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2008-2009 Cheerleading Information

Submitted by webmaster on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 4:32pm.
GENERAL INFORMATION - SUPPORT/SPIRIT AND COMPETITIVE:

  1. Schools may choose to have:
    1. support/spirit squad(s) that do(es) not compete
    2. support/spirit squad(s) and one varsity competitive team

  2. All cheerleaders (competitive and non-competitive) must be eligible according to academic standards and the transfer rule and must be declared eligible by the GHSA office on the proper eligibility forms.

  3. All cheerleaders (competitive and non-competitive) must have a physical examination on file in the school office before they may try out, practice, or perform.

  4. All cheerleading coaches (support/spirit and competitive) must attend a GHSA Rules Clinic or the school will be fined.

  5. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
    1. Beginning and ending dates for practice and competition can be found on the GHSA website under "Beginning and Ending Dates".
    2. Cheerleading teams are allowed to attend camps after the last day of school until August 1st.
    3. Spirit Cheerleading season ends after the last day of school.
    4. Out-of-season practices may be held in preparation for tryouts only. Once tryouts are complete, no practices or conditioning may be held until school is out. Practices for tryouts are limited to a maximum of ten (10) consecutive school days per school between February 1 and the last day students are in school.
    5. Eligibility for try-outs:
      1. Students must be enrolled at a school in order to try out for that school's cheerleading team. A student may be enrolled in only one school at a time.
        EXCEPTION: See By-Law #1.45 (g)
      2. Enrolled migrant students may try out for a cheerleading team, but may not represent the school at the varsity level during the school year until the migratory sit-out period has ended.

COMPETITIVE RULES:

  1. Cheerleading is a state championship sport in each classification for non coed teams and schools are aligned on a regional basis. There is also an open division (all classifications together) for coed competition.
    NOTE: The term “non coed” refers to all-female teams throughout this section.

  2. All cheerleading competitions must be conducted according to the rules of the “National Federation Spirit Rules Book” and the “GHSA Competitive Cheerleading Manual.”
    NOTE: National Federation rules dealing with safety are to be followed in any cheerleading practice or performance. It is recommended, but not mandatory, that cheerleaders practice stunting on one or more 6'x42' cheerleading mats prior to performing stunts in a team routine.
    NOTE: One GHSA Competitive Cheerleading Manual is provided to each school at the coaches rules clinics. Additional copies may be purchased for $5.00 each.

  3. The maximum number of competitions for varsity cheerleading is six (6), plus region and state competitions.
    1. All competitions must be sanctioned by the GHSA by May 5.
    2. GHSA sanctioned Cheerleading competitions may include member schools only or schools from other states who are members of their state association. This excludes non-member high schools and all middle schools.
    3. Cheerleading exhibitions are not allowed at any GHSA sanctioned invitational tournament.
    4. No competition may lead to a national championship.
    5. Cheerleading coaches may not be involved in any way with a competition during the school year involving cheerleaders on their school's team that is not sanctioned by the GHSA.
    6. Groups that are not members of the GHSA may NOT perform at any time before, during, or after the competition without approval from the GHSA office.

  4. Deadlines for the competitive season are as follows:
    1. Request Sanction of Regular Season Invitational Tournament - May 5, 2008
    2. Declaration of either Coed or Non Coed competitive team - June 1, 2008
    3. Register to enter Regular Season Invitational Tournaments - August 5, 2008
    4. Submit “Notification of Entry” and rosters - October 1, 2008

  5. A competitive cheerleading team is comprised of a maximum of sixteen performers.
    1. A team mascot (if used) is included as one of the sixteen performers.
    2. A school may have a roster greater than sixteen performers, and may use any combination of eligible cheerleaders in any competition in each specific division.
    3. All team members must be dressed in the adopted school uniform that displays the school identification (i.e., letter, monogram, mascot symbol, etc.) EXCEPTION: The mascot is exempt from this rule.

  6. The competitive area is a 42’x42’ blue cheerleading mat, and the routine must be performed within the boundaries of the competitive area.
    1. A full set of cheerleading mats (42’x42’) must be used in all competitions including invitationals, regional, and state competitions.
    2. Only coaches, competitors, and officials are allowed in the competitive area.
    3. Only team members may act as spotters.
    4. Non-competitors may not assist during the routine.
    5. All mats should be placed on the floor horizontally facing the judges. Center of the mat should be marked with tape. The floor will be considered out-of-bounds.

  7. The competitive routine must include both cheer and dance.
    1. Tumbling skills are permitted only within the body of the routine.
    2. Tumbling skills may not be performed as a part of the entrance to or exit from the competitive area.
    3. Pom-poms are the only props allowed in a competitive routine.

