SPECIFIC SAFETY REGULATIONS
(New rules for 2006-2007 are in bold)

DEFINITIONS
• Top Person - A person who is held off of the floor by another person or persons.
• Base - A person who supports the majority of a top person’s weight while the top person is off the ground.
• Spotter - A person who is responsible for assisting or catching the top person in a partner stunt or pyramid. This person cannot be in a position of providing primary support for a top person but must be in a position to protect the top person coming off of a stunt or pyramid.
• Cradle - A dismount from a partner stunt, pyramid or toss in which the top person is caught in a face-up, piked position before being placed on the performance area or remounting into another stunt, pyramid or loading position.
• Loading Position - a position in which the top person is off the ground in continuous movement that puts the bases and top in a position to end the movement in a stunt.
• Stunt - One or more bases supporting one or more top persons off of the ground.
• Extended Stunt – When the entire body of the top person is extended in an upright position over the base(s). Chairs, torches, flatbacks and straddle lifts are examples of stunts where the bases’ arms are extended overhead, but are NOT considered to be extended stunts since the height of the body of the top person is similar to a shoulder level stunt.
• Cupie - A stunt in which both feet of the top person are in one hand of a base.
• Double Based Suspended Roll - Dismount with a foot-over-head rotation where the top person has continuous hand-to-hand contact with two bases who are controlling the top person onto the performance surface or into a cradle.
• Helicopter Toss - A stunt in which the top person is tossed into the air and rotates more than 180 degrees parallel to the ground in the same motion as a helicopter blade.
• Tension Drop - A dismount from a stunt or pyramid where the top person(s) are directed toward the ground while their feet are held by the base(s) until just before the landing.
• Knee Drop – Dripping to the knees without first bearing the majority of the weight on the hands or feet.
• Dive Roll - A forward roll where the feet leave the ground before the hands reach the ground.
• Basket Toss – A stunt in which a top person is tossed by bases whose hands are interlocked.
• Elevator Toss – A stunt in which the top person loads in to an elevator loading position and is then tossed into the air.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. Cheerleading squads should be placed under the direction of a qualified and knowledgeable advisor or coach.
B. All practice sessions should be supervised by the coach and held in a location suitable for the activities of cheerleaders (i.e., use of appropriate mats, away from excessive noise and distractions, etc.).
C. Advisors/coaches should recognize a squad's particular ability level and should limit the squad's activities accordingly. "Ability level" refers to the squad's talents as a whole and individuals should not be pressed to perform activities until safely perfected.
D. All cheerleaders should receive proper training before attempting any form of cheerleading gymnastics (tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and jumps).
E. Professional training in proper spotting techniques should be mandatory for all squads.
F. All cheerleading squads should adopt a comprehensive conditioning and strength building program.
G. All jewelry is prohibited during participation.
H. A structured stretching exercise and flexibility routine should precede and follow all practice sessions, game activities, pep rallies, etc.
I. Tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and jumps should be limited to appropriate surfaces.
J. As a general rule, all programs should qualify cheerleaders accordingly to accepted teaching progressions. Appropriate spotting should be used until all performers demonstrate mastery of the skill.
K. Supports, braces, etc., which are hard and unyielding or have rough edges or surfaces must be appropriately covered. A participant wearing a cast (excluding a properly covered air cast) shall not be involved in a stunts, pyramids, tosses or tumbling.
L. Squad members must wear athletic shoes (no gymnastic slippers).

