It is TYFA’s discretion to move any single squad to another division/group size when there is no other competing squad(s). The cheer director will be notified at least 14 days prior to competition when at all possible.

Glitter (Craft/Art; spray glitter used inside in any venue) is prohibited at competition whether on signs, face, hair, spirit/noise makers (This applies to all TYFA participants/volunteers and spectators).

Competition Area:

• 1. Competition Floor size: 54’ wide x 42’ deep (9 strips non-spring)

  2. Participants must start in the competition area with at least one foot on the mat.

  3. Teams may line up anywhere inside the competition area.

  4. Warm-up Area Consist of:

     • • Floor Size: 42’ wide x 42’ deep (7 strips non-spring)

       • Stretch Area

  5. For Individual/Duo/Trio/Quad, if performed in separate venue:

     • Floor Size: 42’ wide x 42’ deep (7 strips non-spring)

There shall be no cutting from the regular season roster for competition unless there is a written medical reason, nor shall substitutions be permitted. When competing, a squad may not use the name of another squad's MASCOT any time during the routine. Squads may use generic mascot names (i.e., Nicknames-Squids, etc.). All competitors must be in appropriate uniform.

**Crossover Participant/Individual: Fee is listed on Cheer Fee schedule. Tinies cannot crossover.

All facets of a performance or routine, including choreography, music and outfitting should be age appropriate and suitable for family viewing and listening.

The payment due date will be included on the Cheer Fee schedule of your competition packet. 

If a squad wishes to withdraw from participation, they must do so by sending an email to CompHelp@tyfa.com prior to 12:01 am of specified past due date. 

After a specified past due date, no refunds or credit will be given to a squad or parent who purchased official TYFA tickets or merchandise. 

If, in the opinion of the competition officials, a squad's routine is interrupted because of failure of the official or host equipment, facilities, or other factors attributable to the competition event rather than the squad, the squad affected will be allowed to present its routine later in the competition which will be determined by TYFA staff.

The Safety/Deduction Judge reserves the right to stop a routine, assess a deduction, and/or disqualify a squad for a uniform distraction (e.g., garment not being securely fastened, straps break, pants split etc.)

The Safety/Deduction Judge, coach, athlete or TYFA Official, reserves the right to stop a routine due to an obvious injury. If an injury causes the squad's routine to be interrupted, the squad may perform again at a time of TYFA’s discretion. 

Show Cheer – Spirited entrances are NOT allowed, only spirit exits ARE allowed, but must NOT include tumbling or stunt skills.

Sideline Cheer - Spirited entrances and exits ARE allowed but must NOT include tumbling or stunt skills. 

• • Formal entrances and exits are prohibited (i.e., crowd response chants or cheers, team huddles or stunts). 

  • Teams should take no longer than 20 seconds to enter and set for their routine. 

  • Teams should enter and go directly to their starting position immediately upon taking the floor, unless they are setting signs, poms, flags, or props for the routine. 

  • Walking directly in uniform fashion to the team’s starting position is allowed. 

  • Timing will begin with the first choreographed word, movement, skill, or note of music following the team’s entrance to the performance surface. 

  • Teams may use a short count and a set prior to the start of the music/cheer. (Example: “5, 6, 7, 8 – Panthers!) 

  • Timing will end with the last choreographed word, movement, skill, or note of music preceding the team’s exit from the performance surface. 

  • Coaches may not delay the start of the routine to fix formations.

All participants must be in contact with the performance surface at the start of the routine (exception: Flyers may start with both feet in bases’ hands provided each of the bases have both hands in contact with the performance surface).

Only registered participants of a team are allowed on the performance surface. Coaches may NOT set up signs, poms, etc. for the team (exception: Division 4).

Licensed Music is Required for every cheer/dance performance for competition. 

TYFA requires proof of license to be kept in hand (e.g., notebook, tablet/e-file). This is to ensure that one complies with US Copyright laws and protects you from any legal issues. 

Reach out to cheerhelp@tyfa.com for more information.

Depending on the type of routine, music may or may not need to be incorporated. Read the rules.

Music Submission

All squads must submit their music selection 2 weeks prior to competition along with copy proof of license.

Music File Name should match the teams name on the schedule. More information will be provided in the competition packet. 

Competition

Coaches will NOT be able to start or stop the music. This will prevent any operational issues or malfunctions.

No devices will be utilized.

If interruption occurs during the performance refer to Rule 3 – Interruption of Performance.

TYFA has the authority to decide on any issue, penalty or rule that is unclear or not specifically addressed in this book. TYFA will render a judgment to ensure that the competition is conducted in a manner consistent with the general spirit and goals of the competition and TYFA.

The Cheer Competition Awards will be evaluated and determined on a yearly basis.

Cheer Squad Specialty Scholastic Award (CSSA) – Refer to Chapter 1 of the General Cheer Rules.

Cheer Volunteer of the Year – Refer to Chapter 1 of the General Cheer Rules 

Bids are awarded by a sponsoring National Cheer Competition Agent and will be based on availability.  TYFA will not provide any monetary assistance for these events.

Qualified panels and a TYFA representative will be used for the competition.  All decisions of the judges are final.  There are no protests for decisions of the judges.

Exceptions: These rules apply only if the competition schedule allows cheer directors/coaches to receive their deduction sheets/scores and potentially discuss their deduction points with a qualified judge. In case a deduction is disputed, cheer directors/coaches must present supporting evidence from YCADA rules/regulations related to the Skill/Stunt/Pyramid in question for clarification.

