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DIVISIONS UPDATED - October 15, 2009

RULES UPDATED - October 15, 2009

Code of Conduct

In an effort to provide positive, fair and professional competition, Florida Cheer & Dance Association has implemented a Code of Conduct for all of their events. This code of conduct is to be followed by all directors, coaches, competitors, parents, spectators, or anyone else affiliated with the program.

Rules/ Regulations / Sportsmanship

1. My team and I have read and understand all rules and regulations as stated in FCDA Rules and will abide by them.

2. My team and I will adhere to all performance and safety regulations. We understand that failing to do so may result in a deduction of penalty points.

3. I will abide by all age and/or grade requirements for the divisions they are competing in. I understand that upon request I may have to provide said documentation if a violation is reported. Misrepresenting this information can result in disqualification.

4. I understand that only the director/coach may approach FCDA staff to register a complaint. If a parent contacts FCDA staff or FCDA judge with an objection I understand my right to protest has been forfeited.

5. The safety of my team is my top priority and therefore will put more importance on safety of my athletes than competitive results.

6. I understand that the possibility of injury is present at cheer and dance activities and certify that my team has been properly trained.

7. I understand that FCDA reserves the right to remove any person for unsafe or unsportsmanlike conduct.

8. FCDA reserves the right to add/combine divisions to create the best possible atmosphere for a competitive championship. Divisions may be combined when there are 3 or less teams registered in a division for that particular category. Judging will be based on the percentage of the teams required elements in a given category to ensure complete fairness and no bias.

These rules are aligned with, and all school/rec participants must comply with, the

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) spirit rules.

Cheer All-star divisions have also been aligned with the new levels , and their associated rules,

as developed by USASF.

CLICK HERE FOR USASF CHEER RULES AND ALL-STAR DIVISIONS

CLICK HERE FOR FCDA DANCE RULES AND CATEGORIES

SCHOOL and Recreational CHEER

I. Cheer Team Definitions:

Youth /Rec. Team – A non-school affiliated team that cheers for an organized sport

or cheers in a community program that does not require try-outs or auditions for membership.

School Teams – Members of a school team must attend and cheer for the school they are representing.

All Star Teams – Teams representing an All-Star program.

II. School/Rec Cheer Divisions:

Youth/Rec.-

Youth-MINI (2nd grade & Under)

Youth-I (4th grade & Under)

Youth-II (6th grade & Under)

Youth-III (9th grade & Under)

Youth-IV (12th grade & Under)

School-

Elementary School (6th grade & Under)

Junior High/Middle (9th grade & Under)

Junior Varsity (9th-11^th grade)

Varsity Small (9th-12^th grade, up to 20 members)

Varsity Large (9th-12^th grade, 21+ members)

Varsity Coed Small (9th-12^th grade, up to 20 members, 2+ males)

Varsity Coed Large (9th-12^th grade, 21+ members, 2+ males)

College All-Girl

College Coed

Mascot - Official School Mascots

Individual Cheer-

Elementary (6th grade & Under)

Junior High / Middle (9th grade & Under)

Freshman/Sophomore (9th -10th grade)

Junior/Senior (11th-12th grade)

College/Open (over 16 years old)

Individual Jumps-

Elementary (6th grade & Under)

Junior High / Middle (9th grade & Under)

Freshman/Sophomore (9th -10th grade)

Junior/Senior (11th-12th grade)

College/Open (over 16 years old)

Individual Tumbling Pass-

Mini (2nd grade & Under)

Elementary (6th grade & Under)

Junior High / Middle (9th grade & Under)

Freshman/Sophomore (9th -10th grade)

Junior/Senior (11th-12th grade)

College/Open (over 16 years old)

Stunt Groups (4-5 Female)-

Pee Wee (4th grade & Under)

Youth (6th grade & Under)

Junior (9th grade & Under)

Senior (9th-12^th grade)

College/Open (over 16 years old)

Children must be chaperoned at all times during the competition.

FCDA will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. FCDA claims no responsibility for accident or injury.

Schedules

All schedules will be followed as closely as possible.

It is necessary for the contestant to be at the competition site no
later than one hour before his/her scheduled time of performance.

FCDA reserves the right to extend any competition.

GLOSSARY

Aerial - A stunt that is performed, which remains free of contact with a person or surface.

Awesome – An extended stunt where a flyer has both feet together within the hand(s) of the base(s). It may also be referred to as a Cupie.

Base - A person with at least one foot on the floor who is in direct weight-bearing contact with a performing surface while providing primary support for another person.

Basket Toss – A toss with multiple bases, of which 2 or more persons have their hands interlocked.

Brace - To provide stability to a flyer without having or providing weight-bearing contact or responsibility. The stunt should be capable of remaining stable without the brace.

Cartwheel – A non-aerial acrobatic skill involving a hip over head rotation in which a person rotates sideways while in a straddle position with support from at least one hand.

