Middle, Jr. High & High School Cheer 

 

SCHOLASTIC CATEGORIES & DIVISIONS 

 

Varsity divisions are determined by WIAA.

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High School Divisions 

Varsity small: 12 and under participants

Varsity medium: 13 - 19 participants

Varsity Large: 20 - 32 participants

Coed tumbling and game day divisions only: three (3) or more males

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High School Categories

Traditional - Tumbling Coed: three (3) or more males

Traditional - Tumbling

Traditional - Non-Tumbling (Varsity teams only)

Stomp

Game Day

Game Day - Coed: three (3) or more males

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Middle School or Junior High Divisions

Middle School / Junior High

Coed Middle School / Junior High: three (3) or more males

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Middle School or Junior High Categories

Traditional - Tumbling Coed: three (3) or more males

Traditional - Tumbling

Stomp

Game Day

Game Day - Coed: three (3) or more males

 

TRADITIONAL: performance competition routines, both tumbling and non-tumbling must include both a music portion and a cheer portion.

• Routine Max: 2 minutes 30 seconds (150 seconds)

• Music Max: 1 minute :45 seconds

• The 54’ x 42’ cheer mat area represents the performance boundary area for the Tumbling, Non-tumbling categories.

 

STOMP ROUTINE: Stomp Cheerleading has its own style and culture. During these routines teams will utilize traditional cheerleading arm motions combined with creative and rhythmic beats, in their dance and cheer portions of the routine. Expect to see upbeat tempo changes as well as non-traditional cheer movements. 

• Routine Max: three (3:00) minutes (there is no music time limit for the Stomp category.)

• The basketball court boundary lines represent the performance boundary for the Stomp routine. The Stomp category will have (3) three mats that will be centered horizontally on the Court.

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GAME DAY ROUTINE:  Teams will demonstrate SITUATIONAL SIDELINE, CROWD LEADING Cheer and FIGHT SONG in this routine 

• Routine Max: three (3:00) minutes (there is no music time limit for the Game Day category.)

• The 54’ x 42’ cheer mat area represents the performance boundary area for Game Day Routine.

 

GAME DAY RULES:

Teams should demonstrate spirit and enthusiasm while entering the performance floor and before the music begins.

• The use of crowd leading tools such as signs, poms, flags and/or megaphones is required.

• Each section should have a beginning and end. Note: Spirited crowd leading interaction between each section is encouraged to continue the game day feel. Stunts are not allowed as a transition before/between sections, this would include the team’s entry to the floor and any time prior to starting the performance.

 

The INCORPORATION of stunts and or tumbling is required in the SITUATIONAL SIDELINE, CROWD LEADING Cheer and FIGHT SONG.

 

Game Day Skill Restrictions:

• No tosses (basket, sponge or elevator) are allowed.

• No inversions are allowed.

• No twisting released dismounts are allowed.

• No running tumbling is allowed.

• Stunts are not allowed during the team’s entry to the floor or any time prior to starting the performance.

• Single leg stunts are limited to liberties and liberty hitches.

• Standing tumbling is limited to one tumbling skill and a back tuck is the most elite tumbling skill allowed. Examples: Rippled single back handsprings would be allowed. Jump tumble (single skill) would be allowed. A standing full is not allowed.

• In between elements, teams must always return to the performance surface. Teams may kick, jump or tumble but may NOT stunt.

• During the Band Chant, only kicks and jumps are permitted.

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THE GAME DAY CATEGORY MUST FOLLOW THIS ORDER: BAND CHANT, SITUATIONAL SIDELINE, CROWD LEADING CHEER, FIGHT SONG

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BAND CHANT: should have an emphasis on crowd appeal and practicality. Squads should utilize spirit raising props and focus on creative movements such as level changes or ripples, execution of the material and encouraging the crowd to participate. – No stunting or tumbling is permitted, however jumps and kicks are allowed.

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SITUATIONAL SIDELINE: Following the band chant, the announcer with give squads a game scenario indicating an offense or defense situation. Teams should show their definitive understanding of the situation with an offensive or defensive crowd-leading response. 

 

Situational Cues​

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Situational Cues process for State

• Teams will not have advance notice of their cues

• The list provided by WSCCA (above) will be used

• The announcer will announce a team’s cue following their Band Dance.

• A prepared schedule with a script will be provided for the announcer.

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CROWD LEADING CHEER: Following the Sideline, Crowd Leading can include a cheer reflective of a timeout, general sideline / spell-out or other cheer material with minimal words, inciting a response and encouraging a crowd to yell along. Teams are required to incorporate spirit props and practical skills (stunts and/or tumbling, if the division allows).

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FIGHT SONG: The final element should reflect your school’s traditional Fight Song. Fight Song incorporation is limited to three (3) consecutive 8-counts of stunts and/or tumbling. Counting will begin with the initiation of a skill and continue until either the incorporation is complete or the end of the 3rd 8-count. (If the Fight Song repeats, the incorporation will only be permitted both times if the skills are repeated exactly the same). Teams should utilize spirit raising props and add creative movements such as level changes or ripples as well. For teams that do not have an official Fight Song, it is recommended to use a second selection of band chant music.

 

**Teams may add up to 1 (one) mascot in their Game Day Routine. The mascot must meet all the eligibility requirements as the athletes. The mascot must enter the floor with the team and should be used to raise crowd energy and participation. The mascot is not allowed to be involved in any stunts / technical skills and or tumbling and should position themselves away from skills being performed. The mascot will not count towards the total gender number of participants allowed in the division.

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