MSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (September 2018) Overall Composition BELOW AVERAGE AVERAGE ABOVE AVERAGE For each category the following are evaluated when scoring: Showmanship, energy level excitement, crowd appeal, uniformity, genuine enthusiasm and athletic sportsmanship A team s ability to demonstrate seamless patterns of movement through each category A team s effectiveness in implementing innovative, visual, and unique ideas and incorporations
MSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (September 2018) Category 1 Stunts Difficulty * Teams in the coed division are expected to perform coed style stunts, independent of a pyramid sequence. See guidance on next page for additional information on coed style stunting. Difficulty will be determined by the majority of skills performed by the maximum number of stunt groups Beginner stunts/transitions/ dismounts such as: prep thigh stand shoulder stand shoulder sit pop up splits straddle press one legged variations at or below prep level Extended 2 leg stunts Straight ride tosses Straight cradles Twist cradle from prep level Show-n-go transitions Extended 1 leg variations with limited flexibility Single skill (non-twisting) basket tosses Suspended rolls from the performance surface Transitions/entries/ dismounts such as: Full up to prep level or below Minor releases landing below prep level Minor tic toc variations at or below prep level ½ twisting transitions to extended level Inverted transitions to below prep level Transitions to prone from prep level Twist cradle from extension Extended 1 leg variations with average flexibility Multiple skill (non-twisting) or single twist basket tosses Transitions/entries/dismounts such as: Full up to extended position Switch up to extended liberty position Inverted transitions to prep level Low-to-High (liberty position) Quick toss to prep level Transitions to prone from extended level Twist cradles from extended 1 leg stunts 360 down/rewind from 2 leg stunt Extended 1 leg variations with above average flexibility Skill(s)/twist basket tosses Transitions/entries/dismounts such as: Full up to extended 1 leg body position* Switch up to extended 1 leg body position* 1+ up to extended position Inverted transitions to extended position Low-to-High showing flexibility* Quick toss to extended position Twist cradles from extended 1 leg stunt 360 down/rewind from 1 leg extended stunt Kick/full cradle * Body positions include: stretch, bow & arrow, arabesque, scale, scorpion, etc; Lib and platform are not considered body positions The following are considered when scoring difficulty: OVERALL degree of difficulty Percentage of team participation (use of front spots) Variety of entries, inversions, dismounts and transitions Pace and speed of skills performed MAXIMUM STUNT GROUPS ATHLETES STUNT GROUPS ATHLETES STUNT GROUPS 20 4 or 5 12 14 2 or 3 16 19 3 or 4 10 11 2 15 3 9 or less 1 or 2 Stunts Technique majority demonstrated excellent precision, form Technique = A team s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (flyer flexibility, body position of bases, spotters and flyers, control of stunt including entry, dismount, and transitions), timing, uniformity and precision Voice Athletes must say the words in the cheer. Cheer words should be distinct and have a high volume Below average pitch and clarity/enunciation Below average volume relative to number of athletes Average pitch and clarity/enunciation Average volume relative to number of athletes Excellent pitch and clarity/enunciation Above average volume relative to number of athletes
MSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (September 2018) Category 1 A General Guide for Coed Style Stunting Teams in the coed division are expected to perform coed style stunts, independent of a pyramid sequence. A team not fulfilling this requirement will be dropped a range. Coed style stunts are typically performed by a single base. Coed style/single base stunt = 1 base + 1 top person + 1 spotter A spotter is required for most coed style stunts. When assistance is needed, only one person (the spotter) may assist (following NFHS guidelines) in order to still be considered in the coed style category. Catching the cradles from all single base stunts requires an assist by rules and therefore will not affect the point range. If more than one person assists the stunt, then it will be viewed as a multi-base stunt and judged in the multibase point ranges. Assist When the spotter adds one or both of his/her hands to assist in the performance of the skill. Toss Tossing, releasing and re-catching the top person by the main single base. Below is a general stunt progression for coed style stunts. The examples are listed for reference only. Coed Style ASSISTED Walk-in Hands Toss Hands Walk-in Hands press Extension Toss Hands press Extension Walk-in Extended double leg stunt Toss Extended double leg stunt Walk-in Hands press Extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Toss Hands press Extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Walk-in Hands Toss Hands Coed Style UNASSISTED Walk-in Extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Walk-in Hands press Extension Toss Extended single leg stunt/single arm Toss Hands press Extension Walk-in Extended double leg stunt Toss Extended double leg stunt Walk-in Hands press extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Toss Hands press extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Walk-in Extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Toss Extended single leg stunt/single arm stunt Additional factors that adjust the relative difficulty Twisting/unique mounts; Twisting/unique dismounts; Number/difficulty of body positions; Number of stunts compared to team size; Level of assistance (was the assistance just a touch or continued support)
MSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (September 2018) Category 2 Pyramids Difficulty Basic pyramid sequence built from prep level and below comprised of skills in the 1-5 STUNT range Pyramid sequence (1-2 structures) comprised of skills in the 5-7 STUNT range Braced flips caught at prep level or below Non-flipping release skills caught in extended position braced on both sides Transitional pyramid sequences with at least 2 connected structures comprised of skills in the 7-9 STUNT range Braced flips caught in extended 2 leg position High-to-High tic tocs braced on both sides Prep level inversions released to extended position braced on both sides Non-flipping release skills caught in extended position braced on one side Highly advanced pyramid sequences with at least 2 connected structures comprised of skills in the 9-10 STUNT range Braced flips caught in extended 1 leg position High-to-High tic tocs to a body position braced on one side Prep level inversions released to extended position braced on one side * Body positions include: stretch, bow & arrow, arabesque, scale, scorpion, etc; Lib and platform are not considered body positions The following are considered when scoring difficulty: OVERALL degree of difficulty Percentage of team participation (use of front spots) Variety of entries, inversions, dismounts and transitions Pace and speed of skills performed MAXIMUM STUNT GROUPS ATHLETES STUNT GROUPS ATHLETES STUNT GROUPS 20 4 or 5 12 14 2 or 3 16 19 3 or 4 10 11 2 15 3 9 or less 1 or 2 majority demonstrated excellent precision, form Pyramids Technique Technique = A team s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (flyer flexibility, body position of bases, spotters and flyers, control of stunt including entry, dismount, and transitions), timing, uniformity and precision Transitions/Flow of Routine Major issues during transitions (bumping; excessive travel) Minimal incorporation of skills during transition Choppy, lacks cohesion, excessive down time Some issues during transitions (bumping; moderate travel) Average incorporation of skills during transition Average coordination among all elements of the routine Clean transitions Excellent incorporation of skills during transitions Uncluttered changes between segments Strong coordination among all elements of the routine
MSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (September 2018) Category 3 Basic skills: Forward Rolls Round-Offs Cartwheels Walkovers Tumbling Difficulty* Less than majority of team with handspring(s) and limited tucks Majority of team with handspring skills (standing, running, and/or series) AND/OR Less than majority (but more than 25%) of team with tucks (standing or running) or above Most of team with handspring skills (standing, running, and/or series) AND/OR Majority of team with tucks (standing or running) or above Most of team with tucks (standing or running) or above AND/OR Majority of team with layouts, fulls, or specialty passes ending in tuck or above * Teams are expected to incorporate both standing and running tumbling in order to score at the high end of a range. Combining skills (jump-back handspring/tuck, series back handsprings, back handspring-tuck, etc.) will increase difficulty and score higher within the ranges. The following are considered when scoring difficulty: degree of difficulty; percentage of team participation; variety; combination of skills; synchronization; pace and speed of skills performed. SPECIALTY PASS = Running tumbling with entries, including front walk-over/handspring, aerial, or punch front, ending in a tuck or higher; or running tumbling involving skills such as back handspring step outs, whips, or arabians ending in a tuck or higher majority demonstrated excellent precision, form Tumbling Technique Technique = A team s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (body position and control, landings), timing uniformity and precision MAJORITY/MOST QUANTITY TABLE # OF ATHLETES 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 MAJORITY 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 MOST 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 Jump Difficulty Basic jump sequences consisting of basic jumps with or without an immediate connection 2 advanced connected jumps performed by most of the team 3 advanced connected jumps performed by most of the team OR 2 advanced connected jumps performed by most of the team plus 1 additional advanced jump by majority 4 advanced connected jumps performed by most of the team (must show variety) OR 3 advanced connected jumps performed by most of the team (must show variety) plus 1 additional advanced jump by majority All approaches within the jumps must use a whip approach to be considered connected. The following are considered when scoring difficulty: degree of difficulty; percentage of team participation; variety; combination of skills; synchronization; pace and speed of skills performed. ADVANCED JUMPS = Pike, Right/Left Hurdlers (front or side), Toe Touch, Double Nine BASIC JUMPS = Spread Eagle, Tuck Jump majority demonstrated excellent precision, form Jump Technique Technique = A team s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (height, flexibility, landing, body position, pointed toes), timing, uniformity and precision
MSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (September 2018) Category 4 Little to no formation changes, Little to no variety of motion Lack of movement during transitions Below average use of floor (footwork, floor work, visual effect, etc.) Motions Minimal formation changes, Some variety of motion Minimal movement during transitions Average use of floor (footwork, floor work, visual effect, etc.) Some original and visual material Multiple advanced formation changes, transitions, and level changes Excellent variety of motion Difficult foot and body movement during transitions Excellent use of floor (footwork, floor work, visual effect, etc.) Dance Below average energy, musicality, rhythm and pace of music ( and counts) Little to no formation changes, basic Little to no variety of motion Below average use of floor (footwork, floor work, visual effect, etc.) Average energy, musicality, rhythm and pace of music ( and counts) Minimal formation changes, transitions, and level changes of average complexity Some variety of motion and use of floor (footwork, floor work, visual effect, etc.) High energy, musicality, rhythm, and pace of music ( and counts) Multiple advanced formations, Excellent variety of motion and use of floor (footwork, floor work, visual effect, etc.) Motion & Dance - Technique Below average technique many with bent wrists and/or poor placement Below average timing & synchronization Average technique- some bent wrists and/or placement off Average timing & synchronization Excellent technique proper placement, sharp precision Excellent timing & synchronization Technique = Proper body positioning, placement and alignment; clear movements; controlled balance, flow and connection from one skill to the next; powerful and sharp movement Formations & Spacing Unclear formations Spacing off throughout routine Little variety of formation changes with limited use of floor Formations demonstrate some good use of floor, alignment, and symmetry Minor problems in spacing Some variety of formations with moderate use of floor Clear, visually effective formations Minimal/No spacing errors Large variety of formations with excellent use of floor