11-12 Spirit Online Rules Clinic€¦ · 1. The term “top person” has replaced “flyer”...
Transcript of 11-12 Spirit Online Rules Clinic€¦ · 1. The term “top person” has replaced “flyer”...
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2011-12
WIAA/NFHS
Spirit Rules
Clinic
Cindy AdsitAssistant Executive Directors
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
2011-12
NFHS Spirit
Rules Changes
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2011-2012 Major Editorial Changes to NFHS Spirit
Rules Book include:
1. The term “top person” has replaced “flyer” throughout
the book.
2. Sections in all rules have been revised, reordered,
combined or eliminated.
3. Rule 1 – Several definitions have been changed,
reordered, clarified or eliminated and new definitions
have been added.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
Rule 1-1-1
Stunt/Partner Stunt – definition no longer includes
tumbling.
Rule 1-9-2
“Deadman lift” is now “Flatback”. Old definition of
flatback has been eliminated.
Rule 1-10-8
“Load-in Toss” is now “Quick Toss”.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
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Addition - Rule 2-4-9d, 3-3-5c
A spotter must not:
Hold objects in her/his hand(s).
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Exception added - Rule 2-5-13c
A backward leapfrog to a prone position is permitted
provided there are at least two catchers and the top
person maintains hands-to-hands contact with the post
throughout the transition. The original bases, post and
catchers must remain stationary.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
Rule 2-6-2
Basket tosses, elevator tosses and similar multi-base
tosses are permitted only on grass (real or artificial) or a
mat.
NOTE: A 6’ x 8’ or 6’ x 10’ nonskid surface mat is
required for performing tosses on a hard surface. Folding panel mats and yoga mats are not acceptable nor appropriate.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
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Addition - Rule 2-6-4c
Quick/load-in tosses that begin with the top person in weight-
bearing contact with the performing surface and ends in a stunt or pyramid are legal provided all the following conditions are met.
a. The toss does not significantly exceed the height of the intended stunt.b. The top person is not tossed again or does not lose contact with the base(s) without first dismount to a cradle or the performing surface.new - c. The top person does not twist during the release unless performed on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
Addition - Rule 2-7-7c
A swinging stunt is legal provided all the following is met
a. The top person is swung in an upward direction.
b. The top person is face up.
new - c: The top person begins from a cradle or the
performing surface.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
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Addition - Rule 2-8-9b
A twist to a cradle is permitted only on grass (real or
artificial) or a mat.
Addition - Rule 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.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
Addition - Rule 3-1-5
Dance, drill and pom teams must wear footwear that is
appropriate for activity involved. At a minimum,
footwear must cover the ball of the foot. Exception:
Dancers performing on a floor cover may be barefoot.
Note: The WIAA Executive Board approved in 2007
that dancing while barefoot or with any partial covering
of the soles and/or toes is appropriate.
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges
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CONTINUED EMPHASIS
The WIAA Executive Board approved NFHS Spirit Rule
2-3-3 Addition beginning with the 2009-10 school year:
Members of a cheer squad involved in stunting,
including bases, fliers and spotters, shall wear their
hair away from the face and off the shoulders. (WIAA
Handbook rule 54.3.01)
2011-12 Spirit RulesChanges Continued
Major editorial changes have
been made to the 2011-12 book.
Rule 1 – Definitions
This section is now divided into
the following categories:
Stunts, Stunting Personnel, Non-
Release Stunts, Release Stunts,
Suspended Stunts, Dismounts,
Tumbling, Body Positions, Drops
and Props.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 1Definitions
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All provisions of the NFHS spirit
rules book shall be in effect for
all spirit team activities including
practices, games, performances and
competitions.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
Rule 2-1-5: Performance surfaces and areas must be suitable for spirit
activities.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
The following surfaces/situations
would be considered illegal for
stunting:
- While the gymnasium lights are
off except for a spotlight on
player’s being introduced
- On a cinder track
- On a wet track
- On concrete
- Close to a wall
The following surfaces/situations
would be considered legal for
stunting:
- An asphalt track
- In a gymnasium while all lights
are on and no ball is in play
- Basket tosses and twist cradles
can only be performed on grass
(real or artificial) or a mat.
Note: Stunting must be performed only on appropriate surfaces and where
there is adequate space and lighting. An asphalt track is considered to be
appropriate for stunting, except for basket tosses and twist cradles,
provided it is dry, even and free of loose gravel.
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Rule 2-1-6
Use of mini-tramps, springboards, spring-assisted floors
or any height-increasing apparatus is illegal for use
during performances/competitions.
Rule 2-1-12
Participants must not stand behind the free throw lane
extended during a basketball game. (see page 43, NFHS
Spirit Rules Book)
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
Rule 2-2-1: A participant, coach, substitute, trainer or other
team attendant must not commit an unsporting act.
Situation: Cheerleaders make a large paper sign for their team to
run through before the game. The sign says a) “Obliterate the Bengal Babies”;b) “Rangers Rise to the Top”
Ruling: (a) illegal(b) legal
Comment: (a) This signage is considered to be a form of baiting/taunting.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
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Rule 2-3-1
Jewelry of any kind is prohibited except for the following:
A religious medal without a chain is allowed and must be
taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert medal
must be taped and may be visible.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
Rule 2-3-2Fingernails, including
artificial nails, must be
kept short, near the end of
the fingers.
(Emphasis added.)
