dru nix drunix@schsl.org 803-446-6513 cell 803-798-0120 office

Dru Nixdrunix@schsl.org

803-446-6513 cell

803-798-0120 office

www.nfhs.org

www.nfhslearn.com

New Courses at nfhslearn.com!

• Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment• Addresses hazing, bullying and cyber bullying, inappropriate relationships and social media

• Strength and Conditioning• Content from NSCA, designed to educate coaches to how to properly train students

• A Guide to Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention

• Will be available before practice starts for the fall of 2012 at www.nfhslearn.com!FREE

!

COMPETITIVE CHEER 2012-13 April 5 - May 31 ................... Spring Practice/Team Selection (15 days for total program) June 1 - July 21 ................... Can practice or attend camp as much as you like. July 22 – 26 ......................... DEAD PERIOD

Cannot practice or attend team camp. Cannot practice during the dead period for a camp beginning on/or after July 25.

July 27................................. First Practice August 27 ............................ First Competition October 19 .......................... Deadline for Notification of Entry (All Classes) Qualifiers November 5-8......................

November 5 - Northwestern HS Class AAAA Upper November 6 - White Knoll HS Class AAAA Lower November 7 - Dorman HS Classes AA & AAA Upper November 8 - Lower Richland HS Classes AA & AAA Lower

Season is over if you do not qualify for State.

November 17..................... Bi-Lo Center, Greenville Time: 11:00 am (Class AA)

November 17 - April 4, 2013 ..................................

No competitive cheer practice (Can work on skills with two athletes per day)

New State Laws

Home School Participation – must have been home schooled at least one year sometime in the student’s life prior to participation

Charter School Participation Governor’s School Participation

Long Day / Short Day

South Carolina High School Fall Sports Pre-Season Practice Plan (Endorsed by SCATA, Ad Hoc SCHSL Preseason Acclimatization Committee)

BACKGROUND: In the summer of 2009 the Inter-association Task Force for Preseason Secondary School Athletics* recommended preseason heat-acclimatization guidelines for secondary school athletic programs to minimize the risk of heat illness during preseason football practice. PURPOSE: The intent of the following “exposure-based proposal” is to promote an acclimatization and recovery model for SCHSL Fall sports consistent with the Inter-association Task Force guidelines that also allows coaches to appropriately prepare their teams and fits into the current SCHSL’s schedule. PRACTICE TIMELINE:

Days 1-5: 3 hours of Practice Day 6-14: Must alternate days Long Practice Day and Short Practice Day

o Long Day: 5 hours of practice permitted Divide the time to best benefit your program Practices must be separated by 2-hours of continuous rest Long Day can follow a Rest Day (even if the day before the Rest Day was Long Day)

o Short Day: 3 hours of practice permitted Divide the time to best benefit your program

Day 15+: No restrictions on Practice

NOTES:

First practice permitted: Friday, July 27. Practice times (including warm-up, stretching, cool-down time, conditioning) shall not exceed 3 hours. All practices occurring Days 1-14 must be documented to show compliance. All athletes must complete Days 1-4 of the practice timeline before being allowed to participate in

more than 3 hours of practice in a day. Weight room activities do not count as practice time, but must be separated from practice by at least

2 hours of continuous rest to allow for recovery. o Exception: No continuous rest period is required if weight room activities are counted as a part

of the day’s allotted practice time. A Walk-through is allowed and does not count against practice time. Walk-through is defined as a

teaching opportunity with athletes: o not wearing protective equipment o not using sports-related equipment o participating in an indoor, climate-controlled environment.

Must have a Rest Day after 6 consecutive practice days. Scrimmages permitted on either a Long Day or Short Day. A scrimmage will count as 3 hours. All athletes must have a pre-participation physical exam before athletic participation. If weather/lightning postpones practice in progress, the practice may resume after a warm-up (20 minute

maximum) and the remainder of allotted practice time may be completed. *Inter-association Task Force includes – Gatorade Sports Science, Amer. College of Sports Med., NATA, NSCA, US Army Research institute, Amer.Orthopaedic Society for Sports Med., Amer. Medical Society for Sports Med., Amer. Academy of Pediatrics*

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of StateHigh School Associations

2012-13 NFHS Spirit Rule RevisionsMajor Rules Changes

Major Editorial Changes

Points of Emphasis

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-3-8 . . . Padded knee, ankle, and wrist braces which are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production do not require any additional padding.

Rationale: Adding wrist braces is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-4-1b . . . A base must not:

b. Hold any objects if the hands are the primary support for the top person.

Rationale: This change is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-4-1b

Illegal Legal Illegal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-4-6e . . . A spotter must not:

e. Stand with hands behind his/her back.

Rationale: A spotter does not demonstrate being in an alert, ready position when standing with hands behind the back.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-4-8 . . . A spotter is required for single base shoulder level stunts in which the foot or feet of the top person are in the hands of the base.

