Cheer categories
RULEBOOK
Index
Complaints over organization of competition
................................................................................. 4
Complaints over final ranking of squads
......................................................................................... 4
Responsibility for technical difficulties
............................................................................................. 7
Safety restrictions of elements
Skill evaluation (max 100 points)
Skill evaluation (max 80 points)
Skill evaluation (max 50 points)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 1
Skill evaluation (max 50 points)
Skill evaluation (max 100 points)
Skill evaluation (max 80 points)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 2
G
ENERAL REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations apply for the Slovenian Cheer Open championship, which will be held in Ljubljana on 14 May, 2005. Organizer of this championship is Slovenian Show Association (SSA).
Registration
The registration for the championship takes place in writing by sending the filled out and signed entry forms to the SSA. The last day of registration is 10 May,
2005.
Participation on the championship
All persons, registered at Slovenian Show Association (SSA), and foreigners can register to the competition providing they have paid the registration fee.
Following competitors are not allowed to participate on the competition:
who do not implement obligations of this rulebook,
who are prohibited to participate,
who are suspended,
who are in a disciplinary procedure,
who evidently violate the Disciplinary rulebook (i.e. are drunk, on drugs, behaving inappropriate etc.).
Every competitor has to present a valid photo identification which includes name, surname and date of birth, otherwise the person is not allowed to participate in the competition.
External Spotters
Organizer will provide at least 3 external spotters for protecting and watching competing squads.
Squads can provide their own external spotters (maximum 3) which have to be registered but do not have to pay any registration fee.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 3
Complaints
Leaders/coaches, club representatives and other affected persons have the right to file a complaint or protest about the organization of competition, behavior of certain individuals or final ranking of squads.
Complaints have to be filed until 24 hours after the end of a competition to the manager of the competition. A jurisdictional body of the SSA will discuss the complaint within 14 days from the filing of the complaint and notify the club or association about the beginning of this procedure.
Complaints over misbehavior
Complaints over misbehavior (insults, assaults) of individuals or groups will be passed on to the SSA Discipline committee.
Complaints over misbehavior may be filed orally until 1 hour after the end of a competition or in writing until 7 days after the competition.
Complaints over organization of competition
Complaints over organization of competition have to be filed in writing to the
Competitory committee of SSA until 14 days after the competition.
Complaints over final ranking of squads
Complaints over final ranking of squads have to be filed in writing at least 14 days after the competition or 14 days after the reception of judges' papers, respectively.
Advertising and sponsorship
Squads can advertise one sponsor on their competition uniform the size of up to
40 cm². Advertising on squads' practice clothing and other clothing is allowed
(unlimited). Advertising in squads’ names is also allowed.
Insurances
All persons cooperating in a competition (coaches, competitors, assistants etc.) must have individual or group accident insurance during the competition.
SSA is not responsible for any injuries or health deterioration. Registration to competition relieves the SSA of such responsibilities.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 4
G
ENERAL COMPETITION RULES
Categories
A person or squad can compete in the following categories:
CHEER:
cheer all girls squads (PeeWee, Junior, Senior)
cheer coed squads (PeeWee, Junior, Senior)
group stunts (Junior, Senior)
partner stunts (Senior)
individuals (Junior, Senior)
DANCE
dance squads (PeeWee, Junior, Senior)
dance couples (Junior, Senior)
Coed squads are all squads which include at least one competing male and at least one competing female.
Number of active participants
Each squad can register o up to 26 competitors (2 reserves) and o up to 5 companions (coaches, spotters and other accompanying persons).
The following number of persons can compete in different categories:
Cheer All girls and Cheer Coed
Group Stunts
Partner Stunts
Individuals
Dance squads
Dance couples
8 - 24
4 - 5
2
1
5 - 24
2
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 5
Age regulations
Age is defined by year of birth of a competitor.
Persons compete in separate age groups which are valid for all categories and subcategories. Age groups are defined as follows:
Age group
PeeWee
Junior
Senior
Age
Least
6 years
10 years
15 years
Most
12 years
17 years no limits
No exceptions are allowed.
