Rules and Regulations for North Parkland’s

CHEER 2003

The North Parkland Athletic Association’s Cheerleading Competition Committee has created the following rules and regulations.  They have been designed to make our competition safe, fair and a pleasure for everyone involved.

We ask that you review these new rules with your athletes, coaches, and parents, so everyone has a clear understanding of the expectations of the day.  

We look forward to having you at our competition and hope your experience with us is full of the spirit of cheerleading.

1. North Parkland’s CHEER 2002 accepts registration applications from squad participating in area youth recreational leagues.  An recreation Elite  division has been created, if enough participants register to make the division competitive (at least 3 teams).  Cheerleading squads from middle school teams are not eligible to compete at this event at this time.

2. Upon arrival, coaches and athletes will enter through lower level entrance in the back of the Athletic wing of the Parkland High School building (see map).  Proceed to the registration table to register your squad.  After registration, please proceed to the Auxiliary gymnasium to stretch and warm-up.  Please limit warm-ups to 10 minutes to give other squads time to do the same and then move aside to await further instruction as to entering the performance gym together.  At this time, many squads are unsupervised by their coaches or other adults, so there will be no mounting, gymnastics, or stunting allowed until supervision is available.  All tumbling must be done on the mats provided.

3. Please do not arrive earlier than your designated time.  We will open the doors and process the registrations at the scheduled entrance time.  No sooner.

5. A brief coaches meeting with the safety judge will be held beyond the doors at the end of the hallway where you register, right before the event begins.  Attendence will be taken. 

7. Hand-held signs are welcomed and encouraged!  Signs hung on walls or railings are not permitted.  Neither are air horns.

8. There will be two designated “on deck” areas in the gym.  Please be respectful of squads performing by staying quiet while on deck.  When your squad is called to “deck two”, proceed to the area to wait to report to “deck one”.  From “deck one’ your squad will report directly to the floor.  A coach or designated music monitor should report to the DJ at your “deck two” call.  This person will be responsible for pushing the play and stop button to control your music.

9. Two seats in the front and off to the side of the bleachers will be reserved for coaches to enjoy their squad’s performance.  Coaches are asked to refrain from coaching, counting or leading during the performance or they will risk disqualification.

10. Selected music for your routine should have appropriate music and lyrics for family entertainment.  All music shall be presented on a tape or CD with your organization’s name and squad level, to the DJ.  Please bring two tapes/CDs of your music.  Tapes/CDs must be rewound and ready to play.  The DJ will not take the time to rewind or re-tape your music at the competition.

11. There will six judges used during the competition.  Two will judge teams solely on Dance.  Two separate judges will be scoring on the Cheer portion and one will handle scoring for stunts, gymnastics, and jumps.  This allows each judge to focus on individual elements for a more accurate score and better feedback.  Our safety judge will be responsible for determining safety infractions and making deductions accordingly based on the severity of the infractions.  Score sheets are available in advance by request only.

12. The length of your routine will not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds and no less than 2 minutes.  The Cheer/Chant portion of your routine must not exceed 1 minute and 15 seconds or no less than 1 minute.  The Dance portion of your routine also must not exceed 1 minute and 15 seconds or be less than 1 minute.  Judges will deduct a 5 point penalty from the squads total score for routines more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds or less than 2 minutes.

13. Timing will begin with the first organized word or movement by the team after they are on the floor in their starting position.  Timing will end with the last organized word or movement by the team.  Teams must exit the floor immediately following their routine.

14. Coaches are encouraged to promote the safe use and handling of props, so as not to create a safety hazard.

15. Glitter is strictly prohibited on any surface including faces, hair, signs, etc.  Violators of this rule will be disqualified immediately.  Please see 2003-2004 NFHS rules revisions.

16. Hair must be up and off the athletes face and shoulders so as not to cause a potential hazard while stunting.  Bobby pins pose a safety hazard, please use flat gymnastic clips.

17. There will be three timekeeping judges to record and verify your performance times.  One will keep cheer/chant time, one will keep dance time and one will keep total time.

18. Judges will abide by rules set forth by NFHS Safety Guidelines in addition to rules created by North Parkland Athletic Association Cheering Competition Committee.

19. “Competition Courtesy” will be expected from athletes, coaches and fans throughout the day.  Fans may respond directly to cheers requiring crowd participation.  Clapping, cheering, chanting, or any unnecessary distractions during a squad’s performance may result in disqualification.  Please advise your fans of this rule.

20. NPAA will not be providing extra needed spotters.  Each squad is responsible for providing their own spotters or creating sufficient built-in spotters.  Spotters are required to spot girls, not to assist them into a stunt or mount unless they are built-in.  Failure to provide proper spotters will result in point deductions from the squad’s total score.  Spotters must wear sneakers, no jewelry and appropriate clothing.

21. There will be no jewelry permitted with the exception of medical tags, which must be taped safely to the body.

22. No athlete will be allowed to perform with a hard cast or hard brace of any kind.  Soft casts are permitted.

23. NO ONE will be permitted on the gym floor without sneakers.  This rule includes fans, which must exit from above with or without the proper footwear.

25. A cafeteria is available to enjoy your refreshments throughout the day.   There will be absolutely no food, drinks or candy permitted in the gym. 

26. No smoking will be permitted on school grounds or in the school parking lot.

27. Our judges and Competition Coordinator have the right to disqualify any squad not performing within the safety guidelines outlined in the attached NFHS Safety Guidelines.  We also reserve the right to disqualify any organization whose conduct is unfitting to youth sport standards set forth by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.  

ALL DECISIONS BY THE JUDGES ARE FINAL!!!

As in the past, the North Parkland Athletic Association will be awarding our SPIRIT AWARD to the squads who display the highest level of spirit and enthusiasm, while maintaining good sportsmanship and courtesy to their fellow cheerleaders.  This Spirit award will be awarded in both the first segment (flags, 80’s, and 90’s) and the second segment (105’s and 130’s)

Thank you for considering CHEER 2003. 

We look forward to having your team participate in our competition and our confidant you will compete in the fairest of terms and in the friendliest environment we can provide!