Tag Archives: Rules Committee

USASF Recommendation for Stopping a Performance

USASF LogoDear USASF Members:

The USASF’s priority is always the safety of athletes. In response to requests from coaches, and based on the lack of an industry wide standard, the USASF Rules Committee felt it imperative to recommend to member event producers a protocol for stopping a performance due to injury.

The Rules Committee is both posting and sending to all member event producers this recommendation for stopping a routine because of injury for the balance of the 2012-13 competition season. This recommendation will be sent through the Sanctioning Committee to be voted on for inclusion in Sanctioning Guidelines for 2013-14 and future seasons. This is a recommendation only for 2012-13, with the hope of becoming a guideline for 2013-14.

View the recommendation here

 

Comments and suggestions regarding the recommendation are welcome and may be sent to: Les Stella

Thank you for joining the USASF in our shared focus on athlete safety. Best of luck as you continue through the competition season.

Males—Minimize Exaggerated or Theatrical Movements

Slate published Males—Minimize Exaggerated or Theatrical Movements.

But cheer is an activity in which it’s always been OK for boys to shimmy. The USASF’s new rules have threatened to destroy that safe space. Gadke is still waiting to see the promised revision to the guidelines, and he’s still talking with the ACLU and GLAAD. He wants not just a revision but an apology. After all, cheerleading is a sport that’s built on trust. At this weekend’s championships, children and adolescents will toss themselves in the air on the assumption that a teammate will be there to catch them. If the USASF doesn’t right itself soon, the entire sport will be in for a hard fall.

A Message From the USASF Board of Directors – April 5th, 2012

The Board appreciates the recommendations recently made by the Rules Committee and, as always, gave them serious consideration before issuing the revised rules that we feel are in the best interest of our sport and its athletes. Given the feedback we received, it seems appropriate to now address the developments that led the Board to initially issue these rules.

USASF LogoThe Board has a deep respect for the technical qualifications of the members of the Rules Committee and sincerely appreciates the hard work of every member. The Board believes that much focus has been given to important detailed technical points; however, there are broader issues involving the rules that deserve immediate attention. Because of this, the Board felt compelled to address what it believes are critical and urgent issues. Addressing these issues is consistent with the mission of the USASF, which is to create a safe and positive environment for All Star athletes and to grow the sport.

An inordinate number of injuries in tumbling appears not to have been adequately addressed by the rules. All technical areas (stunts, pyramids and basket tosses) have restrictions to enhance safety. When particular skills are deemed to be unsafe for the vast number of athletes involved in our sport, rules and restrictions need to be created. If there are skills that appear to be creating injuries, then it is the responsibility of the USASF to address these skills for the overall benefit of our athletes and our sport.

In recent days, some have advocated leaving decisions on what specific skills can be performed by an athlete strictly to the coaches and athletes themselves, thereby eliminating any restrictions. The result would be allowing virtually any skill to be attempted. The Board believes that this approach would have a devastating effect on our sport (envision four high pyramids, basket tosses from shoulder stands, and double or triple backs with multiple twists on the floor and in baskets).

The Board is also concerned about the continued lack of serious competition in many of the divisions that have been created. While the concept of level play has been positive for our sport, the very large number of divisions inherently creates a lack of serious competition in many circumstances. There are now more than 140 divisions. This is counter to creating what is an essential element of any legitimate sport, which is competition. The Board believes that decisions must be made over the coming months to create a more balanced and robust competitive environment.

The image and appearance policy addresses the increasing criticism about the general appearance of our athletes during competition and the unflattering media stories that have focused on how our sport is presenting its athletes, particularly those in the younger age groups.

Regarding process, the Board appreciates the procedure whereby the NACCC recommends rules to the Rules Committee, and the Committee then considers these recommendations, as well as those the Committee develops itself. The Rules Committee then recommends specific rules to the Board, the vast majority of which have historically been passed. However, the Board has always reserved the right to pass certain rules it develops itself if such rules are deemed to address issues of important and immediate concern. Going forward, in an effort to advance the USASF’s mission in a more substantial and timely way, the Board will give as clear a direction as possible to the Rules Committee as it relates to the development of rules.

While fully respecting and appreciating each individual’s right to freely express themselves, it is imperative that those who are involved with the USASF on an official basis or project conduct themselves constructively and professionally with respect for their peers working within the organization. Based on the developments that have recently transpired regarding these rules, the USASF will soon be issuing its own standards of conduct relative to official work being done on behalf of the USASF. To hold an official position, including a USASF committee position, the USASF will require that members discuss and address these issues within the organization’s official structure.

Finally, the Board, which is composed of both event producers and coaches, believes that it is imperative to put the overall good of the sport before personal or company interests. This includes event companies and gym companies. The Board believes everyone should keep this principle at the forefront of our future efforts in furthering the USASF’s mission to create a safe and positive environment for All Star athletes and to grow the sport.

