School Pom Rule Book 2012 - 2013 - JAMSpiritSites.com

School Pom Team Rule Book 

2012 - 2013 

www.albertacheerleading.ca

COMPETITION POLICY 

SECTION 1- GENERAL 

1. The A.C.A rules and regulations will stand for one competitive season. At the conclusion of each season, the 

A.C.A Executive will contact the NFHS and USASF / IASF to determine what, if any changes have been made 

to their policies for the upcoming season. The A.C.A Executive will make the necessary amendments to the 

manual and provide this information to the A.C.A membership. 

2. In order to be judged at an A.C.A. event, a team must purchase an A.C.A. membership*. Each school / 

organization may purchase up to 2 memberships. Memberships must be purchased by December 15th of 

each year in order to compete that season (the following January – April). Late memberships can be 

purchased for double the regular membership fee no later than February 15th. Membership forms are 

available at www.albertacheerleading.ca . 

NOTE: This does not apply to teams from outside Alberta. 

3. A school team must have a school board employee or school board designate, 19 years or older, designated 

as the coach / advisor who will: 

a) Accompany the team to all A.C.A. events 

b) Sign all registration forms and sign in at all A.C.A. events 

c) The school board designate must have a letter signed by the school principal stating that he/she is 

responsible for the teamsʼ activities. This letter is to be submitted to the A.C.A. with the Team 

Membership Registration Forms by December 15th of that year. 

NOTE: Failure to submit this information will result in the team being unable to compete at A.C.A 

events for the season. 

4. All supervising School cheer coaches must be certified in the following: 

a) First Aid 

b) CPR 

c) ACA Coachesʼ Cheer Certification – Up to the 2level they are coaching 

5. All supervising All Star cheer coaches must be certified in the following: 

a) USASF/ IASF - Up to the level they are coaching 

b) First Aid 

c) CPR 

6. All supervising School and All Star pom/dance coaches must be certified in the following: 

a) ACA Coachesʼ Pom/dance Certification 

b) First Aid 

c) CPR 

A copy of the certification documents must be submitted to the A.C.A by December 15th of that year with the Team / 

Membership Form. Failure to do so will result in that team being unable to compete at ACA events for the season. 

7. Coaches should be familiar with the A.C.A. Code of Conduct / Ethics. Coaches who violate this policy may: 

" a) Receive a warning letter from the A.C.A, a copy of which will be sent to the School Principal and the 

" " A.S.A.A or, in the case of All Star programs, a copy will be sent to the Club owner. 

d) Be required to appear before an Ethics Committee comprised of the A.C.A President, the A.C.A 

Judging Director, a non-Executive Member at Large and a certified teacher if a school team is involved 

to determine an appropriate course of action. 

" Alberta Cheerleading Association School Pom Rule Book 2012 - 2013" 2

8. An approved competition floor will consist of carpeted gymnastics mats and be at least 42ʼ x 42ʼ in dimension. 

The mats must be set vertically (front to back) and use white tape or velcro to mark the center mat at the front 

and back. 

9. School teams traveling to Alberta for competition must follow A.C.A. rules and policies. 

10. All Star/Club teams traveling to Alberta for competition must follow USASF / IASF rules and policies. 

11. A medical advisor (i.e. Saint Johnʼs Ambulance or an athletic therapist) must be provided by the event host. 

The Head Judge reserves the right to cancel or postpone an event if medical advisors are not in attendance. 

12. At the discretion of the host, registration fees may or may not be refunded if a team withdraws from an event. 

In addition, a penalty may be assessed for pulling out of events after the registration deadline. 

13. All star/club teams must provide proof of insurance to the A.C.A. This document must be submitted to the 

A.C.A. by teams within Alberta by December 15th of that year with the Team Membership Forms. Teams 

traveling to Alberta from out of Province must provide this information with the event registration documents. 

NOTE: Failure to do so will result in that team being unable to compete at A.C.A. events for the 

season. 

14. All school teams must wear uniforms that cover their midriff when standing at attention. 

15. Coaches are permitted on the competition floor but may not physically assist any athlete at completing a skill 

or the routine. The only exception is if an athlete is falling from a stunt or skill, they may catch them to prevent 

injury from occurring. 

SECTION 2- PERFORMANCE 

1. Teams in a performance only category must follow age/grade appropriate A.C.A. rules / policies. 

2. For events not registered through the A.C.A., event hosts who are not using the A.C.A. Registration system 

must provide an order of performance to the A.C.A. Judging Coordinator ten (10) days prior to the event date. 

Should the event time/order of performance change, the Judging Coordinator must be informed immediately. 

3. Teams are not permitted to change divisions for competitions after the order of performance draw has been 

made. 

4. Changes may be made to the order of performance at the discretion of the Host in consultation with the 

Judging Coordinator up to 48 hours prior to the event. Changes to the order of performance will not be made 

later than 48 hours prior to the event, with the exception of a teamʼs withdrawal from an event. 

