TIME LIMIT:
Time limit is four (4) minutes (except Talent and Stunt Group, which is two and a half minutes (2 minutes 30 seconds). A penalty of ten (10) points will be given if go over the time limit in any category by more than ten (10) seconds. All music is timed from the first beat of music to the last beat of music (except for cheer categories, it is from first vocal word). Your squad is not timed (or judged) on the entrance or exit, but we recommend not using more than thirty (30) seconds for each.
MOUNTING/STUNTING/TUMBLING:
No copters or tuck basket tosses; no more than two (2) people high (unless in College level division); and spotters for each stunt/mount are required. No mounting allowed in Non-Mounting Cheer or Non-Mounting Cheer-Dance (must have one (1) hand or one (1) foot on the floor at all times except when doing jumps or gymnastics/tumbling). Must have at least three (3) different types of mounts in mounting categories (except Pre-K/Tiny, which is a minimum of one (1) mount). The competition mats are 2-inch EVA foam, carpet mats that make a 42’ x 42’ floor. Practice mats will be setup in the practice area for teams to share.
Gymnastics/tumbling, stunting, rolls/somersaults, splits, pyramids, and jumps can be done by any and all squads in any category, including Optional categories (except no mounts/stunts in the Non-Mounting Cheer and Non-Mounting Cheer-Dance). We suggest you not use exact material from summer camps or clinics, or television shows. Originality score may be lower if recognized by judges.
STUNT GROUP routines - majority of routine consists of mounts/pyramids/stunts versus tumbling, cheering, or dance moves.
POMPON:
Squads in the Pompon division are to use pompons and must use them during most of the routine (pompons can be out of hands for no more than four (4) counts of eight (8) (32 counts) for the execution of a pompon pass or some type of hand movements or stunt assistance). Colored gloves may be worn by squads for effect when performing a pompon pass or for an ending or beginning pose. School uniform is preferred in the Pompon divisions. Squads are not judged higher by wearing a costume, nor judged lower for not wearing a costume. Routines should have at least three (3) different formation changes and also contain ripples (follow the leader) and/or contagions (one group starts on a number/move, then next group starts same set of moves, etc.), visual effects with pompons, and levels (i.e., some kneel and some stand, etc.). As with any and all routines, no sexually explicit, or offensive movements/gestures permitted. Keep the routine in good taste. Style of pompon routine - Tech Pom or Traditional Pom; Size - Small, Medium, Large; Class A, Class B, Class C-D, etc. is how divisions are broken down depending on number of teams entered by the Initial Deadline date.
KICKLINE:
In the Sr. and College Kickline divisions, squads must do a minimum of 40 (forty) kicks (Not 40 counts). In the Elementary and Junior divisions, squads must do a minimum of thirty (30) kicks (Not 30 counts). There should be at least three (3) different types of kicks used in the Kickline routine (i.e., high, knee, fan, snap, etc.). The routine should consist of at least three (3) different formation changes and also contain ripples (follow the leader) and/or contagions (one group starts on a number/move, then next group starts same set of moves, etc.). Costumes and school uniforms are acceptable attire. You do not have to perform all of the kicks in a row. Break it up with some dance movements, ripples, contagions, formation changes, tumbling/gymnastics, etc. As with any and all routines, no sexually explicit, or offensive movements/gestures permitted. Keep the routine in good taste.
HIP HOP, JAZZ, LYRICAL AND MISC. DANCE:
A team can enter a HipHop routine, Jazz routine, Lyrical routine, and three (3) additional routines that can be any style of dance. Divisions may also be broken down by size of the team (teams doing a second routine will be in both Div. 1 and Div. 2) so they do not compete against themselves when possible. The Miscellaneous category is any style of dance, novelty routine, prop routine, second jazz routine, second lyrical dance, second HipHop routine, baton, flag, second Pompon routine, etc. The routine should consist of at least three (3) different formation changes and also contain ripples (follow the leader) and/or contagions (one group starts on a number/move, then next group starts same set of moves, etc.). Costumes or school uniform may be worn. As with any and all routines, no sexually explicit, or offensive movements/gestures permitted. If guys are in the dance, they must do same types of moves as females (if more than one (1) co-ed team, we will break them out in a separate division).
