2013-14 nfhs spirit rule revisions

National Federation of StateHigh School Associations

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

2013-14 NFHS Spirit Rule Revisions

Major Rules ChangesMajor Editorial Changes

Points of Emphasis




Major Rules Changes

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Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 1Revised Definition

Bracer – A top person who stabilizes and/or assists another top person.

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Cradle – A dismount from a partner stunt, pyramid or toss in which the catch is completed below shoulder height by a base or bases with the top person in a face-up open-pike position.

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Extended Stunt/Position – The supporting hand(s) of the base(s) is/are above the head.

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Log Roll – A top person in a horizontal position or a cradle is popped then twists parallel to the performing surface before being caught by the original base(s) in a horizontal position or a cradle.

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Release Transition/Release Pyramid Transition – A top person changes from one stunt to another (including loading positions) during a temporary loss of physical contact with his/her base(s).

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Suspended Roll/Flip – A stunt in which a person is assisted by bases or posts while performing continuous foot-over-head rotation.

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Rule 1New Definition

Downward Inversion – A stunt or pyramid in which an inverted top person’s center of gravity moves toward the performing surface.

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Loading Position/Load – Bases support a non-extended top person under the foot-feet in preparation for a stunt or toss.

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Open-Pike Position – Legs are straight and hips are bent approximately halfway between a full pike position and a full layout position.

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Rule 2-4-1 ART. 1 . . . A base must not:

• b. Hold objects in a hand that is supporting a top person.

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Rule 2-4-1b

Illegal Legal Illegal

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Rule 2-4-3 A bracer must not provide primary support for

a top person.

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Rule 2-4-7 A spotter is required for stunts in which the

supporting hand(s) of the base(s) is (are) above the head, except for the following:

i. Extended triple-base straddle sit provided the top person has both hands in contact with a post.

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Rule 2-4-7

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-2 a

ART. 2 . . . A top person may be inverted in partner stunts in which the base of support remains below an extended position provided that: a. In a downward inversion:

1. Two bases (original or new) are in a position to

protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person.

2. These bases must maintain contact with the top person’s

upper body (waist or above, including arms) until the top

person is no longer inverted or his/her hands are on the

performance surface.

3. The top person cannot go to an inverted position on the

performance surface from a prep position or higher.

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1 Rule 2-5-2 a 2

3 4

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-2 b

ART 2 . . . A top person may be inverted in partner stunts in which the base of support remains below an extended position provided that:

b. When a top person is inverted at or passing through shoulder level:

1. At least one base must be in a position to protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person.

2. This base must maintain contact with the top person’s upper body (waist or above, including arms) until the top person is no longer inverted. 3. An additional spotter must be in a position to protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person. This person may assist but is not required to maintain constant contact.

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Rule 2-5-2 b

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-2 c

ART. 2 . . . A top person may be inverted in partner stunts in which the base of support remains below an extended position provided that:

c. In all other inversions, including those coming from the performing surface:

1. At least one base or spotter is in a position to protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top

person. 2. This base or spotter must maintain contact

with the top person’s upper body (waist or above, including arms) until the top person is no longer inverted.

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Rule 2-5-2 c

Legal

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Rule 2-5-2 c 1 2 3

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-2 c

1 2

Legal

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Rule 2-5-2 c 1 2 3

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-3

ART. 3 . . . Suspended forward and backward rolls/flips are permitted provided the following conditions are met:

a. The top person begins on the performing surface or in a stunt shoulder height or below.

b. Two bases or two posts control the top person in suspended forward or backward rolls with continuous hand-to-hand/arm contact to a stunt, two-person cradle, loading position or the performing surface.

Exception: One base or post may control the top person in a suspended forward roll/flip with continuous hands-to-hands contact to a two- person cradle.

c. During the roll/flip, the feet of the top person must be released.

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Rule 2-5-3 1 2 3

Legal

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Rule 2-5-3 1 2 3

Legal

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Rule 2-5-3 1 2 3

Legal

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Rule 2-5-3 1 2 3

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-4 a & b

ART. 4 . . . Braced forward or backward flips in a pyramid are allowed provided all the following conditions are met:

a. The top person begins in a multi-base loading position, stunt, cradle or on the performing surface. b. The top person maintains continuous

hand-to-hand/arm contact with a bracer on each side. The bracers are in preps with a spotter (no shoulder-stand, shoulder-sit or thigh-stand bracers). The top person is between or in front of the bracers.

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-4 c & d

ART. 4 . . . Braced forward or backward flips in a pyramid are allowed provided all the following conditions are met:

c. At least three catchers (one base and two spotters or two bases and one spotter) who were the original bases/spotters catch the top person in a loading position, stunt or cradle, or assist the top person to the performing surface. If the flip ends in a cradle, the bracers may release the top person once she/he begins to descend and is no longer inverted.

d. The top person ends in a non-inverted position.

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Rule 2-5-4 e & f ART. 4 . . . Braced forward or backward flips

in a pyramid are allowed provided all the following conditions are met:

e. The top person does not perform more than one and one quarter (1¼) flipping rotations and does not twist.f. The bases/catchers remain stationary except as necessary for safety adjustments.

