IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2006-07

Competitive Cheer Advisory Committee

February 28, 2007

The IHSA Competitive Cheerleading Advisory Committee met at the IHSA office in Bloomington, Illinois, on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007. Committee members present were: Neva Corn, Pinckneyville; Carla Taylor, Colfax (Ridgeview); Mike Bruce, Orland Park (Sandburg); Terry Aebischer, Highland; Pam Marcoline-Griffith, Washington; Mickey Klement, Joliet; John Powers, Lake Zurich; Rich Wherley, Principal, Eureka and John Martin, Athletic Director, Lincolnshire (Stevenson). Denise Murphy-Stroud, Chicago Public Schools, was unable to attend.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS RECOMMENDATIONS

1.         Item VIII-A-2a.- Tournament Rules – Competition Guidelines

            Recommendation: It is recommended that the competitive cheering surface for the state series shall be a matted area of 54 feet wide x 42 feet deep (9 strips).

           Rationale: The extra 2 strips will provide added safety for teams. For squads with 20 participants (large and coed divisions) safety is an issue. It would not be a requirement for schools to purchase the added strips, however the 2 added strips being present at sectional and state level would allow for an added safety area. Local invitational competitions may still utilize the 42 x 42 floor. Currently once the boundary lines are set up on the 42 x 42 mat the area of actual performing space becomes 40 x 40 which is a tight space for the large and coed divisions with 20 participants.

Rejected

2.         Item VIII-D-1- Coaching

            Recommendation: It is recommended that a maximum of up to four (4) competitive cheerleading coaches shall be allowed on the competition floor for the state series.

            Rationale: The addition of more coach at the state series (from 2 to 4) will accommodate teams that have a head coach, co-coaches and JV assistants.

Approved

3.         Item XI-C - Officials

            Recommendation: It is recommended that no squad member or fan/parent may talk to the officials directly before, during or after competition. The head coach may meet with the head official and sectional manager briefly at the conclusion of the contest during packet pick up.

            Rationale: The brief time that score sheets are being picked up by coaches could allow the head coach an opportunity to ask the head official questions regarding the competition and their score sheets. This would be the only contact and conversation that coaches could have regarding an explanation of routines and rules.

Approved

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Officials

IHSA officials’ administrator Dave Gannaway gave a presentation on the Dart fish educational component of the IHSA cheer official program. Dave wants ideas for cheer specific categories for Dart fish (i.e. violations, capture the play, officiating calls, positions, accuracy, and game management). Other classifications may include a you make the call section which would consist of a sub box pullout section with points of emphasis and video clips to create a video library of cheer specific stunts and calls. Test video will also be available to assist in official certification. The program will also include a top 10 list of the best officiating calls. This program is at the top of the officiating industry standard and Illinois is working in conjunction with other states in the Midwest areas to complete this project.

The IHSA will continue to work with head clinicians on the officials training curriculum. Additional clinicians will be trained in the process. The July 20 – 21 officials’ clinic in Peoria will focus on cheer specific sessions. All cheer officials are encouraged to keep this date open to attend this conference. The IHSA office is hearing that there is a need for more detailed officials training and this July conference will be a great opportunity to dig into some comprehensive officiating issues. The conference will feature an IHSA/NFHS spirit rules meeting specifically for cheer officials and a free certified official clinic in addition to other sessions.

The committee unanimously agreed that continued efforts need to be made on recruiting qualified officials and training officials on both panel and deduction areas of the score sheets and rubrics

A recommendation was made to develop an officials mentoring process. Susie thinks this would be an appropriate area for coaches or cheer officials association to address much like the other IHSA sports.

It was discussed to drop the high and low judge’s scores. In a review of the past two years of IHSA competition this process would have changes the final result in one division only.

Discussion of the head official’s role resulted in a discussion that defined that the head official may overrule a technical call.

The committee reviewed the impact that fans have on cheering with their team. Judges are aware and can address the issue with the team if they feel it is problematic on their score sheet.

The IHSA cheer officials top 15 list is open and available at IHSA.org through the schools center. This link is available for coaches to make ratings from the state series and to create their top 15 list. The IHSA will refer to this information when making assignments for the 2008 state series.

The committee discussed recruiting more officials and training more officials to become head officials. Official education needs to also focus on Rules education, NFHS rules, deductions regarding hands down on tumbling and falls and tech points. These items will be reviewed by the IHSA.

Double jeopardy in the score sheet was discussed. The committee wants officials to remember to reward what they see in a routine and be aware to avoid double jeopardy in some of the category areas. The overall effectiveness category was also discussed and some coaches felt that officials did not complete understand what should be reflected in this category.

It was recommended that there be one legality judge that is stationed at the panel judging table – This person would confirm legality. They are viewing a routine from a consistent position. This could eliminate panel and tech officials’ uncertainty of who makes a call. Susie felt that that was the job of the head officials and that they could review a tech call. The premise must always be ere on the side of the athlete.

