The Official FCDA Rule Book Return to Home Page

DIVISIONS UPDATED - August 23rd, 2008

RULES UPDATED - August 23rd, 2008

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.

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

as developed by USASF.

USASF GLOSSARY

ALL-STAR CHEER & STUDIO DANCE

Note: Additional Dance Divisions may be added. Please call us at 239-596-6000 , if you do not see a division that suites you.

SCHOOL and Recreational CHEER & DANCE

I. Cheer Team Definitions:

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

or cheers/dances 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

or dance for the school they are representing.

All Star/Studio Teams – Teams representing an All-Star program or Dance Studio.

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)

III. General Guidelines for Cheer:

All cheer routines will be performed on a 42 x 54 foot cheer floor.
All School and recreational teams must comply with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) spirit safety rules.
Team Cheer Routines cannot exceed 2 minutes 30 seconds total. School/Rec. music can be a maximum of 2 minute and 30 seconds and may include a cheer. Individual and Stunt groups have a maximum time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds. A 5-point deduction will automatically be accessed if over time limit, along with possible disqualification for excess time usage, as decided by the Head Judge.
Timing starts with the first organized movement or sound.
Coaches may not "instruct" their teams while performing.

Exception: All Star Mini’s (2^nd grade & under)

Each team will be given 10 minutes total warm-up before performing.

(5 minutes on tumble strips + 5 minutes on practice floor)

A maximum of 4 FCDA spotters will be provided for all cheer routines.
Jewelry of ANY kind including but not limited to nose, ear, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniforms are prohibited. Jewelry must be completely removed and not taped over. Infractions will result in a 5-point, safety violation deduction.
Any violation of cheer, tumbling, stunting or dance rules will result in a 5-point deduction for each infraction.
Restarting a routine due to an injury or any other technical difficulty will be left to the head judge's discretion.
Vulgar music, words, dance, or movements will result in a 5-point deduction.
All props other than poms, signs, and megaphones must be approved.
Soft-soled tennis shoes are required for cheer. Inappropriate footwear, jazz shoes, boots, or bare feet, are not allowed.
Drops including but not limited to seat, knee, thigh, front, back, and split drops from a jump, stunt, or inverted position are strictly prohibited unless the majority of the weight is first borne by the hands/feet, which break the impact of the drop.
Height increasing apparatus used to propel a competitor is prohibited. (One exception: a spring floor)
Flags, banners, signs, pompoms, and megaphones are the only props that are allowed. Other props with poles or similar support apparatus may not be used in conjunction with any kind of stunting or tumbling.
All deductions will be taken off of the final score.
Judges decisions are final.

IV. Specific Safety Rules and Requirements for Cheer:

TUMBLING/JUMPS

All tumbling must originate from and land on the performing surface. (Exception: Tumbler may (without hip over head rotation) rebound from his/her feet into a stunt transition. Prone landings to stunt transition are allowed.)
Tumbling skills that exceed one flipping rotation, and/or two or more twisting rotations, are prohibited.
Toe pitch, assistance, or spotting on any tumbling skill is prohibited. Spotted, assisted, or connected tumbling where two or more individuals are in direct physical contact with each other is prohibited. (i.e. toe pitch flip) (Exception: When tumbling into a rebound that transitions to a stunt, physical contact is allowed. Gymnastic oriented mounts, dismounts, and transitions such as cartwheels, round-offs, walkovers, and rewinds are not considered tumbling, but part of the stunts as long as inversion rules are followed.)
Tumbling over, under, or through a stunt, individual, or prop, is prohibited. (Exceptions: forward roll over a prop is legal. Tumbling over people or objects is permitted in College/Open Division (over 18).)
Tumbling with signs, pomes, or other props/objects is prohibited.
Dive rolls are prohibited.

