CHEERLEADING RULES Cheerleading Jan 2016 1 SAMCA 2016
Scoresheet Group Cheerleading Scoresheet Criteria Number of Adj. (National) Cheer Sheet 1 Basket tosses Pyramids Overall presentation, crowd appeal, dance Cheer Sheet 2 Cheer criteria Partner stunts Tumbling Flow of routine/transitions Moderator (National) Number of Adj. (Regional) Moderator (Regional) 4 1 2 1* 4 1 2 1* *if the region does not have sufficient judges to have 4 on each of these panels, then the minimum number of judges allowed is 2 per score sheet without a moderator, moderator is not to be part of the panel. Stunt Group Cheerleading Scoresheet Criteria Number of Adj. (National) Only one Cheer Sheet All Criteria Moderator (National) Number of Adj. (Regional) Moderator (Regional) 4 1 2 1* *if the region does not have sufficient judges to have 4 on each of these panels, then the minimum number of judges allowed is 2 per score sheet without a moderator, moderator is not to be part of the panel. 1. Competition Area 1.1. The display area shall be 14.5 meters deep and 26.5 meters wide. 1.2. The competition field must be marked with a clearly visible line colour. 1.3. Outer line must be a minimum of 150mm and a maximum of 200mm. 1.4. The centre line is to be 100mm and it is from the back to front of the demarcated area with a small line in the centre of the field parallel to the front of the field. 1.5. There will be a 5 meter block area at the front or back of the field (venue dependent) where all groups and cheerleading displays will begin from. 1.6. The competition manager shall clearly define a check area that shall provide easy access to the demarcated display area. 1.7. The assembly area shall be clearly visible to the designated official from the demarcated display area. 1.8. It is the responsibility of each trainer to establish the position of this area. 1.9. All teams shall assemble in the check area in the appropriate time before the projected time of uniform check Cheerleading Jan 2016 2 SAMCA 2016
2. CATEGORIES AND NUMBERS 2.1. Cheerleading Co-ed 10-35 2.2. Cheerleading all Girls 10-35 2.3. All Girl Group Sunts 2-5 2.4. Co-Ed Partner Sunts 2 2.5 A maximum of 2 less than the minimum are allowed to march but will get a minor penalty per member. E.g All Girl Cheerleading group can march with 9 members and receive 1 minor penalty OR with 8 members and receive 2 minor penalties but if they come to check with 5 members they will get a maximum team penalty. This is only in Cheerleading groups and not stunt groups. 2.6 No team member may march in two teams that are entered in the same category (eg. A team member cannot march in Team X Gold in Co-ed Cheerleading section and in Team X Silver in Coed Cheerleading section) maximum team penalty. A member can be in all four above. (2.1, 2.2, 2.3 & 2.4) 2.7 To be considered a Co-Ed team, the team must have at least 1(one) male and 1(one) female. A maximum team penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.8 Only girls allowed in any All Girl team. A maximum team penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. Cheerleading Jan 2016 3 SAMCA 2016
TIME LIMITATIONS 2.5. 30 seconds march on (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) 2.5.1. Before the march on begins the signal Team ready will be announced. Timing will begin immediately after and will end when the team comes to a stop on the display area and all movement has ceased. If more than 30 seconds then major penalty will apply. March before signal will also lead to a minor penalty. 2.5.2. No music is allowed for march on A maximum team penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.6. 2-3 minutes display time (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) 2.6.1. The duration of the display will not be less than 2 minutes or more than 3 minutes, timed from the start of the audio, until the audio stops and the display is finished. A major penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.7. 30 seconds march off. (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) 2.7.1. March off cannot be longer than 30 seconds. The timing starts from the announcement Thank-you team Major Penalty will be awarded if more 2.7.2. No music is allowed for march off. A maximum penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.8. 20 seconds march on (All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts) 2.8.1. Before the march on begins the signal Team ready will be announced. Timing will begin immediately after and will end when the team comes to a stop on the display area and all movement has ceased. If more than 20 seconds then major penalty will apply. March before signal will also lead to a minor penalty. 2.8.2. No music is allowed for march on A maximum team penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.9. 