1. Divisions

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Cheerleaders of America: Divisions Spreadsheet (PDF 27 Kb) Adobe Reader required to view this file.

2. Time Limit

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School:
    Music time limit 1 minute 30 sec.
    Overall time limit 2 minute 30 sec.

All Star:
    2 min. 30 seconds all to music

3. Performance Area

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Mat Size 54 feet wide X 42 feet deep (9 strips)

4. Routine Components

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1. Each squad presentation must include at least one cheer or sideline chant.
2. The musical portion must not exceed one minute and thirty seconds.
3. Total time limit is two minutes and thirty seconds for the entire routine.
4. Timing will begin with the first movement, voice or note of music, whichever comes first.
5. All introductions (tumbling, chants, entrances, spell-outs etc) are considered part of the routine and are timed as part of the performance.
6. There should not be any organized exits or other activity after the official ending of the routine.
7. Individuals may cheer on a school squad and an all star squad, but may not cheer on multiple scholastic squads (i.e. a competition team and a football team or a JV and a Varsity team from the same school).

5. Individual Cheerleading Competition

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Spirit Coaches Association is offering the following divisions for Best Cheerleader.

1. Youth Division Grade 5 and under
2. Junior Division Grades 6-8
3. Senior Division Grade 9-Age 19 (must be 19 before March 31, 2008)

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.

 

Individuals Scholarship Policy (20 Kb) Adobe Reader required to view this file.

 

VI. Music Format Requirements

1. Each participant will perform the following to music in this order:
   1. Three consecutive jumps.
   2. One consecutive tumbling pass.
   3. Cheer and/or dance. This portion should include cheer motion technique and words of a cheer.
2. Overall performance may not exceed ONE MINUTE and timing will begin with the first sound of music.
3. Music is required for the entire performance.
4. A partner may not be used during the performance.
5. Because penalties are severe, it is recommended that all individuals time their performances several times prior to attending the competition and leave a several second cushion to allow for variations in sound equipment.

VII. Routine Requirements

Individuals should enter the performance area in a timely fashion.

1. Timing will begin with the first organized word, movement, or note of music by the individuals after they are officially announced and have taken the floor
2. Timing will end with the last organized word, movement, or note of music by the individuals. Individuals must exit the performance area immediately following the routine.
3. Only the following props are allowed for cheerleaders: flags, banners, megaphones, pom pons, and signs. Flags and banners may not be used in conjunction with a stunt or tumbling.
4. Cheerleaders must wear soft-soled tennis shoes while competing: no jazz shoes and/or boots will be allowed.
5. Jewelry of any kind is prohibited and will result in a penalty. This includes earrings, nose, tongue and belly button rings, necklaces and pins on uniforms. Jewelry must be removed and may not be taped over or covered.
6. Individual names will be called twice: once as the individual on deck and once as the next individual to perform.
7. Routines must be appropriate for family viewing. Any vulgar or suggestive movements, words, or music may result in a score deduction.
8. Individuals must follow the NFHS safety guidelines.

6. Partner Stunt and Group Stunt Rules and Regulations

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1. Team members must be on a Varsity/All Star squad and may only have one entry in each division: Partner Stunts, Scholastic 5man and All Star 5man.
2. Partner stunt entries must adhere to the NFHS or USASF guidelines, depending on the division.
3. There are no spotters provided.

VI.II. Best Partner Stunt

1. Open to couples made up of one male and one female representing a school or gym, from grade 9-age 19 (must be 19 before March 31, 2008).
2. There is no limit on the number of couples that may register from the same team.
3. Individuals may only enter once.
4. A spotter (selected by the performing couple) may not base or help hold up the stunts.
5. A coach may be a spotter.

VI.III. Best Group Stunt Championship (5man)

Spirit Coaches Association will offer Group Stunt Championships in the following divisions only.

1. Junior High School Group Stunt grades 6-8. (up to 5 members all female) Individuals must cheer in the junior high team division to qualify for the Junior High School Group Stunt division.
2. Junior Varsity School Group Stunt grades 9-11 (up to 5 members all female) Individuals must cheer in the junior varsity team division to qualify for the Junior Varsity School Group Stunt division.
3. Senior School Group Stunt grades 9-age 19 (must be 19 before March 31, 2008) (up to 5 members all female) Individuals must cheer in the varsity team division to qualify for Senior Best School Group Stunt.
4. Junior All Star Group Stunt (ages determined by the USASF age limitations for Junior AS teams) Up to 5 members, all female. Individuals must cheer in the Junior All Star Team division to qualify for Junior All Star Group Stunt.
5. Senior Best All-Star Group Stunt grades 8-age 19 (must be 19 before March 31, 2008). (up to 5 members all female) Individuals must cheer on a all-star team to qualify for Senior Best All-Star Group Stunt.

VI.III. Time Limits:

Partner Stunt & Group Stunt: 1 minute, all to music.

VI.IV. Rules:

Groups and Partners must follow the NFHS or USASF rules for safety, depending on your division.

1. Your performance cannot exceed one minute in length. The timing will begin with the first note of music or movement and end with the last note of music.
2. Performers must begin their routine with both feet on the ground.
3. Routine must be performed to music.
4. Tumbling into a stunt is allowed (i.e. backhandspring toss to extension).
5. Groups must wear their team uniform.
6. All members of a scholastic stunt group must be current members of the official school spirit squad and must attend the school they are representing.

7. Dance Rules and Regulations

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Divisions     Dance Divisions     High School Varsity

All-Star     Varsity All-Star (8-12)     Junior All-Star (5-9)

 

VII.I. Time Limit

1. Each team will have a maximum of (2) two 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 the performance area as quickly as possible

VII.II. Team Size

There is no limitation on the number of team members.

VII.III. Divisions

Spirit Coaches Association is offering two styles this year in the Varsity and All-Star Division.

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.

VII.IV. High School

High School Varsity. All teams in the Varsity divisions must be an official school dance team.

VII.V. All Star

Varsity All Star (12th grade and below)
Junior All Star (9th grade and below)
Youth All Star (6th grade and below)
Divisions are determined by your oldest team member.

VII.VI. Performance Area

All teams competing at Spirit Coaches Dance Championship will perform on a 54 feet wide X 42 feet deep (9 strips) blue mat. This mat is high density foam. The mat will be placed over a basketball court. Only soft-soled dance shoes or bare feet (socks only are prohibited) will be allowed on the performance surface.

VII.VII. Judging Criteria

The judges will score the teams according to the judging criteria on a 100 point system.

8.  Competition Procedures

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Judging Procedures

The judges for the event will be appointed at the sole discretion of COA Cheer. As the teams make their presentations, the judges will score the teams using a 100 point system.

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 or captains 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 advisor and/or captain 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

1. In the event the presentation of any team must be interrupted because of the failure of the equipment, facilities, etc., the team affected will be allowed to present their entire routine again at a time determined by the judging panel.
2. In the event of the presentation of any team must be interrupted because of failure of the team’s own equipment or supplies, the team must either continue the presentation or withdraw from the competition.
3. In the event that an injury causes the presentation of a team to be interrupted, the team must either continue the presentation or withdraw from the competition. The tournament staff reserves the right to stop the presentation due to injury if it is deemed necessary.

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, Event Coordinator, Tournament Director, and another individual designated by the Tournament Director. 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 captain or the advisor of the team and shall be directed only to the Tournament Director. Where appropriate, the Tournament Director 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 tournament director 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.