College Safety Guidelines:
2003-2004 AACCA Cheerleading Safety Guidlines
SPECIFIC SAFETY GUIDELINES
Partner Stunts, Pyramids, and Tosses
- All partner stunts, pyramids, and basket tosses shalt be reviewed and approved by the coach prior to execution. "Hands on" spotting is required until new stunts are mastered.
- In all pyramids there must be at least two spotters designated for each person who is above "two high" and whose base does not have at least one foot on the ground. One of the spotters must be in the back and the other can be at the side or in front of the pyramid to spot the front of the pyramid. This spotter can move to the back to catch the cradle. The spotters must assist the top person when dismounting.
- Pyramids over "two high" should be limited to appropriate surfaces.
- Cradles from pyramids over "two high" must use at least two catchers.
- A forward three-quarter roll dismount off of pyramids must use at least two catchers.
- Toe touch dismounts off of pyramids two body lengths high or above must use at least three catchers.
- Basket tosses or similar tosses may only be performed from ground level and shall be cradled by three catchers (the original two bases and a spotter at the head and shoulder area). These tosses may not be directed so that the bases must move to catch the top person.
- An additional spotter that assists in the dismount is required for the following:
- Twisting dismounts with more than a 360 degree rotation
- Flip dismounts to a cradle from shoulder height partner stunts.
- Stunts which use only one arm of the base for support.
RESTRICTIONS
- The use of mini-trampolines, springboards, or any height increasing apparatus is prohibited.
- Pyramids higher than two and one-half body lengths are prohibited. Pyramid height is measured by body lengths. For example, a shoulder stand is two body lengths, a chair is one and one-half body lengths, an extension on top of a thigh stand is three body lengths high and therefore, is prohibited.
- Single based split catches are prohibited.
- Full twist dismounts from a chair are prohibited.
- Flips into and from partner stunts as well as straddle catches are prohibited, with the exception of the following: basket tosses or similar tosses, front flip dismounts from shoulder level to a cradle, back flip dismounts from shoulder level double base stunts to a cradle. Flips must land in a cradle to the original bases, and must have an additional spotter.
- All flips from pyramids are prohibited except a forward three quarter roll dismount, which will be allowed as long as at least two catchers are used.
- Front, back, and side tension drops are prohibited.
- Toe pitch, leg pitch or walk-in and "smoosh" front and back flips are prohibited.
- All flips with two rotations or greater from any type of toss are prohibited.
- Twisting skills greater than two rotations from partner stunts, pyramids or from tosses are prohibited. (Exception: Double full cradles to the front from side facing stunts such as Arabesques and Scorpions are legal.)
- Basket tosses or similar tosses must be performed from ground level and must be cradled by the same bases that originally tossed the top person and an additional spotter. You may not jump, flip or dive over, under or through partner stunts, pyramids, or individuals from basket tosses, partner stunts or other tosses from hands.
- Participants may not jump, flip or dive over, under or through partner stunts, pyramids, or individuals from basket tosses, partner stunts or other tosses from hands.
- The top person in a partner stunt, pyramid, or transition cannot dismount or be tossed to purposely land or be caught in an inverted body position.
Tumbling
- All tumbling activities should be reviewed and approved by the advisor/coach prior to execution.
- Tumbling skills must use at least one spotter until performance consistency is demonstrated.
- A clear, accurate communication between performer and spotter must be established prior to attempting a skill.
- New tumbling skills should be mastered on a mat whenever possible. If a mat is not available, "over spotting" should be employed. New tumbling skills should not be learned on inappropriate surfaces.
- Tumbling skills performed over, under, or through partner stunts, pyramids, or individuals are prohibited.
- Somersaults greater than one rotation are prohibited.
- Twists greater than two rotations are prohibited.
- Dive rolls are prohibited. (A dive roll is defined as a forward roll wherein the performer is airborne prior to the completion of the forward roll).
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- Cheerleading squads should be placed under the direction of a qualified and knowledgeable advisor or coach.
- All practice sessions should be supervised by the coach and held in a location suitable for the activities of cheerleaders (i.e., use of appropriate mats, away from excessive noise and distractions, etc.).
- Advisors/coaches should recognize a squad's particular ability level and should limit the squad's activities accordingly. "Ability level" refers to the squad's talents as a whole and individuals should not be pressed to perform activities until safely perfected.
- All cheerleaders should receive proper training before attempting any form of cheerleading gymnastics (tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and jumps).
- Professional training in proper spotting techniques should be mandatory for all squads.
- All cheerleading squads should adopt a comprehensive conditioning and strength building program.
- A structured stretching exercise and flexibility routine should precede and follow all practice sessions, game activities, pep rallies, etc.
- Tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and jumps should be limited to appropriate surfaces.
- As a general rule, all programs should qualify cheerleaders accordingly to accepted teaching progressions. Appropriate spotting should be used until all performers demonstrate mastery of the skill.
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