Cheerleading and Cheer Safety

Cheerleading Safety is an article written by Valerie Ninemire for About.com concerning what coaches and cheerleaders should do to prevent being injured while cheering. Here is what Valerie lists as the reasons cheerleaders get injured and then how to prevent such injuries.

Why Cheerleading Injuries Occur

· Lack of conditioning and not being physically prepared

· Untrained coaches, instructors or advisors

· Poor decision making by instructors or participants

· Risk taking attitudes

· Inadequate supervision

· Inadequate equipment (example: improper shoes)

· Non-cushioned surfaces

· Poor nutrition

· Attempting difficult stunts before being ready

What You Can do to Prevent Injuries

· Adhere to all rules and regulations

· Practice on mats or pads

· Wear well fitting shoes with proper cushion and support

· Have an emergency plan in place and practice it

· Require proper spotting

· Gradually progress to difficult stunts and skills

· Become educated and certified in safety, first aid and CPR

· Require and use the proper techniques

· Learn how to identify eating disorders

· Treat all injuries as soon as they happen

· Increase flexibility

· Strengthen lower back, abdomen and shoulders

· Gradually increase intensity of practice

She lists suggested readings and a list of interesting articles. The book Developing A Successful Cheerleading Program, by Pan Headridge and Nancy Garr looks like interesting reading and is available at Amazon.com as well as Barnes & Noble.com. The book costs $12.54 and if it saves a life or prevents an injury that results in a life of misery, then it is well worth the price. Coaches Choice if the publisher and it’s in paperback. The ISBN is 9781585188994. Headridge also wrote 101 School Spirit Ideas. Cheerleading, by Inside Cheerleading Magazine is another resource for cheerleading programs to design their program around safety.

Coaching Cheerleading Successfully, Linda Rae Chappell is described as the definitive how-to book is sure to meet the needs of the growing number of cheer coaches, sponsors, and parents. Covering both support and competitive cheering, it explains cheer techniques and tactics, as well as how to plan and develop cheerleading programs. Through text and illustrations, you'll learn basic cheerleading skills - hand positions, arm and leg motions, and jumps; how to combine skills to develop the precision and timing required of a top squad; mounts and pyramids, from beginning to advanced; how to develop a coaching foundation and plans for the season; important safety guidelines from the National Federation of State High School Associations; and much, much more.

With states allowing the costs of mistakes to be shouldered by the cheerleaders and their parents it’s more important than ever that they have the right insurance and personal safety plan. Cheerleaders need to make decisions about those stunts they will and will not do. This reminds me of a summer during law school when I worked construction building grain storage facilities. My boss was a great guy I totally enjoyed the hard work. His name was Tell Coffey and he was tough but always fair. For months I worked the ground as a carpenter framing walls and ceiling panels. After all panels were poured the idea was to lift each panel off the ground and set it into place using a crane. Each panel weighed probably more than 1,000 pounds. The day they were to set panels he motioned me to stand on a panel that had been hooked up to the crane. As we rode up to the top of a couple of walls that had been set he motioned for me to get off and to stand on a 6” wide wall panel. I looked at him, and with a smile said, Tel, I’ve not worked this hard in my life to get killed or brain damaged. I wasn’t willing to risk my brain or life for a few dollars. I’d worked too hard to get into and through a year of law school and wasn’t willing to risk losing it all. You have to do the same with your personal cheer plan. Decide what you are willing to risk and just say no.

On this page I’m going to develop information devoted to keeping you safe and informed about developments in Cheerleading. It will cover high school and college or university cheerleading programs. If you find an interesting article send me the name, author and/or link. I’ll add as many as I can and link to those organizations that promote cheerleading and cheer safety. Let’s work together to keep you safe, happy and moving onto the next stage of your young lives.

Welcome to the Lombardi Law Firm website. Being prepared isn’t the same as being able to litigate a lawsuit. Don’t be foolish, be prepared and seek good legal advice from a seasoned personal injury lawyer. Know your rights, protect yourself and be alert to risks that can cause injury or death. Visit the Lombardi Law Firm’s website. Steve Lombardi writes for each and explores the how's and why’s people are injured. He also provides commentary and insight on his blog at The Verdict and on the Des Moines Register. We try to make our website an interesting source of information for all people who seek information concerning injury or death. We attempt to provide information that makes you more aware of how to avoid injury and death. We are here to assist you to stay safe. Call us if you have legal or safety questions. (515-222-1110) We are willing to assist you in finding answers to your questions and regularly write about safety that readers bring to our attention about the workplace and on the highway. Good luck on the road and job site and be safe. sdlombardi@aol.com