60-70 seconds display time (All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts) 2.9.1. The duration of the display will not be less than 60 seconds or more than 70 seconds, timed from the start of the audio, until the audio stops and the display is finished. A major penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.10. 20 seconds march off. (All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts) 2.10.1. March off cannot be longer than 30 seconds. The timing starts from the announcement Thank-you team Major Penalty will be awarded if more 2.10.2. No music is allowed for march off. A maximum penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 2.11. Cheer 25 60 seconds. (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) 2.11.1 Cheer section must be a minimum of 25 seconds and not longer than a 1 minute (60 seconds). Major penalty to be awarded in contravention of this rule. 3. AUDIO 3.1. March on & off: 3.1.1. Music is not allowed for March on or March off for cheerleading. A maximum team penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 3.2. Display 3.2.1. In all categories pre-recorded audio is compulsory during the display. A maximum team penalty will be awarded for contravention of this rule. 4. PROPS (Only allowed in Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls) 4.1. Signs 4.1.1. Size: Signs must be a minimum of A4 in size and a maximum of 10m X 10m (measured from the outer-most points) Cheerleading Jan 2016 4 SAMCA 2016
4.1.2. Materials: Signs may be made of any material except for wood or metal. 4.2. Flags 4.2.1 Size: Flags must be a minimum of A4 in size and a maximum of 10m X 10m (measured from the outer-most points) 4.2.2 Materials: Flags may be made of any material except for wood or metal. Poles may be made of any material. 4.3. Banners 4.3.1 Size: Banners must be a minimum of A4 in size and a maximum of 10m X 10m (measured from the outer-most points) 4.3.2 Materials: Banners may be made of any material except for wood or metal. 4.4. Megaphones - Must taper from one side to the other. 4.4.1. Size: Minimum diameter of opening: 9cm, diameter of opening: 50cm 4.4.2. Materials: Megaphones may be made of any material. Megaphones may not have any electronic or mechanical components 4.5. Pom-Pons Any contraventions of the props rules will result in a maximum team penalty. 5 USE OF THE COMPETITION AREA 5.1. The team shall commence their march on from the 5m x 5m block and proceed into the demarcated area within the allocated time period. A minor penalty will be awarded for each contravention of this. No specification as to how the team gets onto the field but has to be within the time limit e.g. Can spread out over the side-lines of the 5m block to get onto the field. 5.2. If prop leaves the display area after the start of the display, a minor penalty will be awarded. 5.3. No member of the team may leave the demarcated area at any time during the display except with the permission of the relevant competition official. A minor penalty will be awarded for each contravention of this rule. 5.4. All demarcating lines belongs to the athlete. Any part of the body or prop that is partially or fully over the line will be penalized with a minor penalty. 5.5. Non-retrieval of props will lead to a minor penalty per prop. 5.6. No team will choreograph a re-entry into competition area after the exit sequence has begun. A minor penalty will be awarded for each contravention of this. 5.7. Depending on weather conditions, especially wind, the Director of Coaches and Director of Judges can make decisions on the day, as long as it is communicated to all coaches, about props to be used and penalties not counting, as a result of the conditions. A meeting must be called with all team s coaches competing on the day. 6 UNIFORM 7.1 Acceptability of uniform to be checked in the check area. 7.2 All teams are to report to a Chill area after their display. 7.3 All dress and props are to be checked in chill area after display if there is a query. 7.4 All uniform infringements will be identified prior to the march, the team will be given the opportunity to rectify the problem prior to the march, the display march times will not change. 7.5 Underwear and slits in skirts will be checked in Chill area and these may be penalise after the march Ruling Footwear compulsory for groups & cheerleading Penalty Team Cheerleading Jan 2016 5 SAMCA 2016
