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Safety Tips

Safety

There is nothing more important in cheerleading as the issue of safety.  With the advent of Google and YouTube, any and every one can go online and see new tricks and skills to perform. Unfortunately, they are not always being attempted by teams that have the skills or the knowledge to perform them safely.

As a spirit coach, our responsibility is to become familiar with the rules in our state.  In the state of Nevada, the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), Spirit Rules, governs cheerleaders.  We also have rules developed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) and the Nevada Spirit Coaches Association (NSCA).  A Spirit Director over-sees our programs and enforces these rules.  If a violation occurs, fines and restrictions are assessed.   It was not designed to limit our activity; it was meant for the safety of our athletes.  This being said, I know that each state is different in its requirements.  The state of California, for example, follows the rules developed by the American Association of Cheer Coaches and Administrators (AACCA).  The rules used to be quite different, but in the 2012 rule changes, they have become more streamlined in their requirements.

The coaches are the front line in the safety of the athletes.  We have a few guidelines that we MUST follow to ensure the safety of our athletes and our program.

Constant Supervision

According to a study by Live Science, cheerleading was the cause for 65% of all catastrophic injuries in girls over the past 25 years. It falls on the coach to make sure that the athletes know the rules and are following them.  Protecting them from unnecessary injuries will protect both the coach and the athlete.

Set Parameters

Make sure that the team understands that there is to be NO stunting or tumbling without a qualified coach present.  While cheerleaders may understand the stunt and how to perform it, they may not understand how to teach all parts of it.  The easy way to set guidelines is to establish a qualifying system. An example would be:  Before a squad can perform stunts or skills without spotters they would need to perform it 5 times without error.  Similarly, before they can learn skill 2, they must be cleared to perform skill 1.

Stay Current

Coaches need to be aware of the current trends in cheerleading stunts and tumbling.  Because of the differences in states, what you see being performed online, or at Nationals could be illegal where your team is.  Always check with your Athletic Director about your requirements.  Some states offer rules and stunt clinics to their coaches.  Find out who is in charge of these and get in contact with them.  If there isn’t any info, do the research yourself and know both the AACCA and NFHS rules. Keep copies of the rules with you at all practices, events and games.

Develop an Emergency Plan

Like a fire drill, an emergency plan is best when learned, practice and never used.  Just in case you do have an emergency, it is best if all members of the team know what to do.  Know who will be in charge of calling 9-1-1 and make sure that everyone knows what the address of your location is and where the emergency forms for the team are located.  It would also be a good idea to know what to do in case it is the coach that is injured.  The last important part of any emergency plan is to practice.  Have someone pretend to be injured and have the team practice what to do.  You may never have to use it, but if you do not have it in place, chaos can ensue.

The AACCA has developed a video to help with this:

Administrative Assessment

Your athletic director or athletic administrator should be asking these questions already, but if they are not you can make sure that you are prepared when they do.

The main purpose of our spirit program should be spirit and leadership.  Do we have a mission and purpose for our spirit squad in place and does it focus on leadership through spirit?

Do the squad members project an image consistent with the expectations of our school and athletic department?

Do the squad practices balance spirit and athleticism?  There should be equal if not more focus on developing spirit in the student body than competitions.

Are we allowing the squad adequate time to work on academics? Are we monitoring the academic progress and GPS’s of the spirit team? 

Does our program follow mandatory safety guidelines?  Are the coaches familiar with these guidelines?

Assessing Squad Ability

First, develop the stunt progressions that your team will follow.  Once they understand the progressions you need to assess their ability to perform the skills.  Listed is a checklist for coaches when allowing athletes to perform tasks.

1.     Strength- Is the athlete strong enough to perform the skill safely?

2.     Power- Does the athlete have enough power to perform the skill safely?

3.     Flexibility- Does the athlete have the flexibility to perform the skill safely?

4.     Freshness- Is the athlete tired?  Does the athlete have enough energy to perform the skill safely?

5.     Understand- Does the athlete understand the skill and how to perform the skill?

6.     Environment Conducive- Is the environment and the surroundings safe for performing the skill?  Example: not raining if outside, high ceilings for extended stunts, performing on mats, etc.

7.     Spotting- Does the athlete know and understand how to protect the participants if a skill fails?

When reading this list, some coaches will feel overwhelmed at the duties placed upon them.  I promise, the safety part of coaching gets easier.  Once the safety items are in place and you practice them, they become second nature.  Stick to it and make sure your team understands the expectations and punishments if the rules are not followed.  It is better to perform lower level skills perfectly at a game than to have limited skills because team members are sitting out with injuries!

NFHS Spirit Rules Changes 2016-17 (Posted April 27, 2016)

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)

NFHS announces New Rule Changes for 2016

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE

HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

 

NEWS RELEASE

New Rules for Dance Risk Minimization Among

High School Spirit Rules Changes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact: Susie Knoblauch

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 14, 2016) — Three new rules related to dance risk management were among the changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Spirit Rules Committee at its March 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis. 

The 10 rules changes for high school cheer, dance, drill and pom for the 2016-17 season were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. 

With a growing number of high school students competing in dance and drill, the Spirit Rules Committee reorganized the rules book for 2016-17 to include a separate rule for dance risk management.

“Dance is evolving and more high school dance participants are doing stunts that previously were only done by cheerleaders,” said Susie Knoblauch, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and editor of the NFHS Spirit Rules Book. “Separating the book into different sections for cheer and dance will give people a clearer idea of the stunts allowed in each area.”

In an effort to minimize risk for high school dancers, tosses will not be permitted. Knoblauch said high school dancers generally are not adequately prepared to executive higher-level releases such as tosses. 

In addition, two other stunts will not be permitted in an effort to minimize risk in high school dance. Stunts/lifts in which the bases support an extended top person under the feet will not be allowed, as well as braced release stunts, which includes release transitions and braced flips.

Among the changes in the cheer section of the Spirit Rules Book will be another new rule focused on risk minimization. Beginning next year, a participant shall not jump unassisted onto the back of a base who is in a horizontal position.

In addition to the aforementioned rules focused on risk minimization, the committee revised several rules to permit more creativity while not creating any additional risk for the participants. 

The committee removed the requirement for bracers of non-release, static stunts to be at shoulder height or below, and lower-level non-braced transitions will be permitted. In addition, bracers will be permitted on any side, including behind the top. Braced flips are allowed from a single base but still require two bracers in preps. 

Regarding braced inversions, the committee clarified that these stunts are legal when not braced. As such, two bracers are not necessary for non-flipping inversions. 

Finally, a new rule regarding cheering on props as bases was added. In response to a growing number of cheerleaders standing on boxes at football games to cheer, the committee approved two limitations when cheering on props. The height of the prop must not exceed 3 feet, and jumps and/or stunts are not permitted on props. 

A complete listing of all rules changes is available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page, and select “Spirit.”

According to the 2014-15 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, there were 125,763 girls involved in competitive spirit squads and about 40,000 in dance and drill programs. It is estimated that there are more than 400,000 participants overall in high school spirit programs, which includes sideline cheerleading. 

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