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
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Rule 2-4-9
A spotter must not:
a) Grasp the sole of the top
person’s foot;
b) Grasp the base(s) hand(s)
under the top person’s foot;
c) Place her/his torso underneath
the stunt.
d) Hold objects in her/his hand(s)
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
Rule 2-4-10A spotter is required for stunts in which the supporting
arm(s) of the base(s) is (are) fully extended above the
head, except for the following:
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
a. Chair
b. Russian lift
c. Torch
d. Double-base split catch
e. Triple-base flatback/deadman lift
f. Triple-base extended splits
g. Double base vertical T-lift
h. Triple-base Swedish fall provided
all three bases face the top person
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Rule 2-5-4
Dismounts passing through an inverted position are
illegal with the exception of forward suspended rolls.
(A suspended roll is a person in contact with bases or
post performs continuous foot-over-head rotation)
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
Rule 2-6-2Basket tosses, elevator
tosses and similar multi-
base tosses are permitted
only on grass (real or
artificial) or a mat.
(Emphasis added.)
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
ADD MEDIA CLIP
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Rule 2-6-7
In release transitions all of the following conditions must be met
throughout the transition:
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
a. The top person has at least 2 bases,
except that a single-base tick tock is
permitted provided the top person
remains upright.
b. The bases remain stationary except as
necessary for safety adjustments.
c. The top person maintains hand-to-
hand/arm contact with at least one
bracer.
d. The top person and each bracer has
a separate spotter with the exception
of bracers in shoulder sits and thigh
stands.
e. The bracers do not provide primary
support for the top person.
f. The release is a continuous, vertical
up-and-down movement in which the
top person remains over the base(s).
g. The top person is not released to a
toss or to separate bases.
Rule 2-8-1Dismounts passing
through an inverted
position are illegal with the
exception of forward
suspended rolls.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
ADD MEDIA CLIP
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Rule 2-9-1
Tumbling over or under a stunt, person or prop is illegal
with the exception of a forward roll over a prop.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
Rule 2-8-4No skill (e.g. toe touch, twist, etc) without constant hand-
to-hand contact shall be performed prior to landing on the
performing surface.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 2General Risk Management
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Points of Emphasis – Rule3
Dance/Drill/Pom
Risk Management
Rule 3-1-4Apparel and accessories must be appropriate for the
activity involved.
Rule 3-1-5Dance, drill and pom teams must wear footwear that is
appropriate for activity involved. At a minimum, footwear
must cover the ball of the foot. Exception: Dancers
performing on a floor cover may be barefoot.
.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management
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Rule 3-1-4a
When standing at
attention, apparel must
cover the midriff.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management
Rule 3-1-9A single/partial/whole manufacturer’s logo/trademark (no
more than 2 ¼ inches square with no dimension
exceeding 2 ¼ inches) and/or an American flag (no more
than 2 inches x 3 inches in size) is permitted on the
apparel.
Rule 3-5-1Knee, seat, thigh and split drops from a jump, stand or
inverted position are illegal unless most of the weight is
first borne on the hands or feet, or the descent is
controlled.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management
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Rule 3-2-2
The weight-bearing surface of
props used as bases must not
exceed five feet in height.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management
Rule 3-2-1Headstands and handstands
on a prop are illegal. Other
inverted positions are legal
only in the following
situations:
Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management
a. The top person has at least one foot in
weight-bearing contact with the prop
and the supporting surface is at least 2
feet by 2 feet.
b. The top person is lying on a prop that
is at least 1 foot wide and no more
than 3 feet high.
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Rule 3-4-2
Dismounts to the performing surface from props higher
than 3 feet must have an assisted landing.
Rule 3-4-6
When dismounting from props higher than 3 feet, no skill
(e.g. toe touch, twist, etc.), shall be performed, unless the
top person maintains constant hand-to-hand/prop contact
prior to landing on the performing surface.
Points of Emphasis – Rule 3Dance/Drill/Pom Risk Management
Please note that the NFHS Spirit Rules Book no longer
has the Coaches’ Responsibilities and the Participants’
Responsibilities sections after the pictures. Because of
increasing liability concerns, the NFHS has removed
these two sections from the rules book and they can
now be found on the NFHS Web site (www.nfhs.org) in
the Spirit section.
Coaches’ Responsibilities
Rule 2-1-1
A coach must not permit a team member to participate if,
in the judgment of the coach, the participant does not
conform to NFHS rules.
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Stunt certification is REQUIRED for CHEER AND
DANCE/DRILL COACHES who intend to have their
team perform stunts. The certification program must be
approved by the WA State Cheer Coaches Association,
WA State Dance/Drill Coaches Association or the WIAA.
Coaches’ Responsibilities
• Coaches must be recertified every three (3) years.
• For the most up-to-date listing of approved stunt
certification clinics, check the WA State Cheer Coaches
Association Web site (www.wscca.com). Click on
‘Conferences,’ ‘Workshops.’
Why Rules Matter
The purpose of the NFHS Spirit Rules is to minimize the risk to 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 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.
GeneralPoints of Emphasis
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Progressions
As with any athletic activity, the coach is responsible for enforcing general
risk management rules, recognizing a team’s 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.
GeneralPoints of Emphasis
NFHS Philosophy
Competition requires the development of physical skills, performed in a
choreographed routine. Each local school system, state high school
association or organization governing spirit activities in that state shall
determine whether spirit competition is allowed for high school students.
If spirit competition is approved as part of the school’s activities, it should be
placed in perspective with the total educational program, and should not
interfere with the primary responsibility of spirit groups, which is to support
the interscholastic athletic program. Spirit competition should strive to
develop leadership, confidence and skill.