New Rubrics for 2010-2011

Rules Interpretations

The following interpretation is to clarify the new NFHS Rule concerning dismounts. Please read over the explanation below which was given at the NFHS Rules Interpretation meeting on July 13. You will not the rule has been expanded to include any dismount that is over 1 full down.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE NOTE INTERPRETATION CHANGE!

This past weekend I attended the NFHS Rules Interpretation Meeting. A clarification was made on Rule 2-6-7, page 17. The rule states - "A twist to a cradle involving more than one rotation is permitted on appropriate mats, grass, rubberized and soft-yielding surfaces.

The new interpretation has expanded this to include any dismounts that require a 1 and 1/4 turn to be illegal on the hard and unyielding surfaces (basketball court, concrete, etc.). This means that a team cannot execute a scorpion, a scale, an arabesque, or any stunt that requires over one rotation on an inappropriate surface. It would be illegal to execute such stunts at any time during a practice, competition, or performance unless the surface was appropriate.

All states had assumed that this meant the double downs by interpretation would now be illegal but the interpretation has expanded to cover all dismounts over one rotation.

 

MAJOR RULES INTERPRETATION CHANGE:

At all rules clinics prior to Southeast Bulloch this was taught as a legal stunt based upon the interpretation given when the video was sent in during February. The rule has now been addressed and the VAULT has been interpreted to be a transitional stunt and will fall in that category.

The following interpretation has just been issued by NFHS. Earlier this year the NFHS rules interpreter gave approval for the VAULT to be executed in a backward leap frog movement where the flyer goes over the head of her spot. At this time The Vault when moving in the backward motion has been interpreted to be a Transitional Stunt. By placing this stunt in the Transitional Stunt category it now becomes illegal by NFHS rules. The flyer does not remain directly over her bases.

NOTE: We currently show this stunt as legal of our website. It will be posted as illegal as quickly as possible.

1.         Is a certified teacher from one county allowed to coach in another county (school system)?

            Answer:          The GHSA does allow a teacher from one school system to coach at another school system as long as it has been approved by both Systems.  A form is provided by the GHSA that must be signed by both Systems.  If the individual holds a teaching certificate but is not teaching with any system but is going to coach for a school, then they must complete the Community Coach classes and be certified as a community coach. 

2.         Can a booster club pay for gymnastics, stunting or other skill classes for cheerleaders?

            Answer:          No.  When a booster club pays for the cheerleading team to take tumbling, the school is indirectly allowing illegal  practice/coaching.  By-Law 2.69 (b) (f):  It is illegal for a team to go to competitive or instructional camp or clinic during the school year …….  Out of season it would constitute an illegal practice, in season it would involve illegal coaching.

 3.         What is the GHSA interpretation concerning a spirit team and a competitive team practicing prior to school  ending?

             Answer:         The GHSA’s interpretation is that a spirit team may practice chants, only. to prepare to cheer at a spring football game.  There can be no practice that is specific to competitive cheerleading (i.e. no stunting, tumbling, routine practice, etc.) Any sport can do conditioning at any time so long as it is not sports specific.  (In the Cheerleading Section of the GHSA Constitution there is an incorrect statement which will be corrected in the 2008 book.  The current wording states that conditioning is not allowed.  This will be changed to read that conditioning is allowed.)  Cheerleaders, spirit or competitive, can condition at any time so long as it is not a specific cheerleading skill.  They can run, lift weights, work on flexibility, etc., however they cannot tumble, stunt, gymnastics, etc.  

4.         GHSA does not govern tryout procedures.  That is a local school decision and policies are set by the local school system.

 5.         Can a high school cheerleader on a competitive team also appear on an All Star roster?

            Answer:          Yes, a cheerleader can be on an All Star team also, so long as the All Star Coach is not the high school coach.  That would be a GHSA coaching violation. 

6.         Who can Coach?  Can a secretary coach?

Answer:          The Head Coach of any Varsity or JV team must be a Certified teacher.  A secretary cannot be the Head Coach.  She/He could be the assistant coach if they are certified by the GHSA Community Coach Program. 

            7.         Can an All Star Coach also coach the high school team that have some of The same members as his All Star Team?

