July 27, 2017 First Practice Date November 7 All-State Nomination Due August 5, 2017 State Rules Clinic, SCISA Conference Center, Orangeburg 13:00 AM November 9, 2017 State Competition November 2, 2017 Deadline to register for State January 5, 2018 Competitive season ends Rules and SCISA Policies Rules: 1. National Federation Rules shall be the official rules unless SCISA has an otherwise stated policy. In addition, UCA Rules and competition guidelines will apply to the SCISA competitions. Complete UCA competition rules and Game Time Information may be found on the UCA website at (www.uca.com) 2. All competition squads must abide by all SCISA Eligibility Rules. It is recommended that spirit squads abide by all SCISA Eligibility Rules. 3. SCISA requires that all Competitive Cheer Coaches take the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors safety certification course. Only teams with an AACCA certified coach will be eligible to participate in the Competition division. State Rules Clinics: Each school must be represented at a State Rules Clinic. There is a $100 fine for failure to attend. 2017 STATE RULE CLINICS: Saturday, August 5th at 10:30 AM - SCISA Office, Orangeburg. Football and Basketball Cheer Policies Note: All basket tosses and double full twisting dismounts are prohibited in all game routines. Football: 1. All squads must be behind the play on the back-field side of the ball and at least at least 10 feet from the playing field during play. No team may be below the 20-yard line within the restraining fence/rope/device 2. No squad may perform any activity more than one person high during live-ball play or within 5 yards of a fence or permanent structure. 3. Cheerleading Squads must stay clear of the end zone area during live-ball play. Basketball: 1. All squads must be off of the floor and in the bleachers during live-ball play. The officials have the authority To assign a different area for cheer squads in the event the gym is at or exceeding capacity, after consultation with the designated representatives and game management. Note: Home management (football & basketball) can designate an area where the visiting squad may cheer in accordance with their school policy and liability concerns. Mandatory Policies and Coaching Requirement 1. All schools shall have a written Concussion Policy and a written Heat and Athletic Participation Policy. These policies will include the education of coaches, players, and parents about the dangers, warning signs, and symptoms of both concussions and heat related illnesses. The plans will also include medical evaluation, suspension from play and return to play/practice protocols. In addition, every coach must complete an online Concussion Course (CDC or NFHS) before the first practice, every year. Annually, every coach must also complete the NFHS online course, Heat Illness Prevention. 2. The Head Coach shall be CPR certified. 3. All coaches will complete the following NFHS courses: Annually (every year): Concussion In Sports; Heat Illness Prevention Every two years (after initially completing a course): NFHS Sportsmanship Course; Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behaviors; Engaging Effectively with Parents; Sudden Cardiac Arrest All First Year Head Coaches will complete the NFHS Course: Fundamentals of Coaching Recommended NFHS Courses: First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches 4. All schools shall have Lightning Detection Device or subscribe to a Lightning Detection Service and have it on-site to assist with inclement weather decisions.
