AAU Football Cheer and Dance 2011- 2012
         Rules and Regulations

We would like to introduce the cheerleading and dance guidelines for the AAU. These rules and regulations are developed to keep the athletes safe and assist coaches and league coordinators in successfully progressing athletes into high school and college cheerleaders. By following these guidelines, we can decrease the amount of injuries sustained in our sport and enhance the abilities of our athletes who wish to pursue a future career in cheerleading and dance.

The 2012 AAU National Cheer & Dance Championships date is TBA

Section A:
Required Forms per athlete:
1. Current physical signed by physician/physicians asst.
2. Medical waiver/release form/parental consent/travel consent
3. Proof of age
4. AAU membership form
5.These forms must be present at all AAU cheer or dance functions.

Section B:
Coaches Requirements:
1.The coaching staff is in charge of of the team whenever they are together for practices, fundraisers, or any other team function. 
2.The coaching staff is under the direction of the head coach, all other coaches are listed as assistant coaches or junior coaches.
3.The head coach has final responsibility for the actions of his/her coaching staff, volunteers, athletes and parents.
4.The head coach must be at least 21 years of age and can only be named the head coach of one team.
5.The assistant coach must be at least 18 years of age. There is a limit of 3 assistant coaches per team.
6.The junior coaches must be 15 - 17 years of age.  There is a limit of 2 junior coaches per team.
7.There must be one coach that is CPR/first aid certified at all practices, performances or competitions.
8.All coaches must have an approved volunteer form on file, included in this application is an annual background check.
9.All coaches must have completed the PCA program prior to September 1.
10.All coaches must pass an AAU approved coaches education exam prior to September 1 and carry a copy of such certificate of completion to all AAU cheer or dance functions.
11. All coaches must have a current AAU membership.

Section C;
Formation of Teams:
1.Tryouts or evaluations of any kind are not allowed.
2.The teams must be formed by "sign ups".  Anyone who does not turn in the required forms by August 1, will not be allowed to practice until such forms are turned in. If these forms are not turned in by August 15th, they will lose their spot on the team.
3.A final roster must be forwarded to the National office no later than August 15. 4.Additions can be made to the roster, as necessary, as long as the required forms are present at the first practice.
5.No more than 35 participants are allowed on a roster.

Section D;
Practices:
1.Team practices are defined as;
Group conditioning, group skill sessions, individual skill sessions, cheers, chants, dances, stunting, tumbling, camps, clinics.
2.Team practices can not begin until August 1st.
3.Any cheerleaders/dancers that wish to attend a pre-season clinic hosted by an outside party may do so as long as the said clinic or camp is not "mandatory".
4.There must be one coach that is CPR/first aid certified at all practices.
5.No stunting or tumbling is allowed until 6 hours of  practice time/conditioning has been completed after the August 1 start date.
6.No practice is allowed to exceed 3 hours, or 10 hours per week. Practices do not have to accumulate to this amount.
**Competition season will allow practices up to 12 hours per week.
7.The appropriate amount of water breaks must be made during any practice time.  This amount is up to the coaches discretion.
8.Practices must be performed in a location suitable for the acitivities of cheerleaders/dancers.
9.All teams should implement a conditioning/strengthening program.
10.No practices should be performed without the presence of assistant or head coaches.
11.Coaches should recognize the ability of the entire team and limit athletes to perform skills at their level.
12.Accessories, apparel and hair style should be conducive to safe practices and performances.
13.Athletes may not chew gum or have candy in their mouth during practices or performances.
14.Athletes are not allowed to wear jewlery or have fingernails at an innapropriate length during practices or performances.

Section E;
AAU Cheer Divisions:
1.No more than 2 cheer and/or dance teams are allowed per football team.
2.small cheer - 20 members and under
3.large cheer - 21 - 35 members
4.age divisions (age cut off is July 31st);
 Flag - 4, 5, and 6 year olds (only one 3 year old mascot per Flag team)
 Mighty Mites - 7 and 8 year olds
 PeeWee - 9 and 10 year olds
 Juniors - 11 and 12 year olds
 Seniors - 13 and 14 year olds
*To assist with smaller programs and varying skill levels, League Coordinators may allow athletes to move up one age bracket, but may not move down.

