The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has approved six key rule changes for high school cheerleading, all aimed at reducing risks and enhancing athlete safety. These modifications, set to take effect for the 2025-26 season, provide clearer guidelines on jewelry, stunts, tumbling, and use of props.
Understanding these rule adjustments as parents is crucial for ensuring your athlete stays safe and compliant with the latest guidelines. Below, we break down each rule change and explain its impact in simple terms.
1. Clearer Definition of Jewelry Restrictions
One of the biggest safety concerns in cheerleading is the use of jewelry, which can pose risks such as snagging on uniforms, getting caught in stunts, or even causing cuts and bruises.
Previously, the rulebook prohibited "jewelry," but the vague definition was somewhat vague, leading to inconsistencies in enforcement. The new update explicitly defines what qualifies as jewelry, helping eliminate confusion. Now, athletes, coaches, and officials will have a standardized understanding of what can and cannot be worn during performances.
What This Means for Your Athlete:
No more uncertainty about what is allowed- if it fits the new definition of jewelry, it must be removed.
Coaches and officials will have a consistent standard to follow, reducing the risk of injuries caused by jewelry-related accidents.
Parents should remind athletes to check for earrings, rings, bracelets, or any other restricted items before practices and competitions.
2. T-Lift Over Nugget Position Now Permitted
A significant change is the allowance of a T-lift stunt over a nugget position. A T-lift is when bases hold a top person under the arms in a "T" shape, lifting them upward. A nugget position occurs when an athlete kneels or crouches down to the ground, typically acting as a transitional base or support.
Before this rule change, cheerleaders were restricted from moving a top person over an athlete in a nugget position due to safety concerns. However, after careful review, the NFHS determined that allowing this movement aligns cheerleading with standard dance lifts and does not introduce significant new risks.
What This Means for Your Athlete:
Cheerleaders will have more creative freedom in stunt sequencing.
This rule allows routines to incorporate safer and smoother transitions, as the T-life is considered a basic skill.
Coaches can now include more visually dynamic stunts that align with both dance and cheer choreography.
3. Updated Rules on Braced Flip Inversions
Flipping stunts are some of the most exciting yet dangerous elements in cheerleading. A braced flip inversion is when a cheerleader performs a flipping stunt while connected to another athlete, who acts as a "bracer" for support.
Previously, the rules required the bracer to maintain contact throughout the entirety of the inversion. The new rule now allows the bracer to release the top person or move to a load position as the top descends into a cradle.
What This Means for Your Athlete:
The change acknowledges that once the flip is complete, a bracer is no longer needed for safety, making transitions smoother.
Less restrictive rules will allow for greater creativity in skill progressions while still maintaining safety standards.
Coaches will need to ensure athletes are properly trained in these transitions to avoid mid-air disconnections.
4. Inverted Top Person Can Be Moved Directly to the Floor
In cheerleading, an inverted top position is someone who is upside down in a stunt (such as a handstand or backflip). Previously, the NFHS rules required specific restrictions on how an inverted cheerleader can be transitioned back to the ground.
The new rule now allows an inverted top person to be moved directly to the performance surface. This change is particularly relevant for stunts like the waterfall dismount, where a flyer transitions smoothly from an inverted position to the floor.
What This Means for Your Athlete:
Coaches and athletes have more flexibility when choreographing dismounts.
The rule now better reflects the realities of how many cheerleading stunts are safely executed.
Athletes can execute more fluid movements while still following safety protocols.
5. Separation of Braced and Non-Braced Releases
One of the most significant updates is the separation of braced and non-braced release moves into different rule categories.
A braced release is when a flyer is connected to another person (such as in a pyramid stunt). A non-braced release happens when a flyer is tossed or let go without holding onto another athlete.
Previously, these rules grouped these releases together, leading to confusion over what was allowed. By clearly defining them separately, the NFHS makes it easier for coaches, judges, and athletes to apply the appropriate rules.
What This Means for Athletes:
Easier to understand what is permitted in a routine.
Reduces confusion for coaches and officials, leading to fairer judging at competitions.
Ensures safety by distinguishing between different risk levels of release moves.
6. Cheerleaders Can Now Hold Soft Props While Tumbling
One of the most surprising changes is that cheerleaders can now hold soft props, like flags or bandanas, during airborne tumbling passes- as long as they are in the non-support hand.
Previously, the rulebook prohibited tumbling while holding any object due to safety concerns. However, many Game Day cheerleading routines involve cheerleaders using flags, poms, or signs to lead the crowd. The rule change acknowledges this common practice while still prioritizing safety.
What This Means for Your Athlete:
More opportunities for creative Game Day routines without penalty.
Tumbling with props is only allows in the non-support hand to ensure the athlete maintains full control.
Cheerleaders and coaches must still prioritize safety when incorporating props into routines.
What These Changes Mean for Cheer Parents
For parents of cheerleaders, these rule changes are a positive step forward in balancing safety with the evolution of the sport. Cheerleading continues to become more athletic and dynamic, and these updates ensure that athletes can progress safely. Here are some key takeaways:
✔️ Safety First: Many changes were made with risk reduction in mind, making the sport safer for participants.
✔️ More Clarity: The rulebook is now more clearly defined, reducing confusion for coaches and officials.
✔️ Greater Flexibility: The updates allow for smoother transitions and more creative routines without adding unnecessary restrictions.
Final Thoughts
As cheerleading continues to grow, rule updates like this help ensure that athletes can perform exciting routines while minimizing risks. Coaches, athletes, and parents should take time to review these changes to stay informed and maintain a safe and successful cheerleading season.
If you're a cheer parent, stay connected with your athlete's coach and encourage proper training to ensure these new skills are executed safely. With these rule updates, cheerleading is taking another step toward a safer and more structured future!