Gloves are optional No jewellery may be allowed (only medic alert bracelet allowed) Minor per member Uniform must have fitted sleeves (long or short). Cap sleeves are not Team permitted. Skin showing skin may show at midriff a maximum of 4 fingers above Team navel, and 2 fingers below navel. Uniforms are to reach a minimum length of the clenched fingers when arms are stretched down the side of body when the body is straight and standing square, this is the minimum length of the uniform whether skirt or other, if more than 25% of the sub group of the team contravene, this rule applies. Example - if hot pants extend to this level the skirt length is irrelevant. Male athletes pants are to reach a minimum length of the clenched Team fingers when arms are stretched down the side of body when the body is straight and standing square. Skin may show on the back as long as underwear (bra straps) are not Major penalty exposed. Males and female athletes must wear obvious proper support (Primary Minor per member school not exempt) Unitards are to fit properly no transparency, no underwear to show Team (including through the fabric) Underwear must not be distinctly/overly visible check prior to march (VISSIBLE MEANS SEE THROUGH YOU WILL SEE BUMPS AND THIS IS ALLOWED) Uniforms bearing midriff must be covered at the competition venue when Minor per member not competing or during practice. Inspection and march times 1. Inspection times will be as follows: 20 minutes prior to start of projected time of the section 2. The programme will list the uniform times and the time for the section to start. These can change if the competition is running early. 3. The competition will start on the start time and run. 4. A team cannot refuse to move up a slot. 5. If a team leaves the area it is at their own peril. If they miss their slot to march they will receive a maximum penalty and be slotted in. 6. Once you enter inspection you are under starters orders. 7. Should the draw result in your team being on the field when you are required at uniform inspection you must have 1 representative in the inspection queue who can indicate this to the marshal. The representative must remain in the march queue and should your march position come up and you are not available yet the CA will make the decision to hold the programme until the team arrives based on the circumstances. POHIBITED MOVEMENTS, PROPS and MUSIC 1. Prohibited movements in all sections will lead to a maximum team penalty a. Not allowed a fall back movements (on both knees and falling onto back) b. Overtly sexually suggestive movements are not allowed (must be choreographed), this is at the discretion of the majority of the penalty panel (3 of 5 penalty judges + adj manager) this will lead to a maximum team penalty. Director of Judges have final verdict. c. No stunts, pyramids or tosses in any section other than cheerleading. Cheerleading Jan 2016 6 SAMCA 2016
2. Prohibited props Team will not be allowed to march with these props at all. If the prop is only revealed during the performance, then a maximum team penalty will be applied. a) No national flag of any country, in any form, to be used. b) No national emblems of any country, in any form, to be used on any prop. 3. Prohibited music - in all sections will lead to a maximum team penalty a) No national anthem of any country to be used in any form. It is incumbent for trainers to ensure that participants are fit and able to perform the movements without injury. A trainer may be asked by either the Director of Judges or Coaches Representative to adjust their display if it is obvious that the participants are not fit enough or able to perform the movements which can lead to a major injury. 1. CHEERLEADING RULES: 1.1. There must be professional spotters (minimum of 3) otherwise the competition will not be allowed to proceed. These will be provided by the trainers board. 1.2. Helicopters are banned = Base + sitting on shoulders + third top person attached to sitting on shoulders and base swings around - Team Penalty 1.3. All teams must have at least one cheer in the routine, all cheers are to be a minimum of 25 seconds at a time and a maximum of 1 minute in total, with no audio. (Only in Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls) 1.4. Dismounts The movement from a stunt or pyramid to a cradle or the performing surface. The first part of the body to touch the floor in any dismount must be the feet. 1.5. No members are allowed to invert out of a stunt or pyramid unless their entire body is caught before touching the ground. 1.6. Spotters are not to be obstructed from spotting. No props may be held while spotting 1.7. The spotter may stabilize the stunt and may maintain contact throughout the stunt but may not bear the primary weight of the top person. They may assist in cradles. 1.8. All age groups are not allowed to do monkey swings or pendulum swings from hands or feet. = Body of top person may not travel more than 90 degrees when in horizontal position and attached by hands or feet to base/s 1.9. TOSSES: 1.9.1. A toss will be identified by the binding of the bases hands and will be a free standing movement 1.9.2. There must be at least 3 bases and the top person all 3 bases must be involved in the throwing and catching Limitation on the stunts and stunts in pyramids per age group PRIMARY SCHOOL MOUNTS Must be connected to base at all times during mount (no throws) DISMOUNTS No single base cradles may cradle to double base Release moves restricted to 1 skill/trick with 0 twist Up to 1/4 twist is allowed exception: log barel rolls may twist up to one rotation and land in Cheerleading Jan 2016 7 SAMCA 2016