Rationale: There is significant risk that a backward fall in such stunts cannot be caught when the bases’ hands under the top person’s feet.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-4-8

Legal Legal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-5 – New Section on InversionsRationale: This section was added to make it easier to locate inverted stunts in the rules book. The new inversion rules allow teams to have more options without increasing risk. These skills have been demonstrated to have a reasonable expectation for minimizing risk when given the specific limitations and conditions required for performance.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-5 Inversions2-5-1 Unless allowed under the rules in this section, a top person must not be in an inverted position.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5 Inversions

2-5-2 Forward suspended rolls are permitted provided:a. The top person begins from the performing surface or from a stunt shoulder height or below.b. The top person maintains continuous hand-to-hand contact with two bases or two posts who control the top person’s dismount to the performing surface or cradle.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-2

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-2

1 2 3

Illegal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-5 Inversions2-5-3 Backward suspended rolls are permitted only from the performing surface provided the top person maintains continuous hand-to-hand/arm contact with two posts who control the top person back to the performing surface.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-3

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-3

1 2 3

Illegal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5 Inversions

2-5-4 A top person may be moved from a weight-bearing, inverted position on the performing surface to a non-inverted position at any height provided that at least one base or spotter is in a position to protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person. This base or spotter must maintain contact with the top person until he/she is no longer inverted.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-4

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-4

1 2

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5 Inversions

2-5-5 A top person may be inverted in partner stunts in which the base of support remains below shoulder level provided that at least one base or spotter is in a position to protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person. This base or spotter must maintain contact with the top person until she/he is no longer inverted.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-5

Legal Illegal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-5

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-5

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5 Inversions

2-5-6 An inverted top person may be moved in a downward direction from a stunt in which the base of support remains below shoulder level provided that two original bases or one original base and a spotter are in a position to protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person. These bases or base/spotter must maintain contact with the top person until her/his hands are on the performing surface or she/he is no longer inverted.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5 Inversions

2-5-7 A braced forward or backward flip in a pyramid is allowed provided all of the following conditions are met:

a. The top person maintains continuous hand-to-hand/arm contact with a separate bracer on each side. The bracers must be in double based shoulder stands or elevator preps (no single base, shoulder sit or thigh stand bracers).

b. Each bracer has a separate spotter.

c. The top person has at least two bases and a separate spotter.

d. The bases remain stationary except as necessary for safety adjustments.

e. The top person is caught by the original bases in a loading position, stunt or cradle.

f. The top person does not perform more than one and one quarter (1 ¼) flipping rotations.

g. The top person does not twist.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-5-7

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-6-4 . . . A top person may be moved from a vertical

position to a face up or face down straight body horizontal position provided all the following conditions are met:

a. The top person maintains contact with at least one original base or spotter.

b. Two or more additional catchers/bases catch the upper body of the top person.

c. When the catchers are not the original bases, the top person does not begin in or pass through an extended overhead position.

d. The catchers remain close to the original bases and must be in place prior to the movement toward horizontal.

e. The base(s) do not turn.

f. The base(s) has/have constant visual contact with the catchers.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-6-4 (continued) Rationale: This change combines current

rules for moving a top person from vertical to horizontal. Eliminating previous 2-5-7 may reduce risk by not having an extra person standing between stunts in a pyramid.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-6-4

1 2

Legal

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-6-4

1 2

Illegal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-6-11 . . . A single base may not be the

only primary support for two extended top persons with the exception of double cupies/awesomes. If dismounted to cradles, there must be three catchers for each top person being cradled.

Rationale: The NFHS has not addressed stunts in which one base is supporting two extended top persons. This rule allows a specific stunt but limits others that might present a risk.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-6-12 . . . Partner stunts in which the

base uses only one arm to support the top person are permitted only on grass (real or artificial), a mat or a rubberized track.

Rationale: The NFHS has not addressed stunts in which a top person is supported by a single base using only one arm. This rule assures that this type of stunt is only performed on appropriate surfaces.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Rule 2-7-2 . . . Basket tosses, elevator tosses and similar multi-base tosses are permitted only on grass (real or artificial), a mat, or a rubberized track.

Rationale: Adding a rubberized track as an appropriate surface presents minimal risk to participants.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-7-4c . . . The bases can apply upward

force on any part of the body other than under the feet.

Exception: Switch Liberties

Rationale: Prohibiting single foot pitches during a quick toss ensures that the top person will not be tossed significantly higher than the intended stunt.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-7-7e . . . The released top person and

base(s) may make up to a ¼ turn around the bracer in a continuous vertical up and down movement in which the top person remains vertical over the base(s).

Rationale: Allowing a top person to move to the side during release transitions does not present significant risk provided the bases move with and remain below him/her.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-7-7e

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-8-5 . . . A swinging stunt is legal provided all

the following conditions are met:

a. A downward movement is only allowed from below shoulder height.

b. The top person is face up.

c. The top person begins from the performing surface or a stunt that is below shoulder height.