5. Routine Stoppage Policy: 

INTERRUPTION OF PERFORMANCE: 

A routine may be stopped for one of the following reasons: 

a) Detection of Alcohol or Illegal Substances: 

If it is detected by the Head Judge or Safety Judge that a member or members of a team have 

consumed alcohol or other illegal substances prior to performance, the team will be disqualified by the 

Head Judge. If consumption of alcohol or illegal substances are reported by another source (i.e. a 

coach, event coordinator or athlete) and confirmed by the Head Judge or Safety Judge, the team will 

be disqualified by the Head Judge and relevant event fees will not be refunded to the team. 

b) Routine is unsafe: 

If a teamʼs performance is deemed to be unsafe and/or potentially dangerous, the Head Judge or 

Safety Judge will stop the routine and the team will not be allowed to resume their performance. 


c) Technical Problems: 

If a technical problem occurs regarding event equipment or facilities, such as sound equipment, mats, 

lighting etc., the Head Judge or Safety Judge will stop the routine. If a coach deems it necessary to 

stop the routine due to difficulty with the sound system (i.e. music skips, starts on the wrong track or 

has incorrect volume) or any other concern regarding technical equipment or facilities, he or she must 

approach the Safety Judge. 

d) Athlete Injury: 

If an athlete is injured seriously enough to warrant discontinuing the routine, meaning that the athlete 

is physically unable to continue performing, the Head Judge or Safety Judge will stop the routine. A 

coach may also choose to stop the routine due to injury and must approach the Safety Judge in order 

to do so. 

NOTIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE STOPPAGE: 

a) In the event that the Head Judge or Safety Judge intends to stop a routine due to an occurrence outlined 

above, they must make an obvious gesture to notify athletes on the floor to stop performing and notify the 

Coach immediately of the reason(s) for stopping the routine. 

b) In the event that the Coach intends to stop a routine due to an occurrence outlined above, the Coach must 

approach the Safety Judge who will advise the Head Judge. Again, the Head Judge or Safety Judge must 

make an obvious gesture to notify athletes on the floor to stop performing. 

If a performance is discontinued, the Event Coordinator will be notified of the reason for the routine stoppage 

and will make an announcement to the spectators at the event outlining the occurrence and whether or not the 

team will repeat their routine. 

RESUMING PERFORMANCE: 

If a performance is discontinued due to a circumstance outlined in Section I (c) or (d), the following protocol 

will be followed: 

a) If the team chooses NOT to perform again, the judgeʼs scores to the point of the routine stoppage will 

stand or the team may withdraw from the competition entirely. In this case, any relevant event fees 

will not be refunded to the team. 

b) If the team chooses to perform again, the Head Judge, Safety Judge, Coach and Event Cocoordinator 

will determine when it is appropriate for the team to do so. 

c) If the team chooses to perform again, they must perform the entire routine from the beginning with all 

elements included. 

d) If the team chooses to perform again, Judges will begin their evaluation from the point of the stoppage 

as determined by the Head Judge. 

e) If the team chooses to perform again, all penalties assessed prior to the stoppage will stand. It should 

be noted that when performing a second time, a team will not be penalized twice for the same error 

(i.e. a top falls and is penalized during the first performance and, during the second performance, the 

same top falls from the same element; this will not result in a second penalty being assessed). 

NOTE: Please note that this policy attempts to account for all possible situations that may arise, however, if 

an unforeseen event occurs that is not outlined in this policy, the Head Judge will evaluate the situation and 

determine the appropriate course of action. Questions regarding the determined outcome should follow the 

standard chain of command: the Head Judge, Judging Coordinator, President. 


SECTION 3 - JUDGING 

1. All judges must have participated in a recognized judging clinic and / or be certified by the A.C.A Judging 

Coordinator within the current competition season in order to be eligible to judge. 

a) The A.C.A. is responsible for scheduling judges at events and in appropriate divisions based on 

judging experience, a personʼs cheerleading experience, and their performance at a training clinic. 

2. All tabulators will be trained by an A.C.A. Judging Coordinator. 

3. The A.C.A. Judging Coordinator shall schedule judges for all events. 

4. Teams may request clarification regarding routine skills by contacting the A.C.A. Judging Coordinator no later 

than 5 days prior to the event at which the skills will be performed. There are four (4) ways to request / receive 

clarification: 

a. Call the Judging Coordinator 

b. Email the Judging Coordinator 

c. Meet with the Judging Coordinator in person 

d. Submit a video clip of the skill(s) in question ensuring that the video depicts several different angles of 

the elements 

NOTE: Due to time and geographical location constraints, the submission of a video clip is recommended as the best 

method for requesting clarification. 

Please be advised that even if a stunt has been approved by the Judging Coordinator should the execution of that skill 

change or the stunt be varied from its approved version the stunt may be deemed illegal by the safety judge during 

competition. 

5. Competition results will be posted on the ACA website no later than 72 hours following the completion of an 

event. A copy of the rank sheet for their respective division will be attached to each teamʼs score sheets or 

posted in an area designated by the event host. 

6. Scoring Process: Teams will be judges by 5 panel judges and 1 safety judge/timer, an additional safety judge 

will also be present during warm-up times for rule infractions. To calculate a team's final score, the high and 

low scores of the panel judges will be dropped and the remaining 3 scores will be added together. From this 

total all penalties will be deducted to get the final score. 

7. Tie Breaker Policy: 

a. The team with fewer penalties 

b. The high score added in 

c. The low score added in 

If the teams are still tied, they will be considered tied in the final rankings. 

