Cheerleading has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Today’s routines include high pyramids, basket tosses and difficult tumbling, all of which demand serious athletic skill. With that growth has come a greater focus on safety, and rules are one of the main ways the sport manages risk.
Here’s a plain guide to who writes cheerleading rules in the United States, what those rules generally cover, and why they matter.
Who Writes the Rules?
Different types of cheer follow different rule books. Knowing which one applies to your squad is the first step.
School cheer (high school, middle and elementary school)
For high school cheerleading, USA Cheer and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) publish a single rule book, the NFHS/USA Cheer Spirit Rules. State associations adopt and enforce these rules, and the rule book is updated regularly. For elementary, junior high and middle school squads, USA Cheer recommends following the same spirit rules with additional restrictions on certain tosses.
You may still hear older coaches mention the AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators). The AACCA’s safety rules and coach training were very influential, and in 2018 the organization merged into USA Cheer, which now carries on that safety work.
College cheer
USA Cheer also publishes rules for college cheerleading programs.
All-star (club) cheer
All-star teams, which train at private gyms and exist to compete, follow rules set by the U.S. All Star Federation (USASF). All-star skills are organized into levels, and each level allows certain stunts and tumbling skills. Teams must stay within the skills allowed for their level.
Youth recreational cheer
USA Cheer publishes simple sideline rules for youth recreational leagues to use at games. Competition routines follow the rules of the event or association hosting the competition.
What Safety Rules Usually Cover
The details differ between rule books and change from season to season, so coaches should always check the current version for their level. In general, though, cheer safety rules address the same core areas.
Skill limits by age and level
Rules restrict which skills can be performed at each level. Younger and less experienced athletes are limited to simpler stunts, lower heights and basic tumbling. This keeps athletes from attempting skills they’re not physically or technically ready for.
Stunt height and pyramid rules
Rules typically limit how high stunts and pyramids can go, how many people can be stacked, and what flyers can do while in the air. Inversions (being upside down), releases and dismounts are among the most tightly controlled areas because falls from height cause the most serious injuries.
Spotters and catchers
Far from banning spotters, cheer rules frequently require them. Many stunts must have a designated spotter who is in position to protect the flyer’s head and shoulders, and certain dismounts must be caught by a set number of catchers.
Tosses
Basket tosses and other tosses are among the highest-risk skills in cheer. Rules govern how many bases can be involved, what the flyer may do in the air and where tosses may be performed. Younger levels often restrict or ban them.
Surfaces
Many skills are only allowed on suitable surfaces such as mats or a sprung cheer floor. Rules may also restrict stunting and tumbling on hard, wet or uneven surfaces, which is especially relevant for sideline cheer at outdoor games.
General safety requirements
Rule books also cover the basics that keep practices safe, such as:
- Requiring qualified adult supervision at all practices and performances
- Securing hair and removing jewelry during stunting and tumbling
- Wearing appropriate athletic shoes
- Limiting props, especially during stunts
- Following proper skill progressions before attempting new skills
Coaching and Safety Training
Rules only work if coaches understand them. USA Cheer offers safety and risk management training and certification for coaches, building on the old AACCA safety course. Many schools and state associations require coaches to complete safety training. All-star coaches complete credentialing through USASF.
Good coaches also:
- Teach skills in progressions, from the ground up
- Make sure athletes are strong and flexible enough before adding difficulty
- Have an emergency action plan, including who calls for help and where the first aid kit is
- Know the signs of concussion and follow concussion protocols
Concussions and Head Injuries
Head and neck injuries are the most serious risks in cheerleading, usually from falls during stunts or pyramids. Most states have laws that require athletes with a suspected concussion to be removed from activity and cleared by a health professional before returning.
If an athlete hits their head or shows symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea or sensitivity to light, they should stop immediately and be evaluated. “When in doubt, sit them out” is a good rule.
Recognizing Cheer as a Sport
In 2012 the American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement on cheerleading injuries that recommended cheer be designated as a sport in schools. That matters because official sport status often brings access to athletic trainers, better practice facilities, injury tracking and qualified coaching. Many states now treat competitive cheer as a sport, although policies still vary.
What Parents Can Do
- Ask which rule book your child’s squad follows and whether the coach is safety-certified.
- Check that practices take place on mats or a proper cheer floor.
- Make sure there is an emergency plan and a first aid kit at every practice.
- Encourage your child to speak up if they’re asked to attempt a skill that feels unsafe.
- Watch for signs of overtraining, such as constant fatigue or recurring pain.
Final Thoughts
Cheerleading safety rules aren’t there to make routines less exciting. They’re there so athletes can keep doing the sport they love. Limits on skills, required spotters, proper surfaces and trained coaches all work together to reduce the risk of serious injury. Know your rule book, follow progressions and put safety first, and the spectacular stunts will follow.