The new 2012-13 AACCA Cheerleading Safety Rules are published. These rules are very similar to the new NFHS rules that have been approved and will be published in their Spirit Rules Book.
The AACCA High School Cheerleading Safety Rules can be found at http://aacca.org/hsrules or as a PDF here.
The summary of changes are as follows:
Major Changes:
- Released twists are now limited to 1 ¼ . That means no more double downs or kick doubles. You can still do a 1 ½ up type of skill where the top stays in contact with a base.
- Allowed: All inversions that keep the weight-bearing contact below shoulder level. In addition to the handstands from cradle or prone position allowed in last year’s rules, this will allow yo-yos, handstand on a double base thigh stand, cartwheel over the thighs, etc. There are some requirements on these such as having contact at all times, protecting the head area and if the skill is below shoulders AND moving downward there must be two people in contact. An example would be a cradle to back walkover. This does NOT allow the fold-over “pancake” stunt from shoulder level.
- Allowed: Suspended front and back flips/rolls when braced on both sides by preps with spotters. The top person must have at least three bases/spotters and is not allowed to twist.
- Allowed: Backward suspended roll from the ground to the ground (have to allow leadup for suspended braced flip)
- Single base shoulder stands where the feet of the top person are in the hands of the base now require a spotter.
- Removed “downward” wording on Released Pyramid Transitions. This aligns our rule with NFHS rule, so spotters on bracers, etc. are required any time there is a braced release, not just on the ones that are released from the top to the bottom.
- Renamed the basketball court restrictions section to “Surface Restrictions”.
- In keeping with the NFHS changes as well as using information provided to us by the NFHS Medical Advisory Committee, we are allowing baskets, tumbling fulls, and one-arm stunts only on mats, grass or rubberized tracks. This still restricts them from the basketball court but allows them on the rubberized track. The data over two years shows that the majority of head injuries are body-to-body contact and not the performing surface.
Minor Changes/Tweaks
- Inversions section moved after Partner Stunts and Pyramids
- Added that a base cannot assume a backbend, handstand or headstand position (Aligns AACCA rules with NFHS)
- Added a rule for spotters that consolidates other spotter rules and clarifies where they can and cannot be.
- Added a restriction on spotters that they can’t have their hands behind their back. Note that if a spotter of a prep had their hands behind their back, there’s no illegality. The prep doesn’t require a spotter in the first place.
- Added a “release stunt” rule that says if you fully release a stunt it must be cradled or braced. (Aligns AACCA rules with NFHS). Exception is 180 degree helicopter. This means for any half-up or full-up skill from a stunt, a base or spotter must remain in contact.
- Along with the above rule, we changed the “multibase toss to a stunt” rule to basically only allow quick tosses to land in stunts. An exception in the wording still allows switch libs specifically.
- Combined the previous splits rules (splits from thighs have hand to hand contact and splits from prep, load-in, etc. have to have four people under it) into one rule.
- Changed wording on swinging stunt to allow it to begin from below shoulder level. This just allows a little more freedom for where to start it, like from a thigh stand, cradle, one foot on the ground, laying down, etc.
The actual rules are also detailed on this site by section from the dropdown menus at the top of this page. If there are more details about a specific rule, including Q&A, Interpretations, Photos or Video to help explain the rule, there will be a red “more…” link associated with that rule, like this: (more…)
If you have a question about these rules, please find the section from the “AACCA HS” dropdown menu and post in the comments there. If there is already a Q&A page for that rule, post in the comments section there.
Thank you and we hope that you will find this site to be beneficial.
Can you cradle to your belly?
Not from a release. You can go to a face down position as long as a base or backspot maintains contact.
From any height or position?
Yes
Is that rule the same for a braced Back flip? I am aware they can go to cradle or sponge, but the rule says they must be cradled or braced, so can they be caught on their belly as long as they are still braced?
“or braced”
So a braced back flip is included in that.
Are free standing non-braced tick tocks allowed in partner stunts for AACCA and/or NFHS for the 2012-2013 year? If I am not mistaken, they were allowed for AACCA for the 2011-2012 year. However, I do not see them listed anywhere for the 2012-2013 year.
They were allowed by AACCA two years ago, but were not allowed last year. They are not allowed for AACCA or NFHS.
What makes a track or grass a safe place to stunt and tumble? They are both slick surfaces- mat should be required for any stunt where there is an impact of any kind, including jumps. We are responsible for their safety part of that is providing them with the safest environment possible. Are switch ups allowed?
The majority of head injuries are from body to body contact, not contact with the floor. At this time, we have not seen (empirically or with data) a difference in the type of injury based on surfaces, and cheerleaders have performed on all of these different surfaces for a long time. If they are actually “slick”, like wet grass or an old asphalt track, then they should not be used anyway.