Board of Directors

Jim Chadwick (Chairman), Mike Burgess (USA), Justin Carrier (NCA), Brian Elza (Premier Athletics), Jeff Fowlkes (CHEERSPORT), Mack Hirshberg (Mac’s Cheer), Gwen Holtsclaw* (Cheer Ltd.), Happy Hooper (Ace All Stars), Dan Kessler (Jamfest), April LaFramboise (JAM Brands), Colleen Little (IEP), Jody Melton (Cheer Athletics), Catherine Morris (UDA), John Newby (UCA), Elaine Pascale (World Cup), Steve Peterson (IASF/USASF), James Speed* (GymTyme), Lance Wagers (ACA)

*Consultants to the Board

A Message From the USASF Board of Directors

A Follow-up Announcement from the Board of Directors

USASF LogoDear USASF Members,

Thank you to everyone providing feedback on the rules announcement yesterday, especially the tumbling concerns. The Rules Committee is using this in developing the specific rules and implementation in concert with the NACCC. The result will be forwarded to all members at the earliest possible date.

Jim Chadwick

President, USASF

USASF Age Grid Updates (October 2011)

The USASF sent the following email to Gym Members:

Dear USASF Member Gym:

As most of you know, the USASF conducted several “regional” meetings throughout the course of the summer to gather feedback from constituents and to educate members on initiatives the USASF is undertaking. As a result of these meetings there were several issues related to the 2011-12 rules and age grid that needed clarification and changes made to them. In addition,rules and “International” division changes to the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds were recently announced that impacted the current USASF age grid.

The USASF Rules Committee reviewed issues from the regional meetings, and both the USASF Rules Committee and members of the NACCC Board reviewed the current age grid in the context of the recently announced changes for “International Open” divisions at the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds. As a result of these meetings the following clarifications and changes have been made effective immediately to the USASF Age Grid:

Special Needs Teams

  • Teams are limited to Level 3 rules, with the additional restriction of no basket tosses being permitted
  • Event producers may allow a team to perform an “exhibition” or to “compete” against other Special Needs teams

All Star “Rec” Divisions

The USASF recognizes that increased participation in the all star activity may result of the inclusion of these divisions. However, there is not enough information at the present time to standardize these divisions across the nation. Therefore, event producers may offer them for the 2011-12 season, but must request a “waiver” to do so and must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • All event producers must offer “All Star Rec” divisions as non-sanctioned divisions at their event
  • Event producers are mandated to request a waiver from the USASF to offer these divisions at sanctioned events
  • Event producers must provide to the USASF a definition of what constitutes an “All Star Rec” team
  • “All Star Rec” teams must follow the level rules by age group as now mandated on the USASF/IASF Age Grid (in other words a Mini team may not perform Level 5 skills)
  • “All Star Rec” divisions must be listed as “non-sanctioned” on the performance schedule
  • An event producer may not offer an “All Star Rec” division arbitrarily to accommodate a team whose motive is to avoid competition
  • Performances will not count toward the maximum number of teams for the 2012 Cheerleading World bid requirements for event producers

Open Level 4 Trial Division

Many coaches at the regional meetings requested that a division be developed that would allow older participants an opportunity to continue with the sport without having to move to the skill set offered by International Open Levels 5 or 6. For the 2011-12 season a “trial” division — Open Level 4 — will be permitted if an event producer wishes to offer it. Event producers must request a “waiver” to offer this division and must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Teams consist of members 17 years of age and older
  • Team consist of 5-24 members
  • Teams consist of 1-15 males if the division is split into co-ed
  • Teams will be permitted to perform as a “trial” division only for the 2011-12 season. Teams may perform for exhibition (no scoring or comments given) or evaluation only (score/comments given), but may not be ranked against any other team
  • Teams may not be given a placement based upon their performance
  • Teams may be given a “participation” award if the event producer so chooses, but this award must be the same for all teams performing in the Open Level 4 division
  • Performances will not count toward the maximum number of teams for the 2012 Cheerleading World bid requirements for event producers

None of the divisions above are listed on the official 2011-12 Age Grid as they are divisions that may only be offered by “waiver.”

International Open Level 6 — Number of Males for “Co-Ed”

As a result of the recently announced change to the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds “International” rules, this division will be changed immediately on the 2011-12 Age Grid to allow 1-15 males when split into a “co-ed” division.

Please note that the review by the USASF Rules Committee and NACCC Board did not result in a recommendation to change the birth date requirement for International Open Levels 5 & 6 on the current 2011-12 USASF Age Grid. Therefore, teams wishing to follow the new birth date rule that is specific to these divisions may use “substitutions” and/or “alternates” per the Cheerleading Worlds guidelines to allow competitors who meet the birth date standard to perform at the Cheerleading Worlds. The “substitutions” and/or “alternates” may only be used to comprise a team for the Cheerleading Worlds.

A new rule was added to the 2011-12 USASF Age Grid to deal with the potential use of “Tag Out” athletes at competitions. This rule states:

The athletes, who perform a routine, must remain the same from start to finish and MAY NOT be replaced by another athlete at anytime during the performance.

The updated 2011-12 USASF Age Grid, in addition to the update sent last week to the USA Cheer Level Rules has been posted on the USASF website and can be accessed by following this link.

An e-mail to event producers informing them of these changes/clarifications/updates will also be sent today.

We hope that this e-mail provided you with information that will help to ensure a successful competition season ahead. Thank you for your continued support of the USASF.