GENERAL

1. Teams must have at least four (4) members. A maximum of thirty-six (36) members will be allowed in large divisions. Group stunts may have up to five (5) members and must provide a coach spotter who is familiar with the routine.
2. Team size will determine the division(s) teams will compete in. Competition management may add, delete, combine or split divisions, as well as, move teams to the appropriate division at their discretion. Based on the submitted registration, if teams are registered in the wrong division and do not meet the criteria outlined, teams can disqualified.
3. Teams may choose to participate as exhibition only for judges' evaluation and no score or score and no awards. There will be no minimum number of team members required for exhibition performances. Cost will be 50% of registration fees.
4. The American Athletic, Inc. Cheerleading Power Spring Floor will be used at all all-star competitions. The main competition area will be 42 ft. deep by 54 ft wide. All routines must be performed on the competition mat in the designated competition area. A 5.0 point deduction will apply for any team member going outside of the competition floor.
5. School teams will compete on a non-spring floor. The main competition area will be 42 ft. deep by 42 ft. wide. All routines must be performed on the competition mat in the designated competition area. A 5.0 point deduction will apply for any team member or prop going outside of the competition floor.
6. All team members must start within the competition area. All team members must be supporting their own weight with at least one foot
7. All choreography should be in good taste and suitable for family viewing. No suggestive or vulgar movements (i.e., excessive hip thrusting or pelvic movements) or profanity will be permitted. A neutral deduction of 10.0 will be accessed for each infraction.
8. Team members MAY compete in more than one (1) All-Star or School division as long as they abide by age restrictions in all divisions in which they compete. They may not compete on squads competing in the same division.
9. Mascots may perform with their squads. They must be registered participants and will be included in the squad size.
10. All participants must submit a signed waiver form prior to performing. NO EXCEPTIONS. Waivers will be valid for the entire series - August 2008 through August 2009 if participating in more than one Champions Cup Series competition.
11. In the event of an injury or other serious circumstances, substitutions may be made upon receiving approval from competition management. You may register alternates as part of your squad to replace any member of your squad during the competition. Age requirements still apply. The alternate must pay the registration fee.
12. Participants are not allowed to wear any jewelry. This includes, but is not limited to: ear, nose, tongue, facial or belly rings, clear plastic jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, rings or pins on uniforms. Any religious or medical jewelry that cannot be removed must be taped to the body and made known to competition management in advance of competition. A neutral deduction of 5.0 will be taken for each team member wearing unapproved jewelry.
13. Soft soled tennis shoes must be worn for competition in all cheer divisions. Dance shoes, dance boots, socks only or going barefoot will not be permitted for cheer competition.
14. Hair must be worn tied back and off the face. Any safety hazard caused by hair may result in a safety deduction.
15. Athletes and coaches may not be under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, performance enhancing substances, or over-the-counter medications while participating in a practice or performance that would hinder the ability to supervise or execute a routine safely.

Division Categories and Guidelines

Age Eligibility - Level 1 through Level 6

1. The age of each team member as of May 31, 2008 will be used to determine all divisions of competition for the 2008-2009 season. The oldest member of each squad will determine the division.
2. School Teams - All team members must be enrolled in a first or secondary state recognized school or officially sanctioned home school program. Proper documentation will be required for home school programs. The maximum age of team members must not exceed nineteen (19) years of age as of May 31st of the current school year and they must be enrolled as a high school senior. Team members with a high school diploma or GED certificate are not eligible to participate with school teams.
3. Age and grade requirements for each division will be strictly enforced. Teams must complete the Official Team Roster included with the registration form. A signature of the coach, gym owner or school principal will signify verification of each team member's age and grade and that they are a registered team member of the gym or school. Proof of age may be requested at any time by competition management.
4. Any team registered and competing in the wrong division unless moved to that division by competition management will be disqualified.
5. Substitutions may be made only in the event of injury or academic probation. All substitutions must meet the eligibility requirements and must be approved by competition management.