Switch-ups (also called switch liberties and giddy-ups) are legal. See “F. Tosses-5-a-1“
Can you please explain the difference between a switch liberty and a tic-toc? They look remarkably the same.
It’s a matter of semantics unfortunately. In most cases, a “switch lib” is considered to be one that starts on the ground on one foot, then loads up to a lib and switches feet on the way up. It is also called a “giddy up”. A “tic toc” is when a liberty is already up and extended, then it switches to the other foot. Some people may also call that a “switch lib”. It’s definitely one of the issues for us when it comes to rules. Stunts re called different things and different stunts are called the same thing depending on the part of the country or even from one school to the next.
From prone position: Would a 1 1/2 log roll to cradle then back walk over be legal. Twisting is allowed up to 11/4 but this skill is performed with in the “12 height rule face/ shoulder level and has been our lead up to 2/1 downs. We do have a spotter observing the H/N/S of the flier during this transition.
Please let me know as we are prepping for summer and I will leave it out of our curriculum for this season.
Since it is more than 1 1/4 it would be illegal. The NFHS rule will actually state “no more than one complete rotation” in their log roll rule.
Ok thanks, I will adjust and make it two transitions.
What about from basket load a 1 1/2 twist up to post (two feet) (leading to lib) where the back base maintains contact for 1/2 or 3/4 of the transitions then readjust grip to grab ankles at the top.
I love the new rules, because they open the door to new transitions and skills. As a coach /choreographer, I can say yes new about new skills more often.
DeJay, the basket can go to a stunt, but it must maintain contact with someone on the ground at all times. That can be partly a backspot, then a base, but it can’t ever be released totally. If it releases totally, it must either cradle or be braced in a pyramid.
can you stand up at high school basketball games? and are you allowed to say “miss it”?
There is no specific rule to force cheerleaders to sit down or to yell certain things. However, cheerleaders should be the example of sportsmanship, so “miss it” would be an inappropriate thing to yell. If your program (your coach or administration) has rules beyond our safety rules, those are still rules which you must abide by.
Now that inversions are allowed as long as they are in shoulder height or below can a top person do a step in to handstand as the bases are in a basket toss grip and then pop the top girl into a load position from there?
That’s not quite the rule. Please double check the wording as it relates to the “base of support” and “below shoulder level”. But yes, this skill is allowed as long as the top person is always in contact with a base or spotter. We will be posting a video of this soon. While it may momentarily be inverted while at shoulder height, both the AACCA and NFHS will be interpreting it as legal. The key is that the back spot must hold the ankle of one of the legs while the bases pop her into the upright position.
Are the braced inversions allowed for middle schools too?
Yes, they are.
May I please have a link or something to the rules and regulations on how a squad should be chosen and, who can and cannot judge the cheerleaders, etc.?
Kia, that is all up to the school, just like it is for any other sport. In some cases, a school uses outside judges. In other cases, the coach selects the team like other teams do. In yet other cases, there is a mixture. We do not dictate how team selections are done.
I might have missed it somewhere but is there any rules regarding fliers holding a sign while going up in a stunt. does a spotter have to hand them the sign, or can the flier hold it while going into a stunt?
The top person can hold a sign while loading and while in the stunt. AACCA rules allow a cradle with a sign. NFHS rules do not.
Are ball up libs allowed for this season? Or do they have to be braced as well?
Ball-up Libs are not allowed. Once you release a stunt, it has to be either braced or cradled.
Is a low-to-low tic toc stunt legal for an elementary school as long as the spotter remains in contact with the top person? Also, are switch-ups legal for an elementary school if the top person is braced by another top person?
Yes to both.
Is it legal for middle schools to do full downs?
Yes it is. Middle schools are only prohibited from doing basket tosses.
Just curious. You said that Middle Schools are prohibited from doing basket tosses, but are recreation teams included in Middle School and Elementary School rules or do recreation teams have their own separate rules to abide by?
Recreational Leagues usually have their own rules, as they have a very wide range of variations across the country. However, we recommend that rec league teams that are in the same age group as junior high/middle school and below do not do basket tosses or similar tosses.
Is a leapfrog over a smoosh legal in highschool? The “leapfrogger” has 2 bases and a back spotter. The smoosher has 2 bases and a back spotter. And the leapfrogger leapfrogs over the smoosher while bracing the entire time until she lands in a cradle with 2 bases, a back spotter that steps in and transitition to a smoosh. Lmk
No, a top person cannot go over another top person.
Is there a rule on the number and type of skills that can be preforemed in a basket toss at the high school level?
Is it legal to do a kick full?
