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Rules for ALL

UPA General Rules

NOTE: All teams must adhere to the rules listed below PLUS…

* School/Rec – follow National Federation Guidelines starting with Section 3 – Height Limitations

* All Star – follow USASF Guidelines based on level of competition

* Collegiate/Open – follow USASF Guidelines based on level 6 rules

Sec. 1 – UPA General Rules For All

Sec. 1/Art. 1: ROUTINE:
Performance routines must be age appropriate and suitable for family viewing. Suggestive, offensive and/or inappropriate choreography/LANGUAGE IS NOT ALLOWED.

Sec. 1/Art. 2: DROPS:
Drops to the knee, thigh, seat, front, back, or split position onto the performing surface from a jump, stand, or inverted position must first bear weight on the hands or feet in order to break the impact of the drop.

Sec. 1/Art. 3: COSTUMES / UNIFORMS:
Attire must be age appropriate and suitable for family viewing.

Sec. 1/Art. 4: TIME:
Maximum performance time is two minutes & thirty seconds (2:30) INCLUDING choreographed entrances and exits. There is no minimum time requirement. Record your music CD on high quality disks. no cassette tapes. UPA recommends you walk on and off the stage. CHEER performance routines may be done completely to music or have splices of music throughout the routine. CD should be continuous, as we are required to utilize union staff to run the sound system. A simple start & stop is recommended to avoid any unpleasant mistakes during your performance.

How is The TIME Determined? Timing begins with the first choreographed movement, word, or beat of music executed by the team after they are introduced. Timing ends with the last choreographed movement, word, or beat of music. No choreographed entrances/exits allowed, unless it falls within the time limit.

Sec. 1/Art. 5: STYLE:
CLARIFICATION OF RULE
IT IS THE COMPETING TEAM’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENTER THE CORRECT STYLE/DIVISION. A STYLE VIOLATION WILL BE GIVEN IF ENTERED IN THE INCORRECT DIVISION. ROUTINES MAY ONLY BE ENTERED IN ONE DIVISION (EXAMPLE: YOU MAY NOT PERFORM THE SAME ROUTINE IN THE POM AND OPEN CATEGORIES. CHEER: YOU MAY NOT PERFORM THE SAME ROUTINE IN A STUNTING DIVISION AND AGAIN IN A NON-STUNTING DIVISION AND TAKING OUT THE STUNTS – OR COMPETING IN A LEVEL 4 DIVISION AND THEN SIMPLIFYING THE ROUTINE AND COMPETING AGAIN IN LEVEL 3). SHOULD A TEAM WIN A TITLE AND IT LATER BE DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE INELIGIBLE FOR THAT DIVISION, THE TITLE AND PRIZES WILL BE REMOVED.

Sec. 1/Art. 6: HEIGHT INCREASING APPARATUS:
Any height increasing apparatus used to propel a competitor is prohibited. Exception: spring floor for ALl star teams.

Sec. 1/Art. 7: CASTS:
Casts that are hard and unyielding or have rough edges must be appropriately covered with a padded material.

Sec. 1/Art. 8: PROPS:
Props may not require electricity, smoke, fog, fire, air compression, aerosol or non-aerosol sprays or any other type of flammable or hazardous materials. Confetti, balloons or other similar substances may not be used or thrown during the routine. The use of knives, swords or other objects that may be considered dangerous are strictly prohibited. Props with rubber or plastic wheels or any moving parts that come in contact with the floor must be taped and/or padded. Any team that damages the performance floor will be billed for repairs.

Sec. 1/Art. 9: SPORTSMANSHIP:
A participant, coach, substitute, trainer, parent, guardian, spectator or other team attendee must not commit an unsportsmanlike act. This includes, but is not limited to acts or conduct such as:

a) Accept the decisions of officials without showing inappropriate emotions.

b) Avoid public displays of criticism.

c) Exercise self-control at all times.

d) Avoid improper gestures and language under any circumstances including on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.

e) Treat opponents with respect at all times.

f) Win without boasting. Lose without excuses.

g) Refrain from using profane or inappropriate language or gestures.

h) Refrain from baiting or taunting an opponent.

Sec. 2 – UPA Rules Specific To Cheer Or Dance

Sec. 2/Art. 1: CHEER

a) Jewelry: Cheer teams may not wear any ‘hard’ jewelry (i.e. metal, hard plastic, etc.). Exception: religious or medical medals, which shall be taped to the body under the apparel.

b) Shoes: Cheer team members must wear athletic shoes (no bare feet or gymnastic shoes).

c) All Star Teams: Must adhere to USASF guidelines within their level and anything preceding (Example: If entered in level 3, team may also perform skills that are allowed in levels 1 & 2 as well).

d) School/Rec Teams: Must adhere to National Federation Rules starting with Section 3 – Height Limitations.

e) Collegiate Teams: Must adhere to USASF guidelines level 6.

f) Spotters: All teams must provide their own spotters as indicated through the rules/guidelines. UPA spotters are in addition to the mandatory spotters. Spotters are required and no requests can be made to have them leave the competition floor during a performance. UPA spotters will not remove props.

SEC. 2/ART. 2: CHEER - ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, & JUNIOR HIGH
a) PROHIBITED: BASKET TOSSES, ELEVATOR TOSSES AND ALL SIMILAR MULTI-BASED TOSSES
B) TWISTS IN A DISMOUNT ARE LIMITED TO 1 ROTATION
*EXCEPTION: SIDE FACING STUNTS MAY ADD A QUARTER TWIST TO ALLOW THE FLYER TO BE CRADLED TO THE FRONT (EXAMPLE: ARABESQUE, SCORPION AND THE LIKE)

Sec. 2/Art. 3: DANCE

a) Jewelry: Dance teams may wear jewelry and accessories that are considered to be costuming and worn by the entire team.

b) Shoes: Dance team members must wear appropriate dance shoes (i.e. tennis shoes, dance boots/shoes, lyrical shoes) or may go barefoot.

c) Stunting & Tumbling: Advanced level stunting & tumbling is illegal for all styles of dance (i.e. back handspring, back tuck, twists, etc.). Exception: aerial, cartwheel, front roll, back roll, Dance lifts/skills.

d) All Star Teams: Must adhere to USASF.

e) School/Rec Teams: Must adhere to National Federation Rules starting with Section 3 – Height Limitations.

f) Collegiate Teams: Must adhere to USASF guidelines Level 6.

g) Open Style: Performers must hand carry on props during entrance without assistance from others. No additional time for set-up or tear down. Major sets are not allowed.