Timing

1. Maximum time requirements are set for each division. See division categories and guidelines for times.
2. Timing begins with the first organized movement, the first word or when the first note of music starts after the squad has taken the floor and is officially announced. Routine ends with the last organized movement, the last word or the last note of music. There will be a 10.0 point neutral deduction from the average team score for teams exceeding the time limit by more than ten (10) seconds.
3. Introductions, spell-outs and/or organized entrances are considered part of the routine and are timed as part of the performance. No spirited tumbling entrances are permitted. All participants must start in the competition area after placement of any props. Teams may not pre-build any partner stunts or pyramids before the timing starts. Each team member must be able to bare their own weight on at least one foot.
4. Teams may do a spirited exit, including tumbling if approved for division, without being timed or judged.
5. If the routine is interrupted due to operator error or failure of participant equipment, timing will continue. Teams will not have the option to repeat the performance.
6. In the event a routine is interrupted because of technical failure of competition equipment, facilities, etc., timing will continue. The team(s) affected will be permitted to repeat the performance if they wish to do so after receiving their first score.
7. If an injury occurs during a performance, the participant(s) may either continue or withdraw from the competition. Competition may be stopped by competition management for serious injuries.

Music

1. Each team is required to have two (2) copies of your performance music on CD. One (1) will be used for competition and one (1) available as a backup or to use during the warm-up period. Recordings should be made at a medium volume level. If using a CD, it is suggested that you bring a backup copy, as some home or custom burned CDs will not play on all sound systems.
2. Only one (1) piece of music per CD is permitted.
3. One (1) representative from each squad will report to the music table and remain throughout the entire performance. This representative must know exactly when to start and stop music.
4. Music should be reviewed for inappropriate language or profanity. A neutral deduction of 10.0 will be deducted for each infraction.
5. Performance music with voiceovers used to increase the volume of cheers or chants are prohibited.

Props

1. The only props allowed for competition are signs, megaphones, flags, banners and poms. Props with poles or similar support apparatus may not be used in conjunction with any kind of stunt or tumbling. All props must be carried on and off the competition floor by team members and must be physically used during competition. Placement of props should occur immediately following the previous team and placed by team members as quickly as possible.
2. Any sign, flag or banner with poles or supports may not be used in stunts, pyramids or tumbling.
3. No scenery or backdrops will be allowed.
4. Wearable items that are not considered hand held props (hats, gloves, etc.) are permitted. No tear away uniforms will be allowed.
5. Mini trampolines, springboards or any apparatus that aids in increasing height may NOT be used in any division. Use will result in disqualification.

Spotters

1. All teams can and should provide their own spotters. Spotters are required at the National level competitions.
2. Spotters are to assist in providing a safe competitive environment for all participants. Coaches should keep safety in mind when planning routines by allowing teams to perform only skills they are capable of performing safely and consistently.
3. A spotter is required for extended stunts. Spotters must be in direct contact with the performing surface, must be attentive to the skill being spotted and must be in a proper position to prevent injuries and does not have to be in direct contact with the stunt.
4. Spotters cannot stand so that their torso is under a stunt or grab the hand(s) of the base(s) beneath the partner's foot or the sole of the foot of the partner unless the other hand is on the ankle.
5. Partner Stunts must provide their own spotter for all competitions. No use of spotter will result in disqualification.

Performance Order

1. For Classics and Round One of Championships competition, the competition order will be determined by random draw conducted by Competition Management within each division.
2. For National Championships and Round Two/Day Two competitions, the competition order for Round Two/Day Two will be determined by splitting the competition order from Round One for each division in half and dropping the first half to the end of the order. The first team in the second half will be the first to compete in their division on Round Two/Day Two. For divisions with an odd number of teams, the largest number will be dropped.
   

   Example:

   Round 1	Round 2
   Team 1	Team 4
   Team 2	Team 5
   Team 3	Team 6
   Team 4	Team 1
   Team 5	Team 2
   Team 6	Team 3

3. Total team scores for two rounds of competition will be determined by averaging the scores from both rounds to determine the team standings

Video Taping and Photography

1. Video taping will be allowed at all Champions Cup Series competitions.
2. A professional video company may be on site at various competitions to video each routine. If present, videos of individual performance can be purchased on site during the competition.
3. A professional photographer will be on site at ALL Champions Cup Series competitions. Team and individual photo times will be scheduled and included on the competition schedule. Photos may be purchased on site.
4. Personal still photography cameras will be allowed. Flash photography is strictly prohibited.

