Cheerleading - Acrobatic

Transcription

1 Cheerleading - Acrobatic Elementary - Interschool 2017 Higher Risk Activity For Cheerleading Spirit/Dance, consult the page in the intramural module. Also consult the Gymnastics - General Procedures page. Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 1 of 7

2 Equipment A fully stocked first aid kit must be readily accessible. A working communication device (e.g., cell phone) must be accessible. Determine that all the equipment is safe for use. Mats are to be used during practice and competition warm-ups. Only use cross-link polyethylene foam cheer mats, 1 ¾ 2 in thickness. Where mats are used, they must: offer proper foot control and a safe surface; not move; be aligned so separation does not occur; and be regularly checked for wear and tears. Velcro connections on Velcro mats must be kept clean to provide maximum adhesion. Megaphone handles must be screwed in tightly, and burred edges must be trimmed or filed. The use of mini-trampolines, springboards, or any other height-increasing apparatus is prohibited for competition or performance. These devices may be used for skill development and practice under the supervision of a coach trained in their use. Only the following props are allowed: flags banners signs pom-poms megaphones Props with poles or similar support apparatus may not be used in conjunction with any stunt or tumbling. All the props must be safely cleared from the competition floor when not in use. Any electrical equipment used must be in good order and have wires taped to the floor or contained within walls. Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 2 of 7

3 Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery Appropriate clothing must be worn. (e.g., standard cheerleading uniforms - tops, bottoms, socks and shoes). No hats or sunglasses. Soft-soled shoes must be worn (e.g., aerobic-type running shoe with proper ankle and arch support and a simple tread). Jazz shoes, boots and gymnastics slippers are not allowed. Length and style of hair must not hinder vision or the progress of stunts. No jewellery. Outdoors Heavier sweatshirts and/or wind suits must be fitted No gloves or mitts permitted while stunting Facilities Determine that all facilities are safe for use. Activity surface and surrounding area must be free of all obstacles (e.g., tables, chairs), and must provide safe footing and traction. Hardwood gym floor, rubberized gym floor, spring-assisted floor, carpeted studio, grass track surfaces [allweather]) must be dry, flat and free of loose objects and obstacles, clothing, towels, and water bottles. Stunt cheerleading is not permitted on gravel or other loose surfaces, concrete, terrazzo or ice surfaces, or a school stage. Ground bound cheerleading is permitted on gravel or other loose surfaces, concrete and terrazzo surfaces. Competitions and Practices The floor must be marked so that perimeter and centre are highly visible. A safe, matted practice area must be provided for warm-ups. The ceiling height and above-head obstructions in performance area must not present a safety concern. A floor manager must be present to control warm-ups. Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 3 of 7

4 Special Rules/Instructions Be aware of students whose medical condition (e.g., asthma, anaphylaxis, casts, previous concussion, orthopaedic device) may affect participation (consult the Generic Section). Any student with a playing cast must provide a doctor s note or parent/guardian signed permission indicating it is safe for him/her to participate. Supports, braces and soft casts which are unaltered from the manufacturer s original design/production do not require any additional padding. Supports/braces that have been altered from the manufacturer s original design/production must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than one-half inch thick if the participant is involved in partner stunts, pyramids or tosses. A participant wearing a plaster cast or a walking boot must not be involved in partner stunts, pyramids or tosses. An exposed orthopaedic apparatus must be soft or padded and must be approved by the person in charge prior to the commencement of the activity. Parents/guardians must be made aware of any off-campus activity and the means of transportation used. Prior to participation students must receive training or information on concussion prevention and awareness specific to the activity, information on the possible risks of the activity and procedures and rules for safe play. Students must not participate in the activity until these instructions have been received. Fair play and rules of the sport must be taught and strictly enforced. An athlete s fitness level must be commensurate with the level of competition. Warm-up and cool-down must take place prior to: practice cheering performances competition Coaches must recognize a squad s particular ability level and must limit the squad s activities accordingly. Ability level refers to the squad s talents as a whole and individuals must not be pressed to perform activities until safely perfected. Athletes must not perform skills beyond their ability level until the requisite precursor skills are mastered. All cheerleaders must receive appropriate training before attempting any form of cheerleading gymnastics (tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and jumps). Skills must be taught in proper progression. The following skills are only allowed on a mat, grass or rubberized track surface. Basket tosses, elevator/sponge tosses and other similar multi-based tosses. Partner stunts in which the base uses only one arm to support the top person. Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 4 of 7

