TIMEOUT DIVISION RULES

 

COMPETITION AREA

  1. Participants will enter from the side of the competition area. (Similar to a timeout at a basketball game.)

  2. All permitted skills (stunts, pyramids, tumbling) must be performed in the performance area.

  3. The performance area will be 9 strips of cheer floor.

  4. Objects cannot be thrown outside the competition area.

  5. All props (i.e., poms, signs, flags, megaphones, etc.) need to be carried on and off the mat in a manner similar to usage during a basketball time out.

 

PARTICIPANTS

  1. Maximum participants: there will be a maximum of 20 participants allowed (excluding mascots, see below).

  2. Mascots may participate, but are not required. Mascots do not count towards the total number of participants (e.g., if the maximum number of participants is 20, a team of 20 may still include a mascot).

  3. Schools with multiple official mascots are allowed to use both (e.g., Truman and Trudy the Tiger). Multiple mascots may participate subject to request and approval by the Competition Committee.

  4. Mascots must use the same props as cheerleaders and are not allowed to stunt.

  5. Mascots are only allowed to do forward rolls. They may not perform any other tumbling skills.

 

DIVISIONS

  1. There will be five divisions broken down by classes: 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A & 5A.

  2. Teams may utilize members from all of their squads. There will be no restriction concerning team composition.

  3. No more than one squad may compete per school.

  4. In the event that a school has a competition squad that is separate from their sideline squad and both wish to compete, priority shall be given to the sideline squad for entry into the competition.

 

TIME LIMITATIONS

  1. Each team will perform cheers/chants not to exceed 1 minute similar to an actual basketball time out.

  2. Time will start when the buzzer sounds after your team name is announced.

  3. The buzzer will sound again when 15 seconds are left, so teams know it’s time to finish their performance and exit the floor.

  4. Teams need to be off the mat at the final buzzer. Teams with the majority of its members on the mat at the final buzzer will receive a 15 point deduction.

  5. Teams may not set up props in advance. (See, Rule 5 under Competition Area.)

  6. Any additional organized entrances, chants, etc. are considered part of the routine and as such are timed as part of the performance.

 

ROUTINE AND JUDGING REQUIREMENTS

  1. The National Federation Spirit Rules and MCCA Rules must be followed.

  2. No music may be used during the performance.

  3. Performances must include both a cheer and chant.

  4. Performances should incorporate props effectively. Poms and signs must be used. Although megaphones and flags are optional, their use is encouraged. There will be a 5 point deduction assessed for each prop left in the performance area.

  5. Judging will be based on the following criteria:

    1. Effective entrance that immediately involves the crowd with a clean exit upon completion.

    2. Potential for crowd response, practicality and effectiveness of the material, ease of participation for crowd participation.

    3. Correct motion technique and synchronization (where applicable). 

    4. Use of props to enhance crowd response.

    5. Showmanship, genuine spirit, confident, eye contact, natural smiles, creativity.

    6. Good volume, spirited, encouraging, natural sounding.

    7. Effective formations, spacing between squad members and crowd-coverage, seamless transitions.

    8. Overall execution and effective use of time.

 

SPECIFIC SKILL RESTRICTIONS

  1. Basket and sponge tosses are not permitted.

  2. The maximum difficulty level for tumbling is limited to standing back handsprings. 

  3. Running tumbling is allowed during the entrance only.

  4. Skills are limited to those allowed on gym floors by the National Federation Spirit Rules.

  5. Stunts and tumbling will not be scored separately or for difficulty. They will only be assessed in terms of enhancing crowd involvement.

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TIMEOUT SCORE SHEET