If you or your spouse is involved in any kind of accident contact the Lombardi Law Firm. We will assist you with your claim. Steve Lombardi has more than 30 years in civil litigation including death and injury cases for workers and their spouses from many types of accidents and injuries. We don't charge you to talk with Mr. Lombardi to find out if you have a case. Don't delay call him today. Attorney Lombardi writes for blogs at The Verdict on Lombardi Law Firm, the Iowa Edict and on occasion on the Des Moines Register web site. Steve Lombardi is a personal injury lawyer, husband, father and grandfather who pride’s himself on doing more than just practicing law. Join us in making the world a safer place.

Know your rights, act proactively and protect yourself.

Steve Lombardi, Attorney

Blog for Cheerleading Safety and the Law of Cheerleading

Library for Cheerleading Safety and the Law of Cheerleading:

2009 Cheering for Safety, Summer Campaign [PDF]
Cheerleading safety is at the forefront of injury prevention for young women participating in sports activities both at the high school and college level. Cheering for Safety is a summer campaign by the National Cheer Safety Foundation. Brittany Noffke is the 2009 Cheer Safety Ambassador.
Noffke decision from the State of Wisconsin [PDF]
CHEER RULES – AYC REGIONALS & NATIONALS AYC Cheer Safety Rules [PDF]
Here are the 2010 to 2011 AACCA Safety Rules for AYC Regionals & Nationals. These are the routine guidelines to follow. We provide many of the safety guidelines for cheerleaders. If you don't find what you're looking for or wish to suggest something feel free to contact Steve Lombardi at sdlombardi@aol.com or 515-222-1110. Thanks.
Cheerleading Goes On Trial - Title IX - Quinnipiac University [PDF]
Is Cheerleading A Sport? The legal answer might surprise you. Since the Title IX trial of Quinnipiac University regarding the volleyball team being cut, elevating the stunt and tumble team to Varsity status a plethora of information has been thrown at the cheerleaders, parents and coaches.
The official position of the National Cheer Safety Foundation’s Panel of Experts since it’s creation in 2009 has always been that the skill sets of stunts and tumbling in cheerleading were a discipline of gymnastics and that those elements must be approached from a sport coaching perspective as a matter of safety.
To help clarify any cheer industry confusions, here are some easy definitions of the different forms of cheerleading.
STEPHANIE BIEDIGER, et. al. vs. QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY DECISION [PDF]
Gender discrimination case involving Quinnipiac University.
Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa - Mustang’s cheer squad flier. [PDF]
Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa offers online the Mustang’s cheer squad flier.
Cheerleading Risk Management [PDF]
What appears to be a short version of cheerleading safety rules for OSAA member schools is offered as a risk management tool.
California Cheer Safety Partnership [PDF]
California News: Suite 101 posted another article New Cheerleading Organization Focuses on Safety, by Terry Zeigler discusses The Spirit Consultants out of California and whose sole purpose is to improve safety for cheerleading squads. It’s interesting (and great to see) that safety in cheerleading has suddenly taken on such importance. “The Spirit Consultants provide personalized comprehensive cheerleading skills training; summer cheerleading and dance camps; year-round private stunt clinics; competition choreography; and much more for all high school spirit programs with an emphasis on safety, teambuilding and goal achievement.
TSC is here to help all coaches and advisors safely train and grow their spirit programs.” TSC has partnered with the National Cheer Safety Foundation and the California High School Cheer and Dance Association.
Cheerleading Coach’s Guide to Successful Coaching [PDF]
If you’re looking for cheerleading safety books, online articles or stories you can find just about any article listed at pdfgeni.com. It’s a beta version but well worth the time to look. I’ve never seen this site before today. Some of the articles you need to register to obtain but others like the Cheerleading Coach’s Guide to Successful Coaching are free. We are also offering this on the Lombardi Law Firm website under cheerleading safety.
2009 – 2010 AACCA College Safety Rules covering definitions, general program guidelines, general restrictions, partner stunts, pyramids, tosses, tumbling and indoor court rules. (4 pages) [PDF]
2009 – 2010 AACCA College Safety Rules covering definitions, general program guidelines, general restrictions, partner stunts, pyramids, tosses, tumbling and indoor court rules. (4 pages)
New AACCA Rule Changes for 2009 and 2010
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) adopted rule changes for elementary, middle and high school cheer sports. For these grades and skill levels safety will be enforced through more concentration on the fundamentals, as opposed to multi-cheerleader stunts.
2009-10 AACCA College Rules [PDF]