I know swan dives are illegal, but I heard somewhere that if you perform a half turn, it makes it legal.
There is no restriction on the “number” of skills. There is a restriction on the skills themselves. You can’t flip, and you can’t do more than 1 (1/4 *)twists. So you could do a kick full twist. You could do a kick kick full twist. You could legally do a kick kick half twist kick kick half twist kick kick cradle.
Just so long as you don’t do more than 1 twist, or 1 1/4 for side-facing tosses like a kick full twist.
The “swan dive” is not the position in the air. It is being tossed and then landing in a prone (face down) position. So you can do what is considered to be a swan/layout position in the air, so long as you land in a face up cradle.
I have a question, can a high school cheerleader stunt on their own time not with their team? There is no coach present but they are on their own time not with any other members of their squad. I would like to call and clarify.
From a legal standpoint, a high school cheerleader can do whatever they want on their own time, just as a football or basketball player can go and play a pickup game in their sport. If they get hurt, it is not the responsibility of the school. However, most sports coaches have a policy that doesn’t allow their players to play their sport outside of their supervision so that they don’t risk injury to themselves or the effect that will have on their team.
So the suspended flips braced by preps, are they like the USASF level four inversion where they are flipped above the heads of the fliers in the preps?
No, they are not exactly the same. Be sure to look at each of the requirements for the school version. Here are two quick differences:
1) USASF Level 4 allows bracers to be shoulder level OR BELOW. HS rules require that bracers MUST be double based shoulder stands or double based preps.
2) USASF Level 4 allows bracers to be on “two sides” including the “back side”. HS rule interpretation is that “on each side” means on the lateral sides of the top person, not the front or back. So you could not have someone bracing front and back and have the top do a side sumi-type of flip.
For elementary school or peewee recreational teams is a top person allowed to flip forwards in a pyramid while brin braced with preps on both sides?
Our rules allow that, but check with your organization to make sure they don’t have any additional restrictions. Some rec league rules divide their teams into an additional set of rule restrictions. Same for competitive purposes – check with them to make sure.
Are “tear drop” stunts illegal, can the flyer go upside down without being connected to her bases?
No, the rules require a connection of some sort for every legal inversion.
At a competition that follows NFHS rules, can a middle school squad do basket tosses? The rules do not clarify any restrictions for middle school squads.
You would need to contact the competition directly, as NFHS rules are specifically for high school teams. They do not address junior high or middle school. We strongly recommend that they do not allow baskets for middle school teams.
How many bracers do you need to do a tick tock in a pyramid?
A release from the bases only requires one bracer. That bracer must have a spotter if they are shoulder level, like a prep. If the bracer is a shoulder sit or double based thigh stand (would need to be a tall one!) it does not require a spotter.
Thank you so much! I have one more question! Can you do paper dolls?
As in connected extended liberties? No. The bracer for any extended stunt must be at shoulder level or below. So you could go lib/prep/lib/prep, etc. The only exception to that rule is that the tops in a double cupie can “brace” themselves.
At a youth level, we must adhere to NFHS rules in our league. In reference to “paper dolls” what if they are all shoulder height (prep level) libs connected ?
That would be legal. The rule that restricts “paper dolls” deals with extended stunts only.
Do shoulder sits have to have a spotter
Not by rule. Of course, if you’re learning it, you should have a spotter.
Are 360′s up to lib legal for 2012-2013? Thanks!
Yes. There has been no change in any rule regarding skill like this.
Do you have to do a back handspring before a full?
Do you “have” to? No. “Should” you? Absolutely. Not learning skills in the proper progression increases the risk of injury.
Can middle schools perform tumbling fulls? Does the performance surface matter?
Yes they can, but only on a mat, grass or rubberized track surface.
Can you have 2 double based preps without back spot bracing a back flip in the middle of a pyramid?
No. See Q4 at http://cheerrules.com/braced-suspended-rollsflips/
Hi I am a high school cheerleader! I would like to know if Paper Dolls are legal?
If you mean extended liberties that brace each other, no. The only extended stunts that can brace each other for high school and below are extensions where both feet are in the hands of the bases.
Are quick ups legal? The flyer has one foot already loaded in her main bases hands (as if she were going up to a 2 two legged stunt) and her other leg is bent with the instep holding her shin and calf. The backspot is holding onto the ankle of the foot already loaded. When she goes up, the main base pushes up like normal, back spot pushes up with her one ankle with the instep “tossing” her leg to catch it in an extended position. Back spot has both of her ankles at this time.
Yes they are!
My middle school team is doing kick fulls with one twist is that allowed? And are 360 up to a lib allowed for middle school?