Coaching Notes: 1. Sportsmanship: What you permit, you promote! Coaches must emphasize and promote good sportsmanship and fair play. Cheer squads play an important role in setting the proper tone for an athletic event. 2. SCISA Player-of-the-Week. Coaches are reminded to nominate outstanding individual performances each Monday. Email stats and additional player information along with a picture to athletics@scisa.org. 3. SCISA Community Service Award: True Champions Give Back. The South Carolina Independent School Association shall honor teams who takes part in a community service programs and projects. SCISA has adopted the motto, True Champions Give Back signifying the association s belief that an important part in the education of our young people is an awareness of the needs and service opportunities that exist around them. Each team shall submit a report detailing the service project, the number of participants, photos,...etc. Levels of Competition: Grade Level Guidelines Varsity Teams: Eligible students in grades 6-12 may participate in varsity cheer. Note: To address player safety, coaches and parents must carefully evaluate the skill level, social & maturity level, and physical competitiveness of students below the 9th grade before permitting participation on any varsity teams. Junior Varsity Teams: Eligible students in grades 5-10 may participate in junior varsity cheerleading. Note: To address player safety, coaches and parents must carefully evaluate the skill level, social & maturity level, and physical competitiveness of students below the 8th grade before permitting participation on any junior varsity team. B-Teams/Middle School Team: Eligible students in grades 5-8 may participate in B-Team/Middle School Cheer. Note: To address player safety, coaches and parents must carefully evaluate the skill level and physical competitiveness of students below the 6th grade before permitting participation on any B-Team. SCISA Competitive Cheer Divisions: Division I: 14 Team Members or less Division II: 15 Team Members or more Game Day Cheer and Game Day Dance Game Day Cheer and Game Day Dance Division. At this time, all teams compete in one division. When participation levels so warrant, SCISA will create additional divisions. Competition Rules Any team having more than one male will be considered a coed team. A state championship for coed cheer will be provided if 4 or more schools enter the state competition. A team must compete in at least one competition prior to the state competition. No team may have more than 24 members on the competition mat. Entry fees will be set for the state competition by SCISA. A school may enter one team in any or all of the three categories.
SCISA Cheer - Rules and Regulations Competition Division SCISA Philosophy 1. The team and each of its members shall display an overall appearance conducive to serving as public representatives and ambassadors of their school in regards to grooming, traditional and appropriate attire, conservative make-up, uniformity, etc. 2. Routines must be appropriate for family viewing. Any vulgar and/or suggestive movements, words, or music will result in a score deduction. 3. The team and each participating member/coach should constantly display good sportsmanship throughout the entire performance in regards to respect for themselves, other teams and the viewing audience of all ages. Teams should refrain from any taunting, bragging, or suggestive expressions or gestures as well as discrimination of any nature. Uniform Guidelines 1. All participant uniforms must cover the midriff when standing at attention. Covered midriff does include mesh or nude colored body suits and liners; however fringe would not count as a cover. 2. No tear-away uniforms and/or removal of clothing is permitted. 3. Any team in violation of the uniform guidelines will be assessed a five (5) point deduction. Competition Area 1. Participants may stand or enter outside the competition area. 2. All permitted skills (stunts, pyramids, tumbling etc.) must be performed on the competition mat. 3. Approximate floor size will be a traditional mat of 42 feet wide by 42 feet deep (7 strips). 4. Objects cannot be thrown outside the competition floor. 5. Poms, signs, flags, megaphones and/or banners may be placed or dropped outside the competition area by a team member. Time Limitations 1. Performance Routine a. Each team s presentation must include at least one cheer or sideline chant without music and must be a minimum of 20 seconds. The musical portion must not exceed two minutes. Total time limit is two minutes and thirty seconds. Timing will begin with the first movement, voice, or note of music, whichever comes first. b. If a team exceeds the time limit, a penalty will be assessed. A one-time, 5-point deduction will be assessed after allowing for a three second margin of error. c. BECAUSE PENALTIES ARE SEVERE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL TEAMS TIME THEIR PERFORMANCE SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO COMPETITION AND LEAVE A CUSHION TO ALLOW FOR VARIATIONS IN SOUND EQUIPMENT. d. All introductions (tumbling, entrances, chants, spell-outs, etc.) are considered part of the routine and are time as part of the performance. There should not be any organized exits or other activities after the official ending of the routine. If the routine concludes with a pyramid, the final dismount is not timed. 2. Music: Teams may use an unlimited number of songs in their routine at all competitions. - Participating schools shall provide a production-quality music. A good practice is to have a back-up music copy available. - In the event a routine is interrupted due to host equipment failure, a team may restart the routine from the beginning. 3. Safety spotters will be provided. 4. Sportsmanship: - An unsportsmanlike display by any team member or coach during a routine will result in a 5 point deduction. - An unsportsmanlike display by any team member or coach after a routine in response to scoring may result in a post-event penalty accessed to the school.
