level requirements.
E. Individual Cheerleading Competition
Spirit Coaches Association is offering the following
divisions for Best All Star Cheerleader:
1. Mini Division Ages 8 and under
2. Youth Division Ages 9 to 11
3. Junior Division Ages 12 to 14
4. Senior Division Ages 15 to 18 (age as of May 31, 2008
will be used)
There is no limit as to the number of individuals that can
compete from each team. They may only compete once, for one
team, either all star or scholastic. Scholarships will be
awarded in divisions selected by the Board of Directors.
Spirit Coaches Association is offering the following
divisions for Best Scholastic Cheerleader:
1. Mini Scholastic Grades K-2
2. Youth Scholastic Grades 3-5
3. Junior Scholastic Grades 6-8
4. Senior Scholastic Grades 9-12
There is no limit as to the number of individuals that can
compete from each team. They may only compete once, for one
team, either all star or scholastic. Scholarships will be
awarded in divisions selected by the Board of Directors.
Individual Competition Routine Components
1. See scoresheets on www.coacheeranddance.com for
routine requirements.
2. Overall performance may not exceed ONE MINUTE and
timing will begin with the first sound of music and end with
the last sound of music.
3. Music is required for the entire performance.
4. A partner or spotter may not be used during the
performance.
5. It is recommended that all individuals time their
performance several times prior to competing and leave a
several second cushion to allow for variations in sound
equipment.
6. Individuals competing in a scholastic division must
follow the NFHS safety guidelines. Individuals competing in
the all star division must follow USASF safety guidelines.
7. All individuals competing in the scholastic division
must be current members of the school cheer team that is
competing in the team competition and must be in good
standing according to ASAA regulations.
8. Routines must be appropriate for family viewing. Any
vulgar, suggestive or unsportsmanlike movements, words, or
music may result in a score deduction.
F. Best Partner Stunt
1. Open to couples made up of one male and one female, or
two females, representing a school or gym. Scholastic teams
must be in grades 9-12, All Star teams must follow the
senior individual age requirements.
2. There is no limit on the number of couples that may
compete from the same team.
3. Individuals may enter only once.
4. A spotter (selected by the couple) may not base or
help hold up the stunts.
5. A coach may be a spotter.
6. ROUTINE TIME LIMIT IS ONE MINUTE, ALL TO MUSIC.
7. All members of a scholastic stunt group must be
current members of the school cheer team that is competing
in the team competition and must be in good standing
according to ASAA regulations.
G. Best Group Stunt Championship (5man)
Spirit Coaches Association will offer Group Stunt
Championships in the following divisions only:
Middle School Group Stunt grades 6-8. (up to 5 members all
female or coed) Individuals must cheer in the middle school team
division to qualify for the Middle School Group Stunt division.
Junior Varsity School Group Stunt grades 9-11 (up to 5 members
all female or coed) Individuals must cheer in the junior varsity
team division to qualify for the Junior Varsity School Group
Stunt division.
Varsity School Group Stunt grades 9-12 (up to 5 members all
female or coed) Individuals must cheer in the varsity team
division to qualify for Varsity School Group Stunt.
Youth All Star Group Stunt (ages determined by the USASF age
limitations for Junior AS teams) Up to 5 members, all female or
coed. Individuals must cheer in the Youth All Star Team division
to qualify for Junior All Star Group Stunt.
Junior All Star Group Stunt (ages determined by the USASF age
limitations for Junior AS teams) Up to 5 members, all female or
coed. Individuals must cheer in the Junior All Star Team
division to qualify for Junior All Star Group Stunt.
Senior All-Star Group Stunt (ages determined by USASF age
limitations for Senior All Star teams). Up to 5 members all
female or coed. Individuals must cheer on a Senior all-star team
to qualify for Senior All-Star Group Stunt.
RULES:
1. ROUTINE TIME LIMIT IS ONE MINUTE ALL TO MUSIC.
2. Groups must all wear the uniform of the team they are
representing.
3. All members of a scholastic stunt group must be
current members of the school cheer team that is competing
in the team competition and must be in good standing
according to ASAA regulations.
4. Scholastic stunt groups must adhere to NFHS safety
guidelines.
5. All Star stunt groups must adhere to USASF safety
guidelines.
II. DANCE RULES AND REGULATIONS
A. Divisions
Scholastic—Varsity
All Star—Senior, Junior & Youth
Age limits will follow the COA guidelines. Divisions are
determined by your oldest team member.
