DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

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1 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY EUROPE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, EUROPE UNIT APO AE AKS-1513 MEMORANDUM FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTORS THROUGH: PRINCIPAL SUBJECT: Cheer Guidelines - School Year Attached is important information that your cheer coaches will need in preparation for the fall and winter cheer season. Please insure that any applicable forms meet the required suspense date. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Seadore at DSN or civilian ( ). Attachment: As stated Original Signed By Karen Seadore ISS Athletics Cheer Guidelines 1

2 CHEERLEADING GUIDELINES Table of Contents 1. Rules A. Rulebook B. DoDEA-Europe Rules C. Appropriate Attire & Uniforms D. Appropriate Performance Surfaces E. Practice Times 2. Eligibility 3. Good Sportsmanship 4. Winter Season Rule Highlights 5. Winter Cheerleading Tournament & Competition A. Spirit Award & All-Tournament Cheerleaders B. Cheerleading Competition 6. All-Europe Cheerleader Selection 7. Centrally Funded Travel 8. DoDEA-Europe Athletic Rules 9. Attachments Cheer Guidelines 2

3 DoDEA-Europe Cheerleading Guidelines Rules A. Official Rules and safety for cheering will be in accordance with the National Federation High School Spirit Rule Book. Copies of these rule books have been sent to the Athletic Directors at each school. Coaches can purchase/download an electronic copy of the spirit rules at various sites on the internet. If any coach is in need of a rule book, please have your AD the DoDEA-Europe Athletic Director ASAP. While some of the NFHS Rules are highlighted within these guidelines, coaches are expected to have a copy of and be familiar with all of the rules in the NFHS Spirit Rule Book. For your reference, AACCA Safety rules are included as attachment #2. Another good source to review to increase safety awareness in cheer is: Note: NFHS and AACCA are very closely aligned, however, in the event of a difference, NFHS rules will be followed. B. DoDEA-Europe Rules 1. Varsity cheerleaders are authorized in the fall and winter seasons. The seasons are separate and cheerleaders selected in the fall are not automatically on the winter squad. Tryouts should be held for both the fall and winter squads. 2. Cheerleading coaches are encouraged to evaluate and select their squad consistent with all other sport coaches. Documentation should always be available if questions are raised about the selections. 3. The winter season varsity cheerleading team will serve as the competition team for their school. Schools are not authorized to have a separate competition team. The varsity cheerleaders are required to cheer for both the girls and boys varsity basketball teams and if a JV team is selected they would cheer for the JV basketball teams. 4. Junior varsity cheerleaders are also authorized when the school has junior varsity football/basketball teams. If your school does not have JV teams, then there should not be a JV cheer team. Junior Varsity cheerleaders are not authorized to travel to away games. 5. Cheerleaders may earn varsity/junior varsity athletic letters in the fall and the winter season. 6. Division I-II schools are authorized 12 varsity cheerleaders. Division III schools are authorized 10 varsity cheerleaders. A school mascot is also authorized for the regular season. Junior Varsity cheerleading programs are authorized the same number of cheerleaders as listed above. Alternates may be selected but they are only authorized to substitute for another cheerleader on the sideline or at half-time. 7. Space will determine the number of cheerleaders on the sidelines at each site. The maximum number will never exceed 12/10, (12- D I & II; 10-DIII) cheerleaders and 1 mascot. (Principals, Athletic Directors, and local officials should determine a safe number that can cheer on the sideline during games at their site.) Cheer Guidelines 3