Length of routines
CATEGORY
Cheer All girls
Cheer Coed
Group stunts
Partner stunts
Individuals
Dance squads
Minimum
2:15
2:15
1:00
1:00
1:00
2:15
Maximum
2:30
2:30
1:30
1:30
1:30
2:30
Dance couples 1:00 1:30
Competition area
The competition area measures 12 by 12 meters with 1 meter of safety edge.
Cheer categories compete on a mat.
The ceiling is higher than 8 meters.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 6
Music
Each squad has to provide a high quality CD with their competition music before the competition starts. The competition music has to be taped in the beginning of the CD. The name and the category of the squad have to be written on the
CD and its envelope.
Before entering the competition area the squad or its coach/representative must have at hand a spare copy of the competition music.
EVERY USE OF VULGAR, RASIST OR SEXUAL LYRICS WILL BE PENALIZED WITH
DISQUALIFICATION.
Music representative
Each squad must have its own music representative who is responsible for the proper performance of competition music, i.e. starting and stopping the music.
The representative must be familiar with the use of a CD-player.
Responsibility for technical difficulties
In the case of a musical mistake because of technical difficulties the squad will be able to start over their routine. If the musical mistake is made by the squad's representative or because of a defect CD, the squad has to continue their routine uninterruptedly.
Music presenters for practice
Organizer has to provide the loudspeakers for competition and official practice but is not bound to provide music presenters for squads' practices.
Clothing and appearance
Hair
Hair that disturb or could disturb the field of sight of competitors have to be tied together so as not to disturb the field of sight.
It is forbidden to use sharp or edged objects for tying of hair. The use of hair clips that are tightly pinned is allowed.
The color of competitors' hair has to be natural. Hair in the same color as uniforms is allowed only if all members of the squad have that same color.
The use of hair clips and other similar instruments for decorative purposes is forbidden.
Jewelry
Wearing jewelry during appearance is forbidden and will be penalized by disqualification.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 7
Medical instruments
The use of glasses is allowed but unadvised for safety reasons.
Medical instruments that are included in the Register of allowed medical instruments of the SSA are allowed. The Register is managed by the competition committee of the SSA. A medical instrument is added to the Register on the basis of a medical approval which certifies that it is safe for use in sports.
Clothing and footwear
Clothing of competitors has to be appropriate for viewers of all ages, safe and appropriate for their category.
Clothing and footwear of competitors have to be equal or harmonized in color ad design.
Competitors in CHEER categories have to wear cheer uniforms or other uniformlike clothing:
tops should be tight for safety reasons,
clothing of male and female participants has to match.
Girls’ wear:
mini skirts matching with short- or long-sleeved tops,
PeeWees and Juniors must have their bellies covered.
Boys’ wear:
shorts or pants matching with short- or long-sleeved tops.
Regulations for competitors in DANCE categories:
PeeWees and Juniors must have their bellies covered,
tops in the form of a bikini or a bra are not allowed for Seniors,
hot pants are forbidden for PeeWees and Juniors,
tattered clothing is not allowed,
undressing is not allowed.
Violations of these regulations are penalized by disqualification.
All persons entering the competition area have to wear appropriate footwear which does not leave stains and does not damage the competition area.
Competitors in cheer categories have to wear appropriate gum shoes with hard soles and solid form. Footwear like dance shoes, jazz shoes, textile shoes or slippers is not allowed in cheer categories.
Competitors in dance categories are not allowed to be barefoot.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 8
Equipment / Props
Competition props are not allowed to be made of metal, i.e. sharp-edged, or otherwise unsafe for persons present at the championship or damaging for the competition area.
Allowed props in CHEER categories are: megaphones, signs, boards, flags, inscriptions and pom-poms. Boards with inscriptions and signs have to be smaller than 2500 cm². All props have to be safe for using, be especially careful that there are no sharp edges.
In DANCE categories the only props allowed and obligatory are pom-poms.
Props have to be delivered to the competition area before the appearance and removed during or after the appearance. For safety reasons you are advised to throw your props off outside the competition area after use.
Props that are outside the competition area during the routine or have already been removed from the competition area must not be collected by the competitors or otherwise brought into the competition area. The violation of this regulation is penalized with score deduction as overstepping the competition area for every reach of a competitor to the outside of the competition area.