cradle No inverted dismounts allowed Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Lifts must be held with both hands except for sit on shoulders and back Extensions on 2 feet are allowed Single leg extensions are allowed if braced by at least 1 person at prep with hand-arm connection No single base extended stunts, unless braced by hand to arm connection and assisted by a spotter No release moves or inversions are allowed (exception barrel rolls) PYRAMIDS Must follow all primary mounts, dismounts and stunts rules Max 2 ½ persons high Base must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back/shoulders and stand on back/shoulders SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all stunts at prep level and above MINOR per stunt TOSSES No combinations allowed / Single movements only No inversions allowed No Travelling tosses (must be thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of top person is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss HIGH SCHOOL MOUNTS No unattached twists or inversions in mounts. Clarification: inversions must remain attached while the stunt is inverted only DISMOUNTS STUNTS No unattached inversions. Clarification: inversions must remain attached while the stunt is inverted only Up to 1 twisting rotation allowed from 2 legs at prep level or below Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor Bases must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back/shoulders and stand on back/shoulders Release moves are restricted to a single trick and half twists only. exception: log/barrel rolls may twist up to 1 rotation Forward suspended rolls up to 1 full twisting rotation PYRAMIDS Must follow all highschool mounts, dismounts and stunt rules Max 2 ½ persons high SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all stunts at prep level and above, except for double bases at prep level MINOR per stunt TOSSES Up to 2 tricks allowed during a toss Allowed twists, single forward inversion position and combinations within Cheerleading Jan 2016 8 SAMCA 2016
their tosses A toss that exceeds 1.5 twisting rotations, no other skill other than the twist is allowed No Travelling tosses (thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of top person is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss TERTIARY MOUNTS Any DISMOUNTS Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Any PYRAMIDS Max 2 ½ persons high SPOTTERS Professional only TOSSES No Double inversions No Horizontal Tosses where body of top person is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss Summary Cheerleading AUDIO In all categories pre-recorded audio is compulsory during the display. AUDIO Music is not allowed for march on or march off for cheerleading. COMP AREA Non retrieval of prop will lead to a minor penalty per prop Minor COMP AREA COMP AREA No team member (includes prop) shall re-enter the competition area after the exit sequence has begun. A Minor penalty will be awarded for each contravention of this rule by different team members. No member of the team may leave the demarcated area at any time during the display Minor Minor COMP AREA The team shall commence their march on from the 5m x 5m block. Minor for each MEMBER No team member may march in two teams that are entered in the same category MEMBER March before signal Minor PROPS PROPS The use of fireworks, explosive-type effects, confetti, balloons or substances or props that cannot be retrieved by members of the team is prohibited at any time during the competition. No electrical or mechanical devices may be used whether on props or on uniform. PROPS Props incorrect measurements & allowance PROPS No Props allowed in All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts DISQ DISQ Cheerleading Jan 2016 9 SAMCA 2016
PROHIBITED MOVES & MUSIC NATIONAL FLAGS TIME SOUTH AFRICAN MAJORETTE & CHEERLEADING ASSOCIATION Any prohibited movements and music used. If any team is spotted with a national flag or prop with a national emblem on it form any country, the team will be asked to change props, or will not be allowed to march. If props were only revealed during the performance then a team penalty will be applied. Any team arriving more than 5 minute late for uniform check shall incur a Major penalty and shall be re-schedule to march later in the event at the discretion of the Adjudicator Manager. Major TIME 30 seconds march on & march off (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) Major TIME 20 seconds march on & march off (All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts) Major TIME The duration of the display will not be less than 2 minutes or more than 3 minutes, timed from the start of the audio, until the audio stops and the display is finished. (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) Major TIME TIME UNIFORM UNIFORM UNIFORM The duration of the display will not be less than 60 