SPIRIT SQUADS
 

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QUESTION:   Can a child or children (mascots) perform with the team in the sideline area during a game?

 

The rule is 2-1-2 found on page 14 of the NFHS Spirit Rules book.  "Participation in spirit team activities during interscholastic contests and spirit competitions must be limited to bona fide students of the school who are designated as members of the school's spirit team(s)."  .........  See the entire rule.

 

The rule in the GHSA Constitution & By-Laws:

By-Law 1.21:  To be eligible to participate and/or try-out for a sport or activity, a student must be enrolled full time in grades 9-12 inclusive at the school seeking eligibility for that student.

 

It is illegal for the children to perform during half-time.  That is still considered a game situation.  The children would need to perform before or after game.  They could also possibly perform at a pep rally

 

 

COACHES - Please read the following:

 

It is suggested that when ordering uniforms coaches remember that cheerleading is a competitive sport in the state of Georgia.  Uniforms should reflect the sport of cheerleading.  It is hoped that coaches will not order dance costumes and flashy outfits to compete in.  Uniforms should reflect the school colors, school mascots, and cheerleading.  Uniforms must be safe. 

 

If uniforms appear to be see through in the middle (or any other part of the uniform) or made of a fishnet type material then the officials will have the option to call an inappropriate uniform on each cheerleader who is wearing that uniform.  Officials will not check uniforms prior to the team entering the competition floor to make a ruling on an appropriate uniform.  They will make a call based on what they see on the competition floor.

 

Please remember that uniforms must be safe.  Large baggy shirts may present an issue.  Football jerseys would be inappropriate wear for a cheerleading team to compete in. 

 

Please keep in mind that times are difficult for both the school systems and for the parents.  It is not unusual for both to face financial issues at this time.  Use good judgment and guide your team and parents in making wise decision. 

 

The following continue to apply:

1.  We do not suggest that any team compete in shorts.  Shorts come in different lengths and can be inappropriate on some athletes when worn too tight or too short.

2. Loose fitting shirts are inappropriate.

3.  Uniforms cannot be used as signs to lead a cheer, chant or guide a team to yell specific words or chants (to including briefs, eck all briefs to make sure they fit. 

 

Sportsmanship

(posted 9/18/2008)

AACCA - Update

(posted 9/18/2008)
 

Sportsmanship Power Point

(posted 8/27/2007)

2007 Spirit Rule Changes

(posted 2/12/2007)
 

 
 

  General  Forms
    Posted 3/12/2007 - Contract for Sportsmanship  
    Posted 3/12/2007 - Student/ Parent Consent  
    Posted 3/12/2007 - Parent Preseason Letter  
    Posted 3/12/2007 - Emergency Medical Authorization  
    Posted 3/012/2007 - Emergency Plan  
    Posted 3/012/2007 - Return to Play  
    Posted 3/12/2007 - Daily Dozen Safety Checklist  
    Posted 3/12/2007 - Basic Stunt Progression  
       

   

Sportsmanship Power Point     

Need something to present to your parents.  Need something to show them what you expect and how they can help your program.  Need a sportsmanship presentation.  Try this one!

Click here to download!

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

 

The coach ask:  Can we use the sign "Beat the Eagles"?   I would say that it was an appropriate sign to motivate the team.  In this case it is used to motivate the team.  However, had she said "Beat those Chickens" it would have been taunting the other team. 

(Examples of inappropriate signs:  "Hang the farmers", "Stamp out the Hornets",  "Shoot or Kill the Patriots", "Skin the Gators" and so on.)  We are talking about a fine line and coaches know that line I believe.  They are either choosing to cheer for their teams or selecting to place themselves in competition against the opposing cheerleading team.  We are not there to compete against the opposing cheerleading team.

 

Challenge - Cheer for Your Team Not Against the Other Team!  Sportsmanship is the banner of every great team!!!!!

 

1.    Cheer in a positive manner -It is inappropriate to cheer against the other team.  The cheerleaders are there to support their team.