5 Twisting tumbling skills (Arabians, full twisting layouts, etc.). The exception to this rule is the following: cartwheels, roundoffs and aerial cartwheels are allowed on surfaces other than a mat, grass or rubberized track. Taken from the School Cheerleading Safety Rules of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators. Safety and spotting skills must be addressed first. Appropriate spotting must be used until athletes demonstrate mastery of the skill. Drops, including but not limited to knee, seat, thigh, front, back and split drops from a jump, stunt, or inverted position onto the performing surface, are prohibited unless the majority of the weight is first borne on the hands/feet, which break the impact of the drop. Strength and conditioning must be an integral part of the training of acrobatic cheerleaders. Tops and bases of the pyramid must learn the responsibilities of other members in spotting/catching. Mascots may be incorporated into the routine safely but must not be included in stunts and pyramids or as spotters or catchers. In adverse weather conditions no stunts, pyramid or tumbling are allowed. When discarding props (signs, etc.) that are made of solid material or have sharp edges/corners, team members must gently toss or place the props so that they are under control. Refer to Ontario Cheerleading Federation policies and procedures for safety rules with regard to Tumbling, Stunts/Pyramids and other recognized competitive groupings. Refer to the AACCA School Cheer Safety Rules for a glossary of terms for acrobatic cheerleading along with safety requirements for the following performance elements: Partner Stunts Inversions Pyramids Tosses Tumbling and Jumps. Supervision Constant visual supervision is required for the initial skill learning stages. After initial instruction, on-site supervision is required. Coaches must employ hands-on spotting at all times, until skills are mastered. Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 5 of 7

6 All team members must be trained to employ hands-on spotting at all times for all skills, until they are mastered. Coaches must secure a safe cheering environment (e.g., keep fans away from team space at games). Coaching Qualifications The head coach must demonstrate knowledge of acrobatic cheerleading skills and strategies to the principal or designate. All Cheerleading Acrobatic coaches must possess one of the following qualifications: Trained in the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches Administrators (AACCA) Spirit Safety Certification (online course or in person), every four (4) years. Trained and certified in an International Cheer Union (ICU) coaches course discipline, every three (3) years. Attendance at a cheerleading clinic or workshop, provided by an instructor who is knowledgeable of the activity and where safety is addressed, within the last three years that is recognized by the Ontario Cheerleading Federation. Past experience within the last 3 years as a coach in acrobatic cheerleading, having knowledge of the activity (e.g., appropriate skills and progressions) and current safety practices as outlined in the Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines. Teams incorporating any and all tumbling elements in a routine (for practice and competitions) must be fully trained and supervised by a gymnastics coach with one of the following qualifications: NCCP Community Sport coach Gymnastics Foundations Course Certified in the ICU Global Coaching Techniques (GCT) and ICU Rules Comprehension Course at a level determined by the skill incorporated, every four (4) years. Completion of gymnastic NCCP level 1 and/or level 2 certification in the past Accreditation as a NCCP Gymnastics Learning Facilitator Attendance at a clinic or workshop within the last three years provided by an instructor who is knowledgeable of the activity (e.g., appropriate skills and progressions), and where safety is addressed as outlined in the Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines. Past experience within the last 3 years as a coach in gymnastics, having knowledge of the activity (e.g., appropriate skills and progressions) and current safety practices as outlined in the Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines. First Aid and Emergency Action Plan Follow the school s emergency action plan including accessibility to a vehicle for transportation of a student to hospital (consult Appendix E - Emergency Action Plan). An individual who takes responsibility for providing first aid to injured athletes must: as a minimum, have current first aid certification, from a recognized first aid provider (e.g., St. John Ambulance, Red Cross) that includes CPR level B or level C and training in head, neck and spinal injury management; be in the area and readily accessible during the entire practice/competition; Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 6 of 7

7 be knowledgeable of school board's concussion protocol for a suspected concussion; and not be a participant in the activity. Also see Generic Section to view complete safety requirements Ophea Cheerleading - Acrobatic Page 7 of 7