Ohio State Fair CHEERLEADING & DANCE COMPETITION August 7

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Ohio State Fair CHEERLEADING & DANCE COMPETITION August 7, 2016 Promoted & Managed by

Visit www.AmeriCheer.com or www.AmeriDanceInc.com for more information!

Buckeye Sports Center

GENERAL INFORMATION Entry Deadline: July 19, 2016 Event Date/Time: August 7, 2016 Event Notes: · Classifications o High school squads will be divided into small, medium and/or large varsity squads, based upon number of team members (please refer to divisions and rules for additional explanation). o Squads will receive email confirmation upon receipt of registration (please provide email address). o Only NON-MOUNT cheerleading teams, individuals and duos and dance teams, soloist and ensembles are permitted to compete in the Ohio State Fair competition due to facility ceiling height.

· Ohio State Fair Cheerleading and Dance Sponsor/Producer AmeriCheer and AmeriDance are proud to produce and sponsor the 2016 Ohio State Fair Cheerleading and Dance competition. Call 800-966-JUMP for information on camps, uniforms, clothing, competitions, special events, and more!

· Performance Area The competition will be held at the Buckeye Sports Center, which is on the eastside of the grounds. The performance area will be a 42' x 42' cheer foam flat mat system for all teams. Each team will be given a five-minute warm-up time on the mat prior to the start of the competition.

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· Competition Time Schedule o Competition times are subject to change. 9:00am Doors open and Registration begins 9:30am Warm-up begins 10:00am Competition begins § Cheer team divisions will begin first. § Dance Divisions dance team divisions will follow. NOTE: All times are subject to change and are based upon the number of participants and number of teams registered for the event.

· Eligibility o All squad members must be currently enrolled in an accredited Ohio school to be eligible to compete for the 2016-2017 academic year. o Contestants may be male or female. o 2016 graduates are not eligible to compete. o The Ohio State Fair Cheer and Dance competition is limited to NON-MOUNT divisions only due to the ceiling height of the facility.

· Entry Date and Fee o A non-refundable entry fee of $20.00 per cheerleader/dancer is required to enter this competition (includes a ticket for the fair). o 2015 Grand Champion squad(s) will receive free entry for the 2016 event, but must complete and send in the entry form and liability release forms (located below). o Dishonored checks are considered non-payment. All entries covered by a dishonored check will be ineligible to participate. o Entries must be postmarked (with cancellation from the post office) no later than July 19, 2016. Entries may be mailed or faxed to the AmeriCheer, Inc. Corporate Office. · Mail to: AmeriCheer, Inc. 20 Collegeview Road, Westerville, OH 43081 · Fax to: AmeriCheer: 614-898-0404 o Changes cannot be made to the entry form after the deadline date. o Make checks payable to AmeriCheer. Credit Cards will also be accepted for payment. Please call 614-898-1000 or 800-966-JUMP with questions or regarding payment.

· Fair Admissions and Parking o Cheerleaders, dancers, and up to two coach/advisors will receive a free admission ticket for the day of the competition. Admission tickets and final instructions will be mailed to the squad “contact” listed on the registration form, prior to the Fair. Coach(s)/Advisor(s) name must appear on the entry form to receive a free admission ticket. o A maximum of one parking permit will be provided to each squad for transporting of equipment. If a parking permit is required, you must state so on the entry form. All other vehicles will be charged the daily parking charge, payable at the gate, and must go to general parking. For this reason, we strongly suggest you give cheerleaders their own admission ticket so anyone attending or arriving with family (and sent to a different parking area) will have their ticket. If members are traveling separately, a meeting place should be arranged to ensure the entire squad reaches the performance area.

· General Rules o A performance order and warm-up schedule will be included in a final confirmation emailed to the coaches prior to the event. Ohio State Fair Admissions tickets will be mailed to each team’s coach/contact. Please note that all warm-up and performance times Page 2 of 9

are subject to change. Coaches will receive the most up-to-date performance order at the registration table when checking in the morning of the event. o Squads must check in at the registration table upon arrival and no later than one half hour prior to team’s scheduled warm-up time. o Members must appear in school uniforms. o Members will enter the performance area facing the judges, no exceptions.