SECTION 4 - JUDGING APPEALS POLICY 

All judging decisions are final. If you have a concern regarding the judging results, the following steps should be 

taken: 

1. Within 5 days of the competition, submit, via e-mail, a letter expressing your concerns to the ACA Judging 

Coordinator. This letter must also be ccʼd to the ACA President and the teacher advisor and/or principal or 

gym owner of the coach/school/gym expressing the concern. 


2. The Judging Coordinator will address your concerns in a letter within 7 days after receiving the complaint, after 

she consults with the judges and/or persons concerned. This response will also be sent to those individuals 

ccʼd in the original complaint letter. 

Concerns or complaints must always be addressed in writing. Verbal complaints are strongly discouraged. Direct 

confrontation of the judges or Judging Coordinator is considered inappropriate and is strongly discouraged. Such 

actions could result in suspension from future A.C.A. events. 

For Provincial competition an appeal may be made to the A.S.A.A. Please contact the A.S.A.A. Commissioner for 

cheerleading for information on this process. 

NOTE: Teachers must always follow the ATA Code of Conduct 


SCHOOL POM TEAM DIVISIONS & GENERAL RULES 

SECTION 1- DIVISIONS 

The A.C.A. recognizes the following competitive divisions for cheerleading. Only these divisions will be judged by 

ACA judges unless special arrangements are made. 

NOTE: Not all events offer all divisions. If a division does not have at least 3 teams entered, the host may 

cancel that division. 

Pom Divisions Grade Female/Male Number on Squad 

Junior High Pom 7 - 9 N/A 4 - 24 athletes 

Senior High Pom 10 -12 N/A 4 - 24 athletes 

WHEN TO SPLIT DIVISIONS: 

JUNIOR HIGH & SENIOR HIGH SMALL/LARGE SPLITS Event hosts may split the division into "Small" and "Large" 

divisions when there are at least three teams that will ultimately be registered in each respective division. The 

designation of "Small" and "Large" divisions must follow the team sizes below: 

Small = 4 - 15 members 

Large = 16 - 24 members 

A/B SPLITS * Applies to Elementary, Jr High and Sr High 

If after splitting divisions into "Small" and "Large" there are 10 or more teams in the "Small" or "Large" division, then 

event hosts may split that division further by squad size. If splitting further by size, then event hosts must use a name 

such as "Division A", "Division B" to denote the split and must clearly define the number of competitors permitted on 

the team for each of these particular divisions. No division may be subdivided further from the "Small" (4-15) and 

"Large" (16-24) classification if it means that only one team will be left in a division. 

SECTION 2- ROUTINE PARAMETERS 

1. Time begins with the first obvious word, motion, stunt, or beat of music and will stop when it is obvious to the 

officials (with the last stunt, motion, or beat of music). 

NOTE: Timing of the routine will stop, but the safety judges will continue judging until they leave the 

floor. Safety judges can still deduct for infractions after the timing has stopped. 

2. The routine time limit is 2 minutes 30 seconds straight time duration. 

SECTION 3- GENERAL COMPETITION RULES 

1. Fingernails, including artificial nails, must be kept at an appropriate length (short, near the end of the fingers) 

to minimize risk for the participants. 

2. The hair must be worn in a manner to minimize risk for the participant. Hair devices, if worn, must be secure 

and appropriate for the activity. 

3. Apparel and accessories must be appropriate for the activity involved to minimize risk for the participants. 

4. A participant in full head and / or body costume must not spot or stunt except for a forward roll or cartwheel. 


5. When standing at attention, apparel must cover the midriff. 

6. Glitter that does not readily adhere on the hair, face, uniform, costume or the body is illegal. Glitter may be 

used on signs, props or backdrops if laminated or sealed. 

7. 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) must not be involved in a stunt. 

8. A single partial/whole manufacturerʼs logo/trademark (no more than 2 ¼ square inches with no dimension 

exceeding 2 ¼ inches) is permitted on the apparel. 

9. A flag, not to exceed 2 by 3 inches, and either a commemorative or memorial patch, not to exceed 4 square 

inches, and with written association approval, may be worn on the uniform/costume. 

10. The Judging Coordinator may authorize the use of artificial limbs which in its opinion are no more dangerous 

to participants than the corresponding human limb and do not place an opponent at a disadvantage. 

11. Cheerleading apparel MUST be conducive to safe performance. The safety judge has the right to check any 

participant for jewelry or other potentially unsafe attire. The following items are considered unsafe for 

competition: 

o False eyelashes 

o High heeled 

o Unsafe hair accessories 

o Gum 

o Pins on uniforms 

o Other items deemed unsafe by the safety judge. Please check with the Judging Coordinator or Head 

Judge prior to the competition for clarification 

SECTION 5- ELIGIBILITY 

1. Each competitor must be enrolled at the school he/she is competing for, at the time of competition and must 

compete on one team for one school for the competition season. However, in the event that a school is 

unable to field a team, individuals may participate on another schoolʼs team within their A.S.A.A. Zone. 

Students from more than one school within the same zone may form a single competitive team. Participation 

of this nature on a High School team may only occur with the consent of the participating school Principals, the 

Athletic Directors, and the respective A.S.A.A. Zone Director. At the Junior High School level and for all Pom 

divisions, participation can only occur with the mutual consent of the two school Principals, the A.C.A Junior 

High Director/Pom Director and the A.C.A President. 

