Education - Cheer Level Rules

Safety Rules & Routine Requirements

Level	Tumbling
1	General	Standing	Running	Stunts	Pyramids	Dismounts	Tosses
2	General	Standing	Running	Stunts	Pyramids	Dismounts	Tosses
3	General	Standing	Running	Stunts	Pyramids	Dismounts	Tosses
4	General	Standing	Running	Stunts	Pyramids	Dismounts	Tosses
5	General	Standing	Running	Stunts	Pyramids	Dismounts	Tosses
6	General	Standing	Running	Stunts	Pyramids	Dismounts	Tosses
Glossary (click here)

Printable Rules

Cheer
09-10 Age Grid
09-10 Cheer Rules
08-09 Cheer Glossary

Dance
09-10 Dance Rules
09-10 Dance Glossary

Please read these carefully as anything highlighted in blue is a change to the 09-10 Rules in comparison to the 08-09 Rules that were decided upon by the USASF Rules Committee and the NACCC. Please contact Les Stella (les.stella@gmail.com) for further explanation with regards to any of these topics. For immediate notifications on rules updates follow Les Stella on Twitter and have the post sent directly to your phone.

General Safety Rules and Routine Requirements

All athletes must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified director/ coach.
Coaches must require proficiency before skill progresstion. Coaches must considerthe athlete, group, and team skill levels with regard to proper performance level placement.
All teams, gyms, coaches and directors must have an emergency reponse plan in the event of an injury.
Athletes and coaches may not be under the influence of alchol, narcotics, performance enhancing substances, or over-the-counter medications while participating in a practice or performance that would hinder the ability to supervise or execute a routine safely.
Athletes must always paractice and perform on an appropiate surface.
Soft-soled shoes must be worn while competing. No dance shoes/boots, and/or gymnastics slipers (or similar) allowed. Shoes must have a solid sole.
Jewelry of any kind including but not limited to ear, nose, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniforms are not allowed. Jewelry must be removed and may not be taped over. (Exception: medical ID tags/bracelets, and uniform rhinestones. Rhinestones are not allowed when adhered to the skin as opposed to a uniform. Temporary tattoos are also allowed.)
Any height increasing apparatus used to propel a competitor is prohibited. (Exception: spring floor)
Flags, banners, signs, pom pons, megaphones, and pieces of cloth are the only props allowed. Props with poles or similar support apparatus may not be used in conjunction with any kind of stunt or tumbling. All props must be safely discarded out of harms way (e.g. throwing a hard sign across the mat from a stunt would be illegal). Any uniform piece purposefully removed from the body and used for visual effect will be considered a prop.
Casts that are hard and unyielding or have rough edges must be appropriately covered with a padded material. Clarification: The appropriately padded material must be such that it protects both the athlete and fellow athletes from injury.
On the level grid, all skills allowed for a particular level encompass all skills allowed in the preceding level.
Required spotters for all skills must be your own team's members.
Drops including but not limited to knee, seat, thigh, front, back, and split drops from a jump, stunt, or inverted position are not allowed unless the majority of the weight is first borne on the hands or feet, which breaks the impact of the drop. Shushinovas are allowed.
Competition routines shall not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Athletes must have at least one foot, hand or body part (other than hair) on the performing surface when the routine begins. Exception: Athletes may have their feet in the hands of base(s) if the base(s) hands are resting on the performing surface.

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
    <td valign="top">Safety Rules & Routine Requirements
      <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
        <tr>
          <td>Level</td>
          <td colspan="7" valign="top">Tumbling</td>

        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>1</td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">General
          </a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">Standing</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">Running</a></td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">Stunts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">Pyramids</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="hhttp://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">Dismounts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=251">Tosses</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>2</td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">General</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">Standing</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">Running</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">Stunts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">Pyramids</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">Dismounts</a></td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=258">Tosses</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>3</td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">General</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">Standing</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">Running</a></td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">Stunts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">Pyramids</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">Dismounts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=265">Tosses</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>4</td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">General</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">Standing</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">Running</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">Stunts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">Pyramids</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">Dismounts</a></td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=272">Tosses</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>5</td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">General</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">Standing</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">Running</a></td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">Stunts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">Pyramids</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">Dismounts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=279">Tosses</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>6</td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">General</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">Standing</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">Running</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">Stunts</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">Pyramids</a></td>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">Dismounts</a></td>

