Competition rules & procedures

In relation to crossovers, the SCUK Age Grid states the following:

An athlete cannot crossover onto more than 2 cheer teams (a maximum of 3 cheer teams total) and no more than 6 routines in total (inclusive of Cheer, Dance, Stunt Groups & Solos/Individuals) at any one event. EPs may be more restrictive than this — please check with the relevant EP for further guidance.

Athletes may not crossover between different size teams in cheer divisions within the same age and level, regardless of the mandatory split guidelines. E.g. an athlete may compete on only one All Star Elite Cheer Youth 1 team. This does not apply to dance — e.g. an athlete may compete on both small junior pom and large junior pom.

Crossovers are NOT ALLOWED between Novice/Prep and All Star/International cheer teams at the same event. Exception: an athlete may crossover between Novice/Prep divisions to Stunt Group divisions. An athlete may not crossover from Novice to Prep, Novice to All Star or Novice to International; nor from Prep to Novice, Prep to All Star or Prep to International. An athlete MAY crossover from All Star to International.

At Worlds bid events an athlete may compete on ONE TEAM ONLY in Worlds bid divisions/rounds. At non-Worlds bid events an athlete can compete on more than one team in a division that is offered at Worlds (as long as all other crossover guidelines are followed).

Please be sure you are not breaking any of the above. This includes but is not limited to:

• —Having an athlete on the roster of other programs as well as your own, where their total number of performances (including exhibition performances) exceeds 6 routines and/or the maximum of 3 cheer teams permitted.
• —Having an athlete compete on multiple cheer teams (within your own program or across programs) within IASF Worlds bid eligible divisions. This is not limited to the bid round — it applies to the entire event.
• —Listing a false name or DOB to avoid the system flagging an athlete being out of age for a division, or exceeding crossover rules.
• —If it is proven any of these rules have been broken, ALL teams the athlete(s) are competing on will be disqualified from the event — during the weekend or post event. Any bid awarded to The Summit or IASF Worlds will be revoked.

Whilst Future Cheer will always try to allow as much time as possible between routines for athletes who crossover, we only guarantee TEN minutes between performance times. Please keep this in mind when making team placements and deciding on uniform and costume changes.

Timing will begin with the first choreographed movement or beat of music, whichever comes first.

If your routine is interrupted because of failure of the competition equipment you will be permitted to restart your routine from the beginning. If your routine is interrupted because of failure of your own equipment, supplies or personnel, you may either continue or withdraw from the competition.

In the event of injury

The only individuals that may stop a routine for injury are:

• —Competition Officials
• —Coach from the team performing
• —The injured individual
• —Safety / Head Judge

An injured athlete may create a potential safety hazard because of the inability to hold, support, spot or catch. For the safety of all athletes competing, a routine may be interrupted if:

• —An athlete is clearly injured.
• —An athlete is questionably injured and does not resume their role in the routine within 5 seconds.
• —An athlete leaves the competition floor due to an injury.

If a routine is interrupted due to injury, it is at the Competition Officials' discretion whether that team will be allowed to perform again later. An injured athlete may not return to the competition floor unless the competition officials receive clearance from all of the following:

• —Event medical personnel attending to that participant
• —Parent/guardian (if present)
• —Coach of the competing team/programme

In the event of a suspected head injury, the athlete cannot return to perform without clearance from a licensed medical professional trained in head injuries.

During the competition weekend, a substitution may be made by an athlete or coach already registered with the same program for the event. An athlete cannot be substituted for an athlete/coach from another program, and a substitution cannot be made for a non-registered coach/athlete.

Any substitutions MUST be noted in writing to Event Director Amanda Fairhall. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

Additional athletes may not be added to the team on the day where this would exceed the number of athletes on the team roster without prior notification to the Event Director. Failure to comply will result in a 15 point penalty and may lead to disqualification.

Teams may bring their own additional spotters on to the floor. Any additional spotters must wear attire that clearly distinguishes them from the athletes on the team. If an additional spotter touches an athlete during a stunt/skill then a penalty of 1 point may be applied to the team's score.

The role of additional spotters is solely for safety purposes, not for coaching. Excessive coaching by additional spotters (including but not limited to shouting music counts, marking or performing the routine choreography, or shouting encouragement to athletes on the floor) may result in a 1 point penalty.

Future Cheer does not currently enforce the IASF uniform policy, however all uniforms should be appropriate for athletic activity. If you are travelling to compete outside of the UK, please make sure to familiarise yourself with that competition's uniform policy.

Coaches / primary contacts are responsible for making sure all roster information is up to date and correct, and must be able to provide proof of identity/ID for all athletes if asked by FC officials. No exceptions will be made, so it is imperative that roster changes are made prior to the competition and that rosters accurately reflect the athletes on the competition floor and their correct ages.

Other penalties: if it is proven that athletes are competing or have competed out of division, this will result in a minimum penalty of 20 points and may lead to disqualification of the team from the competition.

Future Cheer reserves the right to refuse anyone from taking photographs and videos at any event or competition at any time, to protect the privacy of athletes, spectators, teams and programmes, to stop professional photographers using images for personal gain, and to protect its own employed photographers and photo system.

We are happy for you as a parent or teacher to film and photograph your own children/athletes and teams using phones and amateur camera equipment. Future Cheer prohibits the filming of teams you are not affiliated with or do not have express permission from in advance.

The use of flash photography, continuous flash or any other lighting during competition is prohibited as it produces glare and distracts competitors — this includes camera phone flashes. Anyone using flash photography will be asked to stop and may be asked to leave the competition halls. Flash photography is allowed outside the competition halls and during awards ceremonies at advised photo opportunities.

The use of confetti cannons, indoor fireworks and other special effect props is prohibited at Future Cheer events. Use of such items will result in penalties assessed against the team at a minimum of 20 points.

Soliciting will not be tolerated from outside businesses. This includes gyms/programmes approaching athletes or parents from another gym to encourage them to move. Failure to comply may lead to team disqualification, penalties assessed against scores and/or removal from the event.