Ohio State Fair CHEERLEADING & DANCE COMPETITION August 4,, 2013 Promoted & Managed by Visit www.americheer.com or www.ameridanceinc.com for more information! Entry Deadline: July 19, 2013 Event Date/Time: August 4, 2013 Buckeye Sports Center Event Notes: Classifications o High school squads will be divided into small, medium and/or large varsity squads, based upon number of team members (please refer to divisions and rules for additional explanation). o Squads will receive email confirmation upon receipt of registration (please provide email address). o Only NON-MOUNT cheerleading teams, dance teams (5+ members) and dance ensembles (2-5 members) are permitted to compete in the Ohio State Fair competition due to facility ceiling height. Competition Time Schedule o Competition times are subject to change. 9:00am Doors open and Registration begins 9:30am Warm-up begins 10:00am Competition begins Cheer team divisions will begin first. Dance Divisions including ensembles and dance team divisions will follow. NOTE: All times are subject to change and are based upon the number of participants and number of teams registered for the event. Eligibility o All squad members must be currently enrolled in an accredited Ohio school to be eligible to compete for the 2013-2014 academic year. o Contestants may be male or female. o Contestants graduating in 2013 and after are eligible to compete. o 2013 graduates are not eligible to compete. o The Ohio State Fair Cheer and Dance competition is limited to NON-MOUNT divisions only due to the ceiling height of the facility. o The cheer portion of the competition is open to cheer teams ONLY. (No individual routines, stunt group routines, partner stunt routines, or duos). However; please refer to the Game Day Pride Divisions! o The dance portion of the competition is open to dance teams and dance ensembles ONLY. (No soloist routines will be permitted). Ensembles are small teams made up of 2-5 members. Page 1 of 7
Entry Date and Fee o A non-refundable entry fee of $15.00 per cheerleader/dancer is required to enter this competition (includes a ticket for the fair). o 2012 Grand Champion squad(s) will receive free entry for the 2013 event, but must complete and send in the entry form and liability release forms (located below). o Dishonored checks are considered non-payment. All entries covered by a dishonored check will be ineligible to participate. o Entries must be postmarked (with cancellation from the post office) no later than July 19, 2013. Entries may be mailed or faxed to the AmeriCheer, Inc. Corporate Office. Mail to: AmeriCheer, Inc. 20 Collegeview Road, Westerville, OH 43081 Fax to: AmeriCheer: 614-898-0404 o o Changes cannot be made to the entry form after the deadline date. Make checks payable to AmeriCheer. Credit Cards will also be accepted for payment. Please call 614-898-1000 or 800-966-JUMP with questions or regarding payment. Fair Admissions and Parking o Cheerleaders, dancers, and up to two coach/advisors will receive a free admission ticket for the day of the competition. Admission tickets and final instructions will be mailed to the squad contact listed on the registration form, prior to the Fair. Coach(s)/Advisor(s) name must appear on the entry form to receive a free admission ticket. o A maximum of one parking permit will be provided to each squad for transporting of equipment. If a parking permit is required, you must state so on the entry form. All other vehicles will be charged the daily $5 parking charge, payable at the gate, and must go to general parking. For this reason, we strongly suggest you give cheerleaders their own admission ticket so anyone attending or arriving with family (and sent to a different parking area) will have their ticket. If members are traveling separately, a meeting place should be arranged to ensure the entire squad reaches the performance area. General Rules o A performance order and warm-up schedule will be included in a final confirmation emailed to the coaches prior to the event. Ohio State Fair Admissions tickets will be mailed to each team s coach/contact. Please note that all warm-up and performance times are subject to change. Coaches will receive the most up-to-date performance order at the registration table when checking in the morning of the event. o Squads must check in at the registration table upon arrival and no later than one half hour prior to team s scheduled warm-up time. o Members must appear in school uniforms. o Members will enter the performance area facing the judges, no exceptions. Liability o Each member (including alternate members) of your team is required to sign the Waiver of Liability form before competing. A copy of this form is included with the entry form (please copy for all members/alternates to complete; minors parents/guardians must sign the form). o The Release of Liability forms must be delivered no later than July 23, 2012, so a complete list of eligible squads is compiled. Members will not be permitted to participate without this form no exceptions! While we strongly recommend sending in the Waiver of Liability forms with the entry form, you can send them at a later time; however, absolutely no later than July 23, 2012. Divisions and rules o The competition will follow the 2012-2013 AmeriCheer and AmeriDance performance guidelines and divisions. o Safety rules will follow the 2012-2013 Nation Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Spirit Safety rules. NOTE: Only NON MOUNT cheer teams will be allowed to enter into the Ohio State Fair competition due to the facility s ceiling height. Page 2 of 7