· Liability o Each member (including alternate members) of your team is required to sign the Waiver of Liability form before competing. A copy of this form is included with the entry form (please copy for all members/alternates to complete; minors’ parents/guardians must sign the form).

· Divisions and Rules o The competition will follow the 2015-2016 AmeriCheer and AmeriDance performance guidelines and divisions. o Safety rules will follow the 2015-2016 National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Spirit Safety rules. o NOTE: Only NON MOUNT cheer teams will be allowed to enter into the Ohio State Fair competition due to the facility’s ceiling height.

· Division Notes o AmeriCheer reserves the right to disqualify any team that does not adhere to the division guidelines. o Divisions not already separated by size, will be separated into Large (21+ members) and Small (5-20 members) based upon enrollment. o For divisions that are broken into Small and Large, in the event that there are not at least 2 teams in each division, these divisions may be combined. AmeriCheer also reserves the right to add divisions based on enrollment.

CHEER TEAM DIVISION PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES School Non Mount Traditional Routines · · · · · · · ·

Total Routine Time: Maximum 2:30 (no minimum time) Total Music Time: Maximum 1:30 (no minimum time) Routines should contain all elements reflected on the official School/Rec Non MountTraditional Score Sheet. (See sample score sheets). Routines must contain a cheer/sideline crowd leading portion during which there may not be any music/the music must be stopped. When entering the performance area, teams should simply walk onto the floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Participants may punch/wave, but may not jump, kick, tumble or do any type of organized chant, movement, etc. Timing will begin with the first organized word or movement, whichever comes first. Approved props are poms, signs, (including flags with letters/words, etc.) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries.

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School Non Mount Show Cheer Routines · · · · · · ·

Total Routine Time: Maximum 2:30 (no minimum time) Routines should contain all elements reflected on the official School Non Mount-Show Cheer Score Sheet. (See sample score sheet). Routines must be performed entirely to music. When entering the performance area, teams should simply walk onto the floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Participants may punch/wave, but may not jump, kick, tumble or do any type of organized chant, movement, etc. Timing will begin with the first organized word, movement or note of music, whichever comes first. Approved props are poms, signs, (including flags with letters/words, etc.) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries.

School Spirit Leader Traditional Routines · · · · · · · · ·

Total Routine Time: Maximum 2:30 (no minimum time) Total Music Time: Maximum 1:30 (no minimum time) Routines should contain all elements reflected on the official School/Rec Spirit LeaderTraditional Score Sheet. (See sample score sheets). Routines must contain a cheer/sideline crowd leading portion during which there may not be any music/the music must be stopped. When entering the performance area, teams should simply walk onto the floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Participants may punch/wave, but may not jump, kick, tumble or do any type of organized chant, movement, etc. Timing will begin with the first organized word or movement, whichever comes first. Approved props are poms, signs, (including flags with letters/words, etc.) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries. NEW! Limited tumbling is permitted! For choreography and transitional purposes only, any form/combination of rolls, handstands or cartwheels will be permitted but will not be categorized nor scored separately on the score sheet.

GAME DAY READY DIVISION PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES Game Day Ready Cheer Routines · · · · · · · · · ·

Total Routine Time: Maximum 1:30 (no minimum time) Cheer should contain all elements reflected on the official Game Day Ready Cheer Score Sheet. (See sample score sheet). Traditional cheer uniforms are required. No costumes and/or specialty/themed uniforms are permitted. Cheer should be a crowd leading style cheer (with emphasis on crowd involvement) and should contain call-backs that would be used for getting the crowd involved in a game/time-out situation. No music and/or drum cadences are permitted. Props permitted are poms, signs (including flags with words/letters) and megaphones. These items are highly encouraged to better enhance the cheer’s overall effect. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries. No “gimmicks” (i.e. confetti, balls, candy, etc.) are permitted nor permitted to be thrown into the audience at any time before, during or after the performance. When entering the performance area, teams should simply walk onto the floor and immediately prepare to begin their cheer. Timing will begin with the first organized word or movement, whichever comes first. Page 4 of 9

Specific Skill Restrictions: No running tumbling is permitted!

