Supervision

• Constant visual supervision is recommended for initial skill instruction and until student athletes demonstrate competence in the skill.
• Constant visual supervision is recommended whenever student athletes are stunting, i.e. performing lifts, pyramids, tossing, etc.
• On-site supervision is recommended when student athletes are practicing or performing cheer or dance skills, after all safety concerns have been emphasized.
• Teachers/coaches should have completed the Alberta Cheerleading Association’s Coaches’ Certification Program.
• Teachers/coaches should employ hands-on spotting at all times until skills are mastered.
• All team members should be trained to employ hands-on spotting at all times for all skills, until they are mastered.
• Teachers/coaches should secure a safe cheering environment at games, e.g., keep fans away from team space.
• Teachers/coaches should attend/oversee all game cheerleading sessions as well as competitions.
• If gymnastics is a component of the team’s skill package, teachers/coaches should learn essential teaching and spotting techniques for elements typically being used in cheerleading, e.g., handspring, tuck, round-off handspring, cartwheel.

Instructional Considerations

• Safety and spotting skills should be addressed first.
• ‘Tops’ and ‘bases’ of the pyramid should learn the responsibilities of other members in spotting/catching.
• Student athletes should be aware of how a stunt will properly dismount prior to building the stunt.
• Strength and conditioning should be an integral part of the training of acrobatic cheerleaders.
• Safety regulations and rules should apply to all cheerleading situations.
• In adverse weather conditions:
  • stunting and pyramid building should be reduced;
  • tossed skills (except chair sit) should stop;
  • all lifts should be secured with additional hands-on spotters;
  • extended lifts should not be performed;
  • tumbling should not be allowed.

Equipment/Facilities

• Carpeted gymnastics mat strips, wrestling mats or Velcro^®️  fold-out mats should be used.
• Megaphone handles should be screwed on tightly and burred edges should be trimmed or filed.
• Signs used during routines must not be thrown and must have all corners taped.
• Above head obstructions (e.g., basketball nets) should be raised out of reach.
• T-shirt, gymnasium/tennis/bike style shorts should be worn. Traditional cheerleading uniform (females) shorter skirts and shell tops may be worn.
• Oversized tops or pants should not be worn.
• Slick Lycra or nylon clothing should not be worn.
• Footwear should be supportive and fully laced up at all times.
• When cheering outdoors, heavier sweatshirts and/or wind suits should be fitted.
• Gloves or mitts should not be worn during lifts and pyramids unless they are fitted “batting” style hand wear.