MSSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (August 2016) Overall Impression BELOW AVERAGE AVERAGE ABOVE AVERAGE The following are considered when scoring: Overall Impression: Creativity/Choreography: Showmanship: A team s effectiveness in performing a comprehensive and positive memorable experience A team s effectiveness to implement innovative, visual, unique and intricate ideas, incorporations and music A team s effectiveness in demonstrating genuine enthusiasm and confidence, and ability to capture the crowd.
MSSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (August 2016) Category 1 Stunts Difficulty * Coed Teams: Male athletes are expected to perform single based stunts. See guidance on next page for additional information on single base stunting. Beginner stunts such as: prep thigh stand shoulder stand shoulder sit pop up splits straddle press liberty and liberty variations at prep level Extended two leg stunts Straight ride tosses Straight cradles Straight up extended stunts Liberty or liberty variations with limited flexibility; single skill basket tosses Suspended rolls from the performance surface Transitions/entries such as: Half up Switch up to prep level Inverted entry to below prep level Twists from the prep level stunts Straight cradles from extended stunts Prone from prep level Liberty or liberty variations with average flexibility; toss to hands; single based stunting at prep level; multiple skill (nontwisting) or single twist basket tosses Maximum participation Transitions/entries such as: Full up to extended two leg stunt Switch up to liberty position Inverted entry to prep level Low-to-High (liberty/liberty) free standing tick tock Quick toss to prep level Twists from extended stunts 360 down/rewind from two leg stunt Prone from extended level Liberty or liberty variations with above average flexibility; single based extended stunts; skill(s)/twist basket tosses Maximum participation for most of stunt sequences Minimal use of front spots for most of stunt sequences Transitions/entries such as: Full up to extended single leg stunt Switch up to extended single leg stunt showing flexibility* Inverted entry to extended position Low-to-High free standing tick tock showing flexibility* Quick toss to extended position Twists from extended single leg position 360 down/rewind from single leg stunt Power press kick/full Twists from extended single based stunt * Flexibility skills = heel stretch, Bow & Arrow, Scale, Scorpion, and other skills demonstrating similar flexibility from flyers The following are considered when scoring difficulty: 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 PARTICIPATION 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
MSSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (August 2016) Category 1 A General Guide for Single Base Stunting Male athletes are expected to perform single based stunts, independent of a pyramid sequence. A team not fulfilling this requirement will be dropped a range. Single base stunt = 1 base + 1 top person + 1 spotter A spotter is required for most single base stunts. When assistance is needed, only one person (the spotter) may assist (following NFHS guidelines) in order to still be considered in the single base 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 multi-base 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. Assisted Toss Implies J-up, walk in/up, actually assisting a toss or any other way in which assistance is used to get the top person to the desired skill. Below is a general stunt progression for single base stunts. The examples are listed for reference only. Assisted: Stunts remaining at prep level Toss hands, assisted two arm, two leg stunt (i.e. extension) Toss hands, assisted two arm, one leg stunt (i.e. liberty, stretch, etc.) Toss to assisted two arm, two leg stunt Toss hands, unassisted two arm, two leg stunt Toss hands to assisted two arm, one leg stunt Unassisted Toss to assisted tow arm, two leg stunt Toss to assisted two arm, one leg stunt Toss hands to unassisted two arm, two leg stunt Toss hands to unassisted two arm, single leg stunt Toss hands to unassisted one arm, two leg stunt Toss to unassisted two arm, two leg stunt Toss to unassisted two arm, one leg stunt Toss to unassisted one arm, two leg stunt Toss to unassisted one arm, one leg 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)
MSSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (August 2016) Category 2 Pyramids Difficulty Basic pyramid sequence built from prep level and below Extended liberty/liberty variations braced on both sides Basic entries and transitions such as: 180 to sponge Two-leg show-n-go Straight up extended two-leg stunt Pyramid sequence (1-2 structures) using liberty variations performed from the ground up with limited transitions and body positions Entries and transitions such as: Single-leg show-n-go Half up Switch up to prep level Inverted entry to below prep level Full twisting transitions to prep level or below Non-release transitions to a horizontal position to prep level or above Release transitions to prep level or below Transitional pyramid sequences with at least 2 connected structures using a combination of liberty variations demonstrating some strength and flexibility Entries and transitions such as: Switch up to liberty position Inverted entry to prep level Full twisting transitions to prep level (single leg) or above (two leg) Release transitions to/from/at the extended level maintaining a vertical position Release transitions to/from horizontal position(s) to the extended level Braced flips to/from prep level or below Highly advanced pyramid sequences with at least 2 connected structures using a combination of liberty variations demonstrating strength and flexibility with multiple transitions and body positions Majority participation for elite stunt sequences Entries and transitions such as: Full up to extended single leg stunt Switch up to extended single leg stunt showing flexibility (Stretch, Scale, Scorpion, etc.) Inverted entry to extended position Braced flips to/from/at prep level and above The following are considered when scoring difficulty: 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 PARTICIPATION 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
MSSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (August 2016) 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 Minimal 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
MSSAA CHEERLEADING RUBRIC (August 2016) 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