2. Grade 9 students who are registered as students of an ASAA member school, regardless of classification, are 

eligible to participate on the competitive school team with the consent of the Principal and Athletic Director. 

This includes A.S.A.A. Zone and Provincial competitions. 

3. Grade 6 students who are registered as students of a junior high school or a middle school (grades 5-8, 5-9, or 

6-9) may participate on their schoolʼs Junior Highʼs Cheer team. 

4. Grade 4 students who are registered as students of an “early years” school, where the highest grade at the 

school is grade 4, may participate on their schoolʼs Elementary Division 1 team. 

5. Athletes who are participating on a High School Cheer team are not permitted to participate on an All Star/ 

Club team during the same season of play. 

6. Post Secondary athletes must be a registered student at the competing school in the term of competition. 


SECTION 6 - RULE INFRACTIONS POLICY 

FALL DEDUCTIONS 

Fall: If an athlete trips and falls or bumps into another athlete while moving and falls to the ground a 5 point penalty 

will NOT be assessed. 

Stunt Fall: 

- Controlled Fall - A stunt fall is deemed controlled if the athlete lands in a cradle position with no body parts 

hitting the floor, or when an athlete is slowed to their feet by the bases. 

- Uncontrolled Fall - A stunt fall is deemed uncontrolled if an athlete falls to the floor, either a top or a base, or 

if an athlete lands on there feet with very little to no support from the bases. If an entire stunt group falls to 

the floor only one 5 point penalty is assessed, not per athlete. 

***It is the sole discretion of the Head and Safety judges to determine whether a fall will be considered a controlled fall 

or an uncontrolled fall. 

Jump Fall: A 5 point penalty will only be assessed when a body part other than the athletes hands and feet hit the 

floor. 

Tumbling Fall: A 5 point penalty will only be assessed when a body part other than the athletes hands and feet hit the 

floor. 

OTHER 5 POINT INFRACTIONS 

• Inappropriate choreography/music 

• Unsportmanlike language 

• Unsafe or otherwise unapproved use of clothing and/or props 

• No visual/physical contact 

NON-CHOREOGRAPHED ERROR 

Non-Choreographed Error: If a skill becomes illegal due to an OBVIOUS execution error a 5 point deduction will be 

taken. 

" Eg. during a lift the supporting dancer loses contact with the executing dancer as the lift falls. Only one 5 point 

deduction will be taken off for the fall an NO deduction for a rule infraction because it was the fall that caused the skill 

to be illegal. It was OBVIOUS to the judges that it was not choreography that way. 

" 

20 POINT RULE INFRACTIONS 

All teams must follow the rules in there division from the moment they set foot on the mat until the time in which they 

step off. Failure to do so will result in a 20 point infraction. Should a team, after being given a 20 point deduction 

continue to perform the same illegal skill the safety judge has the right to disqualify that team. A team who is 

performing only or is the only team in there division must still follow the rules of there division. Should any coach 

willfully disregard the rules as set out by the ACA membership there Coaches Certification can be put up for review by 

the ACA executive with the possibility of it being revoked. 

WARNINGS 

Warnings shall only be given if the safety judge is at all unsure of the skill performed. For example if there was an 

intentional rule infraction or if it was a non-choreographed error. Warnings MAY also be given at the beginning of the 

season for rules that are new to the rule book or that have been altered in such a way to that there meaning has 

changed. Giving a warning vs. a rule infraction is solely the discretion of the safety judge. 

A.C.A. WARM-UP MAT SAFETY JUDGE POLICY 

" At the request of the event host a safety judge may be present on the warm-up mat prior to competitions. 

During that time the safety judge can be asked rule clarification questions and view specific routine portions at the 

request of the coach. The assigned judge will also be keeping an eye on warm-ups to look for any rule infractions. 

Should the safety judge see an infraction, he/she will notify the coach immediately. The safety judge will not be in 

contact with the safety judges that are judging performances so it is up to the coaches whether to change the routine 

or compete with the illegal skill. This is a decision that must be carefully made by the coaches with the athletes safety 

in mind. The safety judge is there as an advisor to the coaches should they request the judges assistance. If the safety 


judge does not see a rule infraction on the warm up mat this does not indemnify the team from receiving a penalty on 

the competition mat. The safety judge will do there best to provide assistance and look for any infractions while teams 

are in the warm-up area. 


2012/2013 & 2013/14 

USASF Dance 

RULES 

These USASF Dance Rules are effective from June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014 and are subject to review by the Rules Committee at any time. 

DANCE GENERAL RULES 

1. All teams must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified coach/instructor. 

2. Coaches/instructors must require proficiency before skill progression. Coaches must consider the dancer 

and team skill level with regard to proper performance placement. 

3. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the 

event. The director/ coach of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and 

any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. 

4. All programs should have, and review, an emergency action plan in the event of an injury. 

5. Teams must have at least 4 members. There is no maximum limit. 

6. Each team will have a minimum of 1 minute and 45 seconds (1:45) to a maximum of 2 minutes and 30 

seconds (2:30) to demonstrate their style and expertise. Timing will begin with the first choreographed 

movement or note of the music. Timing will end with the last choreographed movement or note of the 

music, whichever happens last. 

a. Event producers may allow a maximum of 5 second leeway/grace period. 

b. If a company adds the production/show category, the time limit may be increased to 5 minutes. 

