MISCELLANEOUS

Question #1: On the Regional ticket order request it shows # of participants (this count is to match up with the roster) and # of tickets ordered. Is the # of participants just the cheerleaders?
Answer: Yes
Do I need to include the # of coaches somewhere, last year they did not require tickets.
Answer: The coaching staff will receive up to 10 passes only.  If you have more than that on your roster, (which you shouldn't have) then you need to buy more tickets and you should include them in this ticket order form.

Question #2: When are the teams required to check in?
Answer: We will have the order of appearance on the site by Monday afternoon.  We have not pulled for placement yet. That is being done tomorrow at our Regional meeting. Friday, November 4, 2005. Once the placement is done, we will have the warm up times also listed on the same form.  The check in time is usually at the discretion of the coach.  We tell coaches to plan on having the teams there at least 2 hours before your warm up time.  Please take into consideration the weather and any accidents on the road that you may encounter.  Registration and/or check in is only done on the day of the event.

Question #3: This is our first year and I have a lot of questions etc...from parents.  The hotel situation is very difficult to plan, so we are looking into renting a charter bus to drive the girls and parents up and back on Sunday.  Since they participate in the afternoon session, is there a check in time for them in the afternoon, and mat time?  If the target start time is at approx 1:30, my best guess is that they ALL need to be at a check in spot at the Worcester Arena by noon.
Answer: You should plan on having them there at around noon.  The warm up time and mat time will be posted once we pull for placement on Friday night, November 4, 2005.  I hope to have it posted by Monday afternoon.

Question #4: Also, Tickets....I have been prepaying on my own and then "trying" to get reimbursed accordingly.  It is not always easy and I have just prepaid for many state comp tickets.  Is it possible for the parents to order their own tickets on line or over the phone to be held for pick up at the event?  If so can you please advise asap.
Answer: NO, because once we do the pre-order tickets, then the facility takes over the ticket sales.  We can not sell our own tickets at the venue.  This is the policy of the venue.  This is another reason why the tickets are $1 more at the facility because we have to pay for their staff to work the box office.

Question #5:  What time with the afternoon sessions start on Saturday and Sunday?
Answer: Most of the time, we start the afternoon session approximately 2 pm.  Please don't hold us to that time, but it has been that way for the past 3 years.  I am hoping things work out and we may be able to start at 1:30pm.  This is why we don't want it posted.

Question #6 : Why are there teams missing from the program book? My team and/or daughter's name was not listed in the program book. Why?
Answer: The form for the program book has been on the website since the second week in October 2005. All coaches have been instructed to fill this form out immediately following their notification that they will be advancing onto Regionals. We have sent out numerous emails and have posted the requests several times on the website and the coach has not done it yet. There is a deadline for printing the program books. All coaches are responsible for this part of the program. If it is not done by the coach, then we will put a statement in the program book. The Region is not responsible for any teams that have been omitted from the program book.

Question #7: Will there be scores posted on the website?
Answer: There will not be scores posted on the website. Only the teams that trophied will be listed on the site. You can ask you Cheer Coordinator for information as to where your team placed but nothing is allowed in writing.

STUNTS

Question #1: Need clarification on a Body Drop/Flat Drop.  A team standing in set, then they drop to do push-ups, hands touch first, knees never touch is this legal?
Answer: This is not legal.  It is considered a drop and not allowed in Pop Warner

Question #2: Team waiting to come on floor, announcer announces them "Now taking the floor  the who cares team".  They spirit on and setup waiting for the second announcement.  While waiting, the flyer puts her foot in the bases hand to get ready for stunt.  Will the time start then or when the second announcement is made?
Answer: The time should not start in this case.  However, if you use words, etc., then the time should start.  If you continue to build further, then the time should start.  But just to put feet into bases hands is not considered building and therefore, the time should not start.

Question #3: The flyer is in a full lib - they bring her down to a 1/2  on the way down to the 1/2  the secondary base lets go to grab her foot for the 1/2 and then they twist.  So for a quick second she only has one base.  Is this legal?             Answer: Must have complete contact with at least one base. The stunt needs to have contact with the flyer, no release. 

Question #4: This organization has a girl that pulls her hair out due to a nervous condition.  She has a medical note stating that she is required to wear something covering her head due to this condition.  Can she or can she not wear this bandana.
Answer: You must have this in writing and keep this in the book.  Absolutely no stunting.

Question #5: Midget dance team perform this move ...a hip hop move ...called a chest pop ... they are down on their knees ... leaning all the way back, head almost touching the ground and they are suppose pop out their chest ....about 4 times in an 8 count. I'm not sure it is what PW would say is appropriate. I spoke to the coach she states it should only be the chest BUT some of the dancers get their entire torso involved. Should I strongly suggest it is removed from the routine? I know it is difficult to picture this move in your mind but we are willing to take any suggestions...
Answer: I have told this team to take it out and have a back up plan.  I told them that if they have to ask the question, then they shouldn't be doing the move. Another suggestion would be to pop without using the chest. Do only 1 pop with the chest, if necessary.

