NFHS Spirit Rule Changes

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2024-2025

Rule 1: Definitions

Rule 1: Jewelry - Any personal adornment worn on the body.

Rationale: A definition for jewelry is needed as the line between adornments allowed and not allowed.

3-2-10: Stunting Personnel

Allows a top person in a T-lift to move over a participant in a nugget.

Rationale: This skill is allowed in dance and has a basic skill progression which should be allowed in cheer.

3-3-5C&D: Inversions

Clarified requirements of when a bracer may release the top person or move to a load position during flip inversion.

Rationale: This change allows the bracers in a braced flip to descend into a load as the braced flip is coming down. They are not needed for stability at that time. We allow the top in a braced flip to release from the bracers when descending. It still requires them to be in the preps at the beginning of the flip.

3-3-6C3: Inversions

Allows an inverted top person to be moved to the performing surface.

Rationale: This rule was initially written to prohibit a prep from back arching to the ground in a handstand, called a "waterfall". This change would still prohibit that skill while allowing other skills like inversions to lower to the performing surface. These do not have the downward speed that is the concern coming from the prep and back arching.

3-5-5: Release Stunts

Separated and clarified braced and non-braced releases
3-5-5 only refers to Braced Releases
3-5-6 refers only to Non-Braced Releases

Rationale: This change separates out releases in a pyramid (braced) and standalone releases (non-braced) to make it easier to find for coaches and officials instead of standalone releases being hidden as an exception in 3.5.5.c.3.

3-5-6: Release Stunts

Allows stunts to be released to or from a vertical piked/seated position to a stunt at any level.

c. When starting from a vertical position at prep level or above, the top person remains in a position where the upper body remains vertical and the legs are not in a seated/pike position. Vertical releases from an extended position to an extended position may not perform more than a 1/4 turn.

d. When starting from a cradle or horizontal position at prep level or below, the top person may be released to the original bases in a loading position or stunt at any level.

Rationale: The initial restriction on seated body positions during releases was initially due to the imbalance of a Teddy Bear sit. If the seated position is only one end of the skill, then the body can be in alignment during any twisting phase. This change allows those skills while specifically prohibiting remaining in the piked positions throughout the release.

3-5-6D: Release Stunts/Tosses: Allows stunts to be released to or from a vertical piked/seated position to a stunt at any level.

3-7-2: Dismounts

Clarified requirements of a spotter on dismounts to the performing surface from prep level or above.

ART. 2... Dismounts to the performing surface from prep level or above are permitted provided ~~the following conditions are met~~:

a. There is assistance from a base or spotter ~~is required and the assistance must be~~ sufficient to slow the momentum of the top person.

~~b. If the dismount involves a skill (e.g., toe touch, twist, etc.) two bases or a base and a spotter is required, and the assistance must be sufficient to slow the momentum of the top person.~~

Rationale: Cleans up the role of a base spotter for them to not get in the way of the other while slowing the momentum of the top person.

3-8-2: Tumbling

Allows soft props to be held during airborne tumbling.

Rationale: This uses Rule 4 Dance language, which allows all soft props to be in the non-support hand. Cheer restricts it to only poms. With Game Day activities, teams often have other soft props in their hand such as crumpled up flags, bandanas, etc. which should be allowed as they do not increase risk.

3-10: Props

Modified the props section to outline all rules pertaining to props.

3-10-1-c. Cannot throw a prop from one person to another person.

3-10-2: A top person may not hold a flag on a pole.

3-10-3: A participant cannot step on a prop (soft or hard) while being a required spotter or while executing or landing from a stunt, jump, or tumbling skill.

3-10-4:

c. When transitioning from a prop to a stunt/cradle, the new bases must be in contact with the top person before leaving the prop.

3-10-5: Hands-free poms are allowed.

Rationale: Many of the rulings regarding props utilize the situations from a rule regarding performance areas. Having a section specific to props that outlines restrictions as rules instead of interpretations will help coaches and officials.

4-10: Props

Modified the props section to outline all rules pertaining to props.

4-10-15: Cannot throw a prop from one person to another person.

4-10-16: A top person may not hold a flag on a pole.

4-10-17: A participant cannot step on a prop (soft or hard) while being a required spotter or while executing or landing from a stunt, jump, or tumbling skill.

4-10-18: Hands-free poms are allowed.

4-10-19: Glitter may be used on signs, props, or backdrops only if laminated or sealed.

4-1-3: Apparel and Accessories

Clarifies exceptions for footwear during airborne tumbling.

B2... Airborne tumbling with the exception of front and side aerials, kip ups, and headsprings.

Rationale: The impact of the kip ups and headsprings do not pose a significant risk since they are not airborne in approach, but only in descent.

4-5-2: Release Stunts/Lifts

Restricts non-braced release stunts.

b. Braced release stunts/lifts and braced release transitions;

c. Non-braced release stunts

Exception: Legal helicopters and log rolls; and

~~d. Switch ups.~~

DELETED Article 3

Rationale: Dance is not allowed to perform braced releases, because non-braced releases are higher level skills than braced releases, the non-braced release are now restricted as well.

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