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Competition Rules

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

USA Cheer Rules - Junior High Cheer - USA Cheer

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

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  1. All current USA Cheer, National Federation State High School Spirit Rules will be followed.  Reminder: Basket Tosses are not allowed at the elementary and middle school levels per NFSHS.

  2. All participants must have a signed medical/liability form at the competition.

  3. I understand that CHEER UNLIMITED reserves the right to remove any person for unsafe or unsportsmanlike conduct.

  4. All members of the squads must be current members of the official school spirit squads and must attend the school they are representing.

  5. My team and I have read and understand all rules and regulations as stated in CHEER UNLIMITED Rules and will abide by them.

  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. CHEER UNLIMITED reserves the right to add/combine divisions to create the best possible atmosphere for a competitive championship.  Judging will be based on the percentage of the teams' required elements in a given category to ensure complete fairness and no bias.

  8. Series Competitions - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies will be awarded in each division and an overall highest score of the day.

  9. Regionals and Championship - all places will be awarded in each division and an overall highest score of the day.

 

TIME LIMITATIONS:

 

  1. Cheer routines may not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds.  The music portion must not exceed 1 minute and 30 seconds.

  2. Timing will begin with the first movement or when the music begins.

  3. All Star style routines may not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Music portion can be the entire routine.

 

COMPETITION AREA:

 

  1. The cheer competition area will be 9 standard cheer mats which is 42 X 54 feet.

  2. Signs or props may be used.

 

JUDGING:

 

  1. Judges are UCA/NCA certified judges.

  2. All decisions by the judges will be final.

  3. Score sheets may be reviewed for clarification only.

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WHAT ARE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?... HERE’S A QUICK CHECKLIST

 Were skills performed ‘legal’ for the level selected?

 Within the element range, what were the most advanced skills performed?

 Did the majority (50% +1 OR over half) of the team perform/execute (not attempt) the skill(s) or for tumbling did 1/4 of your team execute skill?

 Did the routine include variety? Examples:

 Two or more tumbling sequences with different tumbling skills

 Pyramids containing pyramid transitions

 Different stunts - not the same stunt repeated

 Was choreography varied to hold audience attention? OR did the routine become repetitive & monotonous?

 How did the team execute the skills?

 Strong level = higher score (mastery of skill, excellence of performance/skill, confidence in performance)

 Weak level = lower score (inconsistent in skill, needs polish, lacks self-confidence)

 Were there mistakes, falls, bobbles, etc.? Any mistakes in a technical category will affect the one point available for execution.

 Strong level = higher execution score

 Weak level = lower execution score

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SCORING CRITERIA FOR EACH POINT RANGE... MAXIMIZE THESE TO SCORE THE MOST POINTS IN EACH SECTION!

 

STANDING/RUNNING TUMBLING DIFFICULTY:

  • Percentage of team participation Combinations of skill creativity & variety Synchronization Pace and speed of skills

  • Approach Landings (clean with feet together)

  • Degree of difficulty of skills performed.

 

STANDING/RUNNING TUMBLING EXECUTION/TECHNIQUE:

  • Form Height of execution Landings Pace and speed of skills Perfection

 

JUMPS EXECUTION/TECHNIQUE:

  • Landings Arm movements Pointed toes Level of jumps Technique, timing, landing Synchronization.

 

STUNTS DIFFICULTY:

  • Percentage of team participation (number of stunts in air simultaneously Body positions displayed Minimal use of bases (use of front spots)

  • Degree of difficulty Creativity and variety Pace of skills

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STUNTS EXECUTION/TECHNIQUE:

  • Control of body position

  • Level of execution

  • Body positions and flexibility

  • Bases using proper technique

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DISMOUNTS DIFFICULTY:

  • Percentage of team participation

  • Minimal use of bases

  • Degree of difficulty of dismounts

  • Creativity & variety

 

DISMOUNTS EXECUTION/TECHNIQUE:

  • Pointed toes by flyer at landing

  • Legs together and uncrossed on landings

  • Sharpness of landing (how tight are bases catching and set out)

  • Execution of cradle

  • Completion of rotation

  • Height of dismounts

  • Perfection

 

PYRAMIDS DIFFICULTY:

  • Percentage of team participation

  • Pace of pyramid skills

  • Body positions and control

  • Minimal use of bases

  • Degree of difficulty

  • Level of execution

  • Creativity & variety Transitions speed and variety

  • Height of pyramid skills executed

  • Combination of skills

 

PYRAMIDS EXECUTION/TECHNIQUE:

  • Body positions and control

  • Height of pyramid skills executed

  • Control of body position

  • Level of execution

  • Body positions and flexibility

  • Bases using proper technique

  • Base and spotter technique

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HOW ARE TOTAL SCORES CALCULATED

Your Total Possible Score from each judge will be 100 possible points. Scores from all panel judges are added together, and then divided by the total number of panel judge to find the average score. Any penalties and deductions received are then deducted to provide the Final Score. 

 

For example: Total Possible Score per Judge: 100 points

The team receives the following scores: Judge 1: 72.1 Judge 2: 75.3 Judge 3: 74.1

These scores added together (72.1 + 75.3 + 74.1) = 221.5

Then divided by the number of judges (221.5 / 3) = 73.83

Average Score: 73.83 points

The Average Score minus the penalty points (73.83 - 2.5) = 71.33 Final Score = 71.33 

 

PROCEDURE FOR QUESTIONING:

 

  1. Questions concerning performance should be made immediately after the performance by the coach of the team.

  2. Questions are to be directed to CHEER UNLIMITED staff.

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

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

  1. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship at all times during the competition.

  2. The team’s coach will be held responsible for conduct of their team and parents.

  3. Serious infractions of sportsmanship will result in disqualification, and/or removal from the gym.

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