External spotters, officials or other persons are not allowed to pass props to competitors or otherwise handle with props. Props that are thrown off inside the competition area after use and are perceived dangerous for competitors can be removed to the edge of the competition area by external spotters.
Official practice
The purpose of official training is to check if the routines are coherent with this
Rulebook. Judges are bound to warn squads of every deficiency which will be penalized by point deduction or disqualification during the competition.
Official practice is obligatory for all competitors. The squads have enough time to execute their routine once and then must leave the competition area. Only in the case of technical problems will the squad be allowed to repeat their routine, hence the routine has to be performed completely with all elements. In case of unsuccessful execution of elements the squad's coach is bound to describe the missing elements to the judges.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 9
C
HEER CATEGORIES
Cheer All girls and Cheer Coed subcategories
Cheer squads can compete with at least 10 and at the most 24 members. They can have maximum 26 members of which 2 are reserves.
The routine lasts from 2 min 15 s to 2 min 30 s. Deviations from the prescribed length of the routine are penalized in any case, even if they are due to differences in technical equipment (speed of music).
In the beginning of the routine each competitor must be within the competition area, standing still and with at least one foot touching ground.
The squad starts their routine with a movement (as a signal for the beginning of the routine) or with the beginning of music.
Obligatory elements
Obligatory elements that have to be executed simultaneously or in quick succession by all members of the squad are:
one cheer,
one chant,
one cheer jump,
one cheer dance.
Cheers and chants can be in Slovene, English or the squad’s own national language.
Obligatory elements executed by one or more members of the squad are:
pyramids,
acrobatic elements (tumbling),
partner stunts (only for Seniors).
Lack of obligatory elements is penalized with point deductions.
Safety restrictions of elements
Basket tosses are not allowed for PeeWees.
In basket tosses the bases have to stand on the ground with both feet.
Basket tosses in Junior category can be performed by maximum 4 bases and
1 flyer. The bases that throw the flyer also have to catch her/him.
Basket tosses in Senior category can be performed by maximum 5 bases and
1 flyer. The bases that throw the flyer do not have to catch her/him. Flyer is not allowed to go through or over pyramids or lifts.
Acrobatic elements in basket tosses for Juniors are restricted to one rotation around vertical axis or one rotation around horizontal axes. The combination of both is not allowed.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 10
Acrobatic elements in basket tosses for Seniors are limited to 2 rotations around the horizontal axis (double back tuck) and vertical axis (double full).
Combination of vertical and horizontal rotation is limited to one turn on each axis (back tuck with 360º turn).
When catching a basket toss into cradle at least one base or spotter has to protect the head and neck of the flyer.
Juniors: when cradling, the top has to be caught by 3 persons (bases or spotters).
Tumbling has to start on the ground and is not allowed to go through or over a pyramid or lift.
All hanging pyramids (e.g. “diamond”) are allowed only for Seniors.
Bases are not allowed to stand in backbend or any other position where the weight from the top to the base is not transferred on an axis parallel to the base's spine.
All lifts and pyramids are limited according to age group as follows:
Age group maximum number of levels
PeeWee
Junior
Senior
2
2
3 maximum height of lift/pyramid
1,5
2,5
2,5
Spotters:
PeeWee: at least one spotter has to watch every top on height 1,5.
Juniors: at least one spotter has to watch every top on height 2 or higher.
Seniors: at least one spotter has to watch every top on height 2,5. At least one spotter has to watch every top in 3-level pyramids. The minimum number of spotters in 3-level pyramids is 3, regardless how many tops are on the 3rd level.
Skill evaluation
(max 100 points)
Communication, attractiveness (point range from 1 to 20)
Contact with the crowd and energy (max 10 points)/ Facial mimics, selfconfidence (5) / Use of props (5)
Technique (point range from 1 to 40)
Dance (5) / Jumps (5) / Tumbling, gymnastics (5) / Cheering, chanting and motion technique (10) / Pyramids and partner stunts (15)
Choreography (point range from 1 to 20)
Difficulty of the whole routine (10) / Flow of routine (5) / Visual effects (5)
Execution (point range from 1 to 20)
Synchronization (10) / Formations and transitions (5) / Overall impression (5)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 11
Group Stunts
4 or 5 male or female competitors compete in this subcategory.
