2007/2008 Competition Guidelines

 

  1. Each routine must not exceed two minutes, 30 seconds (2:30) in length. Timing Suggestion: It is recommended that choreographers finish their routines a few seconds under the allotted routine time to ensure that the team doesn’t go over the time limit. Be advised that cassette players vary in speed and pitch. Time extensions will not be given.

  2. Individual competitors, Cheer Duos, Dance Duets & Dance Trios have a maximum of one minute and thirty seconds (1:30) to perform their routine. Partner Stunt/All-Female Stunt Groups have one minute (1:00) to perform their routine. The routine must be performed entirely to music with a strong emphasis on stunting in the partner stunt and all-female group stunt categories. Gymnastics is NOT permitted in the dance or partner stunt divisions. Each team should attempt to choreograph their stunt routine to the music, as opposed to simply throwing stunts at random.Individual Cheer/Cheer Duo/Cheer Trio routines must include at least one cheer or chant, and should include technical skills (i.e. jumps, gymnastics, etc.) The cheer can be performed over music. Individual dance routines should include technical skills (turns, leaps, and jumps). Jump Challenge competitors must perform their three best jumps. The three jumps can be performed with or without a prep between each jump.Tumbling Challenge competitors are required to perform their most difficult standing tumbling skill and their best running tumbling pass.
  3. Tumbling (including forward/backward rolls) and stunting is not permitted in dance divisions (exception: Acrobatic division).
  4. Timing will begin with the first movement, voice or note of music, whichever comes first. All entrances, tumbling, chants, and spellouts are considered part of the routine and will be timed as part of the total performance. In cheer divisions, routines may begin in a mount or stunt, although as soon as one person is supported by another, timing will begin. Cheer squads and dance teams may line up anywhere inside the performance area. Timing will end with the last note of music, motion or word. There should be no organized activity or exit at the end of the routine, otherwise timing will continue.
  5. The competition area for cheer squads, groups, and individuals will include a 54’ x 42’ spring gymnastics floor. There is no penalty for stepping off of this floor. However, for safety reasons competitors should perform all stunts and tumbling within the floor boundaries. The competition surface for dance teams will consist of 54’ x 42’ spring gymnastics floor (or a smooth performance service (i.e. basketball floor, stage surface where available). Dance teams may use the entire floor.
  6. Teams that do not follow these general guidelines will receive the following deductions from their final score: Exceeding allotted time – .5 point total deduction Illegal Use of Props – .5 points total deduction (per infraction) Violating safety guidelines – 1 point deduction (per infraction)
  7. In the event a routine is interrupted because of failure of event equipment, facilities, etc., a team will be permitted to restart the routine from the beginning. In the event a routine is interrupted due to failure of your equipment or supplies, a team may either continue or withdraw from the competition. If a serious injury occurs during a performance, a team will be given 30 minutes to re-work their routine, and compete again. They may also choose to withdraw from the competition. Competition officials reserve the right to stop a performance due to an injury.
  8. Team size for cheer teams may not exceed thirty (35) team members. There are no size restrictions for dance teams. Team members on school-affiliated squads must be full-time students and current members of an “official” school team. Teams violating this rule could forfeit their titles and be prohibited from entering any Elite Spirit Group competition in future years
  9. Jewelry of any kind should not be worn. Medical tags should be taped against the body for safety. If judges see any body piercings through the uniform, a safety deduction will be assessed.
  10. Individuals may compete on an all-star team, as well as a school-affiliated team. Individuals may also compete on two teams within the same category (i.e. Varsity and Junior Varsity in the school divisions or Senior and Junior in the all-star divisions, if they are a younger squad member moving up to compete in an older division). In other words, junior all-stars (of middle school age) can compete on Senior All-Star teams as well, but the Senior All-Star members (high school age) cannot compete on a junior all-star team.
  11. Event coordinators reserve the right to add, remove, or combine divisions.
  12. Divisions are determined by the age of the oldest squad member on your team.
  13. Any situations requiring interpretation of the rules or a decision involving any aspect of the competition shall be considered by the Event Coordinator and the Head Judge. This group will render a composite judgment in an effort to ensure that the competition is conducted in an equitable manner to all, and consistent with the general spirit of the rules and goals of the Champion Spirit Group Competition Challenge Series.
  14. All teams compete only once to determine the Divisional Champions. The cheerleading team and dance team possessing the highest total score will be awarded the title of Grand Champions. Competition officials reserve the right to offer more, or less, Grand Championship titles. If a tie should occur, the tiebreaker shall be decided in the following sequence: a) highest total score under ‘Overall Effect’; b) highest total score under ‘Motion Technique(C) or Synchronization/Timing(D)’; c) highest total score under ‘Choreography/Creativity(C)/Showmanship/Projection(D)’. If a tie should still exist, each team involved in the tiebreaker will share the award.
  15. Teams may enter a maximum of two (2) divisions (i.e. Jazz & Pom or Mount & Non-Mount).
  16. Performance routines must be appropriate for family viewing. If judges perceive a routine to be inappropriate for family viewing, the team will be assessed a .5 deduction.
  17. If a participant is bleeding, has an open wound, or an excessive amount of blood on the uniform, the participant shall stop performing to receive proper treatment. If the squad so desires, and if the injured participant is able, they may be permitted to start their routine from the point where the routine was stopped later in the competition.
  18. When a participant is rendered unconscious or even apparently unconscious, the participant shall not be permitted to resume participation without written authorization from a physician.
  19. It is the coach/advisor’s responsibility to enforce any state, local, or league requirements or guidelines that are not included in the aforementioned rules and regulations.
  20. Any questions concerning the rules of the competition, the scoring of participants, or the rankings of teams shall be handled exclusively by the coach/advisor of the team (no one else) and shall only be directed toward the Event Coordinator or Head Judge.
  21. Cancellations will be honored up until the date of the event. Cancellations received more than 14 days prior to the event date will be assessed a $50 cancellation fee. There will be no refunds if registrations are cancelled within 7 days of the event. Cancellations received within 13 days of the event date will be honored, but squads will only be issued a refund one-half (1/2) the amount of their initial registration.
  22. A $50 change fee will be applied to any squad making alterations to their initial registration after the change deadline (last Monday prior to event date). A $5 (per person) late fee will be applied to the balance of any squad who fails to adhere to the assigned deadline dates.