PARTNER STUNTS/PYRAMIDS/TOSSES
A. 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.
B. The top person in a partner stunt, pyramid or transition may not be in an inverted (head below the waist) position and cannot transition to another stunt, the ground or a dismount in an inverted position. Exceptions to this rule are the following:
1. Double based suspended forward rolls.
2. The top person in a stunt may begin in an inverted position on the performing surface and be loaded into a non-inverted position shoulder height or below provided that they have constant contact with a base or spotter until they are in the non-inverted position. A base or additional spotter if necessary must be in a position to protect the head, neck and shoulder area of the top person.
C. Suspended splits in a transition are allowed provided there are a total of four bases that support the top person; at least three of the bases must support under the legs of the top person, and the fourth base may support under the legs or make contact with the hands of the top person. Top person must have hand contact with bases during transition.
D. Partner stunts and pyramids higher than shoulder stand level must have a continuous spotter for each person over shoulder stand level. Spotters are considered part of the squad with regard to the squad member maximum limitation. For single-based extended stunts, the spotter may hold at the ankle of the top person and / or the wrist of the base. If the spotter is supporting under the sole of the foot in any way, they are considered to be a base and would require an additional spotter.
E. When one person is bracing another (including over lapping of arms), one of the individuals must be at shoulder height or below. Exceptions to this are the following:
1. Extensions (double base or single base) may brace other extensions.
2. Double Cupies (two cupies being held by the same base) are allowed. If the stunt is dismounted to cradles, there must be three people for each top person being cradled. This exception does not include variations such as Double Heel Stretches.
F. If a person in a partner stunt or pyramid is used as a brace for an extended stunt, that brace must not be supporting a majority of the top person's weight. (To demonstrate this, the foot of the top person’s braced leg must be at or above the knee of their supporting leg.)
G. Extended Straddle Lifts must have an additional spotter for the head and shoulders of the top person (similar position to a Double Based Elevator).
H. Hanging pyramids (Example: Diamond Head) must have a continuous spotter for each shoulder stand involved in suspending another person.
I. In pyramid transitions where the top person is released from their primary bases and assisted in an up and down transition the following rules apply:
1. At least 3 bases must be under top person throughout the transition.
2. Person(s) bracing the top person in the transition must have a spotter in place during the transition movement.
3. The top person must be in contact with the bracers during the up and down transition. The top person may not be supporting on any other body part of the person(s) assisting (i.e. Shoulders of the bracer).
4. The top person must be continuous in motion and cannot be supported so that they pause at the top of the transition.
J. Basket tosses, toe pitch tosses, elevator tosses or similar tosses are limited to no more than four tossers and must be dismounted to a cradle position by two of the original bases, plus an additional spotter at the head and shoulder area. These tosses may not be directed so that the bases must move to catch the top person.
K. Participants may not pass over or under other participants from tosses. Exceptions to this rule are the following:
1. Single based tosses can go over another person.
L. Free falling flips or swan dives from any type of toss, partner stunt or pyramid are prohibited.
M. Partner stunts, pyramids and participants may not pass over, under or through other partner stunts or pyramids.
N. Single based stunts in which the top person is parallel to the performing surface and the bases’ arms are extended must have a continuous spotter at the head and shoulder of the top person. (i.e. Bird, Side T, Single Based Flatback, etc.)
O. Multi-based tosses that land in stunts (i.e. basket to elevator, etc.) are allowed; however, they cannot significantly exceed the height of the intended stunt. Multi-based tosses cannot land in a loading position. Exception to this rule:
1. A single based toss (one base touching during the toss movement) is allowed into a loading position to that original base.
P. Backward suspended rolls and single based suspended rolls are prohibited.
Q. Cradle dismounts from partner stunts or pyramids shoulder height or above require one spotter in addition to the original base(s).
R. Cradle dismounts from partner stunts (other than basket tosses, elevator tosses or similar tosses) to another set of bases must be caught by three bases. Any type of gymnastics movement (1/2 turn, twist, toe touch, etc) is prohibited.
S. The total number of twists in a dismount from stunts or tosses cannot be greater than two rotations. Exception to this rule:
1. Side facing stunts and tosses (i.e. Arabesque, Scorpion, Kick Double Full Basket, etc.) may add a one-quarter twist in order to cradle to the front.
T. A minimum of two catchers are required when the top person falls away from the bases to a horizontal, flat-body position.
U. Tension drops are prohibited.
V. Helicopter tosses are prohibited.
W. Single based split catches are prohibited.
X. The use of mini-trampolines, springboards, or any other height-increasing apparatus is prohibited.
Y. Basket tosses, elevator tosses and similar multi-base tosses are prohibited on surfaces other than a mat, grass or rubberized track.

TUMBLING/JUMPS
A. Dive rolls are prohibited.
B. Flips greater than one rotation are prohibited.
C. Twists greater than one rotation are prohibited.
D. A forward three-quarter flip to the seat or knees is prohibited.
E. Participants may not tumble over, under, or through partner stunts or pyramids, or over or under individuals.
F. Participants may not land in a partner stunt or in a catching position from an aerial tumbling skill. (Example : A back flip from a tumbling pass into a cradle is prohibited, however, rebounding from a back handspring into a cradle is allowed.)
G. Landings for all jumps including knee drops must bear weight on at least one foot. (Example : A toe touch jump or kick to a hurdler position, to the seat, knees, or landing with both feet back, or to a push-up position are prohibited.)
H. Any type of hurdler position or the position with both feet back (sitting, landing or lying) isp rohibited with the exception of a "Z" sit.

