Cheer America Image Policy

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Cheer America Image Policy

Cheer America reserves the right to be the arbitrator and interpreter of the 2013-2014 USASF Image Policy. Judges reserved the right to assess warnings and/or deductions when a team’s choreography, uniform, makeup, and/or bows does not meet the standards of “appropriate” as described in the USASF Image Policy. APPROPRIATE CHOREOGRAPHY All facets of a performance/routine, including choreography and music selection, should be appropriate and suitable for family viewing and listening. Examples if inappropriate choreography may include, but are not limited to, movements such as hip thrusting and inappropriate touching, gestures, hard/arm movements and signals, slapping, and/or positioning of body parts towards one another. Music with lyrics that are unsuitable for family listening are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, swearwords and connotations of any type of sexual act or behavior, drugs, explicit mentions of specific body parts, and/or violent acts of behavior. Removing improper lyrics from a song and replacing them with a sound effect or other words may still constitute it as “inappropriate”. Music or movement in which the appropriateness is questionable or if uncertainty exists, then the coach should assume it is inappropriate and remove it from the performance/routine as to not put their team in an unfortunate situation. Please contact USASF or the event producers if you have a question regarding this policy. COVER UP GUIDELINES Athletes with ½ tops or ¾ tops should wear a suitable cover-up over their uniform unless they are in the warm-up area, traveling from the warm-up area, or on stage. MAKEUP & BOWS For safety, eyelid and face rhinestones are not allowed. False eyelashes are allowed but may not be decorated with rhinestones or additional jewelry. For safety, bows should not be excessive in size and should not be a distraction to the performance. Bows should be worn in a manner to minimize the risk for athletes. Bows should be secured as to not block the eyes of the athlete while performing.

WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS Each performer is expected to take the necessary steps to avoid inappropriate exposure during a performance. The Safety Judge and/or Panel Judge reserves the right to stop a routine if it is deemed necessary, as well as assess a deduction and/or disqualify a team or individual. Coaches and performers should discuss, in advance, their protocol if a wardrobe malfunction occurs. Teams/Individuals may or may not be given the opportunity to return and/or complete their performance and such occurrences will be determined by a Cheer America Official. APPROPRIATE UNIFORMS (2015-2016 Season) Please be aware that USASF will enforce their Appropriate Uniform Policy beginning with the 2015-2016 Season. Please visit www.usasf.net for specific guidelines and policy updates. POLICY PROTOCOL All concerns related to the Image Policy must be conveyed by a Gym Owner/Coach to a Cheer America Official. Approaching the Judging Panel during an event is strictly prohibited. Cheer America will make every effort to accommodate any concerns or questions when the appropriate protocol is followed. It is our goal to continually improve and ensure your satisfaction.