Game Day Ready Sideline Routines · · · · · · · · · ·

Total Routine Time: Maximum 1:30 (no minimum time) Cheer should contain all elements reflected on the official Game Day Ready Sideline Score Sheet. (See sample score sheet). Traditional cheer uniforms are required. No costumes and/or specialty/themed uniforms are permitted. Sideline should be game applicable with emphasis on crowd involvement. Recorded drum cadences/rhythms are permitted as part of the sideline/chant. Props permitted are poms, signs (including flags with words/letters) and megaphones. Props must be physically used if placed within the performance boundaries. No “gimmicks” (i.e. confetti, balls, candy, etc.) are permitted nor permitted to be thrown into the audience at any time before, during or after the performance. When entering the performance area, teams should simply walk onto the floor and immediately prepare to begin their sideline. Timing will begin with the first organized word or movement, whichever comes first. .

Specific Skill Restrictions: No running tumbling is permitted.

Game Day Ready Fight Song Routines · · · · · · · · · ·

Total Routine Time: Maximum 1:30 (no minimum time) Routine should contain all elements reflected on the official Game Day Ready Fight Song Score Sheet. (See sample score sheet). Traditional cheer uniforms are required. No costumes and/or specialty uniforms are permitted. Routine should be performed to the team’s school recorded fight song. Poms are required and must be used in entirety. Poms are the only approved props. No tumbling is permitted. No “gimmicks” (i.e. confetti, balls, candy, etc.) are permitted nor permitted to be thrown into the audience at any time before, during or after the performance. When entering the performance area, teams should simply walk onto the floor and immediately prepare to begin their routine. Timing will begin with the first organized word, movement or note of music, whichever comes first.

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DANCE FUNDAMENTAL INFORMATION

General Rules 1. All teams must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified coach/instructor. 2. Coaches/instructors must require proficiency before skill progression. Coaches must consider the dancer and team skill level with regard to proper performance placement. 3. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The director/coach of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. 4. All programs should have, and review, an emergency action plan in the event of an injury. 5. Substitutions may be made in the event of any injury or other serious circumstance. Substitutes must also abide by the age, gender and grade restrictions in all division in which they compete. 6. Footwear is recommended but not required. Wearing socks and/or footed tights is prohibited. (Exception: socks are allowed on a carpeted performance surface) 7. Jewelry as a part of a costume is allowed. 8. Suggestive, offensive, or vulgar choreography, costuming, and/or music are inappropriate for family audiences and therefore lack audience appeal. 9. Routine choreography should be appropriate and entertaining for all audience members, Vulgar or suggestive material is defined as any movement or choreography implying something improper or indecent, appearing offensive or sexual in content, and/or relaying lewd or profane gestures or implications. Inappropriate choreography, costuming and/or music may also affect the judges’ overall impression and/or score of the routine. 10. All choreography should be age appropriate. 11. All costuming and makeup should be age appropriate and acceptable for family viewing.

AmeriDance Dance Category Type Definitions 1. All Star/Studio-competition based organizations which may or may not be owned and operated by an individual(s). 2. Recreational League- To be considered a recreational league organization, one or all of the following must apply: a. Governed by a Recreation Council or Board. b. Are affiliated with a YMCA, a Boy and Girls Club or your County’s Recreation and Parks. c. Dance for their associated recreation’s sports club (i.e. football, basketball, soccer, etc.). 3 School- To be considered a school organization, one or all of the following must apply: a. Governed by their associated school’s administration. b. The team’s main purpose is to dance for their associated school’s sports clubs (i.e. football, basketball, soccer, etc.).