seconds or more than 70 seconds, timed from the start of the audio, until the audio stops and the display is finished. (All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts) Cheer section must be a minimum of 25 seconds and not longer than a 1 minute (60 seconds). Skin may show at midriff a maximum of 4 fingers above navel, and 2 fingers below navel. Uniforms are to reach a minimum length of the clenched fingers when arms are stretched down the side of body when the body is straight and standing square, this is the minimum length of the uniform whether skirt or other, if more than 25% of the sub group of the team contravene, this rule applies. Example - if hot pants extend to this level the skirt length is irrelevant. Male athletes pants are to reach a minimum length of the clenched fingers when arms are stretched down the side of body when the body is straight and standing square. Unitards are to fit properly no transparency, no underwear to show (including through the fabric) Underwear must not be distinctly/overly visible check prior to march (VISSIBLE MEANS SEE THROUGH YOU WILL SEE BUMPS AND THIS IS ALLOWED) Major Major Major UNIFORM No jewellery may be allowed (only medic alert bracelet allowed) Minor UNIFORM Skin may show on the back as long as underwear (bra straps) is not exposed. Minor UNIFORM Male and female athletes must wear proper support (Primary school not Minor per exempt) member UNIFORM Gloves are optional UNIFORM All uniform infringement will lead to a maximum team penalty prior to the march, the team will be given the opportunity to rectify the problem Major penalty prior to the march. The display march time will not change. UNIFORM Footwear compulsory for groups & cheerleading Cheerleading Jan 2016 10 SAMCA 2016
UNIFORM SOUTH AFRICAN MAJORETTE & CHEERLEADING ASSOCIATION Uniforms bearing midriff must be covered at the competition venue when not competing or during practice. Minor per member Primary Movements MOUNTS Must be connected to base at all times during mount (no throws) DISMOUNTS No single base cradles may cradle to double base Release moves restricted to 1 skill/trick with 0 twist Up to 1/4 twist is allowed exception: log barel rolls may twist up to one rotation and land in cradle No inverted dismounts allowed Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Bases must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back/shoulders and stand on back/shoulders Extensions on 2 feet are allowed Single leg extensions are allowed if braced by at least 1 person at prep with hand-arm connection No single base extended stunts, unless braced by hand to arm connection and assisted by a spotter No release moves or inversions are allowed (exception barrel rolls) PYRAMIDS Must follow all primary mounts, dismounts and stunts rules Max 2 ½ persons high Base must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back and stand on back SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all stunts at prep level and above MINOR per stunt TOSSES No combinations allowed / Single movements only No inversions allowed No Travelling tosses (must be thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of top person is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss Highshool Movements MOUNTS DISMOUNTS No unattached twists or inversions in mounts. Clarification: inversions must remain attached while the stunt is inverted only No unattached inversions. Clarification: inversions must remain attached while the stunt is inverted only. Up to 1 twisting rotation allowed from two leg stunts prep level or below Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Bases must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back/shoulders Cheerleading Jan 2016 11 SAMCA 2016
and stand on back/shoulders Release moves are restricted to a single trick and half twists exception: log/barrel rolls may twist up to 1 rotation Forward suspended rolls up to 1 full twisting rotation PYRAMIDS Must follow all highschool mounts, dismounts and stunt rules Max 2 ½ persons high No spotter required for double base at shoulder level extension requires spotter SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all stunts at prep level and above, except for double bases at prep level MINOR per lift TOSSES Up to 2 tricks allowed during a toss Allowed twists, single forward inversion position and combinations within their tosses A toss that exceeds 1.5 twisting rotations, no other skill other than the twist is allowed No Travelling tosses (thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of top person is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss Tertiary Movements MOUNTS Any DISMOUNTS Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Any PYRAMIDS Max 2 ½ persons high SPOTTERS Professional only TOSSES No Double inversions No Horizontal Tosses where body of top person is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss Cheerleading Jan 2016 12 SAMCA 2016