A positive review that deductions were doing what they need to do to advance teams from sectional to state was discussed. The committee stressed that the routine should build the score. Safety is important; however deduction should not be the focus of competition.

The question was raised why scores go down in finals from the state preliminary rounds. Discussions ranged from 1) panels are different 2) competition levels and expectations change 3) execution may have been different. The committee discussed using the same officials from prelims to finals to help bridge this gap with inconsistency.

Discussion that the IHSA rubric is Objective yet there still seems to be elements in subjectivity in team scores. Judges need to let the numbers fall as they do and avoid picking who they think is better instead of just scoring the category.

The committee examined the process for legality review. Team should be able to submit a video for review. Susie expressed concerns that the IHSA office would regarding not be able to handle hundreds of video coming in for review. This is something that might be best done by the coaches association of head officials or clinician. Susie has currently been reviewing stunts that coaches have sent it and it works best when they submit them electronically via e-mail. It seems relatively easy for folks now to send an electronic link of their stunt for a ruling. Ruling can be difficult because something in slow motion on a video may be OK but once done up to speed at a competition it may become illegal due to execution. Prudent coaches should seek sound advice at invitational and have all of the potential gray areas cleared up prior to the state series.
Clarification of the boundary interpretation was reviewed. In the terms and conditions the rule states: a participant can step on the white boundary line, but if he/she steps over the white line during competition it is considered out of bounds. The IHSA interpretation is that the hand or foot or body part must cross completely over the white boundary line (which is typically off the mat). This should be more objective to call and less of a grey area to call when a participant grazes the side of a boundary line. Both tech officials and panel official can make this call.

Overall effectiveness needs to be a reflection of the entire score sheet – Judges need to be better educated on what is expected here.

More rubric categories should be separated such as stunts into pyramid and tosses and Separate tumbling into standing and running.

Motions should be listed as cheer and dance motions.

Avoid people judging being involved with competing teams

The IHSA will work on a policy / procedure manual created for state level judges

The IHSA will have an injury plan of action to provide to sectional managers and state final tournament personnel. The terms and conditions address who and how a routine can be stopped and where the coach may choose to continue a routine. However, there were concerns about protocol to address an injury. First the trained at the site should address the injury, and then the trainer can contact the coach. Parents should only be contacted or allowed on the floor once the trained and coaches have determined the need. Parents should not be allowed on the floor and security needs to be briefed on this issue.

Sectionals

A sectional is defined as having 4 divisions of competition so any additonal divisions at a host site should be compensated accordingly. Officials pay should also reflect the additional division worked.

Sectional sites were reviewed. Some expressed concern regarding selection of sectional site. Concerns ranged from judges distance from the mats, acoustics, pre tournament information and coaches meeting times.

State Venue

The IHSA will remain working with US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington for the 2007-08 Cheer State Series. A long term contract may be reviewed after 07-08. The IHSA will work in partnership with US Cellular Coliseum to develop more of a host relationship. The temperature of the warm up facility was discussed. Plans are already in place to address the cool air issues resulting from the open air vents. If needed, heaters will be started at least 2 hours prior to the check in time in the future. The IHSA will also work with US Cellular Coliseum to secure better lighting for the state final cheer officials table.

Feedback from teams stated that they liked the ease from warm up to the on deck area and most felt that they were not rushed and could prep their team appropriately.

The IHSA and US Cellular Coliseum and the CVB will continue to work on logistical information for teams as to where to go in preparing for the state competition. Some coaches felt it was not very clear as to how to get around the competition area. The IHSA will also work with the CVB regarding teams who may need 2 nights of housings.

The IHSA will continue to work with the Bloomington Normal CVB to update housing and hospitality needs for competing teams.

Parking needs to be better designated especially if a business in Bloomington was offering complimentary parking. Susie will work with the Bloomington – Normal CVB and US Cellular to work on parking needs. Better parking assistance will also be reviewed for future years. Shuttles were discussed to be provided as transportation from the parking garages to the arena.

The committee reviewed security concerns and the need to address more personnel in areas of US Cellular Coliseum to stop fans from roaming the warm up area which is credentialed only. A person needs to be at the entry way of the Pepsi Ice Center to allow teams to enter the holding area only 1 hour prior to their official warm up time. This would also assist in directing non credentialed fans to the appropriate areas.

Competition Area

The IHSA will research lighting options to assist in resolving some issues that schools had with the placement of floor lighting that was distracting to stunt groups.

The IHSA will hire a competition DJ that will provide the personnel to assist coaches in their music needs. The DJ will not press play to start the coaches’ music. Only coaches should have this responsibility.