4 C. Appropriate Attire & Uniforms Cheerleaders and coaches must be familiar with NFHS Rule 3, Section 1 Apparel/Accessories. The list below contains just a few highlights. 1. Cheerleaders cannot wear watches, jewelry, or any piercings (no fish line or spacers are permitted). **Hair ties around the wrist are illegal when stunting and tumbling.* 2. Fingernails must be kept short. 3. Hair must be secured. NFHS Spirit Rule Situation B Comment States: Hair must be worn in a manner that does not interfere with the safe execution of stunting or tumbling. Long hair that is not secured or that restricts vision presents significant risk during partner stunts, pyramids, tosses and airborne tumbling. 4. Every attempt should be made to have each member of the squad wear a team uniform. Teams are expected to wear the school uniform in school colors for all facets of the European competition (sideline and Saturday competition). 5. All uniforms should be appropriate for the weather conditions and audience and meet all school dress codes. In extreme temperatures or wet weather, the uniform must be appropriately modified. 6. NFHS Spirit Rule states that glitter on cheerleaders or on unlaminated/unsealed signs/props is prohibited! This rule will be firmly enforced. Glitter or any other substance that can come off onto the floor or mats will not be tolerated. D. Appropriate Performance Surfaces 1. When cheering outside at a Football game, weather must be taken into consideration. It is illegal to execute stunts or tumble when the track/grass/turf is wet or icy. 2. The following skills may only be executed (during practices, games, or a performance) on grass, a rubberized track, or a mat: a basket toss, one arm single base stunt, or twisting tumbling is practiced or executed. (NFHS Rules: , 3.5.3, 3.8.6) E. Practice Times Cheer coaches must follow the standard times for practice just as any other sport. The IAP outlines what is acceptable as stated below. If a team is practicing on a game day, then the game will replace one of the two hour practices. Teams in violation will forfeit their right to participate in the post season competition. Coaches may not hold more than two practices a day. If two practices are held, they shall not exceed more than two hours each and must be separated by two hours of non- practice time Cheer Guidelines 4

5 2. Eligibility A. All members of the cheerleading team, including managers, must meet the academic eligibility. It is the responsibility of the head coach and athletic director to insure that no member of the cheerleading team participates if she/he is ineligible. B. Only students in grades 9th-12th are eligible for Varsity or Junior Varsity participation. Students in grades 7 and 8 are not authorized to participate in practice or games 3. Good Sportsmanship Both DoDEA-Europe and NFHS Spirit Rules require all cheerleaders and coaches to demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the court. NFHS Rule explicitly states: A participant, coach, substitute, trainer or other team attendant must not commit an unsporting act. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as: a) Disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a manner as to indicate resentment. b) Using profane or inappropriate language, music or gestures. c) Baiting or taunting an opponent. Examples of this behavior include: Cheering or encouraging the crowd to cheer during free-throws Having a tumble off with opposing cheerleaders Taunting any cheerleader from the stands Cheerleaders reported as demonstrating un-sportsman-like conduct will forfeit the right to be considered for All-Tournament and/or All-Europe recognition. Teams may be excluded from the consideration for the Spirit Award. All cheers and actions of cheerleaders should be in support of their team. Cheerleaders can be game changers when increasing the energy and spirit of the crowd in a positive manner Cheer Guidelines 5

6 4. Winter Season Rule Highlights 1. During the regular season, appropriate mats, if available, may be used during halftime and quarter performances, if doing so does not interfere with the game s progress. A delay caused by using mats for these performances will not be tolerated. 2. When the ball is in play, cheerleaders cannot stunt or tumble on the sidelines. 3. During a 30 second timeout, cheerleaders are not to enter the court. (NFHS Spirit Rule: ) Cheerleaders may cheer on the court during a full timeout and during the breaks between quarters; however they must be clear of the court when it is time to resume the game. 4. Important Safety Rule: Cheerleaders must not stand/cheer behind the basket in the free throw lane. (NFHS Spirit Rule: ) See diagram to the right. 5. Winter Cheerleading Tournament & Competition A. DoDEA-Europe Spirit Award (Awarded to 1 team per Division) & All-Tournament Cheerleader Selections (12 from DI/DII and 10 from DIII) - Judging takes place during games and half-times during the first 2 days of the tournament. See attachment 3 for specific details. B. DoDEA-Europe Cheerleading Competition 2:15-2:30 minute routine performed on a matted surface (max 90 seconds of music). See attachment 4 for specific details. 6. All-Europe Cheerleader Selections - See attachment 5 for details. 1. Video Tryouts Each candidate will be recorded performing the skills required for the All-Europe Tryouts. 2. Nomination Form Each coach must submit the nomination form for the cheerleaders who completed a tryout. Both the video tryout and nomination form are required for each candidate. 3. Judging The tryouts will be judged by a panel of judges and final selections will be announced in March. 4. Awards 12 Cheerleaders selected each to the 1 st Team and 2 nd Team, for a total of 24 cheerleaders Cheer Guidelines 6