There is no limitation on the number of team members in
scholastic or all star divisions.
B. Time Limit
1. Each team will have a maximum of (3) three minutes to
demonstrate their style and expertise.
2. Timing will begin with the first note of music.
3. Timing will end with the last note of music or the
last movement.
4. Teams must enter & exit the performance area as
quickly as possible
C. Styles for Team Divisions
Hip Hop — No props. Routines should consist of the latest
street style/funk dance moves with emphasis on execution,
synchronization, body control and rhythm. Jazzy style movements
should be kept to a minimum.
Jazz — Routines should be consistent with current Jazz style
moves.
Lyrical – Routines should be consistent with current Lyrical
style moves.
D. Time Limit—All Team routines can be a maximum of three (3)
minutes long.
E. Performance Area
54 feet wide by 42 feet deep wood floor
F. Team Competition Routine Components & Rules
1. All teams in a scholastic division must be an official
school dance team.
2. All Star dance teams must not be affiliated with a
school.
3. Only soft-soled dance shoes will be allowed on the
performance surface (socks and bare feet are prohibited).
4. All members of a scholastic dance team must be in good
standing according to ASAA regulations.
F. Solo Routine Components & Rules
1. All dancers performing in the scholastic solo division
must be a member of the official school dance team that is
competing in the scholastic team competition.
2. All scholastic dancers must be in good standing
according to ASAA regulations.
3. Solo routines are limited to ONE MINUTE.
4. It is recommended that all soloists time their
performance several times prior to competing and leave a
several second cushion to allow for variations in sound
equipment.
5. There are no style limitations.
6. Routine components can be found on the scoresheets at
www.coacheeranddance.com
H. Judging Criteria
The judges will score the teams according to the COA judging
criteria. Scoresheets are available online at
www.COAcheeranddance.com.
III. COMPETITION PROCEDURES
Judging Procedures
The judges for the event will be appointed at the sole
discretion of COA Cheer.
Scores and Rankings
Individual score sheets are for the exclusive use of each
particular judge. Each judge has the responsibility and
authority to review and submit his or her final scores and
rankings prior to the final tally of the scores for all teams.
Score and rankings will be available only to coaches at the
conclusion of the competition. No scores or rankings will be
given over the telephone. Coaches have 30 minutes immediately
following the awards presentation to pick up score sheets and
contest any tabulation errors. These questions are to be
directed to the competition director.
Sportsmanship
All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner
displaying good sportsmanship throughout the championship. The
coach of each team is responsible for seeing that team members,
coaches, parents, and any other persons affiliated with the team
conduct themselves accordingly. Severe demonstrations of
unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for disqualification as
explained in these articles.
Interruption of Performance
In the event the presentation of any team or individual must
be interrupted the team or individual affected may be allowed to
present their entire routine again as determined by the judging
panel and Board of Directors.
Interpretations and Rulings
Any other situations requiring interpretation of the rules or
a decision involving any aspect of the competition not clearly
specified in these Articles of Understanding shall be considered
by the rules Committee----- which will consist of the Head
Judge, Board President and another individual designated by the
Board President. Alaska Spirit Coaches Association will also
have a Board of Control during the performance to address any
concerns. These committees will render a judgment in an effort
to insure that the competition proceeds in a manner as equitable
as possible to all teams and consistent with the general spirit
of the rules and goals of the competition. All teams agree to
accept any and all decisions made by the Rules Committee as
final.
How to Handle Procedural Questions
Any question concerning the rules of the competition, the
scoring of the participants or the ranking of teams shall be
handled exclusively by the coach of the team and shall be
directed only to the Board President. Where appropriate, the
Board President will refer questions to the Rules Committee.
Such questions should be made prior to the team’s competition
performance. Any questions concerning the team’s performance
should be made to the Board President immediately after the
team’s performance.
Disqualification
Any team that does not adhere to the understanding and
procedures of these “Articles of Understanding” shall be subject
to disqualification from the tournament and may forfeit the
opportunity to participate in the tournament the following year.
Failure to make payment of fees will exclude your team from
performing until the said fees have been paid.
Finality of Decisions
By participating in this championship, each team agrees that
decision by the judges will be final and will not be subject for
review. Each team acknowledges the necessity for the judges to
make prompt and fair decisions in this competition and each team
therefore expressly waives any legal, equitable, administrative
or procedural review of such decisions.
NEW!
2008
Modified Rules & Regulations
(posted
September 4, 2008)