Discussion of allowing coaches to test music on Thursday night was reviewed. No recommendation was brought forward to add that to the terms and conditions. A head set will be provided for coaches to check their music at the state final.

The committee discussed the process for securing press passes. Schools must follow the IHSA policy and the terms and conditions to request press passes.

Warm Up Area

Due to limitations on space in the holding areas, the committee suggested providing a timeline that would only allow schools competing in their respective division entry to the general holding area 1 hour prior to their official warm up time.

Concern was discussed with the safety of the warm up area. It was suggested that the warm up time be checked by stop watches rather than the clock on the wall. Space issues in the warm up area were also addressed.

Schools have 5 minutes on each mat and can do whatever they wish with the time (i.e. – teams don’t need to only tumble on the tumbling strips – they could warm up a stunt etc…)

One suggestion to allow more space in the warm up and arena area is to group the large and small division together and the coed and medium division together for preliminary rounds at the state final.

Other suggestions were to tighten the space for official warm up space (bring the mats closer to the dasher boards). Another suggestion was to move the pictures to a different area to allow for more space in the warm up area.

Coed

Terry led a discussion that reviewed the Coed Division. There is still concern around the state that 1 male on a team does not provide enough skill for that team to be in the coed division. The IHSA needs all division to have at least 25 teams entered and the fear of splitting the coed division would result in not meeting the minimum standard.

Concern was also brought up regarding schools just adding one male to be in the coed division or cutting the male in order to not be in the coed division.

The coed division also needs focus in the officials training on coed stunts to help with the rubric ranges.

All coed teams must qualify from a sectional to advance to the state final which was in place this year and worked well. Schools must designate that their team is coed by November 1st, 2007 though the IHSA schools center.

Divisions

Information on the ability to move up a division will be available on the IHSA website for the 2007-08 season. Team sizes and division enrollment cutoffs will remain the same for 2008.

Competition Date – Competition Season

Discussion to move the IHSA state final cheer date from week 31 of the standardized calendar to week 32 was presented by representative from the Coaches Association. There was concern that some squads were not ready by week 31 (Feb. 2-3 2007). Others felt that one more week would allow for more invitational level competition especially utilizing all 4 weeks in January for open competition dates to build to the state series. Susie was going to check on the availability of US Cellular Coliseum.

It was discussed to start the cheer competition season in October. This would be an item that has to be presented by a member school principal/official rep and taken through the legislative process in October 2007 for effectiveness in 2008.

State final date this year may have interfered with regular season games however schools tried to accommodate by featuring other levels of sideline cheer teams at their games. If schools know the date for the state series, long term planning can be done by athletic directors which could include only scheduling one game on this weekend date so cheer teams would limit the sideline time schools would need to miss. Some schools traveled back to their home districts and cheered sideline. Some schools that did not advance to Saturdays finals returned home to cheer sidelines.

It was discussed to increase the number of allowed competition from 5 to 10. This recommendation needs to be submitted through the legislative process in October. The competition season is currently 5 months long and with the 5 allowable competitions most schools only compete once per month. By increasing to 10 competitions it would allows teams to be better prepared for to the state series. Teams can also compete after the IHSA state series. The IHSA season continues until week 39 of the IHSA standardized calendar (end of March).

Online Entry

Discussion that the list of participants (lop) for cheerleading is due too early resulted in Susie explaining that the due date for the list of participants allows the IHSA office to identify schools who have not entered their lop yet and contact their administration to confirm if they are wanting to compete. The link is left open until the week before sectionals so schools can go in and make any changes to their roster if they need to due to injury, ineligibility, etc… The rosters are then released electronically the week prior to sectional to the sectional host managers and they use the rosters for check in at registration. Schools can make any changes/corrections to their roster at that time as well. It is important that changes at sectional need to be reported to the IHSA office so the correct rosters appear in the state final programs. The committee also recommended that the entry system online need more lines. Susie will review this process with the IHSA staff and Scott Johnson so cheer is consistent with other IHSA sports.

Additional Items

The consistency between divisions was discussed focusing on mats, awards, and times. Susie took responsibility for adding the boundary lines after the morning session on Friday. The consistency of each division was of primary focus. Susie also opted not to announce 6th through 1st place for the final divisions due to some sportsmanship and time issues. Susie also took responsibility for allowing a set of mats to be in the general holding areas on Saturday of competition. Schools were doing basket tosses on the pro deck which was not approved as an appropriate surface so the mats were to be utilized to help solve that problem. Some were concerned that the mat time was being used inequitable and posed a safety issue in an area that should just be used for team holding and stretching.

The IHSA nominated Mr. Jeff Siegal for the NFHS Spirit Coaches Award and Mr. Richard Piatchek for the NFHS Spirit Contributor Award.

The IHSA is working in conjunction with a sponsor to present a mascot challenge. Additonal information will be forthcoming.