            Answer:          A GHSA Coach may not coach a non-GHSA team in a competitive setting during the school year that includes any player(s) who participate in the sport He/She coaches at the member school. 

8.         Can the gym coach, who is also a community coach, continue to work with the competitive team until the end of the school year?

            Answer:          No, the gym coach is a community coach and has the same guidelines/rules as the Head Coach.  Once a team is eliminated at region, sectionals, or state and the team’s season has ended the community coach may no longer work with that team on sports specific skills.

9.         Question:  We have a cheerleader who is in a hard cast.  Can we allow her to do the dance and the cheer and not stunt?
 

Answer:  Yes, the cheerleader may participate.  The rule (page 20 - 2-2-8) states that a cheerleader wearing a hard cast must not be involved in stunting.  Remember the definition of stunting:  It is any tumbling, toss, partner stunt, or pyramid.
 

Coaching Warning: As a coach use good common sense.  What type of cast are you discussing?  Should this cheerleader be involved in jumps?  Can she/he maintain balance?
Are the dance motions clear an enable the athletes to perform without possible risk of injury? 

10.      Falls:  Remember that a fall must be to the floor - arm down, leg down, head down,  landing on the rear, completely falling to the ground. A athlete attempting to do a back tuck who puts the hands down to complete the tumbling would not be called for a fall.  However, if that same athlete puts the arm down or comes down on her knees then it is a fall.  When a member of a stunt group falls it is one fall and if three members of the stunt team fall then it is still one fall.
 

11.      Drops:  The rule states that drops must be controlled.   The weight must be borne on the hands and/or feet or it must be controlled.  The team does not have to put their hands down first.  It is the speed with which the team drops and the degree of the impact.  A team can slide into a drop and it might be controlled.  Drops which hit the floor with hard impact or cannot be controlled might be determined to be illegal. Jumping into a drop would most likely create an issue if the hands or feet did not come down first to slow the impact. 
 

12.      Pendulum:  Remember that the rule applies not only to pendulums but to pendulum like stunts.  If a flyer is transitioning to a pendulum and the base does a half turn it would be illegal.  Only the flyer in the pendulum like stunt may make the half turn.  See the definition of a pendulum - it includes stunts where the flyer falls to a straight-body position.  We mainly see these in transitional pyramids.  All rules apply when the pendulum like stunt is completed within the pyramid.
 

13.      Spotting Single Based  Assisted Stunts: A flyer in a single based assisted liberty is extended.  The two bases are holding the stunt under the foot.  The stunt then requires an additional spotter.  The spotter may assume the normal positions as defined by the NFHS.  She/he may have their hands on the wrist of the base.  They may have their hands on the leg of the flyer.  Or, they may stand to the outside of the stunt and raise their arms up, with eyes on the flyer - this spotter does not have to touch the stunt. 
 

14.     Forward Suspended Rolls:
When a team executes a forward suspended roll from a half, from the floor, from the thigh stand, or other stunts at prep level or below, the flyer must go over in a tucked position. It does not have to be a full tuck which would be difficult to achieve in some cases but their must be an attempt to tuck. If the flyer goes over in a layout position this is not a forward suspended roll and the flyer would be in an inverted position. This would be called under 2-8-2b.
(**Coaches: We have a number of teams who are executing the forward suspended roll illegally. Please tell all flyers they must be in a tucked position.)
 

15.      Floor Entrance/Exit:
A team may show spirit while coming unto and off the floor. They may not tumble at any point unto or off the mat. They may only tumble during the routine. Teams should not show spirit by doing organized cheers and chants. They may meet in the center and yell together as they separate to move to positions. They should not do organized cheers/chants while off the floor and coming unto the mat. (These are GHSA rules and are in the white GHSA Cheer Manual. They are in the section that addresses "Timers". - page 29.)
 

16.         Beginning Routine:
Remember that all flyers must begin with one foot on the floor. (Same section as above.)
 

17.         Spotting:
A spot may not move from the front of the extended stunt (or any stunt that requires a spotter) to the back of the extended stunt, while the flyer is extended. The spot must remain in place and able to protect the head, neck and shoulders area. The spot cannot move away prior to the flyer no longer being at the extended level or the completion of the stunt that requires the spotter.

Click for Stunt Progression Chart

Rules Updates/Frequently Asked Questions