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

You may click on the following link to view the rules powerpoint only.
This is purely informational; it does not take the place of an online rules meeting.
http://www.iahsaa.org/secure/2011-12%20Spirit%20Rules%20Meeting2.ppt
(If you would like to hear the audio on the slides, you must click the icon.)

Reporting Rules Violations

Report violations immediately to:

Donna McKay (jdmckay44@gmail.com)

 so violations can be handled in  a timely manner. 
Violations not reported immediately, or those not actually seen and handled by coaches, will not be dealt with by the Ethics Director.

Only coaches who have attended a rules meeting may report violations.

Click any of the links below for more information:

Reorganized Rules book

Stunts by Section

2011 – 2012 National Federation Rules Changes

2011 – 2012 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

Rules Violations

Medical Appliance

REORGANIZED NATIONAL FEDERATION SPIRIT RULES BOOK
If you need a current rule book, please contact Elisa Kahler at ekahler@iahsaa.org

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Stunts By Sections

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

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

Legal exception to rule 2-5-13c:

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2011-2012 NF SPIRIT RULES CHANGES

2-4-9-d           A spotter must not hold objects in her/his hands.

Rationale:  If a spotter’s hands are not free, the ability to spot safely is greatly diminished.

2-5-5              In pendulum, or pendulum-type stunts, (c) was eliminated to allow the top person to land on her/his side and the last phrase of (g) was removed to allow the top person in a single base full pendulum to drop on her/his side.

Rationale:  These allowances do not present a greater risk than dropping face up or face down.

2-5-13c           In non-release transitions that involve changing base(s), all the following

                         Exception          conditions must be met throughout the transition:

b. The new base(s) must be to the side or front of the person moving the flyer except when the flyer remains vertical.

Exception: A backward leapfrog to a prone position is permitted provided there are at least two catchers and the top person maintains continuous hands-to-hands contact with the post throughout the transition.  The original bases, post, and catchers must remain stationary.

Rationale:  This stunt presents minimal risk to participants if adequate restrictions are in place.

2-6-2               Basket tosses, elevator tosses, and similar multi-base tosses are permitted only on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.

Rationale:  Prohibiting these tosses from being performed on hard surfaces is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.

2-6-4c             Quick/load-in tosses that begin with the top person in weight-bearing contact with the performing surface and end in a stunt or pyramid are legal provided all the following conditions are met:

c. The top person does not twist during the release unless it is performed on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.

Rationale:  Prohibiting airborne twists during quick/load-in tosses from being performed on hard surfaces is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.

2-7-7c             A swinging stunt is legal provided all the following conditions are met:

& Note           c. The top person begins from a cradle or the performing surface.

Note:  A slight downward swing to prepare for an upward swing is permitted.

Rationale:  Allowing more than a slight downward swing from a stunt higher than a cradle presents increased risk to the top person.

2-8-9b            A twist to a cradle is permitted only on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.

Rationale:  Prohibiting all twisting cradle dismounts from being performed on hard surfaces is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.

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.

Rationale:  Prohibiting twisting tumbling skills from being performed on hard surfaces is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.

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National Federation/ICCA/IHSAA Spirit Rules

For the 2011-2012 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 2-3-2:  “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 2-3-3:  “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 2-3-7:  “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.”

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

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Points of Emphasis

Points of Emphasis highlight the major rules changes and emphasize other rules for which additional clarification may be needed. 

Concussions – Concussions are a common result of sports-related head injuries and carry the potential for serious complications if not managed correctly.  The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, currently collaborating with the nationwide high school RIO™ (Reporting Information Online) to analyze and interpret sports-related injury data, has developed suggested guidelines for management of concussions: 

1. No athlete should return to play (RTP) or practice on the same day of a concussion.

2. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day.

3. Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate health-care professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition.

4. After medical clearance, RTP should follow a step-wise protocol with provisions for delayed RTP based upon return of any signs or symptoms.

Spirit coaches should refer to the current NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion available at the NFHS website (www.nfhs.org) under Sports Medicine Resources.  Please also refer to the Concussion course available through the NFHS Coach Certification at www.nfhslearn.com.

NFHS Spirit Rules Book – Coaches, both new and veteran, have a professional responsibility to read the NFHS Spirit Rules Book, including the situation rulings, and fully comprehend all rules in order to safely and correctly teach the appropriate skills to their athletes.  This year's rules book has been reorganized and updated to be consistent with current cheer trends and changes that have occurred over the last five years.  Specific areas of importance are, but not limited to, changes to definitions, non-release stunts, release stunts/tosses, and suspended stunts. It is imperative that coaches have a thorough understanding of these changes and revisions that will affect all aspects of their cheerleading program. In addition, coaches should educate their student athletes so they are made aware of the rule changes.

Twisting Dismounts/Tumbling/Tosses – It is the NFHS’s responsibility to revise rules to minimize risk whenever trends indicate an execution of specific skills resulting in injuries.  To be consistent with the NFHS’s focus on risk minimization for the nation’s student athletes, any twist to a cradle; airborne, twisting tumbling skills; and basket tosses, elevator tosses, and other similar multi-base tosses will only be permitted on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.

NFHS continues to stress that spirit coaches must be responsible for teaching and enforcing general risk management rules, identifying teams’ ability levels, and following proper progressions in learning new skills.  It is imperative that coaches insist upon “perfection before progression” before advancing to the next skill level.

Note:  A suggested list of additional responsibilities for coaches and participants is located on the NFHS website (www.nfhs.org) on the “Spirit” page.