          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usasf.net/pagebank/?id=286">Tosses</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td colspan="3"><strong>Glossary </strong>(<a target="_blank" href="http://ism.infinityprosports.com/Uploads/458//Member Documents /CheerGlossary.pdf">click here</a>) </td>
          <td> </td>
          <td> </td>

          <td> </td>
          <td> </td>
          <td> </td>
        </tr>
      </table>
    </td>
    <td>Printable Rules


      <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
        <tr>
          <td colspan="3">Cheer</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://usasf.net.ismmedia.com/ISM2//Member Documents /09_10_Age_Grid.pdf">09-10 Age Grid</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://ism.infinityprosports.com/Uploads/458//Member Documents /CheerRules.pdf">09-10 Cheer Rules</a></td>
        </tr>

        <tr>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://ism.infinityprosports.com/Uploads/458//Member Documents /CheerGlossary.pdf">08-09 Cheer Glossary</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td colspan="3">Dance</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://usasf.net.ismmedia.com/ISM2//Forms/Member_docs/Dance_09-10Rules.pdf">09-10 Dance Rules</a></td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td><a target="_blank" href="http://usasf.net.ismmedia.com/ISM2//Forms/Member_docs/Dance_09-10Glossary.pdf">09-10 Dance Glossary</a></td>
        </tr>
      </table></td>
</tr>
<tr>
    <td colspan="2"><p>Rules Legend</p>
        Please read these carefully as anything highlighted in blue is a change to the 09-10 Rules in comparison to the 08-09 Rules that were decided upon by the USASF Rules Committee and the NACCC.

        Please contact <strong>Les Stella </strong>(<a target="_blank" href="mailto:les.stella@gmail.com">les.stella@gmail.com</a>) for further explanation with regards to any of these topics.
        For immediate notifications on rules updates follow <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/LesStella">Les Stella on Twitter</a> and have the post sent directly to your phone.</p>
      <p>Last Updated 9-15-2009</p>
        General Saftey Rules and Routine Requirements

      <ol>
        <li>All athletes must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified director/ coach.</li>
        <li>Coaches must require proficiency before skill progresstion. Coaches must considerthe athlete, group, and team skill levels with regard to proper performance level placement.</li>
        <li>All teams, gyms, coaches and directors must have an emergency reponse plan in the event of an injury.</li>
        <li>Athletes and coaches may not be under the influence of alchol, narcotics, performance enhancing substances, or over-the-counter medications while participating in a practice or performance that would hinder the ability to supervise or execute a routine safely.</li>
        <li>Athletes <strong>must</strong> always paractice and perform on an appropiate surface.</li>

        <li>Soft-soled shoes must be worn while competing. No dance shoes/boots, and/or gymnastics slipers (or similar) allowed. Shoes must have a solid sole.</li>
        <li>Jewelry of any kind including but not limited to ear, nose, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniforms are not allowed.  Jewelry must be removed and may not be taped over. (Exception: medical ID tags/bracelets, and uniform rhinestones. Rhinestones are not allowed when adhered to the skin as opposed to a uniform. Temporary tattoos are also allowed.) </li>
        <li>Any height increasing apparatus used to propel a competitor is prohibited. (Exception: spring floor)</li>
        <li>Flags, banners, signs, pom pons, megaphones, and pieces of cloth are the only props allowed. Props with poles or similar support apparatus may not be used in conjunction with any kind of stunt or tumbling. All props must be safely discarded out of harms way (e.g. throwing a hard sign across the mat from a stunt would be illegal).  Any uniform piece purposefully removed from the body and used for visual effect will be considered a prop.</li>

        <li>Casts that are hard and unyielding or have rough edges must be appropriately covered with a padded material.  Clarification: The appropriately padded material must be such that it protects both the athlete and fellow athletes from injury<em>.</em></li>
        <li>On the level grid, all skills allowed for a particular level encompass all skills allowed in the preceding level.</li>
        <li>Required spotters for all skills must be your own team's members.</li>
        <li>Drops including but not limited to knee, seat, thigh, front, back, and split drops from a jump, stunt, or inverted position are not allowed unless the majority of the weight is first borne on the hands or feet, which breaks the impact of the drop.  <span xml:lang="en" lang="en">Shushinovas are allowed. </li>

        <li>Competition routines shall not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. </li>
        <li>Athletes must have at least one foot, hand or body part (other than hair) on the performing surface when the routine begins. Exception: Athletes may have their feet in the hands of base(s) if the base(s) hands are resting on the performing surface.</li>
    </ol>
   </td>
</tr>
</table>