BYLAWS

Purpose

It shall be the purpose of each National Deaf Cheer Competition (NDCC) squad to promote and uphold team spirit for those we encounter, to develop good sportsmanship by example, and to support good relations in the community and between teams and squads during the events. The organizational goal is to work harmoniously with the team management and administration, other athletic teams, and sporting organizations.

These bylaws are designed for both divisions, 1 and 2, and both are expected to adhere to them to make this competition successful.

Eligibility

NDCC is a sole organization that is hosted by various campuses and organizations. For this reason schools are responsible to provide proper certifications and proof of insurance.

• The school/coach must maintain current AACCA Cheer Safety certification. Certifications are uploaded when registering a team for the annual event. Uncertified schools and coaches will not be accepted to compete without verified certification.
• A verification of insurance form must be completed with a copy of the current Certificate of Insurance (COI) for proof of liability coverage. Schools without proper insurance coverage will not be eligible to participate.

Division Assignment — Based on NDIAA Enrollment

Team Composition

• Squads are limited to six members, with no more than two male participants.
• Each team includes a total of ten (10) members: six cheerleaders, two coaches, one staff member (Athletic Director, Driver, or Residential Advisor), and one manager or drummer.
• Additional staff (up to 12) may be requested with host school approval. If host school is at capacity, visiting school is responsible for hotel accommodations for any additional staff.

Competition Expectations

The registration fee is $500, including shirts for registered cheerleaders.

Prior to the Competition

• Each school is required to be an NDIAA member before participating.
• Each school must submit a team mascot, roster, individual cheerleader pictures, team picture, and intro video to the hosting school by the last Friday in January before the competition.
• A team may not add or replace participants not on the tournament roster except in case of injury or illness.
• The host school is required to provide a minimum floor size of 42 ft × 30 ft. Wrestling mats are not acceptable for safety reasons.
• All stunts must be performed on the mats.
• The order of performance will be determined by a draw at the coaches' meeting prior to the event.
• Each school's cheer coach must have a USA Cheer safety certification.
• Host schools must provide a minimum of (2) spotters during stunts.
• Registration fees will not be refunded unless approved by the host school and/or NDCC.
• Hospitality rooms will be provided for coaches, judges, and staff.
• Host schools will provide equal practice time slots for all participating teams. No team may practice during the competition unless an optional "on-deck" area is designated.

During the Competition

• An athletic trainer and/or physician must be present at each school for the competition.
• In the event of injury or incident during a routine, the routine may be stopped and restarted with a new scoresheet. The original scoresheet will be null/void.
• Squads will not be penalized for performing less than the recommended time for each event.
• A designated "coaches box" on the front edge of the performance area is permitted. Only 3 team members (two coaches and one drummer) are allowed in this area.

Tournament Format

Team Performances

• 2 minutes — Warm-up (no points)
• 3 minutes — Floor Cheer
• 3 minutes — Dance

Warm-Up (2 Minutes — Not Scored)

Teams may use this time however they wish — to show their best, or to fine-tune positions and ensure accuracy before the performance. This routine will not be scored.

Floor Cheer (3 Minutes)

• Use of posters, flags, and poms allowed.
• Use of drums; no music.
• Gymnastics, jumps, and stunts allowed.
• Spotters must be present.
• Must follow NFHS Cheer guidelines.

Dance (3 Minutes)

• Music is required — penalty applies if no music is used.
• Use of poms is allowed. Props and signs are strictly prohibited (deduction applies).
• Creative dance incorporating gymnastics, jumps, and stunts.
• Music must be recorded on smartphones, iPods, iPads, or tablets. If using a smartphone, ensure it is in airplane mode.
• In event of music malfunction: music tech stops the music; team regroups and starts over. No point deduction for malfunction. Repeat request must be made before the team exits the mat.
• Must follow NFHS Cheer guidelines.

Individual Cheer Showcase (Day Prior to Competition)

All showcases are judged by head coaches only. Head coaches cannot vote for their own school. Optional participation — NDCC encourages teams to join in as many events as they wish. Each squad may enter up to three different cheerleaders, with a different cheerleader in each event.

• Individual Jump — Two rounds: Toe Touch and Individual Choice.
• Individual Floor Cheer — Signs, Props, Pom Poms allowed. Time limit: 2 minutes.
• Individual Dance — No Signs or Props. Pom Poms allowed. Time limit: 2 minutes.

Awards given in each division and category at the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony.

Routines / Setup / Penalties

Introduction

• All introductions (tumbling, entrances, chants, spell-outs, etc.) are considered part of the routine and will be timed.
• All team breaks, rituals, and traditions must take place prior to entering the mat.
• Music is only required during dance.

Competition Performance Area

• Participants must start with at least one foot on the ground.
• Approximate floor size: 54 ft wide × 42 ft deep (9 strips). No less than 5 strips accepted.
• School-based programs may not compete on spring floors (UCA/NFHS/AACCA ruling).
• Deductions will NOT be assessed for out-of-bounds.

Time Limit Deductions

Judges will not issue a deduction until their stopwatches show 3:03, acknowledging variance from human reaction speed and sound system timing.

