NFHS Spirit Rules for Iowa Cheerleaders
(plus additions from ICCA and IHSAA)

If you need a current rule book, please contact Elisa Kahler at ekahler@iahsaa.org

Click here for the NF Spirit Rules 09-10 PowerPoint (videos are below)

Suspended Roll | Split Pyramid - illegal | Transitional Stunts | Inverted Stunt | Inverted Stunt #2  - illegal | Inverted Stunt #3 - illegal

2009 – 2010 National Federation Rules Changes

2009 – 2010 NF/ ICCA /IHSAA Rules

Rules Pertaining to Number of Cheerleaders

Points of Emphasis

Clarifying the Hair Rule

Rules Most Frequently Violated

Interpreting The Legality Of Stunts

2009-2010 NF SPIRIT RULES CHANGES

There are very few new spirit rules for the 2009-2010 school year.  Along with the new rules, clarifications were also made throughout the book.  As always, it’s VERY important that cheer coaches read the rule book to know the information it contains, and then follow the rules in the intent in which they were written!

New exception 2-4-7h:  A triple base Swedish fall provided all three bases face the flyer. 

The rationale for this change is that when all three bases are facing the flyer, the front base is in a better position of safety to protect the flyer if assistance is needed.

New Rule 2-6-2b:  For all cradle dismounts, the flyer must not hold props (signs, etc.) that are made of solid material, and have corners or sharp edges.

 Holding hard objects while performing cradle dismounts can interfere with the safe execution of the cradle.

New Rule 2-6-7:  A twist to a cradle involving more than one rotation is permitted only on appropriate mats, grass, rubberized and soft-yielding surfaces. 

This change reflects the skill level in high school cheerleading and is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.  NOTE:  Non-twisting or single twist cradles are permitted on any appropriate surface.

2-10-5:  Toe/leg pitches to a jump or tumbling skill are illegal.

This clarifies the intent of last year’s rule change permitting a forward suspended roll from the performing surface.

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National Federation/ICCA/IHSAA Spirit Rules

For the 2009-2010 school year the Iowa Cheerleading Coaches’ Association and the Iowa High School Athletic Association have chosen to strengthen some of the NFHS Spirit Rules for cheerleaders in Iowa.  This has been done with the approval of all three organizations.

 ·        NFHS Spirit Rule 2-2-2:  “Fingernails, including artificial nails, must be kept at an appropriate length (short, near the end of the fingers) to minimize risk for the participants.”  ICCA/IHSAA addition:  “All nails, including artificial nails, must be cut to a length so that the nail is not visible when the cheerleader holds up her/his hands from the palm side.  This is what is considered safe.”

 ·        NFHS Spirit Rule 2-2-3:  “The hair must be worn in a manner to minimize risk for the participant.  Hair devices, if worn, must be secure and appropriate for the activity.”  ICCA/IHSAA addition:  “All cheerleaders’ hair must be pulled away from the face and off the shoulders:  i.e. ponytail.  This would be for both stunting and non-stunting squads.”

·        NFHS Spirit Rule 2-2-7:  “Glitter that does not readily adhere on the hair, face, uniform, costume, or the body is illegal.  Glitter may be used on signs, props, or backdrops if laminated or sealed.”  ICCA/IHSAA addition:  “No spray on/roll on glitter.  Glitter in eye shadow should be minimal.”

 ·        Rule Suggestion – Insulin Packs:  “Insulin packs must be placed strategically, covered with a pad, and secured so they won’t dislodge during activity.  A written evaluation needs to be received from the doctor before a cheerleader with an insulin pack may cheer and/or stunt.” 

NOTE:  These rules will be in effect for ALL Iowa school (grades 7-12) events, including practices, games, meets, tournaments, competitions, and all other events in which school cheerleaders participate.

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Points of Emphasis

Why Rules Matter – The purpose of the NFHS Spirit Rules is to minimize risk to the 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 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.

Progressions – As with any athletic activity, the coach is responsible for enforcing general risk management rules, recognizing a teams’ 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.