Individual judge’s score sheets are for the exclusive use of each judge. Each judge has the responsibility and authority to review and submit his/her final score and rankings prior to the final tally of the score for all teams. Score and rankings will be available only to advisors or coaches at the conclusion of the competition. 

Any cheerleader, coach, or supporter of a squad, involved in any act of harassment of judges, scorekeepers, competition volunteers or TYFA Officials, or displaying conduct deemed likely to bring Cheerleading into dispute, will result in the entire squad being DISQUALIFIED prior to awards or the organization being charged with a Level IV violation after review by Compliance.

By participating in a competition, each squad agrees that decisions by the judges and TYFA Officials will be final and will not be subject to review. Each squad acknowledges the necessity for the judges and TYFA Officials to make prompt and fair decisions in this competition and each squad therefore expressly waives any legal, equitable, administrative, or procedural review of such decisions. 

All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the competition with positive presentation upon entry and exit from the performance area as well as throughout the routine. The advisor and coach of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and other persons affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. Severe cases of unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for disqualification.

Only registered squads (completed and accepted rosters) may compete in the competition. These squads can only be made up of certified athletes and volunteers. There are no exceptions.

Refer to Appendix C / Certification Process

Dual Participation/60-Mile Boundary (applicable to competing cheerleaders)

Cheerleaders who are certified with TYFA and are registered with any other youth league or team (recreational, competitive, non-competitive, select, all-star, city, or travel team) during the fall season (from July 1st through the TYFA State Cheer Competition) are considered dual participants.

Cheerleaders are not subject to the 60-mile boundary rule like football players and face different implications regarding dual participation. While football players generally cannot dual participate except under specific circumstances, cheerleaders have the following guidelines for dual participation:

If a cheerleading squad has fewer than 4 members dual participating, they can compete in TYFA Classic.

If a squad has more than 3 members dual participating, they must compete in TYFA Elite.

If a cheerleader is certified with another non-TYFA league or team during the season and decides to switch to a TYFA team, they must present a letter from their former league or team during certification. The letter should confirm the cheerleader's departure, be signed, dated, and include contact information (email and phone number). Failure to provide this documentation will classify the cheerleader as a dual participant.

Prior to taking the mat for warm up, each squad and accompanying volunteers will be verified against the submitted roster and the TYFA Web App.  

If any of the cheerleaders are found with holds of any type, or not in the TYFA Web App, the squad will be allowed to perform with a deduction.

If any accompanying volunteer is found with holds of any type, or not in the TYFA Web App, they will not be allowed to participate, and the organization will need to replace them with a certified volunteer. If there is no replacement, the volunteer will be allowed to accompany the squad, but the squad will be penalized with a deduction.

In addition, uniforms for both the cheerleader/dancers and the volunteers will be checked.  See Rule 15 – Dress Code.

There are no exceptions to this rule. 

The volunteers who are authorized to accompany the squads to the warmup area must stay at the DJ’s location while their squad is performing.  

Coaching Exception: 

Tinies squad is allowed to have one (1) coach to assist the squad with their routine. This coach must be off the mat, to the RIGHT OR LEFT side close to the corner of the mat to avoid hindering the view of the judges, audience, and videographer. 

If there is a uniform violation of a cheerleader and it cannot be fixed prior to taking the mat for the performance, the squad will be penalized with a uniform deduction.  

If any accompanying volunteer is found with a uniform violation which cannot be fixed prior to their squad taking the warmup mat, they will not be allowed to participate, and the organization will need to replace them with another certified volunteer. If there is no replacement, the volunteer will be allowed to accompany the squad, but the squad will be penalized with a uniform deduction.

As a coach, it is important to be current on TYFA & YCADA rules.  If you have any questions regarding specific performance elements, rules etc., please go to www.ycada.org/tyfa and click on Rule Questions? Tab and fill out the form or you can email rules@ycada.org. If you have TYFA specific questions, email comphelp@tyfa.com. This will ensure that you receive a timely and accurate response to your questions.

For all legality questions, it is best to upload a video of the skill in question to YCADA.

If you are unsure, it is always best to send a video for confirmation/clarification.

• • Fill out form properly:

    • • Include your name and email address.

      • Organization: Other

      • Enter your organization’s name: SE Texans

      • League Name: TYFA

      • Select Category and skill level (Level 1, 2, or 3)

Do NOT send videos to TYFA.

Safety Spotter: Certified volunteer(s) on the competition floor provided as safety precaution to spot certain elements of a routine.

To promote a higher level of safety for competing athletes, TYFA will allow organizations to provide their own spotters at TYFA competition. Coaches are more qualified to provide spotters because of their familiarity with their routine and skills. The use of spotters is left up to the discretion of the director. Squads may use up to 2 spotters for each performance; however, spotters are not required. 

Spotters:

Should only be used during the stunt, pyramid, and/or basket toss sections. Additional spotters are provided for added safety and should stand at the back of the floor when not spotting those sections. 

Spotters are not allowed to verbally coach while their team is on the performance surface, perform physical choreography of the routine or assist athletes with their choreography.

Should not touch, assist, or save skills being performed. Any touch, assist, or saved skill will be given a major fall deduction. Additional spotters are not allowed to replace a legal spotter that is required for building skills.

Should be certified cheer staff.

Should be dressed within the TYFA Dress Code.

Should act in a manner that distracts from the athletes and their performance.

Should be at least 18 years old and familiar with spotting the skills of the performing team.

On the occasion that a division has at least 10 or more competing squads, TYFA may split them into an ‘A’ and ‘B’ thereby giving squads more chance at placement. This split cannot occur unless a minimum of 2 squads are left in group A and B.