School Cheer Team Division Notes: AmeriCheer reserves the right to disqualify any team that does not adhere to the division guidelines. Divisions not already separated by size, will be separated into Large (21+ members) and Small (5-20 members) based upon enrollment. For divisions that are broken into Small and Large, in the event that there are not at least 2 teams in each division, these divisions may be combined. AmeriCheer also reserves the right to add divisions based on enrollment. Please make sure to visit www.americheer.com or www.ameridanceinc.com to view the 2011-2012 Rules and Guidelines. Traditional School Cheer Team (Includes Spirit Leader (see below)) Total Routine time: Maximum 2:30 (no minimum time) Music time Maximum 1:45 Routines must contain a cheer/sideline Crowd-Leading portion. Routines not performed with all of the necessary elements will result in a 30-point penalty per out-ofdivision violation. Timing will begin with the first organized movement or the first note of music, whichever comes first. Individuals should walk onto the performance floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Approved props permitted in the routine are poms, signs (including flags with letters) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries. A 10-point penalty may be assessed for unapproved and/or unused props. All routines should be in good taste and suitable for family viewing. All suggestive or vulgar elements may be penalized at the sole discretion of the judges. Routines should contain all elements reflected on the official School Non-Mount, School Spirit Leader (Traditional/Show) score sheet. The 2012-2013 NFHS Spirit Safety Rules will apply. Spirit Leader Cheer Team No tumbling is permitted in this division (this includes forward and backward rolls). You are to follow the Traditional School Cheer Team Division Routine Guidelines above, with the exception of NO tumbling! School Show Cheer Team Total Routine time: Maximum 2:30 (no minimum time) The entire routine must be performed to music. Routines not performed entirely to music may result in a 30-point penalty for out-of-division violation. Timing will begin with the first organized movement or the first note of music, whichever comes first. Individuals should walk onto the performance floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Approved props permitted in the routine are poms, signs (including flags with letters) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries. A 10-point penalty may be assessed for unapproved and/or unused props. All routines should be in good taste and suitable for family viewing. All suggestive or vulgar elements may be penalized at the sole discretion of the judges. Routines should contain all elements reflected on the official or School Non-Mount Show Cheer score sheet. The 2012-2013 NFHS Spirit Safety Rules will apply. Game-Day Pride Divisions Fight Song Division: Participants are limited to a minimum number of 5 and a maximum number of 25 per team. All participants must be members of their official school cheer team for the 2013-2014 school year AND cheer the sidelines of official games/athletic contests for their school. Hint: NO Competition only cheerleaders are permitted! Page 3 of 7
Mascots are permitted; however, they will count as part of the maximum number of 25 but NOT part of the minimum number of 5. Total routine performance time is limited to 1 minute and 15 seconds. Routine may repeat as long as it stays within the stated time restraints. Timing will begin with the first organized movement, voice or musical note, whichever comes first and will end with the last movement, voice or musical note. Teams must use a traditional fight song routine (preferably their own home school fight song) to traditional fight song music performed by a marching band. The only props permitted are poms and are highly encouraged. No other props, i.e. signs, flags, megaphones, etc. are permitted. The following skills ARE NOT permitted: stunts, tosses, pyramids, tumbling (including rolls) of any type. Material should be practical and be suited for performing multiple times during a game/rally, etc. Crowd Leading Cheer Division: Participants are limited to a minimum number of 5 and a maximum number of 25 per team. All participants must be members of their official school cheer team for the 2013-2014 school year AND cheer the sidelines of official games/athletic contests for their school. Hint: NO Competition only cheerleaders are permitted! Mascots are permitted; however, they will count as part of the maximum number of 25 but NOT part of the minimum number of 5. Total performance time is limited to 1 minute and 15 seconds. Timing will begin with the first organized movement or voice whichever comes first and will end with the last. organized movement or voice Performance should contain a traditional crowd leading cheer/yell that elicits a crowd response and is practical for leading a crowd at a game/rally. The use of poms, signs, flags, banners, etc. are highly encouraged for maximum effectiveness. The following skills ARE NOT permitted: stunts, tosses, pyramids, tumbling (including rolls) of any type. No music is permitted including