High school cheerleading rules are put in place to ensure safety of the athletes.
While different squads and schools might have their own regulations, there are national-level rules for high school cheerleaders and coaches to keep in mind. The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) assembles a list of rules and regulations that high school teams should adhere to. This nonprofit organization works with more than 70,000 coaches across the country to provide guidelines that help protect the safety of the cheerleaders.
Coaching Rules
The AACCA stipulates that all high school cheerleading coaches should be knowledgeable of cheering, advising and coaching. Coaches are expected to organize practices for the cheerleaders at supervised, safe locations, such as the school's campus. Mats are required to cushion the training area. Coaches are responsible for assigning stunts based on what the team is capable of achieving. Coaches should not pressure athletes into performing beyond their advised skill level.
General Rules
Cheerleaders should be well trained with each particular stunt before performing them during a game or at a sporting event. When training, spotters and supervisors should be present at all times to help prevent injury. Similarly, cheerleaders are expected to practice a satisfactory warm-up exercise routine before training. No jewelry is allowed during training or performances. Athletic shoes and outerwear are required. Hair should be pulled back away from the face with an elastic band.
Safety Guidelines
According to the AACCA high school safety rules, "All pyramids and partner stunts are limited to two persons high. ‘Two high’ is defined as the base having at least one foot on the ground." The top participant in partner stunts should never be held in an inverted position or transition to a stunt from such a position. When one athlete is bracing another for two- or more person stunts, arms should be held together no higher than the shoulders.
Sport-Specific
Some high school cheerleading rules only apply to specific sports. For example, in basketball and other sporting events that feature indoor courts, no basket tosses, twisted tumbling stunts or balancing stunts where the base only uses one arm to support the weight of the top person are allowed.
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