Thx- Cheerleader
If by “kick fulls” you mean a basket toss with a kick full, basket tosses are not allowed at the middle school level. If you mean a cradle from a prep with a kick full, then yes, that would be allowed.
Baskets are the only additional restriction for middle schools, so 360 up to lib is legal.
Thank you for your question!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lkH3Mvcvvo
Can you look at this video at the 1:25 mark and watch the step up in pyramid to see if it is considered 3 persons high? Thank you
If you’re talking about the braced flip sequence, that is legal for high school. It is considered to be a “2-high” by the rules. They can be temporarily connected to a bracer during a release so long as that bracer does not become a “weight bearing” middle layer, such as a 2-2-1 where the top person is standing on the middle layer, who is standing on bases on the ground.
Are “pancakes” allowed for a junior high team from any level (preps or extension)?
It depends on what you mean by “pancake”. Look at this page and use the examples there. Yo-yos are legal. Some people call them “pancakes”. If it’s actually a yo-yo, then it is legal. If it’s more of what the video titled “Pancake” is doing, then it’s illegal from any level, as either the base of support is not below shoulders, or if it is somehow below shoulders, there aren’t two people in contact with the top person in a position to protect the head during the downward part of the inversion.
I am coaching a Middle School cheer squad-
Is there any formalized set of rules/regulations that are specially designated for this age group, or should we be following guidelines set forth by NFHS with the added provisions of no basket tosses and no double full-down cradles?
This is a great site; thank you so much!!!
Jaclyn, you’ve nailed it. Follow the HS rules, and add in the restriction on baskets. FYI, the new high school rules prohibit double downs for them as well now.
I run a Jr. High cheer competition every year and I follow AACCA rules for the competition. I need to know this year, are the inversions that are now legal for high schools also legal for jr. high and middle school? I know that basket tosses are illegal for jr. high, but I need clarification on inversions.
Yes, the only additional restriction on middle schools is that they aren’t allowed to do baskets. All of the other rules for high school apply to middle.
Wat is concerned illegal when discarding a sign? Currently my girls have signs in the shape of the letters and they need to discard them from a full (they are not allowed to cradle with them correct?) How do I ensure that their toss of the sign is in an under contral manner? Thanks
They can drop them or give a little toss, but they would need to be land away from the stunts and also not be “frisbeed” off of the floor. I would work on the choreography to bring them down to prep, where they can legally hand the sign to the backspot to be placed behind them on the ground. Since a prep doesn’t require a spotter, the spot can hold a sign at that point. Then they could go back up and complete whatever skill they want to perform.
Question:
Where Can I find a scoring Rubric for highschool.
I know how much each scetion is worth but where can I find a sheet that will tell me what scores higher for certain sections?
For example a singlle toe touch scores how many points compared to a triple toe touch
or a tick tock stunt compared to straight up stunt?
Thank you!
Dennis, you would have to check with whoever is running the competition you’ll be attending. There is no standard across the board.
I want to [find out] if you could tell if a high school coach [can] make [it] mandatory that girls must back handsring in order to make cheer squad .All the girls who been on squad these past 3 yrs only two girls can do the tumbling right now can you tell me what is legal for to ask of girls at tryouts and is it legal for her family be judges at tryouts . Thanks Lilia
Lillia, programs can make their own requirement, and many do as the talent in their pool of potential team members rises. This is usually the case with tumbling skills, as that area is something cheer coaches may feel the least comfortable teaching. Personally, I think you can lose some good talent and good team members by being too restrictive in that regard, but that’s my opinion and how I would run my own program.
As for having their family be involved in the team selection, that is something that I would have a problem with, but it’s not against any “rule”. Make sure the administration is aware of these issues, as they would likely see the potential problems with this type of setup.
There is some question regarding twisting to a cradle from an extention or lib on the basketball court surface. Is this legal or do we need a mat? Also NFHS states that fulls/twisting tumbling is prohibited on the court, does that mean back handsprings, back tucks, both running and standing are illegal too??
Twisting to a cradle is legal without a mat.
“Twisting tumbling” refers to things like arabians or full twisting layouts, not roundoffs or cartwheels. Roundoff to handspring series is allowed.
We want to try something new. Can we do a front flip from a sponge where the flyer is holding one of the bases back hands and on a shoulder of the other and flips to a cradle?
No. The rule says that the top person must have hand to hand contact with two bases or with two posts.
Are double fulls legal in highschool?
No.
At a high school novice team. Perform a barrel roll?
You will need to check with whoever is organizing the competition. Different groups divide the existing rules differently when creating divisions like “novice”, “advanced”, etc. and only they can tell you for sure what is legal in each.
Is one and a half high legal in highschool?!
High school pyramids are not measured by body lengths. The rule for pyramid height is that the foot of any base must be on the ground.