Rule Interpretation or Difficulty Evaluation

1. All official rule interpretations or difficulty evaluations must be submitted in writing, accompanied by a VHS videotape or DVD of the skill or series in question. No phone calls or emails will be accepted. All official inquiries must include the following:
   1. Front, back and side view of the skill/series
   2. Letter stating request of rule interpretation or difficulty evaluation
   3. Club, team or school name, in addition to competition and division entering
   4. Contact information to include: coaches name, address, phone, fax and email address
2. All inquiries should be submitted to:

   USA SPORTS PRODUCTION Attn: Official Rule Interpretation P.O. Box 29185 Indianapolis, IN 46229

   Overnight Mailing: 7654 Fieldstone Court Greenfield, IN 46140

3. All inquiries must be received two (2) weeks prior to the date of the competition attending. VHS videotapes or DVDs will not be returned. It will be in your best interest to keep a copy of what was sent, in addition to any correspondence relating to the inquiry for your records.
4. All interpretations and evaluations will be made by the USA Sports Production Technical Committee. All results are final for that competition. Official inquiries may be resubmitted for any future competitions for re-evaluation.

Code of Conduct

1. Any display of unsportsmanlike conduct from any team member, coach, and/or parent will result in a neutral rule violation deduction of 5.0 to 10.0 as deemed appropriate by competition management. Multiple infractions will result in disqualification.
2. There will be no interaction with any judges of the competition by participants, coaches or spectators. Any concerns or questions should be made to the Competition Director.

Safety Requirements

Tumbling

1. All tumbling must originate from and land on the performing surface. Exception: Tumbler may (without hip-over-head rotation) rebound from his/her feet into a stunt transition. Rebounding to a prone position is allowed).
2. Tumbling over, under or through a stunt, individual or prop is prohibited. Exception: Forward/backward rolls over a prop are legal.
3. Tumbling while holding or in contact with a prop is prohibited.
4. Spotted, assisted or connected tumbling where two or more individuals are in direct physical contact with each other is prohibited. (i.e., toe pitch flip) Exception: When tumbling into a rebound that transition to a stunt, physical contact is allowed. Gymnastics oriented mounts, dismounts and transitions such as cartwheels, round-offs, walkovers and rewinds are not considered tumbling, but part of the stunts as long as inversion rules are followed.
5. Dive rolls performed in a swan or layout position are prohibited.

Tosses

1. Tosses must be performed from ground level and must land in a cradle position. Flyer must be caught in a cradle position by three (3) original bases one of which is positioned at the head and shoulder area of the flyer.
2. Flyers may not be tossed to another set of bases. Exception: When allowed by specific level rules.
3. Bases must remain stationary during the toss (i.e., No intentional traveling tosses). Exception: ¼ turn by bases to catch the cradle is permitted.
4. Tosses are limited to a total of four (4) tossing bases. One (1) base must be behind the flyer during the toss and may assist the flyer into the toss.
5. No stunt, pyramid, individual or prop may move over or under a toss and a toss may not be thrown over, under or through stunts, pyramids, individual or props.
6. Helicopter tosses are prohibited. Exception: Where allowed by specific level rules. Exception: Levels 5 & 6 - Helicopters are limited to a 180 degree rotation with a half (½) twist and must be caught by at least three (3) catchers, one of which is positioned at head and shoulder area of the flyer. A helicopter toss where the flyer remains in an upright position (i.e., straddle sit) is limited to a 360 degree rotation.
7. Re-catches are prohibited.

