Spirit Rules Changes - 2016-17
By NFHS on April 27, 2016
BOOK REORGANIZATION
Cheer and Dance/Drill/Pom will now follow completely separate
performance safety rules.
Rule 1 – DEFINITIONS (All spirit groups)
Rule 2 – GENERAL RISK MANAGEMENT (All spirit groups)
Rule 3 – CHEERLEADING RISK MANAGEMENT (Cheerleading
only)
Rule 4 – DANCE/DRILL/POM RISK MANAGEMENT (Dance/Drill/Pom
only)
Note: Rule changes and additions are underlined; Old
language is lined through. *Asterisk indicates that the rule number will change
with book reorganization.
1-Definition: Bracer – “A top person who stabilizes
and/or assists is connected to another top person.”
1-Definition: Cradle Position (NEW) – “A face-up open-pike
position.”
1-Definition: Quick Toss – “A release that begins with the top
person in having both feet in weight-bearing contact
with the performing surface and ends in a partner stunt or pyramid.”
*2-4-7: A spotter is required for extended stunts except
for the following:
a. Chair
b. Russian lift
c. Torch
d. Double-base split catch
e. Double-base vertical T-lift
f. Triple-base stunts in which the top person is
horizontal
g. Triple-base suspended splits
h. Triple-base straddle sit in which the top person has both
hands in contact with a post.
(Note: f. All bases of triple-base Swedish fall are no longer
required to face the top person.)
*2-5-2: ART. 2 (NEW) . . .An inverted top person may
pass through an extended position, but must not begin, end, pause, or stop in a
static extended inverted position.
*2-5-3 a, b: ART. 3 . . .Braced inversions in a pyramid that do
not flip or roll are permitted provided the following
conditions are met:
a. Braced inversions that do not release must follow non-release
stunt Rule *2-6.
b. Braced inversions that release must follow release transition
Rule *2-7- 5.
(Note: Old a. was deleted, meaning that braced flips can start
from a single base.)
*2-5-4: ART. 4 . . .Braced flips or rolls in
a pyramid are allowed provided all the following conditions are met:
a. The top person maintains continuous
hand-to-hand/arm contact with a bracer on each side two
bracers who are in multi-base preps with a spotter. The top person is
not behind the bracers.
*2-5-5: ART. 5 . . . In all other inversions:
Old a. replaced by new Art 2
a. A top person in an inverted position on the performing
surface may be released to a loading position below prep level. (old
exception to b.)
b. Static inversions at prep level require two bases or a base
and spotter. The spotter is not required to be in contact with the top person.
c. A release transition from a static inverted
position to a non-inverted position is allowed provided:
1. The top person lands at or below
prep level.
2. The top person does not twist more
than ¼ rotation.
3. There is a spotter.
d. In inversions in which the base of support begins
and remains below prep level:
1. At least one base or spotter must
be in a position to protect the head/neck of the top person. (old b.-no
change)
2. The base or spotter must maintain
contact with the top person’s upper body (waist and above, which may include
arms/hands) until the top person is no longer inverted or his/her hands are on
the performing surface. The contact must be sufficient to stabilize/control the
top person’s position.
e. In inversions where the base of support begins at
or passes through prep level: (old c.-no change)
1. At least two people on the
performing surface must be in a position to protect the head/neck of the top
person.
2. The bases/spotters must maintain
contact with the top person’s upper body (waist and above, which may include
arms/hands) until the top person is no longer inverted or his/her hands are on
the performing surface. The contact must be sufficient to
stabilize/control the top person’s position.
EXCEPTION: In a foldover stunt,
the top person may initiate the inversion without upper body
contact.
3. The top person must not go directly
to an inverted position on the performing surface from a prep level or higher.
f. When the stunt begins in an inversion and
goes to a non-inverted position, the upper body contact may be released before
the top person is no longer inverted.
g. Dismounts from inverted stunts to a cradle or an upright
position on the performing surface are permitted provided the top person begins
in a static or “pump and go” position (i.e., handstand) and does not
perform any skill (e.g., toe touches, twists, etc.)does no more than a
one-quarter turn. Dismounts to the performing surface from shoulder height
or above must follow Rule *2-9-2.
*2-6-3 Also Rule 4: ART. 3 (NEW) . . . A
participant must not jump unassisted onto the back of a base who is in a
horizontal position.
*2-6-4: ART. 3 4 . . In
pyramids where one static extended stunt braces another static extended stunt
the connection must be hand/arm to hand/arm.
*2-7-2 New b: ART 2 . . .In all release stunts
and tosses:
b. (new) The top person must
not land in an inverted position.
*2-7-4: ART 4 (NEW) . . . A switch liberty is
permitted as an exception to Art *2-7-2 and *2-7-3
*2-7-5b: ART. 5 . . . Release transitions are permitted
provided all of the following conditions are met throughout the transition:
b. The top person maintains hand-to-hand/arm contact with
at least one bracer except for the following:
1. A non-braced top
person in a vertical position at prep level may be released to a stunt at any
level provided the top person remains vertical.
2. A non-braced top
person in a cradle position or horizontal position at prep level or below may
be released to a loading position or stunt prep level or below.
2-7-8: Delete ART 8 . . . A top person in a
flatback position shoulder height or below or in a cradle may be released to a
loading position or stunt shoulder height or below.
*2-7-11: ART. 11 . . . (NEW) A quick toss is
permitted.
*2-8-2: ART 2 . . .Non-braced suspended splits that
originate from or pass through prep level or above are permitted provided …”:
a. …At least four three bases slow
the momentum of the top person.
b. The top person has both hands in contact with a base(s) once
she reaches the full split position.
c. At least three two of the bases
support under the top person’s legs, and the fourththird base
may support under the legs or be in contact with the top person’s hands.
*2-9-3: Dismounts to the performing surface from shoulder
height or above that involve a skill (e.g. toe touch, twist, etc.) require assistance
from two bases or a base and a spotter. Assistance is required
from at least one base or spotter. This assistance must be sufficient
to slow the momentum of the top person.
*2-12 (NEW): SECTION 12 (NEW)
CHEERING ON PROPS AS BASES
ART. 1 . . .The height of the prop must not exceed 3 feet.
ART. 2 . . .Jumps and/or stunts are not permitted on props.
(NEW) Rule 4: The following stunts and
releases will not be permitted in Dance/Drill/Pom.
ART. Stunts/lifts in which base(s) support(s) an extended top
person under the foot/feet.
ART. Tosses.
ART. Braced release stunts and braced release transitions
ART. Braced flips
ART. Switch Liberties
ART. Single base stunts in which the base is the only primary
support for two extended top persons
ART. Single base stunts in which the base uses only one arm to
support an extended top person.
Note: These restrictions are intended to minimize risk for
high school dancers who are generally not properly trained to execute higher
level stunts, releases and inversions that require lead-up skills and
progressions.
*3-1-5b: Art. 5…Dance, drill and pom teams must wear
footwear that is appropriate for the activity.
a. At minimum footwear must cover the ball of the foot.
EXCEPTION: Dancers who perform on a floor cover may be
barefoot.
b. Footwear that covers the entire foot /feet with
non-slip soles must be worn for the following.
1. Stunts/lifts at prep level or above
in which the top person’s foot/feet are in the hand(s) of a base(s).
2. Airborne tumbling with the
exception of front and side aerials
3-7 Delete Section: SECTION 7 – ASSISTED INVERTED
FLOOR SKILLS
(Note: This section is no longer needed; inversion rules apply)