Section F;
AAU Dance Divisions:
1.Dance teams are classified as a team that does not perform stunts or tumbling and whose primary performance is based on dance instead of sideline chants or cheer. Dance teams are allowed to participate in sideline chants or cheer and are also allowed to perform at half time.
2.No more than 2 cheer and/or dance teams are allowed per football team.
dance - 30 members and under
3.age divisions (age cut off is July 31st);
 Flag - 4, 5, and 6 year olds (only one 3 year old mascot per Flag team)
 Mighty Mites - 7 and 8 year olds
 PeeWee - 9 and 10 year olds
 Juniors - 11 and 12 year olds
 Seniors - 13 and 14 year olds
*To assist with smaller programs and varying skill levels, League Coordinators may allow athletes to move up one or more age brackets, but may not move down.

Section G;
Coaches Responsibilities:
1.All coaches, including assistant coaches, must have an approved volunteer application on file, completed PCA certification and an approved AAU coaches certification.
2.Coaches should remain up to date on all cheer and dance technique, including stunts and tumbling.
3.Coaches should know their limitations regarding their own cheer knowledge, and not attempt to teach, spot or assist in skills above thier level.
4.Coaches should approve all cheers, chants, performances, music, signage, fundraising, and all other activities by the team.
5.A coach should not allow any team member to practice or perform without the proper athlete forms on file.
6.Coaches should be aware of any pre-existing conditions, or medical issues of each athlete, and be cautious in allowing said athlete to practice or perform.
7.Coaches should not perform or assist in any stunts at any games, half times, or competitions.
8.The coaching staff is in charge of of the team whenever they are together for practices, performances, fundraisers, or any other team function.

Section H;
Sportsmanship:
1.All athletes and coaches agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship.  The head coach is responsible for the proper conduct of assistant coaches, junior coaches and athletes.

Section I;
Game Day:
1.Coaches must check in the squad during the half time of the prior game.
2.Only certified coaches, junior coaches and athletes are allowed on the field during game or performance time.
3.Cheerleaders and Dancers should be consciencous of the football players and coaches and should not stunt, cheer, dance or perform in an area that would be disruptive to the game or coaches.
4.Coaches should not perform or assist in any stunts at any games, half times, or competitions.
5.Half time performances should be shared by both the home team and visiting team.
6.All athletes and coaches should demonstrate good sportsmanship. Any unsportsmanship like conduct will be grounds for removal from the game. Repeated offenses will result in removal from the coaching staff.
7.Athletes may not chew gum or have candy in their mouth during games or performances.
8.Athletes are not allowed to wear jewlery or have fingernails at an innapropriate length during games or performances.
9.Accessories, apparel and hair style should be conducive to safe performances.

Section J;
Use of Poms and Signs;
1.The use of poms and/or signs is not allowed during the building of stunts or tumbling. 2.When a person is up in a stunt, poms or signs may be handed to them. 
3.Mounting and/or dismounting with poms or signs in hand is not allowed.
4.When discarding poms or signs, athletes must gently toss or place the props so they are under control and not thrown in an area that would endanger other athletes.

Section K;
Uniforms;
1.Athletes should wear uniforms that are appropriate for the activity.
2.Uniforms should be fitted for each participant.
3.No midriffs are allowed.
4.Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times.
5.Supports or braces which are hard or unyeilding should be appropriately covered.
6.No stunting or tumbling in hard casts is allowed.
**League or National Coordinators have the right to deny participation by an athlete if they feel the cast is too large or dangerous to the athlete or others.