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) adopted rule changes for elementary, middle and high school cheer sports. For these grades and skill levels safety will be enforced through more concentration on the fundamentals, as opposed to multi-cheerleader stunts. American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators introduces first rules for elementary, middle and junior high school squads. These rules and rule changes apply to school activities and do not apply to non-school or recreational style organizations. Well that may be true officially, but from a civil liability standpoint any recreational coach not following them will expose themselves to greater scrutiny and the standard being created will apply, no matter what the style of the organization. A safety standard is a standard is a standard. There are three changes: a ban on released stunt transitions, a requirement to have three catches when a top person performs a controlled fall into a flat-body position and specs for using religious or medical medallions.
2010-11 AACCA School Rules [PDF]
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) adopted rule changes for elementary, middle and high school cheer sports. For these grades and skill levels safety will be enforced through more concentration on the fundamentals, as opposed to multi-cheerleader stunts. American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators introduces first rules for elementary, middle and junior high school squads.These rules and rule changes apply to school activities and do not apply to non-school or recreational style organizations. Well that may be true officially, but from a civil liability standpoint any recreational coach not following them will expose themselves to greater scrutiny and the standard being created will apply, no matter what the style of the organization. A safety standard is a standard is a standard.
There are three changes: a ban on released stunt transitions, a requirement to have three catches when a top person performs a controlled fall into a flat-body position and specs for using religious or medical medallions.
2010.05.25. USASF Cheer Glossary [PDF]
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) adopted rule changes for elementary, middle and high school cheer sports. For these grades and skill levels safety will be enforced through more concentration on the fundamentals, as opposed to multi-cheerleader stunts. American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators introduces first rules for elementary, middle and junior high school squads.These rules and rule changes apply to school activities and do not apply to non-school or recreational style organizations. Well that may be true officially, but from a civil liability standpoint any recreational coach not following them will expose themselves to greater scrutiny and the standard being created will apply, no matter what the style of the organization. A safety standard is a standard is a standard. There are three changes: a ban on released stunt transitions, a requirement to have three catches when a top person performs a controlled fall into a flat-body position and specs for using religious or medical medallions.
While very rare, catastrophic injuries in youth sports have a major impact on athletes and their families when they do occur. This article reviews and summarizes the sparse research on direct catastrophic injuries in youth sports, a direct catastrophic sports injury being defined as a sport injury that resulted from participation in the skills of the sport, and resulted in a fatality or in a non-fatal brain or spinal cord injury, or skull or spinal fracture.
While very rare, catastrophic injuries in youth sports have a major impact on athletes and their families when they do occur. This article reviews and summarizes the sparse research on direct catastrophic injuries in youth sports, a direct catastrophic sports injury being defined as a sport injury that resulted from participation in the skills of the sport, and resulted in a fatality or in a non-fatal brain or spinal cord injury, or skull or spinal fracture.
2009-2010 AACCA College Safety Rules
The AACCA is the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators – more than 20,000 cheer coaches. The 2009 - 2010 Cheerleading Safety Rules for Collegs is provided here.
NCSF & NCSSE Partner for a New Era in Cheer Safety [PDF]
The National Cheer Safety Foundation (NCSF) panel of experts teams up with the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE) to establish college-level safety courses for cheer coaches around the world. The new alliance brings together two powerhouses in cheer safety setting the stage to revolutionize cheerleading, signaling a dawning of a new era coined “safety first.”
NCSF & NCSSE Partner for a New Era in Cheer Safety
The National Cheer
Safety Foundation (NCSF) panel of experts teams up with the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE) to establish college-level safety courses for cheer coaches around the world. The new alliance brings together two powerhouses in cheer safety setting the stage to revolutionize cheerleading, signaling a dawning of a new era coined “safety first.”
2009-2010 AACCA High School Safety Rules
Here you'll find the AACCA High School Safety Rules for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Join us for Safety First and save a cheerleader's life.