GIRL/GUY DANCE:
Equal number of girls to guys in this category. The routine should consist of at least three (3) different formation changes and also contain ripples (follow the leader) and/or contagions (one group starts on a number/move, then next group starts same set of moves, etc.). The MAJORITY of the routine is to contain mostly "PARTNER" work such as moves while holding hands, hand to shoulders, hand to waist/hips, lifts typically done in partner dancing or partner skating, turns, rollover or leap frog over partner's back, elbows interlocked, stunts, etc. NO MORE THAN TWELVE (12) COUNTS OF EIGHT (8) for girls doing moves only or guys doing moves only. A PENALTY of five (5) points per judge will be assessed if go over this limit. As with any and all routines, no sexually explicit, or offensive movements/gestures permitted. Keep the dance in good taste! NO STREET SHOES - please have competitors carry their competition shoes in - NO boots. Tennis shoes are preferred. Girl/Guy cost is $150.00 per team (not a per person charge).
CHEERLEADING:
Any number of cheers may be done as long as team does not exceed time limit, but no less than a minimum of two (2) cheers. Please be sure to have a DEFINITE PAUSE after each cheer. The routine should consist of at least three (3) different formation changes and also contain ripples (follow the leader) and/or contagions (one group starts on a number/move, then next group starts same set of moves, etc.). Mounting categories must contain at least three (3) different mounts (with the exception of Pre-K teams, which can perform with a minimum of one (1) mount). Teams may chant while changing formations after completing each cheer. We have two (2) types of Cheerleading available - MOUNTING and NON-MOUNTING (in non-mounting division, each team member must have at least one (1) hand or foot on the floor at all times - except for jumps or tumbling/gymnastics). In the #1 Mascot routine, the Mascot needs to be the main focal point of the routine. No music allowed in any of these Cheer categories. Signs, megaphones, pompons, colored gloves, etc. are acceptable "props". There are penalty points if perform less than two (2) cheers (10 points).
CHEER-DANCE:
There are two (2) categories for Cheer-Dance - Mounting and Non-Mounting and teams can compete in both categories if they wish. Squads may do a cheer at any time during the performance, or may wish to use music only. Signs, megaphones, colored gloves, pompons, etc. are acceptable "props". In the #1 Mascot routine, the Mascot needs to be the main focal point of the routine. Costumes or school uniform are acceptable attire in the Cheer-Dance category. The routine should consist of at least three (3) different formation changes and also contain ripples (follow the leader) and/or contagions (one group starts on a number/move, then next group starts same set of moves, etc.). Mounting categories must contain at least three (3) different mounts (with the exception of Pre-K teams, which can perform with a minimum of one (1) mount). As with any and all routines, no sexually explicit, or offensive movements/gestures permitted. Keep the dance in good taste.
SOLO/DUO/TRIO TALENT, and STUNT Group:
TIME LIMIT = two and a half minutes (2 minutes 30 seconds). Solo/Duo/Trio Talent, and Stunt Group is open to males and females and you do not have to be on a team that is competing in other divisions to be eligible to compete in the talent categories. Stunt Groups are to focus on filling the time limit with as many mounts/stunts as you can, keeping tumbling, cheering and dancing to a minimum in the routine. Solo/Duo/Trio Talent can be anything that will not cause a mess or damage to the gymnasium floor (i.e., tap dancers must bring own tap surface; no use of food, paint, etc.). Talent can be dancing, singing, magic tricks, musical instruments (if using a piano, you must provide because we have no access to one), comedians, juggling, stunting, baton twirling, gymnastics, etc. Please call if you have a question regarding acceptable talents. At this time there is no limit on how many people can enter this category. Dancers - NO POWDER on the floor please - it is hard to clean up and quite slippery. Shoes - NO Street shoes - NO taps on the gym floor - Hard sole shoes must be taped so as to not scuff or mar the gym floor. All SOLO Talent contestants, only, must fill out the Solo Talent Info Sheet and turn it in at Registration).