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Rule 2-5-4 1 2 3

Legal

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Rule 2-5-4 1 2 3

Legal

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Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-6-4

A top person may be moved from a vertical position to face-up or face-down horizontal position (straight body or cradle) provided all the following conditions are met:

a. The top person maintains contact with at least one original base or spotter.

b. At least two catchers and/or bases catch the upper body of the top person.

c. The catchers must be to the side or front of the person(s) moving the top person.

d. When the catchers are not the original bases, they remain close to the original bases and are in place prior to the movement to the horizontal position.

e. When the catchers are not the original bases and the top person begins or passes through an extended overhead position, three catchers are required.

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Rule 2-6-4 1 2

Legal

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Rule 2-6-4 1 2

Illegal

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Rule 2-6-4 1 2 3

Legal

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Rule 2-7-1 a NEWART. 1 . . . In all release stunts and tosses:

a. The top person must be braced or cradled except in a quick toss, helicopter or log roll or when a top person in a cradle or horizontal position is at shoulder level or below.

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Rule 2-7-6 b & cb. In a multi-base log roll, the top person may begin and end in a face-up or face-down position.

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Rule 2-7-7 bART. 7 . . . Release transitions are legal 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. Exception: A multi-base non braced (free standing) tick tock that begins at shoulder level is permitted.

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Rule 2-7-10 New The previous rule 2-7-10 was deleted as it is

no longer necessary. The following was added as the new rule 2-7-10:

ART. 10 . . . A top person in a horizontal position shoulder height or below or in a cradle may be released to a loading position or stunt shoulder height or below.

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Rule 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 spotter. This assistance must be sufficient to slow the momentum of the top person.

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Rule 2-9-3 1 2 3

Legal

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Rule 2-10-2 Tumbling while holding props is illegal except

for a forward roll, backward roll or holding pom(s) in the free hand during a one-hand cartwheel.




Major Editorial Rules Changes

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Major Editorial Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-1-15

ART 15 . . . Each state association may, in keeping with applicable laws, authorize exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs, as well as those individuals with unique and extenuating circumstances. The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.

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Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-9-10 g In cradle dismounts where a bracer is

involved after the bases release the top person, all the following conditions must be met:

g. Bases and bracers remain in place during the dismount.




Points of Emphasis

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2013-14 Points of Emphasis

Points of Emphasis highlight the major rules changes and emphasize other rules for which additional clarification may be needed.

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Application of NFHS Spirit Rules Book – The spirit rules book provides rules and safety limitations that should be followed by all cheerleading/dance/drill/pom and other spirit teams that stunt, tumble or use props as a base. Dance/drill/pom and other spirit teams that stunt, tumble, or use props as a base must follow the appropriate safety limitations in Rule 2 and Rule 3. Cheerleading or other spirit teams that use props as a base must follow the appropriate safety limitations in Rule 3.

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2013-14 Points of Emphasis Coaches’ Responsibility: Minimizing Risk – Risk minimization for

participants must be the primary objective for all sprit coaches. Cheerleaders should be placed under the direction of a qualified and knowledgeable coach who can recognize a squad’s particular ability level and limit their activities accordingly. “Ability level” refers to the squad’s talents as a whole. Programs should qualify cheerleaders according to generally accepted teaching progressions. The NFHS skills and techniques of stunts appropriate for the abilities of the cheerleaders must be perfected before advancing to the next level. Only those skills mastered in practice and consistently executed correctly should be performed in public. Additionally, coaches should ensure that cheerleaders are thoroughly trained in proper spotting techniques and receive appropriate training before attempting any form of cheerleading gymnastics. Coaches should also provide a comprehensive conditioning and strength-building program to ensure optimum fitness for their athletes.

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Coaches’ Responsibility: Education – Coaches have a professional responsibility to read and fully comprehend the entire NFHS Spirit Rules Book. It is vital that coaches fully understand all rules in order to correctly teach the appropriate skills to their athletes. It is also the coaches’ responsibility to educate their student-athletes so they are aware of the rule changes. In addition, coaches are expected to be advocates for and models of good sportsmanship and follow all rules as written.

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Overuse Injuries – Overuse injuries are a common problem characterized by irritation to a body part. Cutting back on the intensity, duration and frequency of specific activities/skills will help to minimize the potential for overuse injuries to athletes. Headstands, headspring flips, back handsprings, or jumps are examples of skills that have the potential for injury due to overuse.

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2013-14 Points of EmphasisConcussions – The understanding of sports related concussions has evolved dramatically in recent years. We have learned that young athletes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion. An athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from participation and shall not resume participation until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. Look to your state high school association and the NFHS for education regarding prevention and treatment of concussions.

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2013-14 Points of EmphasisPerformance surfaces and areas – The rules specify that “Performance surfaces and areas must be suitable for spirit activities and reasonably free from objects and/or impediments.” Further, the rules state that “When discarding props that are made of hard material or have corners or sharp edges, team members must gently toss or place the props.” In some situations, discarded props and signs could increase the risk of injury should team members step on them. This is true for both competitive and non-competitive spirit activities. In competitive spirit activities, state associations or local competition administrators can provide information on deductions that may be taken for stepping on objects on the performance surface.

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2013-14 nfhs spirit rule revisions

Documents

revised definition cradle

revised definition bracer

revised definition log

phrase horizontal position

major revision

person changes

body position

hisher bases