2007-2008 National Federation of High School Association Spirit Rules including stunts, pyramids, tumbling, jewelry, hair devices and props, will be enforced.  Check with your Athletic Director for a copy of this rulebook or you can order one at www.nfhs.org.   No glitter is allowed! All Stars are required to follow the USASF Safety rules and general guidelines as outlined in this handbook and online.

Penalties issued are FINAL and decisions will NOT be reversed.  The Penalty Judges will be available for a short time after the competition to answer brief questions.  Please be courteous of other coaches.  When your squad is on deck, they will be checked for violations in the jewelry, hair, nail, glitter category.  It is suggested that you bring your NF rulebook to the competition.  If you have questions about a penalty, you will be able to look up the violation with the judges.  State 2008 penalties are outlined below and will assessed as needed by a (one) judge during the competition for all teams.

Penalties:  (Teams will be assessed by 1 (One) Judge)

ü  A ten (10) point per team penalty (taken from total score) will be assessed for any National Federation/USASF violation pertaining to stunts, pyramids and tumbling.  A maximum of thirty (30) points will be levied against any one squad.

ü  A five (5) point per team penalty will be applied to any team going over routine time allowed and for a cheer squad having a dance routine under the required 20 seconds.

ü  A five (5) point per team penalty will be applied to any pom squad not using their poms for 50% of the routine.

ü  A one (1) point penalty per infraction will be assessed for each violation of jewelry, fingernails, hair devices, glitter, or prop rules. 

ü  A one (1) point penalty per infraction for any vulgar or suggestive movements (hip thrusting, inappropriate touching/slapping/positioning to one another, costuming or music.

ü  A one (1) point penalty per infraction to a team showing poor sportsmanship to others.

ü  A half (.05) penalty per minor bobble/mistake.  Minor error during a technical skill such as hands down on a tumbling skill, shaky stunts/pyramids, incomplete twisting cradles or obvious errors during a dance maneuver.

ü  A one (1) point penalty per major mistake.  Major error during a technical skill such as a fall from an individual stunt, fall during a tumbling skill, fall to floor during a dance maneuver.

ü  A two (2) point penalty per major fall.  Major fall during a technical skill such as multiple falls in a single sequence/series by a single group or pyramids that fall or that are severely missed.

ü  A two (2) point penalty will be assessed to any team having more than the allotted four coaches down on the performance floor. 

You must turn in a Medical Release Form for each participant the day of the competition to the Registration Table.  Forms are located at the back of your guidebook for you to duplicate for each member of your squad.  An EMT is available on the days of competition for medical emergencies.  Forms are also available on the web    www.statecheer.com