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Frequent Questions for Cheerleading Safety and the Law of Cheerleading:

Videos about Cheerleading Safety and the Law of Cheerleading:

Cheerleading is leading cause of catastrophic injury in young women

THE SPORT OF CHEERLEADING

Web Resources for Cheerleading Safety and the Law of Cheerleading:

American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators
Description: Cheerleading is a dangerous sport for young women. The AACCA has been working to improve safety by establishing guidelines and creating standards by which the teams and coaches need to follow. This is a great stride towards cheer safety to avoid catastrophic injuries. Here is what they have to say about the organization:
AACCA, or The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators, is the defining source for all cheerleading safety education. The AACCA manual was composed by the industry's top cheerleading professionals, doctors, business professionals, lawyers, and Dr. Gerald S. George.

AACCA was created to form a structured platform for cheerleading safety. The concept of the certification was to create stronger, safer athletes. The physics of cheerleading mixed with the intense emotional toll that any sport can have were all taken into consideration when creating the manual. Topics such as physical vs. emotional readiness are also discussed. AACCA wants coaches who take the course to walk away feeling knowledgeable on many levels. We also want every coach to be able to refrence the AACCA manual on a regular basis.

The AACCA manual is an intensive study of the philosophy of safety, along with cheer and dance specific techniques, legal liability issues, medical responsibilities, nutrition and hydration, environmental safety, and many other topics relative to the practice and performances of cheerleader and dance skills.

The certification process involves a three hour review followed by a 2 hour open book testing session. One of the benefits of the open book testing, is the ability to become intimately familiar with the AACCA manual. This gives coaches the ability to quickly reference the AACCA manual and utilize it's contents. AACCA wants to give coaches the ability to retrieve necessary information at their own practices or performances. Discussing important topics and highlighting pertinent sections of the manual will allow for better situational applications.
CHEER RULES – AYC REGIONALS & NATIONALS
Description:

Section 3: CHEER RULES - AYC REGIONALS & NATIONALS

AYC GENERAL CHEER SAFETY RULES & ROUTINE GUIDELINES

AYC Cheer Safety Rules

General Safety Rules

In addition to 2010-2011 AACCA Safety Rules, AYC cheer teams must follow the following additional

general safety guidelines. These additional guidelines supersede any conflicting AACCA rule.
- Banners, flags, megaphones, poms, and signs are the only props allowed. The use of
poms and/or props is prohibited during tumbling, stunt/pyramid load ins, stunt/pyramid

dismounts, and during stunt transitions. The top person/flyer may obtain and use poms

or props when secure in a stunt or pyramid. Exception: a forward/backward roll may
edges/corners, team members must gently toss or place the props so that they are

under control. The placement of props or poms should be a safe distance away from

skills being performed to eliminate any safety hazards.

Hiding or hidden type props are prohibited. Items that may damage the performance

surface are prohibited.

Specific Safety Rules

All cheer teams must follow the 2010-2011 AACCA High School Safety Rules. Please access the

most up to date ACCAA High School Safety Rules at www.MyAYF.com in the Rulebooks & Manuals

Section.

AYC Cheer Routine Guidelines:

Each team will perform a choreographed performance not to exceed 2-1/2 minutes.

Each team's performance must consist of a cheer component AND a music component.

The music component must not exceed one minute and thirty seconds or there

will be a deduction for overtime.

Formal entrances (i.e. crowd response chants or cheers, tumbling or stunts) to the

competition floor are prohibited. Entrances to the competition floor should be brief with

the sole purpose of walking, running, etc to position. A quick team huddle prior to

performance is allowed. Spirited entrances are allowed; teams should take no longer

than 10 seconds to set for their routine.

Timing will begin with the first organized word, movement, or note of music following the

teams' announcement to take the floor. Timing will end with the last organized word,

note of music, or movement by the team.

Poms, Megaphones, signs, and banners are encouraged. No tear away uniforms or

removal of clothing is allowed. Hiding or hidden type props are prohibited. Items that

may damage the performance surface are prohibited.

The team's name will be called at least twice (once as the team is on deck, and again

once the team is next to perform). Teams missing their performance time will perform

at the end of the division only if time permits.

Gymnastic skills are required. Stunts, Lifts, and Pyramids are required.

All choreography, material, music, and uniforms should be age-appropriate and

suitable for family viewing. Teams using excessively vulgar or suggestive movements,

words, or music are subject to disqualification. Extreme cases that require

18

disqualification will be under the discretion of the head rules judge.

AYC PENALTY INFORMATION

PENALTIES: SAFETY GUIDELINES:

5

(AACCA Safety Rules) and/or the AYC Cheer Routine Guidelines.

10

(red or blue).