a drummer or drum track. Time-out Dance Division: Participants are limited to a minimum number of 5 and a maximum number of 25 per team. All participants must be members of their official school cheer team for the 2013-2014 school year AND cheer the sidelines of official games/athletic contests for their school. Hint: No Competition only cheerleaders are permitted! Mascots are permitted; however, they will count as part of the maximum number of 25 but NOT part of the minimum number of 5. Total performance time is limited to 1 minute and 15 seconds. Routine may repeat as long as it stays within the stated time restraints. Timing will begin with the first organized movement, voice or musical note, whichever comes first and will end with the last beat of music or movement. Teams are permitted to use any dance style that is appropriate to a time-out situation for any game/rally. Teams should wear cheerleading uniforms NOT Dance costumes, etc. The only props permitted are poms. No other props, i.e. signs, flags, megaphones, etc. are permitted. The following skills ARE NOT permitted: stunts, tosses, pyramids, tumbling (including rolls) of any type. Recreation Team Division Notes: AmeriCheer reserves the right to disqualify any team that does not adhere to the division guidelines. Divisions not already separated by size, will be separated into Large (21+ members) and Small (5-20 members) based upon enrollment. For divisions that are broken into Small and Large, in the event that there are not at least 2 teams in each division, these divisions may be combined. AmeriCheer also reserves the right to add divisions based on enrollment. Make sure to visit www.americheer.com or www.ameridanceinc.com to view the 2012-2013 Rules and Guidelines. Page 4 of 7
Recreation Cheer Team (Includes Spirit Leader (see below)) Total Routine time: Maximum 2:30 (no minimum time) Routines may contain a cheer/sideline Crowd-Leading portion or routines may be all-music. Timing will begin with the first organized movement or the first note of music, whichever comes first. Individuals should walk onto the performance floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Approved props permitted in the routine are poms, signs (including flags with letters) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries. A 10-point penalty may be assessed for unapproved and/or unused props. All routines should be in good taste and suitable for family viewing. All suggestive or vulgar elements may be penalized at the sole discretion of the judges. Routines should contain all elements reflected on the official Recreation Non-Mount, or Recreation Spirit Leader score sheet. The 2012-2013 NFHS Spirit Safety Rules will apply. Spirit Leader Cheer Team No tumbling is permitted (this includes forward and backward rolls). You are to follow the Recreation Cheer Team Division Routine Guidelines above, with the exception of NO tumbling! Dance Team AmeriDance Dance Team - Routine Guidelines TEAM total routine time: Min. 1:30 Max. 2:30 Each Dance Team must have a minimum of five (5) participants, no maximum PROP category Max. 4:00 performance time (2:00 additional minutes for set-up and tear down) ENSEMBLE (2-5 members) total routine time: Min. 1:30 Max. 2:30. Ensemble may have 2-5 participants Timing of each routine will begin with the first choreographed movement or beat of music and end with the last choreographed movement or beat of music, whichever comes last. Backdrops are permitted in all categories. The backdrop may not be manipulated during the routine. The backdrop is not permitted to be taller than 8 high. It must fit through a gymnasium door without the center pole being removed. Wearable and handheld items are permitted in any category and can be removed and discarded from the body. Standing props are only allowed in the prop category (exception: may be used in all ensemble and solo categories; examples: chairs, stools, ladders, boxes, stairs, etc.) 2-Point Penalty Dance Team General Guidelines Performance Guidelines: Dancers must enter/exit the floor in a timely fashion. Timing of each routine will begin with the first choreographed movement or beat of music and end with the last choreographed movement or beat of music, whichever comes last. Vulgar/Suggestive/Offensive movements, words or music are not permitted. Should be appropriate for family viewing. Approved jewelry as part of costume (examples: legal stud/post earrings, hair accessories, etc) is allowed. Belly, tongue, and nose rings are all prohibited. Dangling necklaces, chain belts are prohibited unless secured to the dancer s costume or body. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces may be worn. These items should be removed from the neck/wrist and secured to the body by tape. All teams must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified director/advisor/coach. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The director/advisor/coach of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. Severe demonstrations of unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for disqualification. All directors, advisors and coaches should have an emergency response plan in the event of an injury. Page 5 of 7