7. Substitutions may be made in the event of any injury or other serious circumstance. Substitutes must also 

abide by the age and gender restrictions in all divisions in which they compete. 

8. Footwear is recommended but not required. Wearing socks and/or footed tights only is prohibited. 

(Exception: socks are allowed on a carpeted performance surface) 

9. Jewelry as a part of a costume is allowed. 

CHOREOGRAPHY AND COSTUMING 

PROPS 

BOLD font: Please read these carefully as anything bold is a deliberate change to the guidelines.. 

Please contact USASF Dance Chair Catherine Morris (cmorris@usasf.net) or Director of Dance: Tegan Reeves (treeves@usasf.net) for further explanation with regards to any of these topics. 

1. Suggestive, offensive, or vulgar choreography, costuming, and/or music are inappropriate for family 

audiences and therefore lack audience appeal. 

2. 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, costuming and/or music may affect the judges’ overall 

impression and/or score of the routine. 

3. All choreography should be age appropriate. 

4. All costuming and makeup should be age appropriate and acceptable for family viewing. 

1. Wearable and handheld items are allowed in all categories and can be removed and discarded from the 

body. 

2. Standing props are only allowed in the prop and production category. Any item that bears the weight of 

the participant is considered a standing prop. (Examples: chairs, stools, benches, ladders, boxes, stairs, 

etc.) 

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TUMBLING (Executed by individuals) 

Tumbling: An acrobatic or gymnastics skill executed by an individual dancer without contact, assistance 

or support of another dancer(s) and begins and ends on the performance surface. 

Tumbling as a dance skill is allowed, but not required in all divisions with the following limitations: 

1. Airborne* tumbling skills with hip over head rotation are not allowed. (Exception: aerials, dive 

rolls in a pike position and round offs). 

2. Simultaneous tumbling over or under another dancer that includes hip over head rotation by 

both dancers is not allowed. 

3. Drops* to the knee, thigh, back, seat, front, jazz split (hurdler) or split position onto the performing 

surface are not allowed unless the dancer first bears weight on the hands or foot/feet. 

4. Drops* to a push-up position onto the performance surface are allowed from a jump with forward 

momentum (i.e. Flying Squirrel) or an X, Star or Spread Eagle jump. All variations of a Shushunova 

are not allowed. 

5. Hip over head rotation skills with hand support are not allowed while holding poms or props. 

(Exception: forward rolls and backward rolls are allowed). 

DANCE LIFTS AND PARTNERING (Executed in partners or groups): 

1. Any Supporting Dancer(s) who has primary weight of an Executing Dancer must maintain direct 

contact with the performance surface at all times. 

2. At least one Supporting Dancer must have hand/arm/body to hand/arm/body contact with the 

Executing Dancer(s) throughout the entire skill above shoulder level. 

3. Hip over head rotation of the Executing Dancer(s) is allowed if: 

a. A Supporting Dancer maintains hand/arm/body to hand/arm/body contact until the Executing 

Dancer returns to the performance surface or returns to the upright position. 

b. The skill is limited to one [hip over head] rotation. 

4. A Vertical Inversion* is allowed if: 

a. The Supporting Dancer(s) maintains hand/arm/body to hand/arm/body contact until the Executing 

Dancer returns to the performance surface or returns to the upright position. 

b. When the height of the Executing Dancer’s shoulders exceed shoulder level there is at least one 

additional dancer to spot and/or support. 

RELEASE MOVES 

5. An Executing Dancer may jump, leap, step or push off a Supporting Dancer(s) if: 

a. The highest point of the released skill does not elevate the Executing Dancer’s hips above shoulder 

level. 

b. When the height of the skill is at hip level or above the Executing Dancer may not pass through the 

prone or inverted position. 

c. Toe Pitches are not allowed. 

6. A Supporting Dancer may toss an Executing Dancer as long as: 

a. The highest point of the toss does not elevate the Executing Dancer’s hips above shoulder level. 

b. The Executing Dancer is not prone or inverted when released. 

c. The Executing Dancer does not pass through a prone or inverted position after release. 

* see glossary definition 

(HIP HOP teams in Junior, Senior and Open see also Expanded Rules. Prep Teams see also Limited Rules.) 

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LIMITED PREP CATEGORY RULES: 

Teams in the Prep category must follow the USASF Dance Rules AND the additional restrictions below: 

Prep TECHNICAL SKILLS (executed by individuals): 

Skills are developed and should be part of natural progression in learning. The prep category involves skills with 

the following limitations: 

1. Skill combinations are limited to 3 technical skills. (Exception: Chassé and glissade are considered 

steps. Clarification: Duplicate skills are considered multiple skills [i.e. double pirouette is 2 

skills].) 

2. Turns are allowed provided the following: 

a) Working leg is held in a passé or coupe position. 

b) Supporting leg is on ground through the completion of the turn. 

c) Rotations are limited to 2 rotations. 

