Cheerleading Rules
Select your level for more information!
USA Cheer Youth Rec Sideline Rules
The new rules are encouraged to be adopted by organizations to be used while cheering on the sidelines during youth rec league games. These guidelines do not apply when performing competition style routines, which should follow the direct association or hosting competition rules. The intent of these rules is to provide an easy to understand set of rules for the game environment.
The NFHS Spirit Rules are produced by the National Federation of State High School Associations, and are written with high school cheerleading in mind. USA Cheer recommends that Elementary, Junior High and Middle School cheerleaders follow the NFHS Spirit Rules with the additional restriction below:
Rule 3.5.10 (USA Cheer Add-on): All tosses other than Switch Ups are prohibited for Elementary, Middle School, and Junior High cheerleading teams.
NFHS Rules training and other resources can be found in the “High School” section below.
USA Cheer and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) publish one set of rules for high school cheerleading under the NFHS/USA Cheer Spirit Rule Book.
Pre-Order the 2024-25 NFHS Rules Book
If you normally receive your NFHS Rules Book through your school or state association, you will still receive your book through the same process. If you are unsure of whether you will receive a book through your association, check with your athletics director. If you would like to purchase a book, you may do so below. The cost through USA Cheer is $12 with free shipping. Pre-orders available now and will ship mid-June!
Pre-Order the 2024-25 Rules Book – $12
Take the 2024-25 NFHS Cheer Rules Changes Course
The “Changes Only” course for coaches covers the major rules changes for the current year. This course is ideal for veteran coaches who are already familiar with the current rules.
“Rules Changes Only” Course for Coaches
The Rules Interpreters course is now a standalone course that requires completion of eitther the comprehensive course or the rules changes course. It covers methods and techniques to help interpret rules as well as video testing on rules interpretations.
Rule Interpretations
Rule interpretations are the responsibility of each state association or event producer. USA Cheer provides a video library of rules interpretations below. These videos are reviewed by USA Cheer and by members of the NFHS Spirit Rules committee, but they are not binding in every state. They are provided to help educate coaches and rules interpreters about the rules. Please use your state or event’s rules process to confirm legality. Note that we are currently in the process of updating the videos with the new rules.
The 2023-24 USA Cheer College Cheerleading Rules have been published.
All Star rules are developed by the US All Star Federation and can be found here.