STUNTING/PYRAMIDS

Stunts cannot exceed 2 people high. 2-2-1,2-1-1 etc. are prohibited except in College/Open Division (over 18).
Back spots are required for all extended or one-legged stunts.
Any single based stunt MUST have a spot.
Tick-tocks are permitted with two bases and a back spot, not single based.
Back flips from stunts are prohibited.
3/4 fronts from stunts are permitted only if the partner has at least 2 catchers/spotters.
Flipping basket tosses, swan dives, or free falling flips are not permitted except in College/Open Division (over 18).
Triple twisting basket tosses or dismounts are illegal.
Any double twisting stunts must have 3 catchers.
One-handed stunts are permitted with a spot. (i.e.. awesome/cupie)
Basket tosses must land in a cradle position.
Backward suspended rolls are prohibited.

Individual Jump Division requirements (3)

1. One Single Mandatory Jump - a Herkie

2. One Mandatory* 2 Jump connected series - (*Toe Touch, Herkie ) or (*Herkie, Toe Touch)

3. One Mandatory 3 Jump connected series - Optional Jumps**

( **Optional means - you pick the Jumps.

For example: Toe Touches, Herkies, Hurdles, etc. repeated or in any combination.)

V. Judging Criteria:

Click Here for Cheer Score sheet

I. Dance Team Definitions:

Youth /Rec. Team – A non-school affiliated team that cheers for an organized sport or cheers/dances in a community program that does not require try-outs or auditions for membership. (for example: YMCA or Pop Warner)

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

All Star/Studio Teams – Teams representing an All Star program or dance studio.

Prop – A prop is something that is not attached to a costume. Gloves, hats, skirts, etc, will not be considered a prop unless they are taken off and danced with.

Extreme Dance / Bboy / Bgirl - Newer version of Break Dancing including floor acrobatics and tumbling.

Open – Other types of dance that do not fit in to our specific categories

II. Dance Divisions:

note: teams that have participant age ranges that span more than one division will be placed in the division of the oldest participant.

School & Rec.

Jazz-

Junior High/Middle School (9th grade & Under)

Junior Varsity (9th-11th grade)

Varsity (9th-12th grade)

High Kick-

Varsity (9th-12th grade)

Pom-

Junior High/Middle School (9th grade & Under)

Junior Varsity (9th-11th grade)

Varsity (9th-12th grade)

Funk-

Junior High/Middle School (9th grade & Under)

Junior Varsity (9th-11th grade)

Varsity (9th-12th grade)

Prop-

Junior Varsity (9th-11th grade)

Varsity (9th-12th grade)

Open-

Varsity (9th-12th grade)

College- Enrolled

III. General Guidelines for Dance:

All dance routines will be performed on School gym type floor or equivalent, in an area of at least 42' x 42' in size.

Dance Routines cannot exceed 2 minutes 30 seconds total time.. Individual dance routines have a maximum time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds. A 5-point deduction will automatically be accessed if over time limit, along with possible disqualification for excess time usage, as decided by the Head Judge.

Timing starts with the first organized movement or sound.

Coaches may not "instruct" their teams while performing.

Each team will be given 10 minutes to warm-up before performing.

Jewelry of ANY kind is prohibited unless approved as costume for dance teams. Any unapproved jewelry will result in a 5-point deduction for a safety violation. All jewelry must be removed, not taped over.

Any violation of the FCDA tumbling, stunting or dance rules will result in a 5-point deduction for each infraction.

Restarting a routine due to an injury or any other technical difficulty will be left to the head judge's discretion.

Vulgar music, words, dance, or movements will result in a 5-point deduction.

The use of props is only permitted in the prop division, the open division and in the college division. A prop is something that is not attached to a costume. Gloves, hats, skirts, etc, will not be considered a prop unless they are taken off and danced with.

All moves must be appropriate for family viewing.

The only division where technical elements will be credited is in the JAZZ division.

All deductions will be taken off of the final score.

Judges decisions are final.

IV. Specific Safety Rules for Dance:

Drops directly to the back or stomach without a hand down are prohibited.

Knee drops are prohibited.

Cheerleading stunts are prohibited. Only traditional dance lifts are permitted.

Tumbling of any kind is prohibited except in the Gym Dance and Extreme Dance/Bboy/Bgirl divisions.

V. Judging Criteria::

Click Here for FCDA Dance Score sheet

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