3. Leaps and jumps are allowed provided the following: 

a) Does not involve a position change (Example: switch leaps are not allowed). 

b) Do not involve axis rotation (Example: tour jetté or axle is not allowed) 

Prep TUMBLING (executed by individuals) 

Tumbling, as a dance style skill is allowed, but not required. The prep category must follow the USASF Rules in 

addition to the following limitations: 

1. Skills with hip over head rotation must involve hand support and may not be airborne. (Example: 

airborne skills with hip over head rotation* including roundoffs are not allowed). 

2. Skills that do not include hip over head rotation may be airborne provided the following: 

a) No more than one axis rotation in a straight/pencil position (Example: A jump full turn is allowed, a 

windmill or butterfly is not allowed) 

b) Involve hand support during any inversion. (Example: kip ups must have hand support) 

3. Inverted skills are allowed provided the following: 

a) Involve hand support with at least one hand (Example: shoulder stall) 

Prep DANCE LIFTS AND PARTNERING (Executed in partners or groups) 

Dance Lifts and Partnering should be limited. The prep category must follow the USASF Guidelines in addition 

to the following limitations: 

1. All Supporting Dancer(s) must maintain direct contact with the performance surface at all 

times. 

2. All Supporting Dancer(s) must have hand/arm/body to hand/arm/body contact with the 

Executing Dancer(s) throughout the entire lift. (Clarification: The Executing Dancer may not be 

released) 

3. Executing Dancer must maintain an upright position in any elevated skill. 

4. Executing Dancer’s hips cannot elevate about shoulder level. 

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EXPANDED HIP HOP RULES (For Junior, Senior, and Open HIP HOP Teams): 

Junior, Senior, and Open teams in the Hip Hop category must follow the USASF Dance Rules, but may 

apply the exceptions in the Expanded Hip Hop Rules below: 

AERIAL STREET SKILLS (Executed by individuals): 

1. Airborne skills* with hip over head rotation are permitted provided the following: 

a. Skills without hand support may involve no more than one twisting rotation. 

** see below for further explanation and exception. 

b. Only skills with hand support may be performed consecutively, but are limited to 2 consecutive skills. 

(Example: Two back handsprings may connect, an airborne hip over head rotation without hand support 

may not connect to any skill or jump) 

3. Drops from a turn, jump or inverted position are permitted provided the following: 

a. Drops to the shoulder or seat are permitted provided the height of the airborne dancer does not 

exceed hip level (Example: kip ups are allowed). 

4. Drops to a push up position may involve any jump. 

LIFTS AND PARTNERING (Executed in partners or groups): 

1. A Supporting Dancer who has primary weight of the executing dancer does not have to 

maintain contact with the performance surface provided the height of the skill does not exceed 

shoulder level. 

RELEASE 5 & 6 : An Executing Dancer may jump, leap, step, push off or be tossed by a Supporting 

Dancer(s) if: 

a. The highest point of the released skill does not elevate the Executing Dancer’s feet above shoulder 

level. 

b. The Executing Dancer must either be assisted to the performance surface or land on at least one of 

his/her feet. 

* see glossary definition 

** Aerial Street Skills are Hip Hop skill sets that dancers develop over time. They can include rotation that is hip over head or twisting. 

These skills are NOT meant to incorporate gymnastics or cheerleading style tumbling. Such gymnastic skills are NOT ALLOWED. This 

prohibits a “standing full twisting layout” in the Expanded Hip Hop Rules but allows a capoeira style “folha secca twist”. 

-4-

2012-2013 

USASF Dance 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Updated 6-27-12 

Airborne (executed by individual): A state in which the dancer is free of contact from a person and/or 

the performing surface. 

Airborne Hip Over Head Rotation (executed by individual): An action where hips rotate over the 

head in a tumbling skill and there is no contact with the performance surface (Example: Round off or a 

Backhandsping). 

Airborne Skill (executed by individual): A skill in which the dancer is free of contact with the 

performance surface. (Example: Tour Jetté or Butterfly.) 

Aerial Cartwheel: An airborne tumbling skill which emulates a cartwheel executed without placing 

hands on the ground. 

Axle: A turn in which the working leg makes a circle in the air to passé as the supporting leg lifts off the 

ground enabling the dancer to perform a rotation in the air and then lands on the original supporting leg. 

Back Walkover: A non-airborne tumbling skill where the dancer reaches backward with an arched torso 

through an inverted position, hands make contact with the ground, then the hips rotate over the head and 

the torso hollows bringing the dancer to an upright position, landing one foot/leg at a time. 

Breaking: A style of hip hop dance that incorporates martial arts, acrobatic oriented tricks and dance. 

The term for a person who executes this style of dance is known as a BBoy (breaking –boy) or BGirl 

(breaking –girl). 

C- Jump: A jump in which the dancer creates an arch in the back allowing the knees to bend and the feet 

reach behind the body. 

Cartwheel: A non-airborne tumbling skill where the dancer supports the weight of the body with the 

arm(s) while rotating sideways through an inverted position landing on one foot at a time. 

Calypso [ka-lip-SO]: A turning leap in which the working leg extends making a circle in the air as the 

supporting leg lifts off the ground enabling the dancer to perform a rotation in the air then the supporting 

(back) leg reaches behind the body, often in an attitude, and then lands on the original working leg. 

Category: Denoting the style of a performance piece/competition routine. (Example: Jazz, Pom or Hip 

Hop) 

Coed: A Division that includes 1 or more males. 