SCISA Cheer - Rules and Regulations GAME TIME Division SCISA Philosophy 1. The team and each of its members shall display an overall appearance conducive to serving as public representatives and ambassadors of their school in regards to grooming, traditional and appropriate attire, conservative make-up, uniformity, etc. 2. Routines must be appropriate for family viewing. Any vulgar and/or suggestive movements, words, or music will result in a score deduction. 3. The team and each participating member/coach should constantly display good sportsmanship throughout the entire performance in regards to respect for themselves, other teams and the viewing audience of all ages. Teams should refrain from any taunting, bragging, or suggestive expressions or gestures as well as discrimination of any nature. Uniform Guidelines 1. All participant uniforms must cover the midriff when standing at attention. Covered midriff does include mesh or nude colored body suits and liners; however fringe would not count as a cover. 2. No tear-away uniforms and/or removal of clothing is permitted. 3. Any team in violation of the uniform guidelines will be assessed a five (5) point deduction. Competition Area 1. Participants may stand or enter outside the competition area. 2. All permitted skills (stunts, pyramids, tumbling etc.) must be performed on the competition mat. 3. Approximate floor size will be a traditional mat of 42 feet wide by 42 feet deep (7 strips). 4. Objects cannot be thrown outside the competition floor. 5. Poms, signs, flags, megaphones and/or banners may be placed or dropped outside the competition area by a team member. Time Limitations 1. Each team will perform a routine not to exceed 1 minute and 15 seconds. 2. Timing will begin with the first organized movement, voice or note of music, whichever comes first and end with the last beat of music or movement. Time out cheer will begin with buzzer sound similar to a time out at a game. 3. If a team exceeds the time limit, a penalty will be assessed. A Five (5) point deduction will be assessed after a three-second margin of error allowance. 4. All introductions (entrances, chants, spell-outs, etc.) are considered part of the routine and are timed as part of the performance. 5. There should not be any organized exits or other activities after the official ending of the routine. Time Out Cheer Category A. Routine and Judging Requirements: 1. No music may be used during the performance. Live drummer and/or drum track is allowed. All specialty skills (ie: jumps, stunts, tumbling) must be performed in a safe proximity with all Drummers. Drummers cannot be involved in any type of specialty skill. 2. Each team s presentation must include at least two components required from the following: cheers, chants, traditional yells, and/or drum cadences. 3. Teams should utilize all areas of their squad s crowd-leading strengths. The use of poms, signs, flags, mega phones and/or banners is encouraged.
Time Out Cheer Category (continued) 4. Judging will be based on the following criteria: a. Crowd communication, including; crowd effective material, spacing and formations, voice and pace, crowd leading skills and use of poms, signs, flags, megaphones and/or banners. b. Placement, synchronization and strength of motions c. Overall impression and crowd appeal. d. Emphasis on crowd involvement and practicality. All material should be suitable for a game or pep rally. B. SPECIFIC SKILL RESTRICTIONS: 1. No baskets, sponge, elevator, or similar type tosses permitted. 2. No inversions and /or twisting into or out of stunts regardless of contact with bases. 3. No single leg extended stunts. 4. Maximum difficulty in tumbling is a standing back handsprings. Running tumbling is prohibited. Time Out Dance Category A. Routine and Judging Requirements: 1. Any dance style that is appropriate for a time-out situation within a sideline cheering setting is acceptable (i.e. jazz, pom, hip hop, etc.) 2. Traditional sideline uniforms required. 3. Poms are the only props permitted. 4. Judging will be based on the following criteria: a. Creativity and musicality, variety and the execution of transitions and formations. b. Placement, synchronization and strength of motions/movement. c. Visual effect and spacing. d. Overall impression and crowd appeal. e. Emphasis will be on audience appropriateness and appeal. This is a performance-based division. Crowd leading components will not be judged. B. SPECIFIC SKILL RESTRICTIONS: 1. Tumbling and/or stunting of any kind is prohibited. 2. Dance skills (i.e. turns, leaps, kicks, etc.) are permitted.