- May 30, 2011
- 72
- 79
I've heard that double downs are now illegal in high school cheerleading. Does anyone know if this is true or not?
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I emailed Jim Lord (head of AACCA) and asked... and yes, the rumors are true. Double downs will be illegal under AACCA rules for the 2012-2013 school year, as well as additional, unspecified changes that he said coaches will really like.
The justification for the change is "data showing body-to-body contact being the primary head injury cause and warnings for years about double downs not being heeded. I think there's just too much pressure being put on coaches and teams to do them for competition when they aren't ready to do it. "
Good and bad I think. A little disappointed but I can definitely understand the ruling. It's a shame that things keep becoming illegal because coaches and teams are trying things out of their ability! I'm afraid talented kids will get fed up and just do allstars. In our area high school cheer is for the most part pretty advanced. We have a lot of top teams in the country from the schools here. They can and should be able to double down. I know its not like this everywhere, but it effects everyone regardless of area!
I'm a little worried about the other rule changes that "coaches will really like." I'm hoping that we really will like them but something tells me I might not!
I really wish that instead of limiting what the kids can do they would make HS divisions. In order to stunt you have to be certified at a level. You can get certified at camp, or by having an AACCA/NFHS Evaluator come out to your school. You demonstrate proficiency on a set of skills and you are approved to perform them for the year at games and in competition. You can't go above your level for games/competition for that year.
In Saskatchewan this year we changed the divisions for high school teams to levels like in all-star it has been an improvement on the safety and skill levels for teams that were being held back by the old rules and has led to safer routines for teams that weren't ready for certain skills. I think a lot of coaches are very happy with the changeI really wish that instead of limiting what the kids can do they would make HS divisions. In order to stunt you have to be certified at a level. You can get certified at camp, or by having an AACCA/NFHS Evaluator come out to your school. You demonstrate proficiency on a set of skills and you are approved to perform them for the year at games and in competition. You can't go above your level for games/competition for that year.