  8. The length of the routine shall be a maximum of two minutes and thirty seconds (2:30), timed by an official timer.
    1. The routine must begin within thirty (30) seconds of the head judge's signal. Failure to do so shall result in a five-point deduction for delay of the meet.
    2. Teams may begin from any position inbounds, and the time of the routine will begin with the first word, musical sound, or movement of any team member.
    3. The routine ends on the last word, musical sound, or movement of any team member.
    4. If the routine ends with a pyramid, the final dismount is not timed.
    5. There is no minimum/maximum time limit for music in the routine.
    6. If the routine is longer than the allotted time, a deduction of five (5) points for every fifteen (15) second period or portion thereof will be assessed.

  9. Each school is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the music in its routine.
    1. The principal must review the music to be used in the school's routine, and must stipulate that the music is in good taste for high school students and acceptable for the morals of their community.
    2. Each school must furnish a high-quality tape/CD of their music. NOTE: It is recommended that each school bring an identical back-up tape/CD.
    3. The coach or team representative is responsible for starting and stopping the music during the competition.
    4. Schools are responsible for furnishing their own equipment and music for use in the practice/warm-up area.

  10. Competitive routines shall be judged according to the following criteria:
    1.Cheerleading Fundamentals
    a. Jumps
      Degree of Difficulty5 points
      Execution7 points
    b. Standing Tumbling
      Degree of Difficulty5 points
      Execution7 points
    c. Running Tumbling
      Degree of Difficulty5 points
      Execution7 points
    d. Partner Stunts
      Degree of Difficulty7 points
      Execution10 points
    e. Pyramids/Tosses
      Degree of Difficulty7 points
      Execution10 points
    f. Dance10 points
    g. Cheer/Chant10 points
    h. Formations/Transitions5 points
    i. Showmanship5 points
    2.Deductions will be made for the following:
    a. NFHS Rules Violations (minor)-5 points
    b. NFHS Rules Violations (major)-10 points
    c. Sportsmanship-10 points
    d. Improper uniforms-5 points
    e. Falls-5 points
    f. Tumbling outside of the Routine-5 points
    g. Boundary violations-5 points
    h. Delay of meet-5 points
    i. Time infractions (overtime)-5 points for each 15 seconds or portion thereof
    3.Disqualifications will be made for the following:
    a. Illegal substitution (ineligible member or non-team member)
    b. Too many members on a competitive squad
    c. Unauthorized props

  11. Winners in the competitions will be determined by the highest point total from the judges after the highest score and the lowest score have been dropped.
    1. In case of a tie, all judges’ scores will be totaled.
    2. If a tie still remains after all scores have been totaled, all judges will determine the ranking of the tied teams to break the tie.

  12. Prior to any disqualification for a rules violation, the Head Judge must call a conference at the conclusion of competition, and the majority of the judges must agree the violation occurred.

  13. Judges' decisions are final. GHSA does not allow protests in any activity.

  14. In all competitions, all judges must be registered with the GHSA and must have completed the GHSA training program.
    1. A minimum of five judges and two safety judges will be used at all competitions, plus scorers and timer.
    2. Judges must be secured by certified school personnel by contacting the assigning officer of a local judges' association.

  15. Five percent (5%) of the gross receipts from all invitational competitions shall be paid to the GHSA office.

REGION COMPETITION:

  1. Each school is allowed to enter one team in the region competition for the non coed division. There are no region competitions for the coed division.
    1. Schools must declare entry into either the Coed Division or Non Coed Division prior to June 1.
    2. Entry notification and roster must be sent to the Region Secretary (or GHSA Office for Coed) according to deadlines listed previously. NOTE: Substitutions may be made at any time after the roster has been submitted to the Region Secretary.
    3. The principal must sign the statement on the “Region Competitive Cheerleading - School's Contestant List” approving the music being used.

  2. Teams from each region competition will advance to the state competition as follows:
    1. First place team from each Region in Class AAAAA, AAAA, AAA, and AA, will advance directly to the State competition.
    2. The top two teams from each Region in Class A will advance directly to State competition.
    3. The second, third, and fourth place teams from each Region in Class AAAAA, AAAA, AAA, and AA, will complete in a Sectional Tournament with eight (8) teams from each Classification advancing to State competition.

  3. A panel of judges to be used at invitationals, region, sectional, and state competitions will consist of five judges and two safety judges. More than one panel of judges may be used if necessary.

  4. Five percent (5%) of the gross receipts from the region competition must be paid to the GHSA office.

  5. Region competitions will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The region secretaries involved with each area shall determine the procedures for finances, awards, number of judges, etc.

