- The Jazz and Hip Hop categories will adhere to the following set of rules listed below in this document. The Freestyle Cheer category will also adhere to these rules with the following addendum: No cheers or chants will be allowed, no dance/ cheer lifts or partner stunts, no building or standing on others, no pyramids, and no props.
- Small wearable and handheld items/props that compliment the choreography will be allowed in the Jazz and Hip Hop Categories. They may be removed and discarded from the body. The Freestyle Cheer Category will not allow props, as pompons are to be used for 50-100% of the routine. If male dancers perform in the Freestyle Cheer category they are not required to use pompons. Items that can be worn as apparel/clothing are not considered a prop and are allowed in all categories. No large free standing props will be allowed in any category, such as chairs, stools, boxes, stairs, steps, ladders, bars, etc.
- Jewelry as part of a costume is allowed. Garments/Articles of Clothing should be secure and offer full coverage of body parts to eliminate the possibility of “wardrobe malfunction.” All costume malfunctions resulting in team members being exposed are grounds for disqualification. Please be sure to have several dress rehearsals prior to competition to work out any costume problems. All male dancers’ costumes must include a shirt that is fastened, however it can be sleeveless. The appropriate tights and footwear should be worn throughout the routine. Shoes must be worn during the competition. Dancing barefoot will not be allowed. Dance paws are acceptable. Dancing in socks, high heels, roller skates, roller blades or any other footwear that is inappropriate for dance sport will not be allowed. If in doubt, please consult the Dance Rules Committee for approval.
- All teams must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified director/advisor/coach.
- All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The director/advisor/coach 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.
- All directors, advisors and coaches should have an emergency response plan in the event of an injury.
- Tumbling is allowed in all divisions as long as one hand, foot or body part remains in constant contact with the performance surface. These skills can be performed individually or in combination. Airborne skills are not allowed when hip-over-head rotation occurs.
The following are examples of skills that are and are not allowed:
ALLOWED
Forward/Backward Rolls
Shoulder Rolls
Cartwheels
Headstands
Handstands
Backbends
Front/Back Walkovers
Stalls
Head spins
Windmills
Kip up
NOT ALLOWED
Dive Rolls
Round-offs
Aerials
Front/Back Handsprings
Front/Back Tucks
- Drops to the knee, thigh, seat, front, back, jazz split (hurdler) or split position onto the performing surface from a jump, stand, or inverted position must first bear weight on the hands or feet in order to break the impact of the drop.
- Dance lifts are permitted and are defined as an action in which a dancer(s) is elevated from the performance surface and set down. The lifting dancer(s) must maintain direct contact with the performance surface at all times. The lifting dancer(s) must maintain ultimate control over the momentum, positioning, changes in position and return to the performance surface of the lifted dancer(s) through hand/arm to body contact. Hip over head rotation of the lifted dancers may occur as long as his/her hips maintain a level at or below the shoulders of the lifting dancer(s).
- Partnering skills are permitted and must maintain body-to-body contact throughout the duration of the skill. One partner must maintain constant contact with the performance floor. Jumping or tossing from one dancer to another or from one dancer to or from the dance surface is not allowed.
- All cheer stunts and/or pyramids are prohibited. (Exceptions: pony sit, thigh stand, shoulder sit, back arch)
- All tosses including toe-pitches are prohibited.
- Jumping or leaping off of another person who is bearing the weight of the first person without maintaining hand/arm to body contact with another person is prohibited.
1. CheerDance Jazz
2. CheerDance Hip Hop
3. Freestyle CheerDance (Poms Dance)
Reference:
2009-2010 International Cheer Union Dance Rules and Regulations
http://icu.gobigfishgo.com/aspnet_client/FreeTextBox/upload/documents/rules_da_0910.pdf