The routine lasts from 1 min to 1 min 30 s. Deviations from the prescribed length of the routine are penalized in any case, even if they are due to differences in technical equipment (speed of music).
In the beginning of the routine each competitor must be standing still and with at least one foot touching ground.
The squad starts their routine with a movement (as a signal for the beginning of the routine) or with the beginning of music.
Obligatory elements
-
2 basket tosses,
-
4 lifts.
Partner stunt elements are not allowed. However, partner stunt transitions
(mounts, dismounts etc.) are allowed.
The use of props is forbidden.
Skill evaluation
(max 80 points)
Communication (point range from 1 to 10)
Contact with the crowd, energy, facial mimics, self-confidence
Technique (point range from 1 to 60)
Group stunts (10) / Basket tosses (5) / Mounts, dismounts, transitions (5) /
Stability, safety (5) / Motion technique (5)
Choreography (point range from 1 to 10)
Creativity (5) / Flow of routine (5)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 12
Partner Stunts
2 male or female competitors compete in this category.
The routine lasts from 1 min to 1 min 30 s. Deviations from the prescribed length of the routine are penalized in any case, even if they are due to differences in technical equipment (speed of music).
In the beginning of the routine both competitors must be standing still and with at least one foot touching ground.
Competitors start their routine with a movement (as a signal for the beginning of the routine) or with the beginning of music.
Each competing couple must have its own spotter who is present throughout the routine. The spotter's duty is to protect and watch. The spotter is not allowed to help throwing, lifting or stabilizing stunts. However, the spotter has to help cradling the top every time.
Obligatory elements
Arbitrary partner stunts and tosses. At least one partner stunt has to be of height
2,5. The routine can include a short dance or cheerleading motions that can last up to two 8-counts.
Illegal elements
Individual gymnastic elements (tumbling) and cheer jumps are not allowed.
However, the routine can include some into mounts and dismounts.
Pop-fronting from height 2,5 is allowed, but horizontal rotations in this case are prohibited.
Skill evaluation
(max 50 points)
Communication (point range from 1 to 10)
Contact with the crowd, energy, self-confidence, facial mimics
Technique (point range from 1 to 30)
Partner stunts (10) / Mounts, dismounts, transitions (10) / Stability, safety (5) /
Motion technique (5)
Choreography (point range from 1 to 10)
Creativity (5) / Flow of routine (5)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 13
Individuals
Individuals compete as individual cheerleaders. Help from or cooperation of other members of their squad is forbidden. (Holds true especially for cheers and chants
– look out not to drown the competitor, this may result in a lower score.)
The routine lasts from 1 min to 1 min 30 s. This starts with the first sound/noise
(music or human voice) or motion and ends with the last sound/noise (music or human voice) or at the competitor's standstill. Deviations from the prescribed length of the routine are penalized in any case, even if they are due to differences in technical equipment (speed of music).
The use of props is allowed.
Obligatory elements
-
1 cheer
-
1 chant
-
2 cheerleading jumps
tumbling
dance
Skill evaluation
(max 50 points)
Cheers and chants (point range from 1 to 10)
Motion technique (5) / Voice (5)
Jumps (point range from 1 to 5)
Difficulty, technique, execution
Dance (point range from 1 to 5)
Creativity, use of music, execution
Tumbling (point range from 1 to 5)
Difficulty, technique, execution
Choreography (point range from 1 to 15)
Difficulty, flow of routine, use of space, diversity, originality
Communication (point range from 1 to 10)
Contact with the crowd, facial mimics, self-confidence, energy
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 14
DANCE CATEGORIES
Dance squads
Dance squads can compete with at least 5 and at the most 24 members. They can have maximum 26 members of which 2 are reserves.
The routine lasts from 2 min 15 s to 2 min 30 s. Deviations from the prescribed length of the routine are penalized in any case, even if they are due to differences in technical equipment (speed of music).
In the beginning of the routine each competitor must be within the competition area and standing still.