Transitional Stunts with Loss of Contact - Bracers are becoming more active participants in transitional stunts, especially when the flyer loses contact with the bases.  For this reason, coaches must be aware and teach bracer responsibilities for these stunts.  In released transition stunts at least one bracer must maintain hand-to-hand/arm contact with the flyer during the entire loss of contact sequence.  Holding onto a flyer’s foot or uniform, for example, does not constitute contact in this situation.  At the same time, bracers may not ever provide primary support for a flyer or intentionally increase a flyer’s height.  The intent of the bracers is to instead help guide the flyer.  When performed correctly, the transitional stunt with loss of contact rule allows teams to execute visually exciting stunts while still maintaining the safety of the individuals involved.

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Clarifying the Hair Rule

Official Rulings by the

Iowa Cheerleading Coaches’ Association

Pulling hair away from the face situations:

  1.   Hair in a ponytail and bangs (which would have been in the eyes) secured away from

        the face – legal

  2.   Hair in a high ponytail that is long and goes down the back – legal

  3.   Hair in pigtails or side ponytail that does NOT touch the shoulders – legal

  4.   Hair in a low back ponytail at the base of the nape of the neck – legal

  5.   Short hair with hair that could be in face secured away – legal

  6.   Hair in a side ponytail that goes onto or touches the shoulders – illegal

  7.   Hair in pigtails that touches the shoulders – illegal

 Bangs pulled across forehead, wispies, & chunks of hair beside face:

  1.  The above - out of eyes and if necessary soundly secured away from the face – legal

  2.   Hair that falls into the face while cheering, stunting, or tumbling – illegal

  3.   How do you know if it is legal? 

            If you have to: 

                        A.  Move your head to move it away from your face – illegal

                        B.  Use your hand to move it away from your face – illegal

                        C.  Tuck it behind your ears – illegal

NOTE:  "Bumpits" are illegal.

Stunting:

1.    Any time the hair gets in the way of a stunt, it is illegal.  The hair should be off the shoulders for stunting.

GOAL: 

Fix your hair before the meet or game so you don't have to worry about it.  Look like an All-American cheerleader all the time; not just at tournament time.  

In Summary:

If you have to move your head to get hair out of your eyes, use your hands to tuck hair behind your ear, or move hair off your shoulders – your hair is probably ILLEGAL.

Why risk a rules violation or being removed from cheering?

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RULES MOST FREQUENTLY VIOLATED 

2-1-2    Only members of the school’s actual spirit team may participate in games/contests.  No little cheerleaders, honorary cheerleaders, OR fans out of the stands!  Also, only the cheerleaders actually cheering at that game/meet may be on the floor NOT cheerleaders from other seasons/sports.

2-1-8  Stunts are not permitted during basketball and volleyball games when the ball is in play, including all free throw situations.  Tumbling is considered stunting.  Be sure to follow rules for warming up when an alternative gym is not available.  It is not legal to stunt in the dark (such as darkened gyms during introductions).

2-1-10  Cheerleaders can’t be on the floor during 20 or 30-second timeouts in basketball and volleyball.

2-1-12  Participants are not permitted to have gum or candy in their mouths while cheering.

2-1-13  Cheerleaders must not stand behind the free throw lane extended (picture on page 41).

2-2-1    Wearing any jewelry is prohibited AT ALL TIMES (including practices) except religious or medical medals which shall be taped to the body under the apparel.  Items should not be draped around the neck even if they are taped to the body.  All silicon bracelets, hair ties, belly button rings, spacers, tongue studs, upper ear cartilage rings, safety pins, corsages, friendship bracelets, spirit pins, etc. are considered jewelry and must be removed.  Jewelry cannot be taped over; and fishing line, etc. cannot be put through the pierced holes.  Wrestling cheerleaders may not have pins on their uniforms, pillows, or on the floor near them.  Coaches also need to remove jewelry when participating. 

Ø  If a cheerleader must wear jewelry for religious reasons, his/her coach should contact the Ethics Director (Donna McKay).  A letter needs to be written by the parents of the cheerleader stating the jewelry’s religious significance plus the reason why it can’t be removed.  This letter also needs to be signed by the school’s athletic director and cheerleading coach.  The coach should send the letter to the Ethics Director.

