KHSAA CHEERLEADING (In-game support
and Competitive Cheer)
Frequently Asked Questions (as of May
1, 2012)
This list will be updated as topics are resolved. Keep in mind that
there are various approval requirements for much of the information, and final determinations
may not be available until May, 2012 or July, 2012
GENERAL INFORMATION
Is cheer now a “Sport”?
The KHSAA does not have the authority to designate Cheer as a sport.
Within the programs of the KHSAA, Competitive Cheer is categorized as a “sport
activity”. The Office of Civil Rights continues to state within the Federal
regulations that cheer is not a sport.
However, based on the September, 2008 Dear Colleague Letter from the
Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education (entitled
“Dear Colleague Letter: Athletic Activities Counted for Title IX Compliance”),
the KHSAA sponsoring a competitive cheer championship opens individual
opportunities for schools and districts to work directly with OCR in specific
cases. Based on that letter, schools may be able to individually and on a
case-by-case basis, petition OCR, when a state governing body sanctions or
sponsors an activity, to permit the individual school to count participation on
the competitive cheer team toward Title IX requirements. A copy of that letter
will be posted on the KHSAA web site.
Is the KHSAA now sponsoring a cheer championship?
Yes, in 2012-2013, the KHSAA will conduct a competitive cheer
championship. Divisions will be created for all-girls competition, and coed
competition.
With the KHSAA now sponsoring a competitive cheer championship, does
that make cheer exactly the same as all other sports and activities within the
school?
The management of individual teams within a school is a local decision.
School administrators will decide about issues such as compensation, travel
allowances and other benefits in compliance with federal, state and locally
adopted policies. Nothing about the KHSAA adding this sport activity makes
anything “automatic” within a school or school district.
How is cheer going to be managed within the KHSAA?
The Commissioner has appointed Assistant Commissioner Butch Cope to be
the day-to-day liaison for competitive cheer within the office. Mr. Cope will
also be the direct point of contact for questions about cheer in those schools
that choose not to enter the competitive cheer competition.
An Advisory committee has been appointed by the Commissioner to help
with the implementation and management of the championship. This committee will
be divided into sub-committees to perform various functions throughout the year
related to the championships. Many of these individuals will be representing
geographic sections of the state, with Section 1 being regions 1-4, Section 2
being regions 5-8, Section 3 being regions 9-12 and Section 4 being regions
13-16. The names and demographic information about the Advisory Committee will
be posted on the KHSAA web site.
Where will all of the rules be printed about the cheer championship?
Each August, the KHSAA produces its Handbook, which includes Tournament
Rules for all sports and sport-activities. When finalized, these rules will be
published in the Handbook, placed on the KHSAA web site, and distributed to all
member schools.
Any discussion that necessitates an amendment to the KHSAA Constitution
or Bylaws will be properly submitted through the Board of Control and appear on
the agenda of the Annual Meeting of the member schools in September.
SEASON LENGTH AND BYLAW COMPLIANCE
When is the first date of practice?
The first date of practice for cheer and competitive cheer is July 15.
What is the maximum number of competitive cheer competitions?
The maximum number of competitions is three (3), not including an event
sponsored by KAPOS, and not including the KHSAA region and state competitions.
When does the Competitive Cheer season end?
The season ends for competitive cheer April 1. Team members may still
act as support groups for school-based teams through final elimination in KHSAA
postseason play. Restrictions contained in the limitation of seasons reflect
only restrictions and allowances for competitive cheer.
Will there be a limit on team size for competitive cheer?
No. There are not team size limits in any KHSAA sport or
sport-activity. However, individual competitions will likely (as will KHSAA)
limit the number of competitors in a given division or within a defined
competition area.
Which KHSAA Bylaws ARE applicable to Cheer and Competitive Cheer?
Currently, the following KHSAA Bylaws apply to competitive cheer teams
and all other sport activities -
Bylaw 1 (Responsibility for Eligibility);
Bylaw 2 (Physician’s & Parental Consent Form and Insurance
requirement);
Bylaw 3 (Age, per state law);
Bylaw 5 (Minimum Academic Requirement);
Bylaw 9 (Other Eligibility Requirements and Regulations);
Bylaw 11 (Practice of Sportsmanship);
Bylaw 14 (Protests);
Bylaw 15 (Request for Rulings);
Bylaw 16 (Protests);
Bylaw 17 (Supplying Information);
Bylaw 18 (Countersigning Contracts);
Bylaw 19 (Submission of Reports);
Bylaw 20 (Member of Faculty to Accompany team);
Bylaw 21 (Compliance with NFHS Rules);
Bylaw 23 (Sanctioning and approval of out of state travel);
Bylaw 24 (Forfeits);
Bylaw 25 (Limitation of Season);
Bylaw 26 (Summer Activities);
Bylaw 27 (Coaching Requirements);
Bylaw 28 (Distribution of Tournament Profits);
Bylaw 29 (Officials Division);
Bylaw 30 (Coaches not to officiate) and
Bylaw 33 (Penalties)
Which KHSAA Bylaws ARE NOT applicable to Cheer and Competitive
Cheer?