Copies of these guidelines should be distributed to all squad members and any administrators involved with the cheerleading program. All guidelines should be understood and accepted by all parties involved in the cheerleading program including advisors, coaches, assistants, squad members, parents, and administrators.

Note: The above safety guidelines are general in nature and are not intended to cover all circumstances. All cheerleading gymnastics including tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and jumps should be carefully reviewed and supervised by a qualified adult advisor or coach.

Cheerleading jumps, gymnastics and stunts may involve height and inversion of the body and there is an inherent risk of injury involved with any athletic activity. While the use of these guidelines in coordination with the AACCA Safety Course will help minimize the risk of injury, the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors makes no warranties or representations, either expressed or implied, that the above guidelines will prevent injuries to individual participants.

If you have any questions regarding the legality of a specific skill, contact us at 800-533-6583. For the latest safety updates, visit us on the web at "http://www.aacca.org".

CHEER ROUTINE REQUIREMENTS/ RULES
LAWSG Follows AACCA Rules
http://www.aacca.com/hssafety.asp

1. Each team will perform a choreographed routine not to exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds (150 seconds).
2. Up to 1 minute and 15 seconds (75 seconds) of the routine may be performed to music. No voice-overs or words may be recorded to make the team's vocal projection sound louder.
3. Organized, formal entrances that involve organized cheers or run-ons with jumps, tumbling, or stunts are not permitted. Cheerleaders should enter the performance area in a timely fashion.
4. Timing will begin with the first organized word, movement, or note of music by the team after they are officially announced and have taken the floor.
5. Timing will end with the last organized word, movement, or note of music by the team. Teams must exit the performance area immediately following the routine.
6. Teams should utilize all areas of their squad's technical strength in jumps, tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids, motion technique, projection and expression, choreography, showmanship, and dance.
7. Team names will be called twice: once as the team on deck and once as the next team to perform.
8. Routines must be appropriate for family viewing. Any vulgar or suggestive movements, words, or music may result in a score deduction or disqualification.
9. All Teams must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified director/coach.
10. Coaches must require proficiency before skill progression. Coach must consider the individual, group, team skill level with reguard to proper performance level placement.
11. Jewelry of any kind but not limited to ear, nose, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniform are prohibited. Jewelery must me removed and may not be taped over. (exceptions: Medical ID tags/bracelets, and uniform rhinestones. Rhinestones are illegal when adhered to the skin as apposed to a uniform. Temporary tattoos are allowed)
12. Cast that are hard and unyielding or have rough edges must be appropriately covered with a padded material.
13. Flags banners, signs, pom pons, and megaphones are the only props allowed. Props with poles or similar support apparatus may be used in conjunction with any kind of stunt or tumbling. All props must be safely discarded out of harms way. Any uniform piece purposefully removed from the body and used for visual effect will be considered a prop.
14. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manor displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The advisor or captain of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. Severe demonstrations of unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for disqualification as explained in the Coach Code of Conduct.
15. Routines should incorporate skills including jumps, standing and running tumbling, pyramids and partner stunts, dance and motions. A Cheer section is required for every cheer level.
16. In the case of a tie, LAWSG Score Keepers will throw out the high and low scores to determine a new average score. If there is still a tie, then LAWSG Score Keepers will throw out the next high and low score to determine a new average score. The process will continue until the tie has been broken.

DANCE RULES
All USASF Rules will be followed and enforced

GENERAL RULES

1. All teams must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified director/coach.
2. Participants may compete in more than one dance division as long as they abide by the age restrictions in all divisions in which they compete.
3. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The advisor and/or captain of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. Severe demonstrations of unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for disqualification as explained in the Coach Code of Conduct.
4. Organized, formal entrances that involve organized cheers or run-ons with jumps, tumbling, or stunts are not permitted. Team should enter the performance are in a timely fashion.
5. Team names will be called twice: once as the team on deck and once as the next team to perform
6. Cast that are hard and unyielding or have rough edges must be appropriately covered with a padded material.
7. Participants agree to conduct themselves in a manor displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The advisor or captain of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. Severe demonstrations of unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for disqualification as explained in the Coach Code of Conduct.
8. In the case of a tie, LAWSG Score Keepers will throw out the high and low scores to determine a new average score. If there is still a tie, then LAWSG Score Keepers will throw out the next high and low score to determine a new average score. The process will continue until the tie has been broken

TIME LIMIT
Each team will have a maximum of 2 minutes and 30 seconds (150 seconds) to demonstrate their style and expertise. Timing will begin with the first note of the music. Timing will end with the last note of the music or the last movement, whichever comes first.

