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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)

Spirit Regulations (Nevada Administrative Codes) from the NIAA Handbook

Spirit Squads

NAC 386.754  Compliance with Spirit Rules Book and applicable regulations; establishment of requirements for eligibility; sanctioning and nature of activities. (NRS 386.430)

1.  Each spirit squad shall comply with the provisions of the Spirit Rules Book of the National Federation of State High School Associations and any applicable regulations of the Association during any period in which the spirit squad participates in a competition or event that is sanctioned by the Association. 

2.  Each school district in this State may, for each school in the district, establish the requirements for eligibility for a pupil to become a member of the spirit squad of the school, including, without limitation, the requirements for academic eligibility for the pupil to become or remain a member of the spirit squad. 

3.  Any competition or other activity engaged in by a spirit squad: (a) Must be sanctioned by the Association pursuant to NAC 386.7547. (b) Is not a sanctioned sport for the purposes of NAC 386.600 to 386.886, inclusive. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R206-03, eff. 11-2-2004; A by R136-05, 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7541  Responsibilities of coach; duration of season; tryouts and selection for membership; activities between seasons. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  A school may require a coach of a spirit squad of the school to report to the athletic administrator or athletic director of the school concerning any activities of the spirit squad. The coach shall cooperate with each member of the administration of the school to promote sportsmanship and encourage school spirit and pride. 

2.  The season for a spirit squad of a school begins on the first day in which the football team of the school may begin noncontact practice pursuant to NAC 386.722. The spirit squad may not begin practice for the season before the first day of that noncontact practice. Each season for a spirit squad ends: (a) Upon the completion of the state tournament for basketball; or (b) Upon the expiration of 7 days after the completion of the state tournament for basketball, if the spirit squad participates in the state tournament for spirit squads. 

3.  A school may conduct tryouts for membership on a spirit squad of the school for not more than 5 consecutive days:

(a) Beginning on or after the date of completion of the state tournament for basketball for a school year and ending on the final day of that school year; or (b) Beginning on the first day of the season for the spirit squad for a school year beginning in August. 

4.  Each coach of a spirit squad of a school may select the members of the spirit squad in accordance with the procedures established by the coach for that purpose. 

5.  During any period that is not the season for a spirit squad for a school, a member of the spirit squad may engage in conditioning or participate in activities at a camp for spirit squads for not more than 15 days as determined by the school and the coach of the spirit squad. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7542  Number and membership of squads: Restrictions; authority of coach and school. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  Each school may establish not more than the following number of spirit squads to perform cheers or stunts: (a) One varsity spirit squad; (b) One junior varsity spirit squad; and (c) One freshman spirit squad. 

2.  Each varsity spirit squad that performs cheers or stunts must not exceed 20 members, not including the mascot for the school, each junior varsity spirit squad that performs cheers or stunts must not exceed 14 members and each freshman spirit squad that performs cheers or stunts must not exceed 12 members. The coach of each such spirit squad may determine the placement of each member on the spirit squad. 

3.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, a school may specify the number of members of a spirit squad that may perform during an event. If a spirit squad performs as a stunt, dance, drill or pom group and the spirit squad is combined with a spirit squad that performs cheers, the number of members of the combined spirit squad must not exceed 20 members. 

4.  The coach of a spirit squad of a school may, during any play-off game for football in which the school participates or for any performance conducted during the halftime of a football or basketball game in which the school participates, specify the number of members of the spirit squad who may perform during the play-off game or halftime. The coach shall not allow a pupil to engage in activities as a member of the varsity spirit squad, junior varsity spirit squad or freshman spirit squad pursuant to this subsection unless the pupil is a regular member of the spirit squad. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006)

NAC 386.7543  Separate tryouts for fall and winter seasons; separate squad to perform stunts. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  A school may conduct separate tryouts for spirit squads for the fall season and the winter season of a school year. The number of members of a spirit squad formed pursuant to this subsection must not exceed the number of members of the appropriate spirit squad specified in NAC 386.7542. 

2.  A school may establish a separate spirit squad to perform stunts during a season specified in subsection 1. The number of members of such a spirit squad must be included in the maximum number of members allowed for the spirit squad pursuant to NAC 386.7542. 