Rationale: Allowing swinging stunts to begin from below shoulder height rather than specifically from a cradle will increase creative options but will continue to minimize risk.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-8-5

1 2 3

Legal

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-9-8 . . . A twist performed to a cradle

must not involve more than one complete rotation except when dismounting to a cradle from a side-facing stunt or toss, 1 ¼ rotations are permitted. The bases may make a ¼ turn to catch the cradle.

Rationale: Based on data, prohibiting double twists to a cradle is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization. This revision also applies to rule 2-7-6.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-9-8 and 2-11-1

1 2 3

Legal (single-twist)

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-10-6 . . . Airborne twisting tumbling

skills are permitted only on grass (real or artificial), a mat, or a rubberized track, with the exception of round offs and aerial cartwheels

Rationale: Adding a rubberized track to these tumbling skills presents minimal risk to participants.

Major Spirit Rules Revisions

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-11-1 . . . A twist performed to a cradle

must not involve more than two one complete rotation except when dismounting to a cradle from a side-facing stunt or toss, 1 ¼ rotations are permitted. The bases may make a ¼ turn to catch the cradle.

Rationale: Data has shown that a single twist to a cradle has minimal risk to participants. Prohibiting double twists to a cradle is consistent with the NFHS focus on risk minimization. This revision also applies to rules 2-7-6.

Major Spirit Rules RevisionsRule 2-9-8 and 2-11-1

1 2 3

Legal (single-twist)

Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 3-4-1b . . . Dismounts from props that

begin in or pass through an inverted position are illegal except for the following:

b. Forward rolls from props low enough that the top person can put both hands on the performing surface before dismounting.

Rationale: Inverted dismounts from low props with adequate restrictions present minimal risk to participants.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of StateHigh School Associations

2012-13 NFHS Spirit Rule Revisions

Major Editorial Changes

Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions

All definitions in Rule 1 are now in alphabetical order.

All situations follow the applicable section in Rules 2 and 3.

Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions

Revised definition of Prep:• Prep – The base(s) hold(s) a standing top

person at approximately shoulder height.

Revised definition of extended stunt:• Extended Stunt – The supporting arm(s) of

the base(s) is/are extended above the head.

Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions

New definition for Base of Support:• Weight-bearing point or points between the

top person and base(s).

New definition for Primary Support:• Primary Support – Bearing the majority of a

top person’s weight during the execution of a partner stunt, pyramid, cradle dismount or the initiation of a toss.

Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions

New definition for Switch Liberty:•A top person starts with one foot on the ground, is tossed and lands in a Liberty on the other foot.

Deleted definition for Pendulum

Combined and Simplified the rules for Suspended Splits (2-8-2, 3 and 4)

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of StateHigh School Associations

2012-13 NFHS Spirit Rule Revisions

Points of Emphasis

Points of EmphasisCoaches’ Responsibility: Minimizing Risk

The NFHS continues to stress that coaches insist upon “perfection before progression.” The skills and techniques of stunts appropriate for the abilities of the cheerleaders must be perfected before advancing to the next level. Additionally, coaches should ensure that cheerleaders are thoroughly trained in proper spotting techniques and receive appropriate training before attempting any form of cheerleading gymnastics.

Points of EmphasisCoaches’ Responsibility: Education

Coaches have a professional responsibility

to read and fully comprehend the entire NFHS Spirit Rules Book, and fully understand all rules in order to correctly teach the appropriate skills to their athletes. It is also the coaches’ responsibility to educate their student-athletes so they are aware of the rule changes. In addition, coaches are expected to be advocates

for and models of good sportsmanship and follow all rules as written.

Points of EmphasisPerformance Surfaces

Technical skills should not be performed on concrete, asphalt, wet or uneven surfaces or surfaces with obstructions. Collected data indicates that skills such as single twists to a cradle or twisting during quick tosses can be executed on appropriate surfaces with minimal risk of injury and need not be limited to grass (real or artificial), mats and rubberized tracks. In addition, however, data indicates that specific airborne twisting and tumbling skills and higher risk tosses such as basket and elevator tosses should continue to be limited to grass (real or artificial), mats and rubberized tracks.

Points of Emphasis

Double Downs

Data collected by the NFHS indicates that the elimination of a specific skill could significantly reduce the risk of injury for participants. For this

reason, double twisting dismounts to a cradle will no longer be allowed at the high school level on any performance surface.

Points of Emphasis

Inversions

This section in Rule 2 was added to centralize all rules that govern an inverted top person. The expanded number of legal inverted skills allows teams to perform more creative and visually exciting stunts while still minimizing

risk for the individuals involved. These skills, performed under the conditions listed, do not significantly increase risk to the participants.