Though the AACCA and NFHS rules are very similar this year, there are still some differences between the sets of rules. Be aware of the rules your school is required to follow and remember that just because you see another team do it doesn’t mean it’s legal.
This may not be an exhaustive list. If you know of any other differences that are not listed here, please post them. Thank you.
AACCA: Arial tumbling over a person or prop is illegal.
NFHS: Any tumbling over a person or prop is illegal. Exception: forward roll.
NFHS: Requires 3 bases on swedish fall unless bases looking in.
AACCA: No restriction.
AACCA: No seated hurdler position.
NFHS: No restriction.
AACCA: Allows pushup position from handspring.
NFHS: Does not allow pushup position from handspring.
NFHS: Does not allow cradles with signs.
AACCA: No restriction.
NFHS: Glitter that does not readily adhere…
AACCA: No glitter rule.
NFHS: “Switch Liberties” only exception to release/toss to stunt rules.
AACCA: One-foot tosses can land in other stunts, like extension, etc.
What is the difference between NFHS and AACCA on middle school basket tosses? I know AACCA does not allow them, but does NFHS?
The NFHS is the “National Federation of State High School Associations” and does not write rules for middle schools. They only write rules for high schools. State associations who include middle schools and junior highs in their membership (not all do) will often have additional restrictions for those groups, such as more limited playing time or specific rules changes. Several states have the specific wording from the AACCA rules for middle schools restricting basket tosses. We recommend that competitions that “use NFHS rules” clarify that baskets are not allowed for middle schools. Hope that helps.
From what I understand not only is NFHS written for High School but specifically for Varsity level competition. On Long Island we believe in progressions. So basket tosses are not legal for Middle School nor “rookie” level competitions (teams new to competing and enter the rookie division). The youth leagues on Long Island which is community based, do not allow basket tosses either and that goes up to 13/14 year old teams.
I am a high school cheer coach and am wondering if the school is in the wrong or what- they are trying to tell me as a varsity cheer coach that I can only teach my girls elevator stunts- nothing above the shoulder height…. so no extnsions no basket toss no splits stunt ect… are they allowed to set their own set of rules eventhough as cheerleaders we have our own set of rules and regulations already- isn’t like telling the football player you can play football but no tackling?!
Adrienne, yes, they can have their own additional restrictions. This is true for all other sports as well, but those restrictions are usually set at the state level. Find out why they have these restrictions. If it’s just do to the general “cheerleading is dangerous” stuff that you read in the papers, those articles don’t show the true picture. Contact me at jimlord@aacca.org and we’ll see if we can help you get to a place where they’ll slowly let you increase the skill level and evaluate the results.
What is the rule on a handstand (flyer) into a Shoulder sit with 1 base on each side plus the 3rd base holding the shoulder sit? Is this illegal in high school competitve cheer? Thanks so much for your assistance.
It’s hard to be sure without seeing a video, but this sounds like a legal inversion from the ground to a non-inverted stunt as long as the bases on each side are in a position to protect the head, neck and shoulders of the top person during the inversion.