1. Dru Nix drunix@schsl.org 803-446-6513 cell 803-798-0120 office www.nfhs.org www.nfhslearn.com

2. 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!

4. 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

7. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2012-13 NFHS Spirit Rule Revisions Major Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-4-1b Illegal Legal Illegal

11. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Delete rule 2-4-8 from the 2011-12 Rules Book: Rule 2-4-8... A spotter’s arms and hands must be in one of the following positions:  a.Hands grasping the wrist(s)/forearm(s) of the base(s);  b.Hands touching or grasping the ankle(s)/lower leg(s) of the top person;  c.Arms lifted toward the top person’s head and shoulders (if not touching either the top person or a base).  Note: It is not necessary for the arms to be straight, but they must be in a “ready” position.  Rationale: It is not necessary for a spotter’s arms to be extended towards a top person in order to be in an alert, ready position.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-4-8 Legal Legal

15. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5 – New Section on Inversions  Rationale: 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.

16. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5 Inversions  2-5-1 Unless allowed under the rules in this section, a top person must not be in an inverted position.

17. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 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.

18. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-2 12 3 Legal

19. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-2 1 2 3 Illegal

20. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5 Inversions  2-5-3 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.

21. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-3 1 23 Legal

22. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-3 123 Illegal

23. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 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.

24. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-4 1 2 3 Legal

25. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-4 1 2 Legal

26. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 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.

27. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-5 Legal Illegal

28. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-5 1 2 3 Legal

29. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-5 123 Legal

30. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 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.

31. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 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.

32. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-5-7 1 2 3 Legal

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-6-4 1 2 Legal

36. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-6-4 1 2 Illegal

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Delete Rule 2-6-4c from the 2011-12 Rules Book  The top person does not twist during the release unless it is performed on grass (real or artificial) or a mat.  Rationale: It has been demonstrated that a release twist during a quick toss on any appropriate surface does not present significant risk to participants.

41. 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.

42. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Delete Rule 2-6-7b from 2011-12 Rules Book  The bases remain stationary except as necessary for safety adjustments.  Rationale: Deleting 2-6-7b is necessary to allow bases to move as allowed in the provisions of 2-7-7e below.

43. 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.

44. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-7-7e 1 2 3 Legal

45. 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.

46. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-8-5 1 2 3 Legal

47. 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.

48. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-9-8 and 2-11-1 12 3 Legal (single-twist)

49. 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.

50. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Delete Rule 2-10-1 from the 2011-12 Rules Book Twists performed to a cradle, during a tumbling pass or in a quick load-in toss are legal only on grass (real or artificial) or a mat. Rationale: This rule is already covered in other areas.

51. 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.

52. Major Spirit Rules Revisions Rule 2-9-8 and 2-11-1 12 3 Legal (single-twist)

53. 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.

54. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2012-13 NFHS Spirit Rule Revisions Major Editorial Changes

55. 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.

56. 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.

57. 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.

58. 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)

59. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2012-13 NFHS Spirit Rule Revisions Points of Emphasis

60. Coaches’ 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.

61. Points of Emphasis Coaches’ 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.

62. Points of Emphasis Performance 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.

63. 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.

64. 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.