Each squad has to include the use of pom-poms into their routine. Pom-poms have to be used at least 1/3 length of the routine.
Obligatory elements
Obligatory elements that have to be performed by all members of the dance squad simultaneously or in quick succession are:
-
1 pirouette (PeeWee and Juniors 360° single turn, Seniors 720° double turn)
-
2 cheerleading jumps
-
2 kicks (lifted leg has to be straight throughout the whole kick)
-
1 split (PeeWees are allowed a semi-split with an angle greater than 90º)
or 1 leap in split (only for Seniors)
Illegal elements
Tumbling, lifts, pyramids, stunts, cheering and other similar elements that belong to CHEER categories are forbidden.
Competitors' hips must never be directly over their heads (no hips over head).
Never must the entire weight of a competitor lie on another competitor.
Skill evaluation
(max 100 points)
Technique of obligatory elements (point range from 1 to 10)
Jumps (max 5 points), pirouettes (3), kicks (2)
Difficulty (point range from 1 to 20)
Difficulty of obligatory elements (10) / Difficulty of whole routine (10)
Choreography (point range from 1 to 20)
Creativity, diversity (5) / Use of music (5) / Visual effects (5) / Use of space (5)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 15
Execution (point range from 1 to 30)
Dancing technique (10) / Synchronization (10) / Formations and transitions (10)
Overall impression (point range from 1 to 20)
Energy (5) / Self-confidence (5) / Facial mimics (5) / Appearance, adequacy of clothing (5)
Dance Couples
Two dancers make up a dance couple.
The routine lasts from 1 min to 1 min 30 s, which starts at the first sound of music and ends with music. Deviations from the prescribed length of the routine are penalized in any case, even if they are due to differences in technical equipment (speed of music).
Competitors have to stand still in the beginning of the routine.
The use of props is allowed.
Obligatory elements
-
1 cheerleading jump,
-
1 pirouette (single turn for Juniors and double turn for Seniors),
-
1 kick.
Skill evaluation
(max 80 points)
Technique of obligatory elements (point range from 1 to 10)
Jumps (max 5 points), pirouettes (3), kicks (2)
Difficulty (point range from 1 to 20)
Difficulty of obligatory elements (10) / Difficulty of whole routine (10)
Choreography (point range from 1 to 15)
Creativity, variety (5) / Use of music (5) / Use of space, transitions (5)
Execution (point range from 1 to 15)
Dancing technique (10) / Synchronization (5)
Overall impression (point range from 1 to 20)
Energy (5) / Self-confidence (5) / Facial mimics (5) / Appearance, adequacy of clothing (5)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 16
P
ENALTIES
Disqualification
Competing of a non-registered person.
Competing in the wrong age group.
Use of vulgar, rasist or sexual lyrics in competition music.
Inappropriate clothing and footwear.
Violation of the sponsorship decree.
Wearing of unallowed medical instruments.
Wearing of jewelry.
Competing with a completely copied routine.
Performing illegal elements/stunts/tumbling.
Illegal equipment or props.
Missing spotter in any required situation (lift or pyramid).
Unsportsmanlike behavior.
Timing: under or overshooting of 21 or more seconds – disqualification and stopping of routine.
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 17
Point deductions
Conduct missing obligatory element timing point deductions:
under or overshooting of 5-10 seconds under or overshooting of 11-20 seconds
Number of points deducted
50 pt for each obligatory element
10 pt
30 pt copied material overstepping the competition area
5 pt each sequence
0.5 pt each time lost (fallen) equipment/prop (hair instruments included) 1 pt each time unfinished/felled lift/pyramid in all cheer categories 5 pt each time drop of top/flyer (touching the floor with any body part) in all cheer categories
10 pt each time
50 pt no use of pom-poms in dance squads use of pom-poms, but not enough time (at least 1/3 length of the routine) in dance squads helping of spotter in partner stunts
20 pt
10 pt
C
ONTACT
Slovenian Show Association
Ribniska 12
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia slocheeropen.kaslc.org slo.cheer@gmail.com
Mobile phone: + 386 41 259 416 (Mr. Aljaz Britvic)
Slovenian Cheer Open 2005 Rulebook 18