Stunts/Pyramids

1. All stunts/pyramids are limited to two (2) persons high.
2. Flyers must receive primary support from a base. Exception: In hanging pyramids, primary supporting flyer must be at prep level or below.
3. Levels 1 - 5 – A spotter is required for all extended stunts. The spotter must stand directly beside or behind the stunt and may brace the stunt. If braced the spotter must have at least one (1) hand on the flyer’s ankle/leg or base’s wrist/arm. The spotter may not be involved in any other choreography during the stunt.
4. Level 6 – A spotter is required for all extended single leg one-armed stunts where the foot extends away from the body. The spotter must stand directly beside or behind the stunt. The spotter may not be involved in any other choreography during the stunt.
5. For two and a half (2½) high pyramids (Level 6) there must be a spotter in front and back from each person on the third level and the spotter(s) must be in a position the entire time the top person(s) is at the two and a half (2½) high level(s). Spotters may stand slightly to the side but must remain in a position to adequately spot the top person. Spotters must maintain visual contact with the top person the entire time the top person is at the two and a half (2½) high level. Spotters may not be a primary support of the pyramid. These spotters (as well as all spotters for all levels) must be your own team’s members and trained in proper spotting technique.
6. Levels 1 – 5 – Single based stunts at prep level or above must have a spotter assisting the cradle with at least one (1) hand/arm supporting the head and shoulder area when cradling.
7. Multi-based stunts at prep level or above must have two (2) catchers and a separate spotter positioned at the head and shoulder area when cradling.
8. Level 6 – Single based cradles that exceed one and a quarter (1¼) twisting rotations must have a spotter assisting the cradle with at least one hand/arm supporting the head and shoulder of the top person.
9. Single based split catches are prohibited.
10. Single based double awesomes/cupies require a separate spotter for each flyer.

Stunt Transitions

1. Levels 1 – 5 – When catching a transitional stunt that is above prep level at least three (3) catchers are required. If weight of the flyer does not remain within the vertical axis of the stunt, three (3) stationary catchers that are not original bases are required. Physical contact must be maintained with at least one (1) original base or with a person at prep level or below when level rules allow.
2. Level 6 – When changing bases from a stunt above prep level at least two (2) bases are required. Exception: If the weight of the flyer does not remain within the vertical axis of the stunt three (3) additional stationary catchers are required.
3. No stunt, pyramid or individual may move over or under the head or torso of a flyer (i.e., shoulder sits walking under prep). Exception #1: Level 6, Exception #2: Entrance skills or transitional stunts where a flyer moves over or under an original base that is in direct weight bearing contact with the performance surface (i.e., dirty bird, pooper scooper, leap frog, vault over, etc).
4. Level 6 – No stunt, pyramid, individual or prop may move over or under a flipping toss, and a flipping toss may not be thrown over, under or through stunts, pyramids, individuals or props.
5. Level 6 – When transitioning over a stunt or pyramid, direct physical contact must be maintained between the flyer and a person at prep level or below. Level 5 – Three (3) catchers must catch flyer. Level 6 – Two (2) catchers must catch the flyer.
6. Levels 1 – 5 – Extended one-legged stunts may not brace any other extended stunts.
7. Hanging pyramids must remain upright. For Levels 1 – 5 – Each flyer at the prep level must have a continuous spotter and bases must brace the hanging person(s).

Dismounts

1. Dismounts to the performing surface from stunts and pyramids must be assisted.
2. Levels 1 – 5 – No free flipping: mounts, dismounts or transitional stunts allowed.
3. Back bends that support any primary weight from a flyer are prohibited.
4. Free flipping skills to the performance surface are prohibited.
5. Tension drops/rolls of any kind are prohibited.
6. When cradling single based double awesomes/cupies two (2) separate catchers must catch each flyer. Physical contact must be maintained with an original base. Catchers and bases must be stationary prior to the initiation of the dismount.

Registration Information

• USA Sports Production and the Champions Cup Series reserves the right to disqualify and team/individual who does not adhere to all terms of the 2008-2009 Rules & Guidelines in the Competition Manual
• USA Sports Production and the Champions Cup Series reserves the right to add, change, delete or combine divisions for any reason
• USA Sports Production and the Champions Cup Series reserves the right to cut off registration prior to the deadline date

Champions Cup Series Weather Policy

The Champions Cup Series will NOT cancel any event due to weather conditions. The competition will go on regardless of rain, sleet, hail or snow! Please make all necessary arrangements so that you will not have any problems traveling to the event on time. Keep an eye on the local and national weather forecasts so that you are prepared for any inclement weather. NO refunds or expense reimbursement will be given for teams missing their scheduled competition time.