    GHSA has determined the sites as follows:

    Southwest Georgia (at Worth County HS)Southeast Georgia (at Toombs County HS)
    1-AAAAA3-AAAAA
    1-AAA2-AAAA
    1-AA3-AAAA
    1-A3-AAA
    2-A2-AA
    3-AA
    3-A
    4-A
     
    Middle Georgia (at Columbus State)North Georgia (at Cartersville HS)
    Host: Harris County HS
    1-AAAA5-AAAAA
    2-AAA6-AAAAA
    4-AAA6-AAA
    4-AA5-A
    5-AA6-A
     
    North Metro (at Loganville HS)South Metro (at Whitewater HS)
    6-AAAA2-AAAAA
    8-AAAA4-AAAAA
    5-AAA4-AAAA
    8-AAA5-AAAA
    6-AA7-A
    8-AA
     
    NW Georgia (at The Forum, Rome)NE Georgia (at Mill Creek HS)
    Host: Woodland HS, Cartersville
    7-AAAA7-AAAAA
    7-AA8-AAAAA
    COED - Sectional7-AAA
    8-A
     

COED COMPETITION:

  1. There will be a separate Open Meet competition (all classifications) for coed teams. Schools will be allowed only one varsity competitive team and must designate either the Coed Open Meet Division or the Non Coed region competition prior to June 1 each year.
    1. Having one or more males constitutes a coed team.
    2. Once a team has declared their division of competition, they will not be able to switch to the other. NOTE: When a coed team consists of only one male, and loses that one male, the team will still be required to compete in the coed division, unless a waiver is granted by the GHSA for a hardship reason.
    3. Coed teams and non coed teams may not compete against one another in the regular season (except in the situation listed in #2).
    4. The Coed Sectionals will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at The Forum in Rome. The top sixteen (16) teams will advance to the State Championship.
    5. The Coed State Championship will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the Columbus Civic Center.
      NOTE: The GHSA office has the authority to make adjustments in the coed format depending on the number of teams declared coed.

STATE COMPETITION:

  1. SECTIONALS: Friday, November 7, 2008, Columbus Civic Center
    1. First Session: Classes AA and AAA will begin at 9:00 a.m.
    2. Second Session: Classes AAAA and AAAAA will begin at 1:00 p.m. In each competitive session, the routines will alternate classifications. Example: In the First Session, Class AA leads off, a Class AAA team will perform second, and the two classifications would continue to alternate. The top eight (8) teams from each Classification will advance to the State Finals.
      ORDERREGIONTEAM
      1Region 8Team 4
      2Region 1Team 4
      3Region 2Team 4
      4Region 3Team 4
      5Region 4Team 3
      6Region 5Team 3
      7Region 6Team 3
      8Region 7Team 3
      9Region 8Team 2
      10Region 1Team 2
      11Region 2Team 2
      12Region 3Team 2
      (Intermission)
      13Region 4Team 2
      14Region 5Team 2
      15Region 6Team 2
      16Region 7Team 2
      17Region 8Team 3
      18Region 1Team 3
      19Region 2Team 3
      20Region 3Team 3
      21Region 4Team 4
      22Region 5Team 4
      23Region 6Team 4
      24Region 7Team 4

  2. FINALS: Saturday, November 8, 2008, Columbus Civic Center
    1. First Session: Classes AA and AAA and A will begin at 9:00 am.
    2. Second Session: Coed, Classes AAAAA, AAAA will begin at 2:00 pm.
    3. In each competitive session, the routines will alternate classifications.
      ORDERCOEDAAAAA,AAAA,AAA,AAA
      1Sectional - Team 16Sectional - Team 8Region 8 - Team 2
      2Sectional - Team 14Sectional - Team 6Region 1 - Team 2
      3Sectional - Team 12Sectional - Team 4Region 2 - Team 2
      4Sectional - Team 10Sectional - Team 2Region 3 - Team 2
      5Sectional - Team 8Region 8 - Team 1Region 8 - Team 1
      6Sectional - Team 6Region 1 - Team 1Region 1 - Team 1
      7Sectional - Team 4Region 2 - Team 1Region 2 - Team 1
      8Sectional - Team 2Region 3 - Team 1Region 3 - Team 1
      9Sectional - Team 1Region 4 - Team 1Region 4 - Team 1
      10Sectional - Team 3Region 5 - Team 1Region 5 - Team 1
      11Sectional - Team 5Region 6 - Team 1Region 6 - Team 1
      12Sectional - Team 7Region 7 - Team 1Region 7 - Team 1
      13Sectional - Team 9Sectional - Team 1Region 4 - Team 2
      14Sectional - Team 11Sectional - Team 3Region 5 - Team 2
      15Sectional - Team 13Sectional - Team 5Region 6 - Team 2
      16Sectional - Team 15Sectional - Team 7Region 7 - Team 2

  3. Flash cameras will not be allowed during the competition.

  4. A panel consisting of five judges and two safety judges each (selected by the GHSA) per classification, shall judge the state competition.

  5. Finances:
    1. Admission cost will be $10.00 per day.
    2. Net receipts (after expenses have been paid) will be divided with the GHSA receiving 40% and 60% divided among the participating schools.