National Federation of State
High School Associations
2013-14 NFHS Spirit Rule
Revisions
Major Rules Changes
Major Editorial Changes
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2013-14 NFHS Spirit Rule
Revisions
Major Rules Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
Revised Definition
Bracer – A top person who stabilizes and/or
assists another top person.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
Revised Definition
Cradle – A dismount from a partner stunt,
pyramid or toss in which the catch is completed
below shoulder height by a base or bases with
the top person in a face-up open-pike position.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
Revised Definition
Extended Stunt/Position – The supporting
hand(s) of the base(s) is/are above the head.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
Revised Definition
Log Roll – A top person in a horizontal position
or a cradle is popped then twists parallel to the
performing surface before being caught by the
original base(s) in a horizontal position or a
cradle.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
Revised Definition
Release Transition/Release Pyramid Transition
– A top person changes from one stunt to
another (including loading positions) during a
temporary loss of physical contact with his/her
base(s).
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
Revised Definition
Suspended Roll/Flip – A stunt in which a
person is assisted by bases or posts while
performing continuous foot-over-head rotation.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
New Definition
Downward Inversion – A stunt or pyramid in
which an inverted top person’s center of gravity
moves toward the performing surface.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
New Definition
Loading Position/Load – Bases support a nonextended top person under the foot-feet in
preparation for a stunt or toss.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 1
New Definition
Open-Pike Position – Legs are straight and
hips are bent approximately halfway between a
full pike position and a full layout position.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-4-1
ART. 1 . . . A base must not:
• b. Hold objects in a hand that is supporting a
top person.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-4-1b
Illegal
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Legal
Illegal
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-4-3
A bracer must not provide primary support for
a top person.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-4-7
 A spotter is required for stunts in which the
supporting hand(s) of the base(s) is (are)
above the head, except for the following:
i. Extended triple-base straddle sit provided
the top person has both hands in contact with
a post.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-4-7
Legal
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-2 a
ART. 2 . . . A top person may be inverted in partner stunts in
which the base of support remains below an extended
position provided that:
a. In a downward inversion:
1. Two bases (original or new) are in a position to
protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top person.
2. These bases must maintain contact with the top person’s
upper body (waist or above, including arms) until the top
person is no longer inverted or his/her hands are on the
performance surface.
3. The top person cannot go to an inverted position on the
performance surface from a prep position or higher.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-2 a
3
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2
4
Legal
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-2 b
ART 2 . . . A top person may be inverted in partner stunts in which the
base of support remains below an extended position provided that:
b. When a top person is inverted at or passing
through shoulder level:
1. At least one base must be in a position to
protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the
top person.
2. This base must maintain contact with the
top person’s upper body (waist or above,
including arms) until the top person is no
longer inverted.
3. An additional spotter must be in a position to
protect the head/neck/shoulder area of the top
person. This person may assist but is not
required to maintain constant contact.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-2 b
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Legal
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-2 c
ART. 2 . . . A top person may be inverted in partner
stunts in which the base of support remains below an
extended position provided that:
c. In all other inversions, including those
coming from the performing surface:
1. At least one base or spotter is in a
position to protect the
head/neck/shoulder area of the top
person.
2. This base or spotter must maintain
contact with the top person’s upper
body (waist or above, including arms)
until the top person is no longer
inverted.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-2 c
Legal
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-2 c
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-2 c
1
2
Legal
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-2 c
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-3
ART. 3 . . . Suspended forward and backward rolls/flips are
permitted provided the following conditions are met:
a. The top person begins on the performing
surface or in a stunt shoulder height or below.
b. Two bases or two posts control the top person
in suspended forward or backward rolls with
continuous hand-to-hand/arm contact to a stunt,
two-person cradle, loading position or the
performing surface.
Exception: One base or post may control the top
person in a suspended forward roll/flip with
continuous hands-to-hands contact to a twoperson cradle.
c. During the roll/flip, the feet of the top person must
be released.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-3
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-3
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-3
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-3
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-4 a & b
ART. 4 . . . Braced forward or backward flips in a
pyramid are allowed provided all the following
conditions are met:
a. The top person begins in a multi-base
loading position, stunt, cradle or on the
performing surface.
b. The top person maintains continuous
hand-to-hand/arm contact with a bracer
on each side. The bracers are in preps
with a spotter (no shoulder-stand,
shoulder-sit or thigh-stand bracers). The
top person is between or in front of the
bracers.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-4 c & d
ART. 4 . . . Braced forward or backward flips in a
pyramid are allowed provided all the following
conditions are met:
c. At least three catchers (one base and two
spotters or two bases and one spotter)
who were the original bases/spotters catch
the top person in a loading position, stunt
or cradle, or assist the top person to the
performing surface. If the flip ends in a cradle,
the bracers may release the top person once
she/he begins to descend and is no longer
inverted.
d. The top person ends in a non-inverted
position.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-5-4 e & f
ART. 4 . . . Braced forward or backward flips in
a pyramid are allowed provided all the following
conditions are met:
e. The top person does not perform more
than one and one quarter (1¼) flipping
rotations and does not twist.
f. The bases/catchers remain stationary
except as necessary for safety
adjustments.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-4
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-5-4
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-6-4
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A top person may be moved from a vertical position to faceup or face-down horizontal position (straight body or cradle)
provided all the following conditions are met:
a. The top person maintains contact with at least one
original base or spotter.
b. At least two catchers and/or bases catch the upper
body of the top person.
c. The catchers must be to the side or front of the
person(s) moving the top person.
d. When the catchers are not the original bases, they
remain close to the original bases and are in place
prior to the movement to the horizontal position.
e. When the catchers are not the original bases and
the top person begins or passes through an
extended overhead position, three catchers are
required.