Participants may compete in more than one dance division and/or category as long as they abide by the age restrictions in all divisions in which they compete. Substitutions may be made in the event of any injury or other serious circumstance. Substitutes must also abide by the age restrictions in all divisions. Any team proven to be in violation of the age restrictions will be automatically disqualified from the event. Prop Guidelines Props are limited to hand-held, costume, and/or hard props. Use of fire or glass is not permitted. No LIVE animals. Props must be moveable by dancers or coaches ONLY and must be placed immediately after the previous performance has concluded. Dance Team Safety Guidelines/Penalties Soft Soled dance shoes (jazz boots, jazz shoes, lyrical sandals), character shoes, and/or bare feet are acceptable in competing. Wearing socks or tights only is prohibited. Wearing hard-soled shoes is prohibited. - 10 pts. Use of mini-tramps, springboards, etc., used to propel a dancer is prohibited. 10 pts Drops to the knee, thigh, seat, front, back, jazz split (hurdler) or split position onto the performing surface from a jump, stand, or inverted position must first bear weight on the hands or feet in order to break the impact of the drop. 10 pts Tumbling is allowed in all divisions as long as one hand, foot or body part remains in constant contact with the performance surface. These skills can be performed individually or in combination. Airborne skills are not allowed when hip-over-head rotation occurs. The following are examples of skills that are and are not allowed: o ALLOWED Forward/Backward Rolls Shoulder Rolls Cartwheels Headstands Handstands Backbends Front/Back Walkovers Stalls Head spins Windmills Kip up o NOT ALLOWED 10 pts Dive Rolls Round-offs Aerials Front/Back Handsprings Front/Back Tucks Dance lifts are permitted and are defined as an action in which a dancer (s) is elevated from the performance surface and set down. The lifting dancer (s) must maintain direct contact with the performance surface at all times. The lifting dancer (s) must maintain ultimate control over the momentum, positioning, changes in position and return to the performance surface of the lifted dancer (s) through hand/arm to body contact. Hip overhead rotation of the lifted dancers may occur as long as his/her hips maintain a level at or below the shoulders of the lifting dancer (s). Partnering skills are permitted and must maintain body-to-body contact throughout the duration of the skill. One partner must maintain constant contact with the performance floor. Jumping or tossing from one dancer to another or from one dancer to or from the dance surface is not allowed. 10 pts All cheer stunts and/or pyramids are prohibited. (Exceptions: pony sit, thigh stand, shoulder sit, back arch) 10 pts All tosses including toe-pitches are prohibited. 10 pts Jumping or leaping off of another person who is bearing the weight of the first person without maintaining hand/arm to body contact with another person is prohibited. 10 pts Page 6 of 7
Winners and Awards All participants receive a gift! Winners Placements in each division will be announced after the competition, after the scores are tabulated. All trophies for their respective divisions will be presented at this time. Squad score sheets will be available following the awards ceremony. Scoring and placement of squads will be posted online at www.ohioexpocenter.com following the competition, as well as www.americheer.com and www.ameridanceinc.com. Sponsored awards may be presented the day of the competition (or could be mailed at a later time). Additional Awards o Grand Champion Grand Champion Award, FREE entry 2014 Fair o Grand Champions send one coach for FREE* to the 2014 AmeriCheer and AmeriDance InterNational Championships and receive a Grand Champion Trophy. *Please call AmeriCheer or AmeriDance at 800-966-JUMP for details. A gift certificate will be awarded to the winning squad(s) in the varsity division(s). This award is provided through generosity of Victory Wear, Westerville, Ohio. Please visit www.victorywearonline.com or call 800-966-JUMP for more information. Bided Discounts can be earned for the 2014 InterNational Championships by scoring a 70% or above of the total possible points. Show Your Spirit Award This year at the Ohio State Fair Cheer and Dance competition, we will be awarding our Show Your Spirit Award. This award goes to the team with the most creative, enthusiastic, supportive fans! o What You ll Win A Show Your Spirit plaque A FREE one-year subscription to Inside Cheerleading Magazine for each competitor Double performance discounts to the 2014 InterNational Championship. Organization/Team name listed on the AmeriCheer and AmeriDance websites Automatic qualification for the 2014 Spirited Program of the Year. (for more details visit www.americheer.com or call 800-966-JUMP) More prize packages and info to come Ohio State Fair Cheerleading and Dance Sponsor/Producer AmeriCheer and AmeriDance are proud to produce and sponsor the 2013 Ohio State Fair Cheerleading and Dance competition. Call 800-966-JUMP for information on camps, uniforms, clothing, competitions, special events, and more! Interested vendors should contact Jeannine Kranchick at 614-898-1000. Performance Area The competition will be held at the Buckeye Sports Center, which is on the eastside of the grounds. The performance area will be a 42' x 42' cheer foam flat mat system for all teams. Each team will be given a five-minute warm-up time on the mat prior to the start of the competition. Page 7 of 7