Question #6: can we throw a kick double basket if we start the basket from the side and catch it from the side.
Answer: Advanced squads only - video in case. providing you are only turning to the side for a side view.  Bases can turn to the side.  Kick Double Basket is legal in the Advanced Division.

Question #7: I have a team that wants to know if they can drop forward into a push up position, from a standing position. Do you still consider this maneuver, dropping to a push-up position from standing with their hands hitting the floor and absorbing the fall to be a Front Drop?
Answer: Yes, I do consider this maneuver to be a drop.
Answer: This is not legal.  It is considered a drop and not allowed in Pop Warner

Question #8 - Can a novice team dismount from a cradle by doing a pike, tuck and or toe touch? (These are the easy ones that I get confused on. I know that they are only allowed to do straight rides.)
Answer: Only basic cradles are allowed from stunts in novice.  Twisting, arch, toe touch, pike, tucks, etc...are not allowed.

Question #9 - Can a novice team is in an extension stunt, can they release and/or dismount from the extension level or do they have to return to prep level before dismounting?
Answer: It doesn't say that you can't.  In a two legged extended stunt, extension, you can do a basic cradle.  Dismounts (from one leg stunt) should be an obvious part of the cradle.  If dismount is an obvious free standing release (from one leg extended stunt) then there will be a deduction. 

Question #10: Sequence
Answer: Sequin, rhinestones and beaded costumes must be securely placed on the uniform. For cheer squads, they must be used as the squad lettering or striping by all squad members and not used as a prop in competitions. Rhinestones/sequins should be attached to the uniform, sewn or punched on.

Question #11 Rhinestones
Answer: Rhinestones glued on the face or stick on peel off stickers to the face are illegal.

Question #12: Rhinestones for Dance
Answer: Jewels that are affixed to costume fabric for decorative purposes are permitted (i.e., soft fabric chokers that are decorated with small rhinestones, Chokers made of Styrofoam balls that are secured to a piece of elastic, etc.) Rhinestone bracelets and rhinestones adhered to the face are not permitted.

Question #13: Mascot tumbling at games
Answer: They are only permitted to perform crowd participation cheers and sidelines.

Question #14: Bandana on head for Medical Reason during competition
Answer: This is permitted as a safety precaution to the participant. She may not be involved with a stunt or any tumbling. 

Question #15: Scarf on Head to keep Hair Straight during games
Answer: This is a parental decision to allow the child to wear a scarf around the head to keep the hair straight during games. Note that it is not permitted at competition, it is a safety hazard and a point deduction.

If the parent wants to wear this during the game the child cannot participate in a stunt, pyramid, jump, tumbling or any type of cheer activity other than basic cheers, sidelines or a pep dance routine. There must be no contact with other stunting participants for safety purposes.

Question #16: Dance Move – Chest Pop
Answer: A hip hop move, called a chest pop is described as the following:
the girls are down on their knees ... leaning all the way back, head almost touching the ground and they pop out their chest ....about 4 times in an 8 count. some of the dancers get their entire torso involved.

Question #16A: Should I strongly suggest it is removed from the routine?
Answer: The team was told by the region to take it out and have a back up plan.  I told them that if they have to ask the question, then they shouldn't be doing the move.

The question would be is it appropriate for the age group, not vulgar or suggestive. There are ways to choreograph shoulder/head pops without throwing the chest and torso. If the coach needs further suggestions, please advise.

Question #17- Twist Down
Answer: First stunt sequence ends as a single based at prep level. (see attached twistdown.MPG)  Can we we twist (single) down from this?

Twist down can be performed at Intermediate Level from two legged extended stunt and one legged prep level stunt. Twists can be performed at the Advanced Level, all cradles are limited to 2 ¼ twists.

Question #18 – Dyed Hair
A cheerleader has professionally dyed pink hair, her coach wants it dyed its natural color, the mother says it is not against the rules and doesn't want to change it. I checked the rule book and all it says is no hair mascara, glitter, those types of things, nothing about hair dye. The coach believes her team will not be allowed to compete at competition if this child has pink hair.
Answer: We cannot stop an individual from dying their hair whether it is blonde, pink or black. As long as the hair is back and away from the face it is permitted. If an entire team were to dye their hair orange and black to match their team colors, then I would say that it is being used as a prop and not a parent/guardian individual decision.

Question #19 - Tumbling
Is it legal to do a back hand spring, layout, back hand spring tuck, in a single tumbling pass.  I know it addresses the issue in the running tumbling section for intermediate and it is not allowed, but it does not say in the advanced category.
Answer: You can perform this series of skills in the Advanced Category from standing tumbling/back handspring. You cannot perform a flip in the Intermediate Category.

Question #20 – Loading Ground Up Lib
The stunt group loads a Ground Up Lib and the Flyer/Partner places hands on bases heads instead of shoulders due to height differences.
Answer: There should not be an issue with the load as long as proper spotting and positions are in place.

Question #21 – Ball-Up Stunt
Answer: A Ball –Up is a release move that can be performed in the Advanced Division…..We should re-look Tick Tock at the 2006 National Meeting for Advanced.

Question #22 – Extended Stunts
Answer: Only two legged extended stunts can brace each other, not one legged extensions.