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-6-4
1
2
Legal
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-6-4
1
2
Illegal
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-6-4
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-7-1 a NEW
ART. 1 . . . In all release stunts and tosses:
a. The top person must be braced or
cradled except in a quick toss,
helicopter or log roll or when a top
person in a cradle or horizontal position
is at shoulder level or below.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-7-6 b & c
b. In a multi-base log roll, the top person
may begin and end in a face-up or
face-down position.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-7-7 b
ART. 7 . . . Release transitions are legal
provided all of the following conditions are met
throughout the transition:
b. The top person maintains hand-tohand/arm contact with at least one
bracer.
Exception: A multi-base non braced
(free standing) tick tock that begins at
shoulder level is permitted.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-7-10 New
The previous rule 2-7-10 was deleted as it is
no longer necessary. The following was added
as the new rule 2-7-10:
ART. 10 . . . A top person in a horizontal position
shoulder height or below or in a cradle may be
released to a loading position or stunt shoulder
height or below.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-9-3
Dismounts to the performing surface from
shoulder height or above that involve a skill
(e.g. toe touch, twist, etc.) require assistance
from two bases or a base and spotter. This
assistance must be sufficient to slow the
momentum of the top person.
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Major Spirit Rules Revisions
1
Rule 2-9-3
2
Legal
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3
Major Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-10-2
Tumbling while holding props is illegal except
for a forward roll, backward roll or holding
pom(s) in the free hand during a one-hand
cartwheel.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
2013-14 NFHS Spirit Rule
Revisions
Major Editorial Rules Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-1-15
ART 15 . . . Each state association may, in
keeping with applicable laws, authorize
exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide
reasonable accommodations to individual
participants with disabilities and/or special
needs, as well as those individuals with unique
and extenuating circumstances. The
accommodations should not fundamentally alter
the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or
place opponents at a disadvantage.
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Major Editorial Spirit Rules Revisions
Rule 2-9-10 g
In cradle dismounts where a bracer is involved
after the bases release the top person, all the
following conditions must be met:
g. Bases and bracers remain in place
during the dismount.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
2013-14 NFHS Spirit Rule
Revisions
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
2013-14 Points of Emphasis
Points of Emphasis highlight the major rules
changes and emphasize other rules for
which additional clarification may be
needed.
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2013-14 Points of Emphasis
Application of NFHS Spirit Rules Book – The spirit rules
book provides rules and safety limitations that should be
followed by all cheerleading/dance/drill/pom and other
spirit teams that stunt, tumble or use props as a base.
Dance/drill/pom and other spirit teams that stunt,
tumble, or use props as a base must follow the
appropriate safety limitations in Rule 2 and Rule 3.
Cheerleading or other spirit teams that use props as a
base must follow the appropriate safety limitations in
Rule 3.
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2013-14 Points of Emphasis
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 Coaches’ Responsibility: Minimizing Risk – Risk minimization for
participants must be the primary objective for all sprit coaches.
Cheerleaders should be placed under the direction of a qualified
and knowledgeable coach who can recognize a squad’s particular
ability level and limit their activities accordingly. “Ability level” refers
to the squad’s talents as a whole. Programs should qualify
cheerleaders according to generally accepted teaching
progressions. The NFHS skills and techniques of stunts appropriate
for the abilities of the cheerleaders must be perfected before
advancing to the next level. Only those skills mastered in practice
and consistently executed correctly should be performed in public.
Additionally, coaches should ensure that cheerleaders are
thoroughly trained in proper spotting techniques and receive
appropriate training before attempting any form of cheerleading
gymnastics. Coaches should also provide a comprehensive
conditioning and strength-building program to ensure optimum
fitness for their athletes.
2013-14 Points of Emphasis
Coaches’ Responsibility: Education – Coaches
have a professional responsibility to read and
fully comprehend the entire NFHS Spirit Rules
Book. It is vital that coaches 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.
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2013-14 Points of Emphasis
Overuse Injuries – Overuse injuries are a
common problem characterized by irritation to a
body part. Cutting back on the intensity,
duration and frequency of specific
activities/skills will help to minimize the potential
for overuse injuries to athletes. Headstands,
headspring flips, back handsprings, or jumps
are examples of skills that have the potential for
injury due to overuse.
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2013-14 Points of Emphasis
Concussions – The understanding of sports related
concussions has evolved dramatically in recent
years. We have learned that young athletes are
particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion.
An athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or
behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as
loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness or
balance problems) shall be immediately removed
from participation and shall not resume participation
until cleared by an appropriate health-care
professional. Look to your state high school
association and the NFHS for education regarding
prevention and treatment of concussions.
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2013-14 Points of Emphasis
Performance surfaces and areas – The rules
specify that “Performance surfaces and areas must
be suitable for spirit activities and reasonably free
from objects and/or impediments.” Further, the rules
state that “When discarding props that are made of
hard material or have corners or sharp edges, team
members must gently toss or place the props.” In
some situations, discarded props and signs could
increase the risk of injury should team members
step on them. This is true for both competitive and
non-competitive spirit activities. In competitive spirit
activities, state associations or local competition
administrators can provide information on
deductions that may be taken for stepping on
objects on the performance surface.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
2013-14 NFHS Spirit Rule
Revisions
Thank you for your participation.
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™