7 7. Centrally Funded Travel Regular Season Games: When a school is authorized 2 busses for travel for football or basketball, varsity cheerleaders can travel. When only one bus is authorized, varsity cheerleaders may travel on a space available basis as determined by local administration. Cheerleaders are not authorized to fly for regular season games. Football Europeans: If a football team participates in the championship game and is traveling by bus, cheerleaders are authorized to travel. If the football team is flying, a cost analysis must be completed to determine if funding is available. Basketball & Cheerleading Europeans: All cheer teams will travel with their basketball teams to the DoDEA-Europe Basketball & Cheer Championships. The maximum number of persons traveling and permitted entry into the Championships is as follows: Div I-II: 12 Cheerleaders and 2 Adults; 1 of the adults must be the DoDEA person. Div III: 10 Cheerleaders and 2 Adults; 1 of the adults must be the DoDEA person. Students cannot be substituted for the adults. JV Cheerleaders and School Mascots do not travel. There are no exceptions. Schools violating this policy will be sanctioned. 8. DoDEA-Europe Athletic Rules A. Player participation at practice and games: Any athlete or team participating in the DoDEA Interscholastic Athletic Program is expected to participate in all DoDEA scheduled events and practices for the sport in which he/she participates. Participating in a non-dodea event, in lieu of a scheduled DoDEA practice or match is not permitted. Any athlete or team who misses a practice or match because of a non-dodea athletic activity loses the privilege of continued participation for that season. B. Controlled Substance Policy (1) Controlled Substance Policy See IAP Dated August 2016 (2) Coaches/sponsors and/or volunteers will not possess, use and/or consume alcoholic beverages on athletic trips while in a supervisory role. Therefore, from the time of departure from the school, until the return to the school, consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.. (3) DoDEA faculty, sponsors, and volunteers may not smoke in the presence of students. (4) All students to include those in the International schools who participate in the DoDEA-Europe athletic program will be subject to this policy Cheer Guidelines 7

8 9. Attachments Attachment 1 Corrections to NFHS Spirit Rules Book NFHS Rule Corrections Attachment 2 Summary of AACCA Cheerleading Safety AACCA Attachment 3 Spirit Award & All-Tournament Cheerleader Information Attachment 4 Saturday Cheerleading Competition Attachment 5 All-Europe Cheerleader Selections Information Karen Seadore, CAA DoDEA-Europe Directors Office ISS Athletics DSN: CIV: Outside Germany: Cell: Cheer Guidelines 8

9 Attachment 3 SPIRIT AWARD & ALL-TOURNAMENT CHEERLEADERS 1. SPIRIT AWARD: This award will be presented to one team of each division showing the best balance of technique, spirit, enthusiasm, and crowd effectiveness. A panel of judges from the European Cheerleading Committee will judge the teams at one game during the tournament. A schedule of judging locations will be provided closer to the tournament. A. All cheerleading teams are expected to cheer a minimum of 2 games per day. Judging of teams will be at one of the games on the scheduled day, but behavior and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the tournament will be considered in the judging of the spirit award. B. All teams are expected to follow the game schedule for the assigned venue on judging day. Failure to be at the stated location may result in elimination of your team for the Spirit Award. C. Please pre-test your music for half-time between games. NOTE: It is highly recommended that ipods are used, not all gyms will have CD players. D. Quarter cheers: visitor after 1 st quarter; home after 3 rd quarter Half-time--- visitor performs first, home performs second NOTE: Time is short, as basketball teams need warm-up time. Your team must be aready to take the floor for halftime performances IMMEDIATELY following the whistle to end play after the first half. During the tournament pool games for the basketball teams, the half time is 5 minutes in length. It is critical that cheer teams not use the full 5 minutes. E. Stunts that require mats must always be matted, no exceptions. Mats are not permitted to be used during the tournament basketball games. Prepare your halftimes and other performances accordingly! F. Safety Violations: Your team may be disqualified from the Spirit Award competition in the event that severe and/or repeated safety/rule violations are observed by the tournament judges. 2. ALL-TOURNAMENT CHEERLEADERS: Cheerleaders from each division (12 from DI/DII and 10 from DIII) will be selected using a combination of coach nominations and a panel of judges from the European Cheerleading Committee. These cheerleaders will be selected based on demonstrated skills and crowd effectiveness while at the tournament. 3. DRAFT SCORE SHEET: Any changes to the score sheets that will be used for the Spirit Award will be ed to all coaches/schools no later than January. It is recommended that you have these score sheets in mind when planning your quarter and halftime performances. DRAFT Spirit Award Score Sheet 4. AWARDS: The Spirit Award and All-Tournament Cheerleader Awards will be presented at the awards ceremony after the Cheerleading Competition Cheer Guidelines 9