Bylaw 4 (Enrollment);
Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule);
Bylaw 7 (Non-Domestic Students);
Bylaw 8 (Contestant on Other Teams);
Bylaw 12 (Amateur and Awards);
Bylaw 13 (Financial Aid);
Bylaw 22 (Specific Sport Regulations);
Bylaw 31 (Use of Licensed Officials) and
Bylaw 32 (Agreement regarding professional baseball)
Competition Rules (Bylaw 21)
Cheer (In-game support) and Competitive Cheer must adhere to NFHS
Cheer/Spirit Rules during all practices, games and competitions, both in and
out of state, as well as any other NFHS playing rules in specific sports that
address cheerleaders. While the rules of other organizations may be used at
specific competitions, all teams and team members MUST comply with all NFHS
Cheer/Spirit rules at all times in practice or competition.
Sanctioning/Out of State Travel (Bylaw 23)
Any out-of-state travel must be sanctioned and approved by the KHSAA at
least 30 days prior to the event. No out-of-state travel will be approved for
teams that do not participate in the KHSAA region competition or for those that
participate in the region competition and then withdraw from the state
competition after having qualified.
Coaches Requirements (Bylaw 27)
All Coaches must meet KHSAA Bylaw 27 Minimum Coaching Requirements
including coach education requirements, Sports Safety & Concussion,
KHSAA/NFHS Rules Clinic. This includes faculty and non-faculty coaches and any
other individual involved in cheer-specific training such as choreographers or
any other activity specific component. These individuals must be listed on the
KHSAA Coaching Registry.
JUDGES
Who will assign the judges for Region/State?
Judges will be assigned by the KHSAA in consultation with the Rules
subcommittee of the Advisory Committee.
Who will train judges?
Judges will be trained by the KHSAA with assistance of the Rules
subcommittee of the Advisory Committee.
What score sheet will be used for KHSAA competition?
The Rules subcommittee of the Advisory Committee will develop and
distribute a score sheet to be used for each division of the championships.
COMPETITION
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR THE KHSAA REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
When will KHSAA Region Competitions be held?
Region competitions will be held during the window of December 1
through January 19.
Who will select and manage the region competitions?
The Cheer Advisory Committee will have a subcommittee with individuals
specifically assigned to help locate and facilitate region competitions. The
final assignments for site selection will be made by the KHSAA. These
individuals will be listed on the KHSAA web site.
What is the entry fee for region competition?
There is no entry fee to participate in the KHSAA competition.
How will funds be divided from Region Competitions?
Funds from receipts from region competitions shall be divided based
upon agreement of the schools in the region. Should a written policy not be in
place, they shall be divided evenly following expenses.
What are the competitions divisions for the all-girls championships?
The divisions will be as follows:
Small – minimum of 6, maximum of 12
Medium – minimum of 13, maximum of 16
Large – minimum of 17, maximum of 20
Super Large – minimum of 21, maximum of 24
What are the competition divisions for the coed championships?
Coed teams shall all compete in one division. A coed team must have at
least 3 boys and at least 3 girls. A coed team shall have a minimum of 6 (3
boys and 3 girls) total members and not more than 24 total members.
Can a school enter multiple teams in the region competition?
Yes. A school may enter separate
teams (no competitor on both teams) in not more than two separate divisions of
the region competition.
Withdrawal from Region Competition
All squads will be considered to have been entered the region
competition as of December 1. Any school that fails to notify the region
competition manager prior to December 1 that they will not be competing who
then subsequently does not compete will be ineligible to enter the region
competition for a period of not less than two years. No out-of-state travel
will be approved for teams that do not participate in the KHSAA region
competition or for those that participate in the region competition and then
withdraw from the state competition after having qualified.
COMPETITION
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR THE KHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
When is the 2013 KHSAA State Competitive Cheer Competition?
The 2013 KHSAA State Competitive Cheer Competition will be Saturday,
Jan. 26 at WKU E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.
Who advances to State Competition?
The winning school in each division at each region shall advance to the
State Competition. There is no other method of qualifying for the state
competition.
Withdrawal from the State Competition
Any school that participates in the region competition and then
withdraws from the state competition after having qualified, will be ineligible
to enter the region competition for a period of not less than two years. No
out-of-state travel will be approved for teams that do not participate in the
KHSAA region competition or for those that participate in the region
competition and then withdraw from the state competition after having
qualified.