Spotter Policy

Two spotters from each school must be present and on the mats with the cheerleaders whenever stunts are performed. Schools can decline the use of spotters but are responsible for their squad's safety and proper certification.

Unforeseen Circumstances

If a routine is interrupted due to failure of competition equipment, facilities, spotter interference, or other factors attributable to the competition (not the team), the team should STOP the routine. They will be given a second chance to perform; points from before the interruption will be thrown out and a new scoresheet provided.

Injury

Only competition officials, the coach/advisor, or an injured participant may stop a routine. An injured participant who wishes to return must receive clearance from medical personnel, parent (if present), and head coach. In the event of a suspected concussion, a licensed medical professional with head injury training must provide clearance — a parental waiver is insufficient.

Scores & Awards

Judging

• Each routine is evaluated by three judges on a 90-point scale, for a total of 270 possible points per routine.
• Floor Cheer + Dance combined allow a maximum of 540 points.
• Any deductions or violations will be removed from final scores.
• Individual score sheets are for the exclusive use of each judge. Scores are available ONLY to coaches at the conclusion of the competition.

Tie-Breaking

In the event of a tie, the team's highest-scoring individual performance determines the ranking.

Awards

All-Star Voting

• 6–8 All-Star Cheerleaders selected for Division 1; 8 for Division 2.
• Each Head Coach nominates 3 cheerleaders. Nominations due Saturday before competition starts.
• Each Head Coach has 8 ranked votes (1st vote = 8 points, 8th vote = 1 point). Head coaches cannot vote for their own school.
• In the event of a tie for the final selection, the All-Star roster may be expanded to include both tied athletes.
• All-Star Cheerleaders announced at the end of the awards ceremony. If there is a voting issue, awards will be mailed 24–48 hours after the event.

Staffing

Coordinator

• The Directors and Coordinator will contact all participating schools to ensure participation, share bylaws, and distribute competition information.
• The NDCC Directors and/or Coordinator will coordinate with judges, timekeepers, scorekeepers, interpreters, and on-site volunteers.
• Judges' professional biographies will be shared with cheer coaches once selected.
• The Coordinator will prepare score sheets inside individual manila envelopes labeled with each school's name.
• A team of 2 scorekeepers will tally scores and submit to the NDCC Director for final input into the Annual NDCC Final Scores Spreadsheet.
• Total scores/rankings will be given ONLY to coaches at the end of the competition.
• Committees to be established: Hospitality, Crowd Control/Security, Judges, Media/Technology, Setup/Breakdown, Coordinators, Dorms, Cafeteria, Workshops & Schedules.

Judges

• Judges will be USA Cheer certified or have at minimum extensive knowledge of NFHS spirit rules.
• Judges will mark all scores with a blue or black ballpoint pen and will not handle score sheets after completing a team's performance.
• Three judges with one optional penalty judge (total of three or four). None may be an alumnus of a participating school.
• Protests related to the judgment of officials are not permitted.

Timekeepers / Scorekeepers

• A minimum of two adults required. Use of stopwatches is required.
• Timing begins with the first organized movement, the first note of music, or the movement of an individual lifted off the floor — whichever comes first.
• Any deductions for time or safety violations will be subtracted from the FINAL averaged score.

Responsibilities of Host School

• Coaches are AACCA/USA Cheer Certified.
• Coverage of Insurance has been verified and accepted.
• Schools are NDIAA Members.
• Qualified spotters who have received official training to spot all stunting.
• Cheer mats 42 ft × 30 ft (5 rolls) or larger. If no mats are available, no stunts are allowed.
• A designated "coaches box" on the front edge of the performance area.
• Send mascot, picture, roster, and introduction video to the hosting school before the 4th Friday in January.

Youth Compliance Protocols

Our youth compliance protocols facilitate and guide NDCC's efforts to provide a safe environment for student athletes. The NDCC and/or event coordinator is the primary point-of-contact for maintaining best practices to cultivate safe environments for the protection of youth participants on any campus.

Individual schools are responsible for training staff and conducting background checks. In the NDCC Youth Protection Program policy, we work to ensure programming needs are met while fulfilling the legal obligation to provide a safe event environment.

This handbook is considered a living document and is subject to change. The most current version will always be available through official NDCC channels.

Livestreaming

NDCC is the sole owner and broadcaster of any NDCC Event. NDCC is a public event open to all for attendance. Individual media restrictions of a minor or adult are not applicable for public events. Please refer to Youth Compliance Protocols for any concerns involving a minor student athlete.

NDCC uses a third-party company to broadcast the event annually via WGEPlus.tv. Any external use of this broadcast or any pictures, descriptions, or accounts of the events without the explicit written consent of NDCC is prohibited.

Rules for specific surface restrictions, gymnastics, jumps, and stunts are subject to change by USA Cheer. Visit www.USACheer.org for updates. Copies of the Spirit Rules Handbook may be purchased from NFHS at nfhs.org.

Score Sheets & Guides 2025

Click any sheet to enlarge. All sheets are also included in the PDF download above.

Scoring Guide

Floor Cheer Score Sheet

Dance Score Sheet

Deduction Sheet

Individual Floor Cheer

Individual Dance

Individual Jumps