2008-2009 National Federation

Major Spirit Rule Revisions and Rationale

1-3-1 Inverted - One in which a participant’s shoulders are below his/her waist. (examples: Chorus line flip, back handspring, needle scale, arch back)

RATIONALE: Defining an inverted position as “shoulders below waist” instead of “head below waist” more accurately reflects the intent of the inverted flyer rule and now allows a variety of low-risk stunts that have previously been illegal

2-1-14 A participant who is bleeding, has an open wound, has any amount of blood on his/her uniform, or has blood on his/her person, shall be directed to leave the activity until the bleeding is stopped, the wound is covered, the uniform and/or body is appropriately cleaned, and/or uniform is changed before returning to participation.

RATIONALE: This rule is consistent with all other NFHS sports and is for the safety of all athletes.

2-6-11 In dismounts where a bracer is involved after the release of the flyer, all the following

conditions must be met:

a. The flyer does not become inverted.

b. The flyer has at least two bases.

c. Each flyer and bracer has a separate spotter.

d. The loss of contact is a continuous up and down movement.

e. The flyer’s center of gravity remains directly over the bases.

f. The flyer’s weight is not supported by the bracer(s).

g. The bracers do not intentionally increase the height of the flyer.

RATIONALE: This rule was written so that the wording would be similar to the transition exception in rule 2-12-1.

2-8-2 b A flyer must not be in an inverted position except for the following:

a. During a forward suspended roll;

b. When beginning a stunt from an inverted position on the performing surface, that goes directly to a non-inverted position shoulder height or below. This stunt must include a base or spotter who protects the head/neck/shoulder area of the flyer. This base or spotter must maintain contact with the flyer from the inverted position until the flyer is no longer inverted.

RATIONALE: Requiring a base or spotter to maintain physical contact with a flyer while she/he is inverted stabilizes the stunt and reduces risk of injury to the flyer. A forward suspended roll is legal provided all the following conditions are met:

2-9-1 a and d

a. The flyer begins from the performing surface or from a stunt shoulder height or below.

d. In suspended rolls from the performing surface, the flyer maintains continuous hand-to-hand contact with two bases.

RATIONALE: Allowing a forward suspended roll from the performance surface does not present more risk (and possibly less) than forward suspended rolls from stunts, provided two bases are used

2-12-1a and i.

Article 1 –

In transitional stunts, physical contact must be maintained between the flyer and the base(s) except when ALL of the following conditions are met:

a. The flyer maintains hand-to-hand/arm contact with at least one bracer during the entire loss of contact with his/her base(s).

b. The flyer does not become inverted.

c. The flyer has at least two bases EXCEPT THAT a single-base tick tock is permitted when the flyer remains upright (vertical) throughout the stunt.

d. Each flyer and bracer has a separate spotter.

e. The loss of contact is a continuous up-and-down movement.

f. The flyer’s center of gravity remains directly over the bases.

g. The flyer’s weight is not supported by the bracer(s).

h. The flyer is not released to a toss.

The bracers do not intentionally increase the height of the flyer.

3-1-6 Add

Exception

Pedini-style dance shoes and others with heels of sufficient height to raise the bottom of the foot off the floor.

RATIONALE: The purpose of requiring that the bottom of the foot be covered is to prevent injury and disease. The pedini-style shoe’s heel raises the bottom of the foot off the floor which minimizes that risk.