10 CHEERLEADING COMPETITION Attachment 4 1. PURPOSE: The purpose of the DoDEA Cheerleading Championships is to develop leadership, confidence, and skill among participants in the cheerleading program. The competition rules are defined to insure a safe environment for all competitors. Safety is our primary consideration! The National High School Federation Spirit Rules is the adopted rulebook for DoDEA-Europe and adherence to the rules, as outlined, is essential during all cheerleading activities. 2. PARTICIPANTS: All DoDEA schools and International Schools who participate in the DoDEA-Europe winter sports basketball leagues are eligible for this competition. Each Varsity team will be allowed a maximum of 12 for Div. I & II, 10 for Div III, members to include both males and females on the floor during their competition routine. 3. RULE BOOKS: Teams are expected to follow the safety regulations as outlined in the National High School Federation Spirit Rule Book. Violations will earn penalties toward the team score. A team may be asked to leave the performance floor if the violation is severe. IMPORTANT: If a coach is unsure of the legality of a stunt, a video of the stunt can be ed to Jim Lord of AACCA for a legality ruling. He will evaluate the stunt according to NFHS and AACCA : jimlord@aacca.org (Please bring any s on these rulings with you to the competition.) NOTE: The DoDEA-Europe Director s Office representative reserves the right to disqualify any team who is unable to follow the safety rules and competition regulations set forth. 4. TIME LIMITS FOR COMPETITION: Each Varsity team will perform one combination routine lasting a maximum of 2:30 minutes, but not less than 2:15 within which will be a maximum of 1 ½ minutes (90 seconds) of music (can be split into several segments or played as one 90 second segment). Teams can arrange their routine in any order of dance, tumbling, stunting, and cheering providing that the time limits stated above are adhered to and all members begin with both feet on the ground. Note: The music segment(s) must not exceed a cumulative time of 90 seconds. 5. VIOLATION IN TIME REQUIREMENTS: Timing will begin with the first motion, movement, or sound. An additional stopwatch will be active while the music or taped production is being broadcast to ensure teams remain with the required the music segment. Any team going over or under the time requirement will be assessed a penalty. Because of the severity of the penalty, it is suggested that coaches keep the routine well within the time limit. Teams are allowed to set up the area by placing poms and spirit materials. After arranging their items, they must come to a complete stop before the routine and timing starts. (Spiriting on/off the competition area is allowed, but it will not be scored or timed.) Cheer Guidelines 10

11 Attachment 4 6. COMPETITION AREA: Participants must begin their routines within the competition area and with both feet on the ground. They may line up in any manner inside this area. The competition area will be confined to 7 strips of joined regulation cheer mats. (42 x 42 ). 7. BUILDING ROUTINES: Routines should be choreographed so that the routine flows from one segment to another without interruption. Stunting, tumbling, and jumps are permitted and encouraged in all segments. 8. INTERRUPTIONS: If the routine is interrupted, the judges will invoke the following : A. If the interruption is caused by a facility failure or by personnel managing the competition, the squad will be allowed to repeat the entire routine. B. If the interruption is due to the squad s equipment or injury, the squad must either continue the routine or withdraw from the competition. Officials reserve the right to stop the routine if an injury occurs. 9. LOTTERY FOR ORDER OF COMPETITION: A lottery system will be used to determine the order of competition. This random lottery will occur at the area level with the European Athletic Director and several members of the tournament staff. 10. USE OF PROPS: Props, signs, and megaphones are permitted, but not required. However, any prop, including flags, signs, poms, megaphones, or any item used as a prop that becomes a safety hazard will result in penalty assessed by the rules judge. 11. FLOOR SPOTTERS: Floor spotters will be hired by the DoDEA-Europe Cheerleading Committee. Use of floor spotters for all teams at the European Competition is mandatory. Floor spotters will also be present for the scheduled mat run through prior to competition. 12. DRAFT SCORE SHEETS: Any changes in the score sheets or rubric that will be used by the judges at the competition will be ed to schools/coaches. Consider reviewing the score sheets and rubric while choreographing the competition routine. DRAFT Saturday Competition Draft Competition Rubric Draft Rules Deduction 13. SCORING: The total score will be calculated by adding the points from each judge and subtracting the assessed penalties. Score sheets will be sent via to all participating schools during the week following the competition. 14. COACHING RESTRICTIONS: Coaches are not authorized to be in the vicinity of the judges table during the competition routines and scoring period. 15. AWARDS: The top three teams in each division will receive a team plaque. Depending on time, the awards will either be given immediately following the competition or during the halftime of the basketball game following the competition Cheer Guidelines 11

