2022-23 College Cheer Rules Changes
USA Cheer’s College Cheerleading Rules Committee has voted through several proposals for the 2022-23 school year.
The committee received proposals through the public portal and educational service providers, then sent the proposals to more than 300 college coaches across the spectrum of college divisions and team makeup for their input and feedback.
Rules changes include:
- adding a definition of “tension drop”,
- restricting fingernail length,
- adjusting the required positions for pyramid spotters,
- adjusting certain pyramid loading and dismounting skills to better align with skill progressions,
- restricting props held by the top person in a basket toss to only the use of poms, and
- changes to the skills allowed in basket tosses and what personnel can perform those skills
During the 2018-19 rules process, the committee broadly restricted basket toss skills across the board with a commitment from the committee to review the progressive return of those skills annually. After review, the committee voted this year to take the first incremental step forward in allowing three additional skills for baskets and adjusting the skills allowed for baskets that involve fewer than three male throwers and catchers. Changes were made after reviewing the current landscape of college cheer, skills being performed in other disciplines such as STUNT, the result of competition providers to minimize the focus on difficulty in scoring, and a commitment to continued and additional training on basket technique and progression.
Basket toss rules proposals that passed include:
- removing the requirement for a male backspot in flipping baskets with a male thrower/catcher,
- allowing tosses with fewer than three male throwers and catchers to perform layout full twists,
- allowing tosses with at least three male throwers and catchers to perform double full twists, and
- allowing all combinations of tosses to perform front flipping baskets with no twists.
- All other basket toss restrictions remain in place.
As with all cheerleading skills, programs should consider any new skill in relation to the individual’s and group’s ability level, with an emphasis on proficiency in lead-up skills before progression.
Research data (usacheer.org/safety/research) shows a strong downward trend in cheerleading injuries since 2010 in large part due to risk management training, coaches’ education, and rules changes. The committee will continue to monitor basket toss skills and all skills throughout the season.
The 2022-23 USA Cheer College Cheerleading Rules can be found at https://usacheer.org/college-cheer.