2-2-2    Fingernails, including acrylic nails, need to be cut.  If you can see the nails while looking at the palm of the hand, the nails should be cut (ICCA/IHSAA rule).  All participants need to have their nails cut at all times, not just stunting squads.  Participating coaches need to cut nails, also.

2-2-3    Hair devices shall be safe and secure.  The hair shall be worn in a manner to ensure safety while performing.  All members of a squad shall wear their hair pulled away from the face and off the shoulders (ICCA/IHSAA rule).  Metal barrettes that are small and flat are legal – banana clips and large floppy bows with streamers are not legal.  It is not legal to tuck hair behind the ears – hair needs to be SECURED away from the face – this includes bangs falling into the eyes.  “Bumpit” hair inserts are not legal.

Section 2-4  Inattentive persons are not considered spotters.  A spotter must be in the proper position (with arms extended toward the flyer’s head/shoulders) to prevent injuries (close enough to the stunt and in proper area).  A spotter’s torso may not be under a stunt.  A person is not a spotter if he/she grabs the sole of the top person’s foot or grabs the hands of the base(s) beneath the top person’s foot.

2-5-3  A bracer shall not provide primary support.  The stunt should be solid without the bracer.  Top people in a stunt should have their weight directly above their bases and not leaning toward the bracer.

2-10-3  Basket tosses must not involve more than four tossers, including the person who may set or “load” the top person.

If you attend a competition and the National Federation Spirit Rules are not being followed (some competitions say they are following them but don’t), you are also liable if your cheerleaders participate, don’t follow the rules, and get hurt (wet mats, illegal stunts, unsafe performance area, etc.).  Be aware that not all stunts shown on television at cheerleading competitions are legal.

The only activities where cheerleaders are covered by the IHSAA catastrophic insurance are IHSAA sponsored events (which includes the ICCA events) as long as cheerleaders are following the National Federation Spirit Rules.  Cheerleaders are not covered at other competitions!

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INTERPRETING THE LEGALITY OF STUNTS

Braced Dismounts (2-6-11)

Checklist – all answers should be “yes” in order for a braced dismount to be legal.

-        Does at least one bracer maintain hand/arm contact with the flyer during loss of contact?

-        Do the flyer and bracers always remain non-inverted?

-        Are there two bases?

-        Is there a separate spotter for the flyer and each bracer?

-        Is the loss of contact a continuous up & down movement without a pause?

-        Does the flyer remain directly over the base(s)?

-        Does the flyer return to the original base(s)?

-        Do all bracers assist/guide, but do not intentionally increase the height of the flyer?

 Inverted Stunts (2-8-2-b)

Checklist – all answers should be “yes” in order for an inverted stunt to be legal.

-        Is the flyer clearly in a weight-bearing inverted position on the floor before the base(s) take her/his weight?

-        Is the flyer moved directly into a non-inverted position shoulder height or below?

-        Is there a base or spotter who is in a position to protect the flyer’s head/neck?

-        Does that base/spotter maintain physical contact with the flyer until flyer is no longer inverted?

 Loss of Contact Transitions (2-12-1)

Checklist – all answers should be “yes” in order for a l.o.c transition to be legal.

-        Is the flyer constantly braced (hand/arm contact) during loss of contact?

-        Do the flyer and bracer(s) always remain non-inverted?

-        Does the flyer have at least two bases (except if it’s a single-base tick tock)?

-        Is there a separate spotter for the flyer and each bracer? 

-        Is the bracer’s spotter focused on the bracer and not the flyer?

-        Are the spotters paying attention to the correct flyer?

-        Do all bracers assist/guide, but do not take primary weight of the flyer?

-        Is the loss of contact a continuous up & down movement without a pause?

-        Does the flyer remain directly over the base(s)?

-        Does the flyer return to the original base(s)?

-        Is the flyer released only to other stunts, but not to a toss?

-        Do all bracers assist/guide, but do not intentionally increase the height of the flyer?

-    Are all the stunts in the transition performed legally according to that specific stunt's rules?

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