• On Game Day, all squads must be supervised by an appropriate number of certified volunteers.

• Cheerleaders may NEVER be left unattended on the sideline. Therefore, the minimum certified volunteers must be present:

• 1:6 ratio (squad up to 6 = 1xHead or Assistant Coach)

• 2:12 ratio (squad up to 12 = 1xHead or Assistant Coach plus 1x(any combination of Cheer Coaches: head, assistant, trainee)

• 3:18 ratio (squad up to 18 = 1xHead or Assistant Coach plus 2x(any combination of Cheer Coaches: head, assistant, trainee)

• 4:24 ratio (squad up to 24 = 1xHead or Assistant Coach plus 3x(any combination of Cheer Coaches: head, assistant, trainee)

• 5:30 ratio (squad up to 30 =1x Head or Assistant Coach plus 4x(any combination of Cheer Coaches: head, assistant, trainee)

• 6:36 ratio (squad up to 36 =1x Head or Assistant Coach plus 5x(any combination of Cheer Coaches: head, assistant, trainee)

• Note: A Coach Trainee is a minor and must always be under direct supervision of the Head Coach or an Assistant Coach. They are not allowed to coach a squad alone. 

• A violation in this section will be reviewed by Compliance and ruled a Level III violation.

Refer to Appendix A - Volunteer Dress Code Policy. Violations of the Dress Code will be reviewed by Compliance and rules as a Level II violation.

• First Aid Kits are recommended at all practices and games.

• All squads, gyms, coaches, and directors should have an emergency response plan in the event of an injury.

• If it is detected that a participant is bleeding or has an open wound, the participant must stop performing to receive proper treatment.

• When a participant is rendered unconscious or seemingly unconscious, the participant shall not be permitted to resume participation without written authorization from a physician (MD/DO, APA, PA).

• It is highly recommended that wrist tape, tumbling wraps, wrist supports, etc., should be approved by and maintained under the direct supervision of a trainer, doctor and/or medical staff. The primary use of wrist aides is to provide support or assist in the healing process of an injury. A wrist aide is not to be used as a uniform accessory for effect.

** Note: It is a legal liability if self-wrapped; athletes are at risk for increased injury.

• Cheerleaders can compete with casts; however, they cannot participate in stunts and tumbling. Coaches cannot self-wrap.  Casts that are hard and unyielding or have rough edges must be appropriately covered with a padded material. Clarification: The appropriately padded material must be such that it protects both the cheerleader and fellow cheerleader from injury.

The spirit surface, location, and weather conditions should be taken into consideration before engaging in physical activity.

Location

Cheerleaders must practice and perform on appropriate surfaces. (For example, hard surfaces such as concrete, parking lots, and pavilions are not considered appropriate surfaces.) All practice sessions should be held in a location suitable for the activities of the athletes, e.g., use of tumbling mats is highly recommended, away from excessive noise and distractions, free from obstruction, etc. Stunts (mounts, pyramids and tumbling) shall be modified to be appropriate to the performing surface/area. 

Weather – Outside Practice

Practice should discontinue when weather conditions such as rain, hail, lightning, and high winds begin.

Violation of this rule will be reviewed by Compliance and ruled as a Level IV violation.

Props:

• Flags, banners, signs, poms, megaphones, and pieces of cloth (applies to dance squads) are the only props allowed. Props with poles or similar support apparatus may not be used in conjunction with any kind of stunt or weight bearing tumbling. All props must be safely discarded out of harm’s way (e.g., throwing a hard sign from a stunt would be prohibited). 

• ** DO NOT Mount/Dismount with Poms in hands.

• In game situations, signs must be placed outside of the football playing area (i.e., bench area, coaches’ box, and 25-yard lines). 

• The use of signs creates crowd participation and enthusiasm. Signs should not be derogatory or contain any artwork or verbiage that may violate an individual’s or group’s civil rights, should not discriminate against anyone regarding race, religion, sex, familial status etc. It is highly recommended that common sense and discretion be used when creating team signs or posters. (ex.: kill the bears)

• The use of any type of prop is prohibited during tumbling, partner stunt/ pyramid building, transitions which require the use of hands and all dismounting. (E.g., A person up in a stunt may be handed poms or a sign, but they must be discarded before dismounting.)

• Hiding poms anywhere on the body or uniform is a safety issue; it is prohibited.

• Stepping on poms/signs may interfere with the safety of the performance. A participant should not kick a pom/sign out of the way or step over a pom/sign. A spotter can move poms/signs out of the way if the spotter cannot safely reach/spot a stunt/pyramid. Clarification: Poms must be placed (put down, not tossed, thrown, or flung) out of harm’s way.

• Spotting - Violation results in Level IV violation.

• The active spotter is an integral part of the safety program. Spotting requires a constant visual with the top person/flyer (from shoulder height and above) and should not be looking at the crowd or making motions during the performance of the stunt. The primary responsibility of a spotter is to watch for safety hazards and be able to prevent injuries with special emphasis on the head, neck, and shoulder areas. This person shall not provide primary support of (weight bearing contact with) another person. The primary spotters should be participants from the squad. (Front and Back Spotters). Clarification: Back spotter should not be utilized as a base at any point during a stunt performance. (i.e., Spotter cannot get under the flier to assist)

• Game Time Stunts – Violation results in Level IV violation.