2.    No suggestive words or motions.  Do not use cheers/chants/words that inflame or taunt and audience.  

3.    No initiating of response cheers (We've got spirit, how about you!).

4.    Display sportsmanship posters around your school and in the gym!

5.    Teach sportsmanship at Pep Rallies and talk to parents at booster club meetings.

6.    Preview all signs/posters/banners! 

        **They should be positive and support your team.

        **Remember signs are there to support your team and not taunt the other team.

        **Signs should promote positive crowd spirit.

        **Signs should not degrade any athlete or team.

7.    Obnoxious behavior should be discouraged.

8.    Never boo!  If booing develops begin a chant that supports your team.

9.    Use signs to teach your crowd the words.

10.  Respect other athletes.  Do not cheer when a player is injured.  Do applaud great plays by all athletes when the athlete is leaving the game.

11.  Respect the officials.  Do not taunt, boo, or yell at officials.

12.  Respect the coaches.

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AACCA - Update

The AACCA recently added specific restrictions for basketball court stunts that coordinate with their college level restrictions. The NFHS has not made any similar changes to the 2008-09 Spirit Rules that are already in place. In Georgia, schools are required to follow the NFHS rules, but can always be more restrictive in their rules if they choose to. Coaches may want to take the AACCA safety rules under advisement when considering the performance environment.  (Check the AACCA web site for the new restrictions.) 

 
 FROM THE GHSA:
 WARNING - SAFETY FIRST: Providing a safe environment for our athletes is a coaching responsibility. The performing surface and the safety of that surface should be checked by coaches. Cheerleading rules apply to all activities - practice, performances, games, pep rallies, competition, and other team activities where cheerleading skills are performed.

Teams should not stunt or tumble on hard surfaces, rock surfaces, loose dirt/rock surfaces, uneven surfaces, concrete, wet surfaces, in unlighted areas, near hard/concrete walls, fences, etc. All coaches should check surfaces and the area prior to allowing stunts or tumbling for the safety of those surfaces. Adequate space must be available and teams must warm-up before stunting or tumbling. If a coach feels there is any issue that might be unsafe for a team to perform skills it should be the judgment of that coach that the team not stunt, tumble, jump or perform any type of cheerleading skill that might lead to an injury or a dangerous situation.

 Basketball courts are not an appropriate surface to throw basket tosses. Basketball cheerleading coaches should study the rules and know all safety rules stated by the NFHS covering basketball cheerleading. They are found in the NFHS Rules Book on pages 19/20. This is a closed arena. Cheerleaders should not stunt during warm-ups, during the time the ball is in play, where adequate space is not available, too close to a wall or the bleachers, behind the end lines or free throw lines, with inadequate lighting and/or when other safety issues arise. It is vital that coaches monitor team progressions in stunts and that no stunts are allowed on the basketball court that have not been mastered by the team.

 

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NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE  

HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS  

NFHS

2007 SPIRIT RULES CHANGES

 

To minimize risk of high school athletes the following changes have been implemented by the NFHS.  Remember to check all rule numbers once the new books have been printed. 

 

2-1-4                    Props, including signs that are made of solid material or have

corners or sharp edges must be tossed or placed gently when

discarded.

 

2-1-7                    The rule was modified to clarity that spring-assisted floors, mini-

Trampolines, and other height-increasing apparatuses are not permitted during performances or competitions.

 

2-5-2                    “Bases of extended stunts must have both feet in direct weight-

bearing contact with the performing surface.”

 

2-8-3                    “In braced partner stunts/pyramids, at least one bracer of each

pair must be at shoulder height or below.”

 

Exception 1:  Allows three different extended stunts – chairs, multi-

base deadman lifts and multi-base straddle lifts – to brace any

additional extended stunts.

 

Exception 2:  “Extensions may brace chairs, multi-base deadman lifts and multi-based straddle lifts and other extensions.  This does not include Totem Pole stunts.

 

2-9-1               Suspended rolls are allowed if  “in multi-based stunts, the flyer

                        Maintains continuous hand-to-hand/arm contact with two post.”

 

2-10-4                 Addition to the Toss rules:

“The flyer must not hold objects in his/her hands.”  The only

Exception to this would be “load-in tosses” which is considered to

Be a “toss into a partner stunt” or a “toss to hands”.