3.  The provisions of this section do not authorize a school to extend or limit the duration of seasons for spirit squads established pursuant to NAC 386.7541. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7544  Members of squads: Participation in sanctioned sports; participation in activities not sponsored by school. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  A pupil who is a member of a spirit squad at a school may participate in a sanctioned sport during the season for the spirit squad if the coach of the spirit squad and the principal of the school approve the participation of the pupil in the sanctioned sport. 

2.  A pupil who is a member of a spirit squad at a school: (a) Shall comply with the provisions of NAC 386.698; and (b) May not engage in an activity as a member of a spirit squad that is not sponsored by the school during the season for the spirit squad. The provisions of this subsection do not prohibit a pupil from engaging in practice or enrolling in a class relating to spirit squads during that season. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7545  Attendance of and participation in certain competitions and events prohibited unless sanctioned by Association. (NRS 386.430)  A spirit squad of a school shall not attend or participate in any of the following competitions or events unless the competition or event is sanctioned by the Association: 

1.  Any competition or event that is conducted in this State and is sponsored or cosponsored by an organization other than a member school; 

2.  Any competition or event that is conducted in this State and is sponsored by a member school, regardless of whether the competition or event includes a school from another state; or

3.  Any competition or event that: (a) Is conducted in another state; (b) Is attended by a member school; and (c) Is sponsored or cosponsored by: (1) A school that is a member of the authorized athletic association of the other state; or (2) An organization other than a school specified in subparagraph (1). 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7546  Conduct of and reference to competitions and events. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  Each school that sponsors or cosponsors a competition or event for spirit squads that is sanctioned by the Association shall ensure that the competition or event is conducted in accordance with: (a) The Spirit Rules Book of the National Federation of State High School Associations; (b) The rules of the school; and (c) The laws and regulations of the state in which the school sponsors or cosponsors the competition or event. 

2.  A school or organization that sponsors or cosponsors a competition or event for spirit squads that is sanctioned by the Association in this State shall not refer to the competition or event as a Nevada state competition. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7547  Application for sanctioning of competition or event: Requirements for submission; action on application; penalty for late submission. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  Each application for the sanctioning of a competition or event by the Association must be submitted on a form furnished by the Association. The application must: (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, be submitted to the Association not later than 30 days before the competition or event; and (b) Be accompanied by: (1) A copy of each regulation or rule applicable for conducting the competition or event; (2) Proof of liability insurance; (3) A list setting forth the name of each state, school or group that is invited to attend the competition or event; and (4) Any other information required by the Association.  

2.  As soon as practicable after receiving an application, the Executive Director or a person designated by the Executive Director shall review the application. As soon as practicable after approving or denying the application, the Association will submit a written notification of the approval or denial of the application to the applicant and each member school. If an applicant fails to submit the application within the period specified in subsection 1, and if the application is approved, the applicant must pay to the Association a penalty in the amount of $100. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006) 

NAC 386.7548  Attendance of or participation in competition or event: Ascertainment of sanctioning; penalty if not sanctioned; approval required; position of Association; prohibition; duty of coach. (NRS 386.430) 

1.  A school may determine whether the Association has sanctioned a competition or event by accessing the website of the Association at http://www.nevada.ihigh.com or http://www.niaa.com. 

2.  If a spirit squad of a school attends or participates in a competition or event that is not sanctioned by the Association, the Association may impose a penalty against the school in the amount of $500. 

3.  Before a spirit squad of a school may attend or participate in a competition or event that is sanctioned by the Association, the principal of the school or a designee thereof must approve the attendance or participation of the school in the competition or event. 

4.  The Association: (a) Encourages each school to authorize each spirit squad of the school to attend or participate in not more than three sanctioned competitions or events during the season for the spirit squad. (b) Does not require or encourage a school to attend or participate in any competition or event sanctioned by the Association. 

5.  A spirit squad of a school shall not participate in any competition for spirit squads that is conducted after the end of the season for the spirit squad established pursuant to NAC 386.7541. Each coach of a spirit squad shall ensure that the spirit squad complies with the provisions of subsection 1 of NAC 386.754. 

(Added to NAC by Nev. Interscholastic Activities Ass’n by R136-05, eff. 6-1-2006)