SCORE SHEETS:
Copies of the score sheets that will be used for each category a squad is registered to compete in will be sent by email with the receipt for fees paid. During competition, the scorekeepers will announce when score sheets are available for pickup after that category has been awarded. Coaches, only, are to pick up score sheets. Coaches will be given a name badge at Registration that must be worn where it can be seen at all times and for scorekeepers to see prior to the release of the score sheets.
MUSIC:
Music is to be EMAILED no later than February 17, 2023. You can also mail music on a CD (make sure it is a CD meant for music and not a regular CD). Backup music on the day of competition can be on a CD, iPod, mp3 player, or flash drive. Music on cell phones tends to get interrupted by notifications, texts, calls, etc. so a CD is the best format for music. We can also try using a cell phone but it will need to be switched to Do Not Disturb mode. Please have someone up at the sound table when your team is ‘on deck’ (next to perform after team currently on floor) to help make sure music is started when supposed to and to also have a copy of the music with them in case of a problem. Points may be deducted if not ready - five (5) points will be deducted if more than three (3) attempts to correct. No music with profanity - use edited versions please.
DIVISIONS:
Divisions will be broken down by using the entries PAID by the DEADLINE (February 1, 2023). Team sizes will also be broken down as much as possible by the number of members on the teams registered into Small, Medium and Large divisions, or by school Class. If your squad is not a team broken down by grade but has mixed grades/ages, just circle school/age level (i.e., elementary, Middle, tiny, junior, by the age of the oldest competitor, etc.).
Elementary and Junior High/Middle schools may overlap in grades (i.e., 6th graders are elementary level if school ends with that grade and are middle if that grade is the lowest in the middle school). Contact us if not sure what division your team should be in.
Teams can be moved to a higher division if coach wishes to do so. If males are in a routine, they must do the same types of moves as females (if more than one (1) co-ed team, we will break them out in a separate division when possible). A team with only one (1) or two (2) males on it does not need to be in a Co-Ed division unless they are not doing the same moves as the females on the team.
SPECTATORS:
Cost to Spectators will be $10.00 per person; $5.00 for 5 year-old and under; Infants free. One (1) free coach and one (1) assistant will be allowed per squad (please list both the coach and assistant’s name on Registration form). Name badges will be given to the coach and the assistant at Registration. If you have more than two (2) coaches per team, then you will need to send in $7.00 for each additional coach and indicate their name somewhere on the paperwork so a name badge is also ready for them at Registration. To alleviate any questions regarding male members competing when entering ticketing area, we suggest having them come together in costume rather than t-shirt and jeans. MASKS must be worn by everyone, including competitors as of this date. Temperatures will also be taken if required. If this changes, it will be posted on our website and Facebook page together with an email to coaches.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
A proposed performance schedule will be posted on the website the week of competition with proposed time slots. The online performance schedule is only a tentative schedule and is subject to change right up to competition day due to add/delete of competitors. Please advise us no later than the Wednesday prior to competition if you are planning to drop or add because that is the schedule that gets printed for spectators to see. Coaches may have a different schedule than the one for spectators because it gets changed right up to Friday before competition. The soundman will announce the order of performance prior to that division coming up (i.e. will announce order of performance for Varsity Pompon while J.V. Pompon is performing). This is because the schedule may change due to a drop/add during Registration.
REGISTRATION:
Please register by the deadline date so more divisions can be made in each category/division. Please Email a copy of the Registration form and form of payment in addition to mailing them. This helps with scheduling and trophy order.
The RELEASE FORM must be filled out for each participant. This form can be printed from our website, Facebook page, or you can request a copy via email. This form can be mailed in with your Registration form and payment or be brought to Registration.
Please be on time for Registration (see tentative schedule and check out our website at www.SpiritShineCelebration.com for changes) so that we can follow our time schedule as closely as possible. If a team does not arrive prior to the last two (2) categories of a competition, they will not be allowed to compete and awards will be given out without them. We encourage teams coming a long distance to stay the night before in a hotel near the competition location.