Cheerleading Safety From AACCA. Solutions to address the risks involved in cheerleading.

Over the next day or two, most college basketball programs (and even some high schools) will be hosting their annual “Midnight Madness” event that ushers in the excitement of college basketball. In most of these events, the university wants to have a “game” atmosphere by having the cheerleaders and even a pep band in attendance.

What a great night to practice traditions or even establish new ones! Take the opportunity to start re-training your crowd on how you use sign cheers in the basketball venue. Teach one new interactive cheer or use a three-point shoot around to show the crowd how to yell “THREE!” when your team hits a three-pointer. However, remember that the crowd isn’t there to learn new cheers. They are there to be a part of a fun event and check out the new basketball teams so keep any “learning” of new material to a minimum – and make it fun.

Most importantly however, remember that you are moving into a new venue for performing. As the cheerleading coach, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Refresh your knowledge of the different rules for basketball court surfaces. Unless on a mat, the following skills are prohibited:
• Basket tosses, elevator/sponge tosses and other similar multi-based tosses.
• Partner stunts in which the base uses only one arm to support the top person. Exception: Cupies/awesomes are allowed with an additional spotter.
• Flips or released twists into or from partner stunts. Exception: Front and back flips to a stunt or cradle are allowed if the top person is braced on both sides by hand/arm to hand/arm contact.
• Two and one half person high pyramids.
• Inversions in partner stunts and pyramids. Exception: Inversions that begin on the ground and go to an upright position where the top person is in constant contact with a base or spotter are allowed.

Note:The actual rules clarify that these skills can only be performed during half-time or post-game on a mat. This is specifically a reference to game situations and is intended to help ensure an environment free of obstacles or foot traffic. Midnight Madness is a unique situation, and since it doesn’t have a “half-time” or “post-game” it is understood that these skills can be done at any time during this event so long as there is a “controlled environment” according to the definition in the AACCA rules.

• Even though this is technically a “practice” for the basketball team, be sure to only perform skills your team can hit every time just as if you were at a game.
• Be aware of your environment and the available space for skills. Midnight Madness events may have different traffic patterns and performance areas than normal games. Establish your boundaries before the event with the venue manager and be sure to communicate these boundaries and skill limitations with your team.
• If you are to perform a routine at the event, remember that the Midnight Madness is about the basketball teams and raising support for them. Keep it short and be sure to include crowd-leading cheers and signs in your routine.

Remember that safety is the priority at every practice, game and special event such as this one. Make it a fun night that your cheerleaders and crowd will enjoy and remember!