Coupe [koo-PAY]: A position in which one foot is held lifted and close to the ankle. Also known 

as Coup de Pied: quickly takes the place of the other; meaning to cut or cutting. 

Consecutive Skills: An action in which the dancer connects skills immediately, without step, 

pause or break in between. (Example: Double Pirouette or Double Toe Touch) 

-1-

Dance Crew: A style of dance, typically seen in the hip hop category, involving a body or 

group of dancers who work at a common style of dance. 

Dance Lift (executed as partners or in a group): A skill in which a dancer(s) is elevated from the 

performance surface by one or more dancers and set down. A Dance Lift is comprised of “Lifting” 

dancer(s) and “Elevated” dancer(s). Refer to the USASF/IASF Rules for Dance Lifts and Partnering for 

safety guidelines. 

Developpé [develop-AY]: An action in which the working leg moves through passé (bends) before 

extending into position; meaning to develop. 

Dive Roll: An airborne tumbling skill in which the dancer does a forward roll where the hands and feet 

are off of the performing surface simultaneously. This skill is allowed only if the dancer is in a pike 

position. 

Division: Denoting the composition of a competing group of dancers. (Example: Senior Coed, Junior and 

Youth) 

Drop: An Action in which an airborne dancer lands on a body part other than his/her hands or feet 

without first bearing weight on the hands/feet. 

Elevated: An action in which a dancer is moved to a higher position or place from a lower one. 

Elevated Dancer: A dancer who is lifted from the performance surface as a part of a Dance Lift. Refer 

to the USASF/IASF Rules for Dance Lifts and Partnering for safety guidelines. 

Executing Dancer: A dancer who performs a skill as a part of a Dance Trick or uses support from 

another dancer or dancers when Partnering. Refer to the USASF/IASF Rules for Dance Lifts and 

Partnering for safety guidelines. 

Fouetté [foo-eh-TAY]: A turning step, usually done in a series, in which the working leg makes a circle 

in the air and then into passé as the dancer turns bending (plié) and rising (relevé) at each revolution; 

meaning to whip. Fouetté turns can also be done to the side or in second position (fouetté a la seconde). 

Fouetté a la Seconde: A turning step done in a series in which the working leg makes a circle in the air 

and extends at a 90° angle from the supporting leg remaining parallel to the ground as the dancer turns 

with a plié and relevé at each revolution. 

Flying Squirrel: A jump in which the dancer executes with forward momentum with the dancers arms 

extended in front, legs behind, creating an "X" position in the air. 

Front Walkover: A non-airborne tumbling skill where the dancer rotates forward with a hollow torso 

through an inverted position and arches up bringing the legs and hips over the head to a non-inverted 

position legs landing one foot/leg at a time. 

Handstand: A non-airborne, non-rotating, tumbling skill where the dancer supports his/herself vertically 

on his/her hands in an inverted position and the arms are extended straight by the head and ears. 

Head Spin: A skill, typically performed in hip hop, in which the dancer spins on his/her head and uses 

his/her hands to aid in speed. The legs can be held in a variety of positions. 

-2-

Head Spring (front/back): An airborne tumbling skill, typically performed in hip hop, in which the 

dancer approaches the head spring much like a hand spring, and can be executed either to the front or to 

the back. Beginning in a standing or squatting position, the hands are placed on the floor with the head 

between the hands, and the legs come over/whip through the body similar to a kip up and the dancer lands 

on two feet. 

Headstand: A non-airborne, non-rotating, tumbling skill where the dancer supports his/herself vertically 

on his/her head in an inverted position and the hands are on the floor supporting the body. 

Hip Level: A designated height; the height of a standing dancers’ hips while standing upright with 

straight legs. (Clarification: this is an approximate height to measure space, and is not changed by 

bending, inverting, etc.) 

Hip Over Head Rotation (executed by individuals): An action where a dancers hips rotate over the 

head in a tumbling skill (Example: Back Walkover or Cartwheel). 

Hip Over Head Rotation (executed in groups or pairs) : An action where the Executing Dancers’ 

hips rotate over the head in a lift or partnering skill. 

Inversion: A position in which the dancer’s waist/hips/feet are higher than his/her head and shoulders. 

Jetté [juh-TAY]: A skill in which the dancer takes off from one foot by brushing the feet into the ground 

and swiftly ‘whipping’ them into the position and then landing on one foot. A jetté can be executed in 

various directions, sizes and positions. 

Kip Up: An airborne, non-rotating, tumbling skill, typically performed in hip hop, where the dancer 

brings the body to a non-inverted (upright) position by bending the knees, thrusting the legs into the chest 

rolling back slightly onto the shoulders, and then kicks up. The force of the kick causes the dancer to lift 

and land with both feet planted on the floor. 

Krumping: A style of dance, hip hop category, ‘street’ dance characterized by free, expressive, 

exaggerated, and highly energetic moves involving the arms, head, legs, chest, and feet. 

Leap: A skill in which the dancer pushes off the ground, from a plié (bend), off of one leg becoming 

airborne and landing on the opposite leg. (also known as grand jetté) 

Lifting Dancer: A dancer(s), who is part of a dance lift and lifts an Elevated Dancer as a part of a Dance 

Lift. Refer to the USASF/IASF Rules for Dance Lifts, Dance Tricks and Partnering for safety guidelines. 

