Tag Archives: Age Grid

USASF Documents for 2013-14

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The USASF released several documents for the 2013-14, including the updated rules and age grid.

Rules

USASF LogoYou will notice that there are 2 different sets of USASF Rules. First is the “mark-up” set that will include the different items that have strikethroughs in them due to rewording, deleting or clarifications. The second set is the “cleaned up” set of rules that we will use for the 2013-14 season.

You will see plenty of “Red Bold” print in the new rules which indicates clarifications, rewording and modifications from the Rules Committee. Here is a list of SOME of the changes:

  • Level 1 extensions no longer need two bracers. They only require a single bracer.
  • “No tosses” in Level one was being interpreted in two different ways. A sponge toss was viewed by some as a legal cradle and not a toss. Sponge tosses are now listed as illegal so we can all be under the same interpretation on this issue.
  • In Level 3 it is now legal to do backward suspended rolls with extended arms. See rules for more info.
  • In Level 4 it is now legal for the bases to extend their arms while performing a pancake transition. This skill is completely illegal in L3. See both L3 and 4 for further details.
  • In Level 5 it is now legal to do a handspring >handspring>full>handspring >double. See L5 for more details.
  • In all levels that allow Pyramid Release Moves, contact must be made with a base on the performing surface before contact is lost with the bracer(s). This is not a new rule. The rule have always stated that contact must be “maintained”, however, this new clarification gives a clear guideline for interpretation.
  • You will notice that L6 is crossed out on both documents. NO, we haven’t eliminated L6. I had to let that be known before social media blows up. We are putting a group together to more closely align L6 with college rules. NO, we will not be following all of the college rules. We are just trying to align these two sets of rules because of the high crossover with college cheerleaders.

Age Grid

  • The Medium Co-ed max of 6 males has now been raised to 8 via the member coaches vote in January.
  • The International Age for IO5 and IO5 Co-ed has been changed from 15 and older to 14 and older to align the U.S. age restrictions with the International teams.
  • The age cutoff date for International teams only has been changed to “calendar year of competition”. See Age Grid for more details.

The announcement and links to the new documents can be found on USASFRules.com.

USASF Cheer and Dance Rules Update 2013-14

USASF LogoAs tryout season is quickly approaching, the cheer and dance rules committees want you to know when to expect information for 2013-14:

CHEER: To be released on April 5, 2013

Cheer information will include the 2013-14 Age Grid and the 2013-15 Rules that were voted on by coaches and owners in January. The release of the Age Grid will also include any new clarifications and adjustments made by the Rules Committee. The new requirements and restrictions for All Star Prep and teams with Special Needs along with the definition of “PROGRAM” are also being released on April 5, 2013. Due out this Summer (July) is the new Glossary with updated terms and definitions.

DANCE: To be released on April 5, 2013

Dance information will include the 2013-14 Divisions and Categories and clarifications to the 2012-14 Rules that were adjusted by the Dance Rules Committee. These changes were made to reflect member voices and community needs through submitted suggestions, research and data. Due out this summer (June) is the new Glossary with new terms and definitions. Discussions for Dance Rules changes, agenda items and ballot items will begin this summer at the three USASF Dance Regional Meetings.

Watch your inbox for more information!

2012-13 USASF Cheer Age Grid Posted

USASF LogoThe final 2012-2013 USASF Age Grid for cheer teams is now posted at USASFrules.com following a USASF Board of Directors vote to keep the Age Grid as previously posted. “In the USASF’s position as the governing body for All Star, we have the responsibility to do not only what is right for the industry, but also what is consistent with prior rulings,” says Jim Chadwick, USASF Chairman. “This Board decision does not change the US Age Grid, keeping it consistent with the grid that had already been established and in line with the industry consensus in the US for appropriate ages for each division,” he continues.

Two issues were discussed by the Board: 1) The bottom age for Senior teams Levels 1-4 (and Sr 5 Restricted), and 2) The bottom age of the International Open 5 divisions. The Age Grid establishes 10 (as of August 31, 2012) as the bottom age for competitors in Senior teams and 15 (as of August 31, 2012) as the bottom age for competitors in International Open Level 5.

“US teams that will be competing for bids to The Cheerleading Worlds will follow the IASF Age Grid after they have received their bid to Worlds and use “the year of competition” as the age cutoff,” explains Mike Burgess, USASF Board Member and Rules Committee Chair. “This allows them to adjust their rosters (after they receive a bid) to include 14 year old competitors on International Open Level 5 teams at the 2013 Worlds only,” he continues.

To view the Age Grid, click here.

For questions and clarifications, please contact Les Stella: Les.Stella@gmail.com

USASF & IASF 2012-13 Age Grids

USASF LogoThe USASF and IASF has released the Age Grids for 2012-13. Noted Changes to the USASF version include:

  • Youth L5 and Youth Restricted have been combined.
  • Junior Coed is only listed for L5.
  • Senior L1-4.2 have a minimum age of 10. Senior L5 remained at 12.
  • International L5 divisions now have a minimum age of 15, up from 14.

Open Level 4 (17 Years and Older, 1-15 Males, 5-24 Members)

An event producer must request a “waiver” from the USASF to offer this “trial” division for the 2012-13 season. This is a non-sanctioned division that does not count toward any Cheerleading Worlds bid. Event producers are requested to complete at USASF “waiver” to offer this division.

All Star Prep

An event producer must request a “waiver” from the USASF to offer “trial” divisions for the 2012-13 season. These are non-sanctioned divisions that do not count toward any Cheerleading Worlds bid. Event producers are requested to complete a USASF “waiver” to offer this division. The following criteria must be met in order to compete in these divisions:

  • Maximum routine length is 2 minutes
  • At any given event, an athlete may not crossover between teams competing in a standard division and teams competing in a ‘Prep’ division (and vice versa).

In addition to the criteria listed above, Event Producers may apply their own additional unique criteria when defining eligibility requirements for these divisions. Event Producers must declare what criteria they used to differentiate their ‘Prep’ divisions from the standard USASF divisions (ex: for half year teams, for teams not allowed to practice more than 2 hours a week).

Small Gyms

The USASF is still evaluating options to address the concerns of Small Gyms (75 athletes or less).

USASF Cheer Age Grid & IASF Cheer Age Grid