Question #23 - Bracing Stunts
Answer: Bracing is permitted as long as it does not become weight bearing on another stunt. Each braced stunt must be able to stand on its own.

Question #24 – Swedish Fall
Answer: Swedish fall for 2.5 high needs a front and back spotter, we need to verify on the floor. Number of spotters and is it permitted in Novice?

Question #25 - Can a novice team dismount from a cradle by doing a pike, tuck and or toe touch?
Answer: Only basic cradles are allowed from stunts in novice, twisting, arch, toe touch, pike, tucks, etc...are not allowed. Page 70

Question #26 - Can a novice team is in an extension stunt, can they release and/or dismount from the extension level or do they have to return to prep level before dismounting?
Answer: In a two legged extended stunt, extension, you can do a basic cradle/straight ride.

Pyramid Dismounts (from one leg stunt) should be an obvious part of the cradle.  If dismount is an obvious free standing release (from one leg extended stunt) then there will be a deduction.  Page 70

Question #27 - Up and Over with Bases facing Away
Answer: We did not advise to perform the stunt because it would probably be written up as very unsafe/eye contact. 

Question #28 – Wrist Support
An individual has a note from her Doctor that states that she has had a previous injury to her wrist and asks to be allowed to wear wrist support. Do I give you a copy and put it in her roster book or do you first have to approve it?
Answer: As long as there is a doctor's note stating the need for the support then just keep it with the roster book on file.

Question #29 – Felt Letters 
I am interested in using letters in the routine this year incorporated in their cheer.  I am aware that signs are not allowed, nor megaphones.  I was wondering about the legality of having white block letters (soft felt fabric) securely sewn on the back of 8 of my top girls' shells, to Spell out  W A R N E R S as they are in extensions.

The rule book says: pg 81  6.  Standard poms (i.e.. plastic, vinyl, metallic, etc.) are an optional item of the basic cheer/dance uniform. The NFHS states, "A prop is an object that can be manipulated. (i.e., poms, signs, flags, etc.)"  However, under pop warner guidelines a squad may use standard poms throughout the competition routine.  (i.e., A squad can spell letters or make flag designs with their poms, this is not a safety issue.)
Answer: This is not permitted because it is being used as a prop.

Question #30 - Drops 
I have a team that wants to know if they can drop forward into a push up position, from a standing position.
Answer: Safety concern/dropping from a standing position or tension type drop and considered a drop.

Question #31
I have a novice midget team which is doing a pyramid and they are in two ext. preps holding onto a lib by their arms.  The lib is fully extended. Maintaining constant contact with the back and the sides, with two additional head an shoulder spotters and a back spot the bases underneath the extended lib j motion the post leg forward putting the flyer in a flat back position and than j her back to a heel stretch extended with the extension prep hands on the heel stretch holding the leg as well as the flyer.

DISCUSSION

Question #32- Loading Stunts
Team waiting to come on floor, announcer announces them "Now taking the floor, team #1".  They spirit on and setup waiting for the second announcement.  While waiting, the flyer puts her foot in the bases hand to get ready for stunt.  Will the time start then or when the second announcement is made?
Answer: The time should start after your team name has been announced for the second time.  You are permitted to load the intial stunt however if you continue to build before your name is called a second time, then the timing will begin.

Question #33 – Oct 1
Answer: Whatever a squad rostered on Oct 1 is the division/category they must compete in for the remainder of the Championships.

Question #34 Hair
What is the ruling on hair? Does it need to be all up or can it be ½ up and ½ down? I know that there was discussion on this last year and I want to make sure that I say the right thing.
Answer: The rule says now that your hair has to be pulled back and away from the face.  This means that they can wear it down as long as it is pulled back away from the face.

Question #35 – Two Footed Stunt
The rule S6- D states that "extensions where the flyer has both feet in the hands of the bases may brace each other".  The sample skills under Intermediate says that "Full extension stunts may brace other full extension stunts" Can an extension brace an extended heel stretch? (a 2 footed extension brace a 1 footed extension)
Answer: No only two legged stunts may brace each other under Pop Warner guidelines.

Question #36- V-Sit
As a novice squad, can we do a three based extended V-sit with a front spot?
Answer: A triple based V-sit needs an additional back spotter. The front spot is not required, you can always add a front spot for safety purposes but please make sure that it is safe and does not interfere with the safety of the stunting group.

Question #37 – T-Lift – Conference Call
A T lift (where the bases has each arm and lift her up about 10 " off the ground)  I can't believe that that simple move is a hanging mount.  To me a hanging mount is when 2 preps or higher lift a flyer by the arms and "hang" her there. 

Need to clarify, if it is over the head you may need front and back/head spotter as in a sailor or Swedish fall.
Answer: This is considered a hanging mount and is not legal in Pop Warner.

Rule #38 – Hearing Aide
Answer: Please ask parent to secure the hearing aide, they can tape if the child is comfortable but it is not necessary.

Rule #39 – Inverted Stunt
Answer: A Hand stand into a stunt, used as a transition is not permitted. It is considered an inverted stunt.