CHEERLEADING RULES Cheerleading January 2014 1 SAMCA 2014
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 January 2014 2 SAMCA 2014
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 January 2014 3 SAMCA 2014
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 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 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). 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 5.1.1 Size: Signs must be a minimum of A4 in size and a maximum of 10m X 10m (measured from the outer-most points) Cheerleading January 2014 4 SAMCA 2014
5.1.2 Materials: Signs may be made of any material except for wood or metal. 5.2 Flags 5.2.1 Size: Flags must be a minimum of A4 in size and a maximum of 10m X 10m (measured from the outer-most points) 5.2.2 Materials: Flags may be made of any material except for wood or metal. Poles may be made of any material. 5.3 Banners 5.3.1 Size: Banners must be a minimum of A4 in size and a maximum of 10m X 10m (measured from the outer-most points) 5.3.2 Materials: Banners may be made of any material except for wood or metal. 5.4 Megaphones - Must taper from one side to the other. 5.4.1 Size: Minimum diameter of opening: 9cm, diameter of opening: 50cm 5.4.2 Materials: Megaphones may be made of any material. Megaphones may not have any electronic or mechanical components 5.5 Pom-Pons Any contraventions of the props rules will result in a maximum team penalty. 5 USE OF THE COMPETITION AREA 4.2. 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. 4.3. Props are allowed to be thrown outside the demarcated area after use. Props that have been placed outside the demarcated area cannot be used again. Normal member out penalty will apply. 4.4. 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. 4.5. Non-retrieval of props will lead to a minor penalty per prop. 4.6. 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. 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 Penalty Footwear compulsory for groups & cheerleading Team Gloves are optional No jewellery may be allowed (only medic alert bracelet allowed) per member Dress or jacket must have fitted sleeves (long or short). Cap sleeves are Team not permitted. Skin showing -no skin to show by design from collar bone down to end of Team Cheerleading January 2014 5 SAMCA 2014
the clenched fingers(body not arms) 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. Cheerleading boys pants are to reach below the knee Team No skin may show accidently in the defined area of the torso during the penalty display it is penalised if it is repetitive by different member Girls must wear obvious proper support (Primary school not exempt) per girl 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) Two piece uniform may be worn as long as no skin shows when doing Penalty gymnastic or any other movements during the display. When doing lifts, and skin shows by means of base taking grip, NO penalty will be awarded. 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. 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 Cheerleading January 2014 6 SAMCA 2014
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) other wise 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 liftee 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 first part of the body to touch the floor in any dismount must be the feet 1.5. No members are allowed to somersault 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 lift and may maintain contact throughout the lift but may not bear the primary weight of the liftee. 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 liftee 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 flyer 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 No variations on any dismount Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS No extensions shoulder height is highest they may go Bases must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back and stand on back Base must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back and stand on back SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all lifts where the entire body of the liftee is at shoulder height of the base or above MINOR per lift TOSSES No combinations allowed / Single movements only Cheerleading January 2014 7 SAMCA 2014
No somersaults allowed No Travelling tosses (must be thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of tossee 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 somersaults in mounts DISMOUNTS No unattached twists or somersaults in cradle dismounts Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Bases must hold lift with both hands No spotter required for double base at shoulder level extension requires spotter SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all lifts where the entire body of the liftee is in extended position MINOR per lift TOSSES Allowed twists, single forward somersault in tuck position and combinations within their tosses No Travelling tosses (thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of tossee 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 SPOTTERS Professional only TOSSES No Double somersaults No Horizontal Tosses where body of tossee 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. Cheerleading January 2014 8 SAMCA 2014
COMP AREA Non retrieval of prop will lead to a minor penalty per prop COMP AREA COMP AREA No team member (includes prop) shall re-enter the competition area after the exit sequence has begun. A 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 COMP AREA The team shall commence their march on from the 5m x 5m block. MEMBER No team member may march in two teams that are entered in the same category MEMBER March before signal 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. for each PROPS Props incorrect measurements & allowance PROPS No Props allowed in All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts PROHIBITED MOVES & MUSIC NATIONAL FLAGS TIME 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 penalty and shall be re-schedule to march later in the event at the discretion of the Adjudicator Manager. DISQ DISQ TIME 30 seconds march on & march off (Group Cheerleading Co-ed & All Girls Only) TIME 20 seconds march on & march off (All Girl Group & Co-ed Partner Stunts) TIME TIME TIME UNIFORM UNIFORM 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) 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). No skin may show accidently in the defined are of the torso during the display it is penalised if it is repetitive by different member. 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 prior to the march. The display march time will not change. Cheerleading January 2014 9 SAMCA 2014
UNIFORM SOUTH AFRICAN MAJORETTE & CHEERLEADING ASSOCIATION 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) UNIFORM No jewellery may be allowed (only medic alert bracelet allowed) UNIFORM Skin showing no skin to show by design from the collar bone down to the end of the clenched fingers when arms are stretched down the side of the body when the body is straight and standing square, this is the 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 extended to this level the skirt length is irrelevant. UNIFORM Girls must wear proper support (Primary school not exempt) UNIFORM Girls must wear obvious proper support (Primary school not exempt) UNIFORM Gloves are optional UNIFORM UNIFORM Cheerleading no skin may show accidently in the defined area for the tumblers first infringement No skin may show accidently in the defined area of the torso during the display it is penalised if it is repetitive by different member UNIFORM Footwear compulsory for groups & cheerleading 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 No variations on any dismount Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS No extensions shoulder height is highest they may go Bases must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back and stand on back Base must hold lift with both hands except for sit on back and stand on back Spotters are needed for all lifts where the entire body of the liftee is at SPOTTERS shoulder height of the base or above TOSSES No combinations allowed / Single movements only No somersaults allowed No Travelling tosses (must be thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of tossee is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people High School Movements MOUNTS No unattached twists or somersaults in mounts DISMOUNTS No unattached twists or somersaults in cradle dismounts Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Bases must hold lift with both hands per girl penalty penalty MINOR per lift MAJOR per toss Cheerleading January 2014 10 SAMCA 2014
No spotter required for double base at shoulder level extension requires spotter SPOTTERS Spotters are needed for all lifts where the entire body of the liftee is in extended position MINOR per lift Allowed twists, single forward somersault in tuck position and TOSSES combinations within their tosses No Travelling tosses (thrown and caught by same people) No Horizontal Tosses where body of tossee is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people Tertiary Movements MOUNTS Any DISMOUNTS Feet must be first part of body to touch the floor STUNTS Any SPOTTERS Professional only TOSSES No Double somersaults No Horizontal Tosses where body of tossee is in horizontal position Tosses must be thrown by min 3 and caught by min 3 people MAJOR per toss MAJOR per toss Cheerleading January 2014 11 SAMCA 2014