Please refer to the Level Divisions, AYC Cheer Safety Rules, and AYC Cheer Routine

Guidelines regarding specific skill allowances and restrictions

Teams are responsible for following all AACCA safety guidelines, as well as the Level Division skill

restrictions that further restrict permitted skills within AACCA.

SKILL EXECUTION PENALTIES:

0.5

tumbling skills following the landing.

1

tumbling (see maximum below).

Falls are defined as:

Stunts

Pyramid

ground.

Tumbling

3

stunt or tumbling section.

BOUNDARY PENALTY:

0.5

out of bounds with any part of the body. Out of bounds is considered being completely off of the mat.

TIME LIMIT PENALTIES:

1

requirements.

3

requirements.

INAPPROPRIATE MUSIC/CHOREOGRAPHY:

Age appropriate choreography and music must be used.

5

19

is used. This deduction will be taken as a violation of the AYC Cheer Routine Guidelines.

IN CASE OF A TIE:

All ties will be broken at Regional/National competitions. Ties will be broken by using the Basic

Fundamental scores on the score sheet. Those categories include: Stunts, Pyramids, Tumbling,

Jumps, and Dance/Motions. If it is necessary to break a second tie, the scores under Overall

Elements will be calculated along with the Fundamental score categories.

REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION:

Teams with illegal competitor(s) will be disqualified. Reasons for disqualification include but are not

limited to overage competitor(s), competitor(s) not listed on official AYF/AYC league roster, and/or

illegal competitor(s) listed on AYF/AYC official league roster. If a team is found with unregistered

competitors, the team will be disqualified. Teams registering and performing in incorrect divisions

and/or categories will be disqualified. See the Youth Cheer Divisions General Routine Guidelines for

further details.

LEGALITY QUESTIONS (prior to event):

Coaches and Coordinators are responsible to comprehend and comply with all AYF/AYC Age

Divisions, Level Division Guidelines , AYC Cheer Safety Rules (AACCA Rules) and/or Cheer Routine

Guidelines pertaining to the competing division. Questions concerning any AYC Cheer Safety Rules,

Level Division Guidelines or questions regarding specific stunts and /or pyramids should follow the

below process:

All Legality questions must be addressed in writing prior to the event. By reason of terminology and

misunderstandings, answers will NOT be provided by phone.

AYF/AYC Rule judges will address all questions in writing. All questions should be emailed to:

cheer@americanyouthfootball.com

ensure a reply. Questions submitted 13 days or less prior to the event are NOT guaranteed an

answer prior to the event.

When you e-mail your questions make sure to include:

1) Event/Competition Date

2) Your name

3) Your team name and Region

4) Your division

5) Your category

(A written answer will be provided)

Questions must be submitted 14 days prior to the event topoints per occurrence will be deducted from the total score if inappropriate choreography or musicpoints will be deducted from your total score if your routine goes from 11 or more seconds over timepoint will be deducted from your total score if your routine goes from 6 - 10 seconds over timepoint per occurrence will be deducted from your total score if any team member steps or touchespoints maximum will be deducted from your total score for any multiple falls per each pyramid,- Individual drop completely to the floor in tumbling.- Drops from an individual stunt (within a pyramid) to a cradle, pop down, or to the- Drops from an individual stunt to a cradle, pop down, or to the ground.point per occurrence will be deducted from your total score for any falls during stunts, pyramids, orpoint per occurrence will be deducted from your total score for any hand touches on flipping or.points will be deducted from your total score for each violation of the level division requirementspoints will be deducted from your total score for each infraction of the AYC Cheer Safety Rules

be performed with a prop or poms in hands)
National Cheer Safety Foundation
Description: Kimberly Archie, the director of the National Cheer Safety Foundation provides safety information in the NCSF safety library. Kim is a great, and perhaps the number one advocate who has changed this sport to one focused on safety.

I collect articles of interest and post on the Cheerleading Safety and the Law of Cheerleading page of Lombardi Law Firm.
The Spirit Consultants
Description:
The Spirit Consultants provide personalized comprehensive cheerleading skills training; summer cheerleading and dance camps; year-round private stunt clinics; competition choreography; and much more for all high school spirit programs with an emphasis on safety, teambuilding and goal achievement.

TSC is here to help all coaches and advisors safely train and grow their spirit programs.
Title IX Blog
Description:
An interdisciplinary resource for news, legal developments, commentary, and scholarship about Title IX, the federal statute prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded schools.