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Clarifying the Hair Rule

Official Rulings by the

Iowa Cheerleading Coaches’ Association

Find Your Cheering Hair Style

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

8.  Short hair that brushes the shoulders – illegal

9. The PLASTIC HAIR BUMP IT - illegal

10. Artificial flowers in the hair have been ruled - 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

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?

FEATHERS
Many questions have been raised about the legality of cheerleaders wearing feathers in the hair. The NFHS interpretation is as follows:

Feathers in the hair should be treated in the same manner as other hair devices such as ribbons and bows. Rule 2-3-3 requires hair devices to be secure and hair to be worn in a manner that is appropriate for the activity involved. If a feather is not securely affixed or could interfere with the participant’s vision or the safe execution of stunts or tumbling, it would be illegal. If, however, a feather is securely affixed to the hair and does not present a risk of interfering with the participant’s vision or interfering with the safe execution of stunts or tumbling it would be legal.

Situation/Ruling:

2.3.3 SITUATION: During a release transition one bracer is wearing a long feather in her hair that: (a) is secured away from her face by a flat barrette; (b) hangs loose while the rest of her hair is secured in a ponytail. RULING: (a) Legal; (b) illegal.

The clip holding the feather in the hair (if it's not glued in) must be flat to the head. Some are held in by beads, which wouldn't be legal. Also, if the feather falls out, it would be illegal.

In Addition:

A few small rhinestones that are punched into a ribbon or headband are legal.
Headbands and Ribbons with sequins that are sewn on are legal. 

Headbands and Ribbons with sequins that are glued on are illegal.
Jewels on the face are illegal.
Large rhinestones on headbands or uniforms are illegal.

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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.

2-1-7  Participants are not permitted to have gum or candy in their mouths while cheering.

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  Cheerleaders must not stand behind the free throw lane extended (picture on page 43).

2-3-1    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.

2-3-2    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.

2-3-3    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.

2-4-3  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.

2-4-6 to 2-4-9  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.

2-6-2  Basket tosses and other similar multi-base tosses are not permitted on gym floors.  They are only permitted on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.

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 include 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 (2-8-11)

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

-      Does at least one bracer maintain hand/arm contact with the top person until the top person is descending?

-      Do the top persons and bracers always remain non-inverted?

-      Are there two bases?

-      Is there a separate spotter for each top person and each bracer (except bracers in shoulders sits and thigh stands)?

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

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

-      Does the top person remain directly over the base(s)?

-      Does the top person return to the original base(s)?

Inverted Stunts (2-5-2-b)

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

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

-      Is the top person 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 top person’s head/neck?

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

Release Transitions (2-6-7)

      Checklist – all answers must be “yes” in order for a release transition to be legal.

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

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

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

-      Do the bracers remain stationary (except for necessary safety adjustments)?

-      Is there a separate spotter for each top person and each bracer (except top persons in shoulder sits or thigh stands)? 

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

-      Are the spotters paying attention to the correct top person?

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

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

-      Does the top person remain directly over the base(s)?

-      Does the top person return to the original base(s)?

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

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Preventing Rules Violations

 §  Be proactive to help prevent rule violations at your school.  Coaches and cheerleaders should welcome visitors to their school and remind them of the rules before they begin cheering.

§  Our intent isn’t to “catch” cheerleaders not following the rules. 

Integrity of Coaches

 §  We need to rely on the professional integrity of our coaches to make sure all rules are followed.

§  Coaches must take care of their own cheerleaders so others won’t need to address the rules with them.

§  Coaches should accept responsibility if their cheerleaders are at fault, rather than blaming others, including those who address the rules violation(s).

 If You See a Rules Violation

 §  Ask cheerleaders if their coach is present and, if not present, who is responsible for them.

§  Be sure YOU see the violation and it’s not one just reported to you by your cheerleaders.

§  Let the coach know that following the NF rules is important for the safety of the cheerleaders and the liability of the coach and school.  All schools in Iowa must follow these rules because they’ve been adopted by the IHSAA and ICCA for the safety of Iowa cheerleaders.

§  Remember to be calm, positive, and tactful when addressing rule violations with cheerleaders and coaches.

§  Coaches should talk to the cheerleading coach and/or appropriate administrator of the school in violation of the rules in a courteous manner before reporting the rule violation(s).

 Reporting Rules Violations

Report violations immediately to:

Donna McKay (jdmckay44@gmail.com)

 so violations can be handled in  a timely manner. 
Violations not reported immediately, or those not actually seen and handled by coaches, will not be dealt with by the Ethics Director.

When Rules Are Violated

§  When a school is reported for a rules violation the first or second time, both the coach and one of the school’s administrators will be contacted by Donna McKay.

§  If a school violates the National Federation rules for a third time, the IHSAA will contact the school.

§  Continued violation of the rules could lead to a cancellation of catastrophic insurance coverage for that school by the IHSAA.

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 NFHS Statement on Medical Appliances

 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC)

Although still relatively rare, the use of insulin pumps by athletes with diabetes has become more commonplace over the past few years.  With the wider use of insulin pumps, as well as other medical devices such as heart monitoring equipment, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of the athlete wearing the device, teammates, opponents, and the device itself.  The NFHS SMAC has discussed these issues and has come to the following conclusion:

When it is necessary for an athlete to wear a medical appliance (such as an insulin pump) during athletic competitions, the device shall be padded and securely attached to the player’s body underneath the uniform.  Devices attached to the head (such as hearing aids and cochlear implants) do not need to be padded, but shall be firmly secured to the body.  No medical appliance should pose a risk of injury to others.  It is recommended that the athlete notify the official of the presence of the medical appliance prior to a contest.

Approved in October 2009

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