TUMBLING
Only forward rolls, back rolls, and shoulder rolls are allowed. Individual back bends and handstands are permitted so long as they do not involve hip over head rotation (exception: Hip Hop stalls are allowed). No back handsprings, back tucks or aerials allowed.

DANCE LIFTS
1. Dance lifts are permitted and are defined as an action in which a dancer is elevated from the performance surface and set down. The lifting dancer must maintain direct contact with the performance surface at all times. The lifting dancer must maintain ultimate control over the momentum, positioning, changes in position and return to the performance surface of the lifted dancer through hand/arm to body contact.
2. If the lifted dancer is supported by 2 or more people, rotation below the lifting dancer’s shoulders may occur.
3. All cheer stunts and/or pyramids, or tosses are prohibited.

COSTUMING/CHOREOGRAPHY
1. Suggestive, offensive, or vulgar choreography is inappropriate for family audiences and therefore lacks audience appeal. Routine choreography should be appropriate and entertaining for all audience members. Vulgar or suggestive material is defined as any movement or choreography implying something improper or indecent, appearing offensive or sexual in content, and/or relaying lewd or profane gestures or implications. Inappropriate choreography affects the judges’ overall impression of the routine. Please make sure that all choreography is age appropriate. All costuming should be appropriate for all dancers.
2. Wearable items are allowed (Examples: Hats, sunglasses, gloves and jackets).
3. Jewelry of any kind but not limited to ear, nose, tongue, belly button and facial rings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and pins on uniform are prohibited. Jewelry must me removed and may not be taped over. (exceptions: Medical ID tags/bracelets, and uniform rhinestones. Rhinestones are illegal when adhered to the skin as apposed to a uniform. (Temporary tattoos are allowed)

CATEGORIES:

JAZZ
A jazz routine incorporates stylized dance movements and combinations, formation changes, group work, leaps and turns. Emphasis is placed on proper technical execution, extension, control, body placement and team uniformity.

SONGS
Pom poms must be used 80% of the routine. Important characteristics of a pom routine include synchronization and visual effect, clean and precise motions, strong pom technique, and incorporate dance technical elements. Visual effect includes level changes, group work, formation changes, the use of different color poms, leaps, turns, jumps etc.

HIP HOP
Routines emphasize the street style movements with an emphasis on execution, style, creativity, body isolations and control, rhythm, uniformity and musical interpretation. Teams may also put an additional focus on athletic incorporations such as jumps, jump variations, combo jumps and other tricks.

DANCE
Routines clearly emphasize Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop, and Kick styles. Each of the four styles will be scored equally and should be emphasized equally throughout the routine. At least 4 eight counts of kicks must be performed in the routine to encompass the kick portion of the score.

STEP
Stepping consists of rhythmic movements with hands and feet, artistic formations, synchronization, timing, and vocal clarity. Responding to chants and calls, a team stomps their feet and claps their hands to a base beat while moving into different formations. May also use level changes. Music may be used to complement the routine.

2006 Results

Varsity Cheer
King/Drew Magnet H.S. 1st Place
Locke H.S. 2nd Place

Songleading
Locke HS 1st Place
LACES 2nd Place
Compton All Stars Fresh/Soph 3rd Place

Hip Hop
LACES 1st Place
Compton All Stars Seniors 2nd Place
Lennox Academy 3rd Place

MVP
Alexis Barrow, Locke HS

Sportsmanship Award
Lennox Academy

Time	Category	Team
9:30am	OPENING CEREMONIES	ALL Welcome
10:30am	Exhibition	Gymnasts
10:40am	Walkthrus	ALL Cheer
11:00am	Varsity Cheer	Compton All Stars Seniors
		Locke H.S.
		Foshay
		King/Drew Magnet H.S.
11:45am-12:15pm Break
12:00pm-1:30pm – Los Angeles Laker Girls Appearance
12:00pm	Walkthrus	Songleading/Hip Hop
12:45pm	Songleading	LACES
		Compton All Stars Fresh/Soph
		Locke HS
		Compton All Stars Seniors
1:30pm	Hip Hop	Foshay
		Compton All Stars Fresh/Soph
		LACES
		Compton All Stars Seniors
		Lennox Academy
2:30pm	Exhibition	Junior Blaze Dancers
3:00pm	Best Kicks, Best Toe touches, Best Stunt (sequence of 3 stunts)
3:30pm Awards