Cradle - Catcher (s), palms up, catching a flyer by placing one arm under the back and the other under the thighs of the flyer. The flyer must be caught in a pike position.

Dismount - Leaving and/or finishing a stunt, pyramid, or a release onto the performance surface or into a cradle.

Drops - Dropping to the knee, thigh, seat, front, back, or a split position, onto the performance surface from a jump, stand, or from an inverted position without first bearing most of the weight on the hands or feet, breaking the impending impact of the drop.

Extended Stunt - A stunt performed in which the supporting arm (s) of the base (s) is/are fully extended above the head and the flyer’s feet/hands remain in the hands of the base (s).

Extension - An extended stunt in which the top person is standing with both of their feet in the hands of the base (s). Each foot of this extended top person or flyer must be supported by at least one hand that is not supporting their other foot. A stunt in which one hand supports both of the flyer's feet is not considered an extension. See also; awesome.

Flip - An aerial stunt which includes a hip over head rotation.

Flyer - A person (s) on top of a stunt or toss. Sometimes referred to as a top person or a partner.

Hanging Pyramid - This is a pyramid in which one or more persons are suspended over the performing surface by one or more top persons or flyers.

Helicopter - A top person or flyer in a horizontal position is tossed and then rotates around a vertical axis (like helicopter blades) later to be caught by the bases who performed the original toss.

Inversion – This is a position where the person’s shoulders are below his, or her, waist.

Jump – This is a non-flipping maneuver involving a person who becomes airborne by pushing off the performance surface using his/her own power developed while using their legs and feet.

Log Roll - A flyer in a horizontal position is first tossed, then he or she rotates (twists) parallel to the performing surface before being caught again by the original bases.

Pooper Scooper – This is stunt transition where a person (usually a top person/flyer) passes between the legs of another person who is usually a base.

Prone Position – A flat body in a face down position.

Prop - An object that can be used or manipulated to enhance a routine.

Pyramid - A stunt connecting many persons including the raising of one or more persons above the performance surface.

Rebound – A maneuver in which a person becomes airborne by bounding off the performance surface (usually during tumbling and from their feet).

Rewind – This is an aerial flip, into a stunt.

Running Tumbling – Tumbling executed out of a front entry tumbling skill. (for example, a power hurdle, round off, or a front walkover)

Second Level - This is a person being supported by one or more other persons or person in contact with the ground.

Shoulder Stand Level - This is a stunt where the flyer’s hips are at the same height they would be if they were in a shoulder stand.

Sponge Toss - This is a multi-based stunt where a flyer is thrown into the air by his or her feet.

Spotter - This is a person who is in direct contact with the performing surface who is in a position to help control the building of, or dismounting from, a stunt, if necessary. The person (s) should not required to provide primary support for the stunt. The stunt or pyramid should be able to remain stable without the spotter (s') help. The primary responsibility of a spotter should be safety. A persons or persons whose mobility or whose vision of the stunt be blocked can not be considered spotters. The spotter must remain in a position to prevent injuries, with special emphasis placed on protecting the head, neck, and back areas of the performers.

Standing Tumbling – This is any tumbling executed out of anything other than a front entry tumbling skill. It should be performed from a stationary position and without a moving or running entry.

Straight Cradle - This is a release move from a stunt to a catching position, where no other skill such as a turn, kick, or twist, is performed.

Stunt - This is a skill in which a flyer is supported above the performance surface by one or more persons. It is also referred to as a mount.

Suspended Flip – This is a stunt involving a hip over head rotation in which a flyer remains in direct contact with at least two members who are at shoulder level or below. Primary weight should not be borne by those at the second level.

Toe/Leg Pitch – This is a single or multi-based toss where the base (s) push upward on a single foot or a flyer's leg in order to increase the flyer’s height above the performing surface.

Tosses - This is an airborne stunt in which a base or bases execute a throwing motion that increases the height of a flyer. The Flyer becomes free from contact with the bases. The Flyer is at the same time free from the performing surface.

Transitional Stunt - This is a flyer moving from one stunt to another. The transition could also involve changing bases.

Tumbling - Any gymnastic or acrobatic type skill executed from and on the performing surface.

Twist - A rotation around the body’s vertical axis while the performer remains airborne.

Two Persons High Stunt – This is a stunt where all performers who are not in contact with the cheering surface must be supported by one or more individuals who should be in direct weight-bearing contact with the performing surface.

Two 1/2 Persons High - This is a pyramid where the flyer (s) above the bases directly support another flyer (s). The total height should be no higher than 2 1/2 body lengths.

Walkover – This is a non-aerial acrobatic skill which involves hip over head rotation where a person rotates forward or backward with the legs in a split position with support from at least one hand.

Florida Cheer and Dance Association Official Rules