• Only TYFA certified cheerleaders can participate in a stunt group. Coaches (including Trainees), volunteers, parents and non-TYFA certified athletes are not substitutes for missing cheerleaders. 

• This rule is intended to reduce the increasing number of disturbing, and potentially dangerous, incidents that occur on the sidelines/performance area between persons who need to be there and those who do not. The performance area/sidelines are for those who are performing a service associated with action on the field of play and for administration of the game; it is not for spectators.

• Spirit Squads and Costumed Mascot's Area (Cheer Area) – Based upon the configuration of the field, the Spirit Area extends from the 40-yard line to the end zone for each cheer squad.  In addition, the Spirit Area must be at least 10 yards back off the sideline if there is no football team or 5 yards back away from the football team if there is one.  If the areas specified above are not available, squads are permitted to perform/stand 5 yards back away from the end zone. 

• Spectator Area – The area where the parents, guardians and other spectators sit will be at least 5 yards behind the cheerleaders (end zone to end zone).

• Field Level – Only certified volunteers and cheer/dance athletes may be in the cheer area.  IMPORTANT: A volunteer on the sideline may NOT carry a baby or have any child with them that is not certified on the roster currently playing. No exceptions.

• Game Day Facility – The facility in which TYFA events are being held will be considered a game day facility and all Spirit Squads, Costume Mascot’s, Pep Squads performing in a unified manner at the game day facility and the adults supervising them, must be certified; (sidelines, stands, end zone, field).

• No stunting while football is in play.

Refer to Appendix B - Volunteer Dress Code Policy. Violations of the Dress Code will be reviewed by Compliance and rules as a Level II violation.

• Practices are held by each individual organization as they see fit. However, all TYFA rules must be followed in addition to any of the organization's policies, procedures, and rules.

• Squad Size

• There is no minimum or maximum squad size required for GAME DAY.

• Game Stunts

• Do not utilize game days as a practice day. If you do not have a stunt perfected, do not perform it.

• Tinies (3-year-old)

• Tinies can participate with the cheer squads at football games at any age bracket.

• Tinies cannot perform any stunts with 5+ aged cheerleaders. The safety concern caused by the variance in age, maturity, and skill level between Tinies and the older participants limits the Tinies in their activities. In most instances, Tinies participate at the beginner level of cheer and dance and need to learn the basics of cheerleading, safety, and supporting the team.

• Flag thru Varsity (4 to 15-years-old)

• It is the general rule that each bracket cheers at their respective football age bracket game (e.g., Flag at the Flag game, Tykes at the Tykes game etc.) However, it is allowed to mix the cheerleaders for each game.

• Music, Chants and Cheers

• Refer to Chapter 1. Rule 4 / Music, Chants and Cheers

• Field Time

• Cheer coaches must keep their cheerleaders, pep squads, dance teams and costumed Mascots off the field except at halftime. Half-time cheers, dances or stunts will be limited to three minutes per squad and are to be performed for your own organization. The visiting squads shall perform first.

• Homecoming (only allowed during Fall Season)

• The Cheer Director of an organization hosting homecoming events must notify the opposing Cheer Director that it is their organization’s homecoming. The visiting organization is not allowed to perform halftime cheers, dances, or stunts unless arrangements have been made between the Cheer Directors. Violation of this rule will be reviewed by Compliance and charged as a Level I violation.

• Quarter (Show of Good Sportsmanship) 

• Highly recommended (only allowed during Fall Season)

• During the 3rd quarter there shall be a “Meet & Greet” and a cheer will be done for the opposing team. Organizations are not required to present the opposing team with goodies or gifts. If a “Meet & Greet” is done, squads should take pictures and post them on TYFA Cheer FB.

• Field Injury

• If a football player becomes injured during a game, cheerleaders, pep squads, dance teams and costumed Mascots are to become silent while the player is down.  Once the player is up or removed from the field applause should be given before resuming cheers and chants.

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Unsportsmanlike conduct by cheer staff and athletes will not be tolerated.  It is the Cheer Director’s responsibility to educate their staff and athletes on behavior while at any events.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will be reviewed by Compliance and will be ruled as a Level IV violation.

• End of Game Handshakes

• Cheerleaders and cheer volunteers may join in the line if they wish. If there were a lot of heated exchanges during the game, an organization should think twice before allowing cheer personnel to join the line. 

• Any cheerleader who will be at a football game in full uniform and performing in a unified manner along the sideline, in the stands or on the field must be certified.

• Any volunteer who will be at a football game with the cheer squads must be certified.

• If an organization is found to have any cheerleaders or volunteers in violation of this rule, the Cheer Director and the organization will be charged with a Level III violation.

• At TYFA-hosted playoffs and random regular season games, verification will be conducted by 1 to 2 TYFA Staff members; but never a game that contains one of their own teams. The TYFA Staff members will use the TYFA Web App to check the certification status of cheerleaders and cheer volunteers.

• A “Costumed Mascot” may only be in their Cheer Area or along their sideline. They cannot be in the Coaches Box. 

• A Mascot does not count against the number of allowed field level cheer or football staff.

• A Mascot is on the field to help motivate the crowd.  They are not allowed to coach, make comments to the referees or yell across the field at their team’s opponent.  This would be considered Unsportsmanlike Conduct and penalizes the football team (LOS/15). If a Mascot is ejected from the field for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Compliance will review and charge the organization with a Level IV violation.