The supporting dancer may also be considered a Lifting Dancer. Refer to the USASF/IASF Rules for 

Dance Lifts and Partnering for safety guidelines. 

Passé [pa-SAY]: A position or movement in which the working leg bends connecting the pointed foot to 

or near the knee of the supporting leg; meaning to pass. Passé can be executed with the hips parallel or 

turned out. 

Partnering (executed in pairs): A skill in which two dancers use support from one another. Partnering 

can involve both “Supporting” and “Executing” skills. Refer to the USASF/IASF Rules for Dance Lifts 

and Partnering for safety guidelines. 

Pirouette [peer-o-WET]: A skill in which the dancer bends (plié) with one foot in front of the other 

(fourth position) and rises (relevé) to one leg making a complete rotation of the body; meaning to whirl. 

A pirouette can be executed in a variety of positions. 

-3-

Plié [plee-AY]: A preparatory and landing skill in which the dancer bends, softens his/her knees; meaning 

to bend. 

Prop: An object that can be manipulated. A glove is a part of the uniform. 

Prone: A position in which the front of the dancers’ body is facing the ground, and the back of the 

dancers body is facing up. 

Relevé [rell-eh-VAY]: An executing skill in which the dancer lifts up to the ball of his/her feet; meaning 

to rise. 

Release Move (executed in groups or pairs): An action in which the Executing Dancer becomes free 

of contact from Supporting Dancer(s) and are unassisted to the performance surface. 

Shoulder Roll (forward/back): A non-airborne tumbling skill where the dancer rolls with the back of the 

shoulder and maintains contact with the floor and the head is tilted to the side to avoid contact with the 

floor. 

Shoulder Level: A designated height; the height of a standing dancers’ shoulders while standing 

upright with straight legs. (Clarification: this is an approximate height to measure space, and is not 

changed by bending, inverting, etc.) 

Shushunova [Shush-A-nova]: A jump variation in which the dancer lifts extended legs to a toe touch or 

pike position and then circles them behind the body dropping the chest and landing in a prone support 

(push up position). 

Stag: A position, typically performed in a leap or jump, in which the dancer bends the front leg. 

Stall: A non-airborne, non rotating, tumbling skill typically performed in hip hop where the dancer halts/ 

stops body mid motion; often in an interesting, inverted or balance-intensive position on one or both 

hands for support. Also known as a freeze. 

Stepping/Step Dancing: A style of dance, typically hip hop category, which is a form of percussive 

dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and 

sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. 

Supporting Dancer: A supporting dancer(s), who part of a dance trick and bears the primary weight of a 

lifted dancer. A supporting dancer(s) holds or tosses and/or maintains contact with an Executing dancer as 

a part of a Dance Trick or Partnering skill. The supporting dancer may also be considered a Lifting 

Dancer. Refer to the USASF/IASF Rules for Dance Lifts and Partnering for safety guidelines. 

Supporting Leg: The leg of a dancer that supports the weight of the body, during a skill. 

Supine: A position in which the back of the dancers’ body is facing the ground, and the front of the 

dancers body is facing up. 

Switch Leap: A leap in which the dancer swings her working leg to change the position/direction of the 

leap. 

Tilt: A skill, typically performed in a leap or jump, in which the working leg sweeps up into the air and 

the supporting leg points toward the ground. 

Toe Pitch (executed by groups or pairs): A toss in which the Executing Dancer(s) foot is in the hands 

of the Supporting Dancer(s) and s/he is propelled upward. 

-4-

Toe Touch: A jump in which the dancer lifts the legs through a straddle rotating the hips so that the legs 

are rotating up toward the (upright) chest. 

Tour Jetté: A skill in which the dancer takes off from one leg, executes a half turn and lands on the same 

leg. 

Toss: A release move where Supporting Dancer(s) execute a throwing motion to increase the height of the 

executing dancer. The Executing Dancer is free from the performance surface when toss is initiated. 

Tumbling: A collection of skills that emphasize acrobatic or gymnastic ability, are executed by an 

individual dancer without contact, assistance or support of another dancer(s) and begin and end on the 

performance surface. (Clarification: tumbling skills do not have to include hip over head rotation) 

Vertical Inversion (executed in groups or pairs): A position in which the Executing Dancer is inverted 

and bears direct weight on the Supporting Dancer by a stop, stall or change in momentum. 

Windmill: A non-airborne, non-rotating, tumbling skill in which a dancer begins on the back, spins from 

his/her upper back to the chest while twirling his/her legs around his/her body in a V-shape. The leg 

motion gives the majority of the power, allowing the body to “flip” from a position on the back to a 

position with the chest to the ground. 

Working Leg: The leg of a dancer that is responsible for momentum and/or position, during a skill. 

BOLD FONT Please read these carefully as anything bold is a deliberate change to the glossary. 

Please contact USASF Dance Committee Chairman Catherine Morris (cmorris@usasf.net ) or USASF Director of Dance Tegan Reeves 

(treeves@usasf.net) for further explanation with regard to any of these topics. 

-5-

School Pom Rule Book 2012 - 2013 - JAMSpiritSites.com

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