Nationals... unfair??

[lilbitofgenius]

There have been several all-girl high school teams from Arkansas who have competed at Nationals, but none that have made it to finals. When I watch the copetitions on tv, the teams that make it to finals are doing stunts/pyramids that are not allowed in the state of Arkansas. Why doesn't every state have the same restrictions? Or why isn't everyone held to the same standards at nationals? Are there any plans to adopt a system like that in all star cheerleading?

just a wonderin....  =]

[Kong]

There are a standardized set of rules in high school cheerleading that have been established by both the NFHS and AACCA.  There are a few minor differences between those two sets of rules.  If something you see on TV is illegal in Arkansas, then it is because your state has additional restrictions beyond the NFHS/AACCA rules.  If you would like a level playing field, your question should be posed toward the governing body overseeing high school cheerleading in your state.

Kong

[coachamie]

If the teams from Arkansas don't make it to finals, then I'm sure its not because they can't do a certain pyramid. It's not like the score sheet has a place for a certain pyramid and if you don't do it you automatically don't get the points. I don't know the Arkansas rules, but they could do other things and earn as many points. Also you have to keep in mind that there are prelims and semi finals. On tv you only see the final day, so you can't judge on why a certain team made it and another didn't. You have to realize how competitive and tough the all girl divisions are at high school nationals. You can't say that they just didn't make it to finals because they're from Arkansas and have stricter rules.

[lilbitofgenius]

Thanks for the replies. There have been some coed squads that have made it to the top 5, but the girls just dont' seem to get to the same level of difficulty.

Kong- Are there other states that have similar issues, as far as, being restricted in stunting difficulty? Have other states been able to get changes made to benefit their teams at the national level?

[Kong]

Kong- Are there other states that have similar issues, as far as, being restricted in stunting difficulty? Have other states been able to get changes made to benefit their teams at the national level?

I don't know the answer to that question.  I suppose you could start researching it by determining what states consider cheerleading a sport and have stricter regulations than the NFHS or AACCA rules that are followed by most states.  A person who would be a better resource than I for this would be Jim Lord, the Executive Director of AACCA.

Kong

[oldcheergal]

This past year the squad from Bryant High School placed 8th at UCA Nationals.  This was only their second time to compete at UCA Nationals and they were placed even higher in prelims and semis but had a stunt fall in Finals.  If you are from Arkansas you should realize that  although you have to follow your state guidelines that you can still do plenty of skills that will allow you to compete with other teams.

[jandotcom]

Thanks for the replies. There have been some coed squads that have made it to the top 5, but the girls just dont' seem to get to the same level of difficulty.

Kong- Are there other states that have similar issues, as far as, being restricted in stunting difficulty? Have other states been able to get changes made to benefit their teams at the national level?

I can tell you that here in Illinois, our high schools are required to follow the NFHS rules, but there are additional restrictions applied by the Illinois High School Assocation.