12 16. PRACTICE TIMES: Attachment 4 Optional - Open Gym: The competition mats will be set up at a gym in the tournament area. This gym will be open to cheerleaders and their coaches ONLY. A schedule of open hours will be provided. Open gym time must be adult supervised DoDEA cheer coach must be on site! Time is limited to 20 minutes if other teams are waiting to use the floor. Only members listed on the cheer travel roster are authorized to enter the gym. Teams may not use the Open Gym in lieu of cheering for their basketball teams. Use of the gym is during free time only. No basketball players or other spectators may enter. No food or drinks allowed. Teams are expected to keep the facility clean! If at any time the facility or times allotted are abused, or if other problems/issues arise, the gym will be locked for the remainder of the tournament. Required - Official Mat run-through: Each team will be assigned one (1) 15 minute official practice run-through prior to the competition. (The actual dates and times will be sent prior to the championships.) If you are not cheering and would like to observe other teams competition routines, you may do so. Only the individuals listed on your cheerleading travel roster will be permitted into the gym during mat run-throughs. Parents, basketball players and other spectators are not authorized to be in the facility. No one will be permitted to move around or make noise when a team is on the mat. A designated tournament representative will be responsible for ensuring that teams do not exceed the time allowed. All teams will do their routine at least once in its entirety, including stunts. This will allow the floor spotters to assess each team s ability and level of stunting difficulty. You must be at the gym 15 minutes prior to your scheduled run-through. Failure to be at the location will result in forfeiture of your run-through time. Competition Day: There will be an open warm up session prior to competition. Teams are encouraged to stay together and be respectful of all other teams present. The mat area will have to be shared. Additionally, there will be space to warm-up outside of the competition area. Each team will have time in this area prior to entering the competition floor Cheer Guidelines 12

13 Attachment 5 ALL-EUROPE CHEERLEADING SELECTIONS 1. ALL EUROPE CHEERLEADERS: 12 All-Europe Cheerleaders are selected for the All Europe 1st team and 12 are selected for the 2nd team based on overall skill level and team performance for the season. These individual awards go to the top 24 cheerleaders across divisions that are nominated by their coaches. Each team may nominate a maximum of 5 cheerleaders. However, coaches should be discerning in making their nominations and only the absolute best cheerleaders should be nominated. If you do not have anyone outstanding it is perfectly acceptable to not nominate anyone. The question coaches should ask themselves is: Does the cheerleader have the skills and abilities of the top 24 cheerleaders in Europe? 2. VIDEO TRYOUT A. When: A video of the cheerleader performing the established requirements will be taken during the European Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament. A schedule showing available times will be published closer to the tournament. B. Where: Tony Bass Gym on Clay Kaserne. This is the Open Gym where mat runthroughs are done and where they were held last year. It is a short walk from the main fitness center. C. Tryout Video Details: Cheerleaders must be prepared to perform all skills in one take. If they are unhappy with their initial performance, they may opt to have a re-take. The second video, if they choose to re-shoot their tryout, will be the one scored. The initial performance will be erased. D. Required Skills: Subject to change! Cheer the required cheer will be available no later than January 15, 2015 Jumps - a toe touch and other two best jump Stunting - One stunt sequence (load, execute, dismount) Standing Tumbling one skill/series Running Tumbling one tumbling pass Dance the required dance will be available no later than January 15, 2015 Note: The tryout should move smoothly from skill to skill. Energy and spirit should be demonstrated throughout the video. E. Attire: Cheerleaders trying out for All Europe and their entire stunt group will be required to wear a plain white shirt with dark colored shorts (preferably black). NO uniforms or other school indicators will be worn during the tryouts. The mascot, team colors, and school name will be uniform for all performances as demonstrated in the instructional video Cheer Guidelines 13

14 Attachment 5 F. DRAFT Scoring: Each video will be scored using the following rubric by a panel of DoDEA cheer coaches. Draft All Europe Rubric 3. NOMINATION FORM Coaches will complete a nomination form for each candidate that completes a video tryout for All-Europe. These forms should be submitted to a member of the tournament committee at the tournament after the completion of the video tryout All-Europe Cheerleader Nominati Cheer Guidelines 14