Section L;
Partner Stunts and Pyramids:
1.All mounts and/or pyramids are limited to two persons high, meaning the top person receives primary support from a base who is in direct contact with the performing surface.
Pyramid;
2.A pyramid is a grouping of connected stunts, individuals standing at ground level may be incorporated into the grouping.
Section M;
1.Partner Stunts, pyramids and individuals may not pass over, under or through other partner stunts, pyramids or individuals.  Exception; leap frog stunt
2.Split mounts are not permitted.
3.Swinging stunts are not permitted.
Section N;
Spotting;
1.A spotter (also defined as a back spot) must be in the proper location with the appropriate body position to help minimize the risk to the flyer.
2.A spotter shall not provide primary support, meaning the mount or pyramid would remain stable without the spotter.
3.A spotters torso cannot be directly under the stunt.
4.A spotter is required for all stunts at shoulder level (extension prep is considered shoulder level) and above.
Section O;
Dismounts;
1.All dismounts from shoulder level (extension prep is considered shoulder level) or above, must have assisted landings.
2.Dismounts from multi and single based stunts to a cradle must have an additional spotter under the head and shoulder area of the top person/flyer.
3.Twisting mounts/dismounts may only be performed on a matted area.
4.Free falling flips or swan dives from any type of stunt are not permitted.
**Front rolls from a prep are allowed if connection is made with the hands and kept until the flyer is safely on the performance surface.
Section P;
Drops, pendulums and flatbacks;
1.A handspring/flip over to any drop is not permitted.
2.Front drops to an inverted position is not permitted.
3.Pendulums are permitted, provided it is performed at shoulder level or below and does not pass through an extended position. The top person of a pendulum must also be caught by a minumum of 4 catchers with one catcher designated to catch the head and shoulders of the flyer. Only the top person of a pendulum may turn, bases must remain stationary.
4.A flatback is allowed providing the flyer begins in a vertical position and remains in contact with 2 originial bases, and 2 additional catchers catch the upper body of the flyer with one person designated to catch the head and shoulders of the flyer.
Section Q;
Tosses;
1.Basket tosses, sponge tosses and similiar multi base tosses must involve 2 bases and a spotter and may include one front spot for a total of no more than 4 people throwing the top person/flyer.
2.One of the tossers must be behind the flyer and in charge of catching the head and shoulders of the flyer.
3.The flyer must be cradled by 2 of the originial bases plus a spotter. Exception; tossing into another stunt involving the same base (example; toss to hands or toss to chair).
4.The top person must be directed vertically and cannot become inverted (such as a front or back flip). 
5.Toe pitches into a jump or tumbling is not permitted.
6.Tosses to a split or straddle position are not permitted.
7.A twist that occurs during a toss may not involve more than 2 complete rotations.
8.Swan dives are not permitted.
9.The flyer in a toss may not drop the head backward out of line with the torso.

Section R;
Tumbling:
1.Stunting and tumbling should be performed on an apprpriate surface (loose gravel, concrete or any other hard surface is NOT considered an appropriate surface) and limited to skills that can be performed safely.
2.Tumbling with poms and/or signs is not permitted.
3.All gymnastics skills must originate from ground level.  The person performing a gymnastics skill may rebound into a cradle.
4.Athletes may not tumble over, under or through partner stunts or pyramids.
5.Athlete spotted or assisted tumbling is not permitted.
6.Toe pitches and leg pitches are not permitted.
7.Athletes may not land in a partner stunt or in a catching position from an aerial tumbling skill (example; back flip into a cradle).
8.The use of spring boards and mini tramps is not permitted.
9.Dive rolls are not permitted.

Section S;
Competition:
1.All cheerleaders/dancers are required to participate in 5 regular season games in order to participate in any cheer or dance competitions.
2.Teams should be established by the following age grids (cut off age is July 31);
 Flag - 4, 5, and 6 year olds (only one 3 year old mascot per Flag team)
 Mighty Mites - 7 and 8 year olds
 PeeWee - 9 and 10 year olds
 Juniors - 11 and 12 year olds
 Seniors - 13 and 14 year olds
*To assist with smaller programs and varying skill levels, League Coordinators may allow cheerleaders to move up one age bracket, but may not move down.  Dance athletes may move up multiple age brackets, but may not move down.
3.Team sizes are as follows:
 small cheer - 20 members and under
 large cheer - 21 - 35 members
 dance - 30 members and under

Rules and Regulations for Competition divisions:
(available August 1st)
Crowd Involvement division

Novice

Advanced

Non-Tumbling

Dance