Music One representative may run the music and must remain at the sound table throughout the entire performance. Please bring two high quality CDs. You should always bring several backups! All CDs must be marked with the team name and division. IPod connection may not be available at all events. Review the content of the music for any inappropriate language or sounds. Music of poor quality may detract from your performance and could affect scoring. It is suggested that music time be recorded three to four seconds under the maximum time allotted due to variations in music system speed. Page 6 of 9

Dance Deductions 1. Time of Routine: A 1-5 point deduction will be assessed for not meeting the over/under music guidelines. Music times are final and cannot be disputed after the competition. 2. Other Rule Infractions: A 2.5 deduction will be assessed for each of the following infractions: a. Tumbling Violation b. Dance Lift Violation c. Violating any other rule, requirement and/or restriction set forth prior to the event 3. Visit http://www.ameridanceinc.com/resources/ameridance-rules/ to view the Official Dance Deduction Judge Sheet.

Props 1. Wearable and/or handheld items are allowed in all categories and can be removed and discarded from the body. 2. Any items that does bear the weight of the participant is considered a standing prop. Standing props are only allowed in the prop and production category.

Interruption of Performance If interruption occurs during routine performance due to competition equipment, facilities, etc. participants will be permitted to restart the routine from the beginning or at the point of interruption. If an interruption occurs during a routine performance due to your equipment (CD, etc.), participants may either continue the routine or withdraw from the competition. If an injury occurs during a routine performance, a team may either continue or withdraw from the competition. The competition official will determine where the routine continuation will take place in the performance order in either scenario. Competition officials reserve the right to stop a performance due to injury. In any case of the routine being restarted, new scores will be assessed and previous scores will be eliminated.

Age Divisions and Participant Eligibility Any team or participant proven to be in violation of the age/grade requirements for any AmeriDance competition may/will result in disqualification from the competition. Requirements are as follows: 1. The Division (age or grade) of a team is determined by the age or grade of the oldest competitor. NO ACCEPTIONS. a. The age of the competitor as of August 31, 2015 will be the age used for competition throughout the 2015/2016 season for all All Star/Studio Divisions. b. The grade of the competitor as of the 2015/2016 school year will be the grade used for competition throughout the 2015/2016 season for all School/Rec Divisions.

Crossovers Dancers may compete in more than one division and/or category as long as they abide by the age restrictions in all division in which they compete. A dancer may not compete in a Non-Prep Category and a Prep Category within the same style. Crossovers must be accounted for in your registration.

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DANCE ROUTINE PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES 1. SOLOIST total routine time – Max. 2:30 performance time/ Min. 1:45 performance time DUET/TRIO/OFFICER LINE total routine time - Max. 2:30 performance time/ Min. 1:45 performance time TEAM total routine time- Max. 2:30 performance time/ Min. 1:45 performance time Each Dance Team must have a minimum of four (4) participants to compete in the Dance Team division, or they will be moved to the Duet or Trio division. PRODUCTION category – Max. 5:00 performance time/ Min. 1:45 performance time Production routines must have at least 20 members. 2. Timing of each routine will begin with the first choreographed movement or beat of music and end with the last choreographed movement or beat of music, whichever comes last. 3. Backdrops are permitted in all categories. The backdrop may not be manipulated during the routine. The backdrop is not permitted to be taller than 8’ high. It must fit through a gymnasium door without the center pole being removed.

SOLOIST AND DUET/TRIO COMPETITION DIVISIONS DIVISION Tiny Mini Youth Junior Senior Open

AGE 6 Years & Younger 9 Years & Younger 12 Years & Younger 15 Years & Younger 18 Years & Younger 14 Years & Older

Ages as of August 31, 2015 will be the determining factor for divisions determined by age. Duets must have 2 participants, trios must have 3 participants, and officer lines are only for school/rec programs, and may have 4 participants. The officer line category is not for small groups.

AMERIDANCE TEAM DIVISIONS AND SAFETY RULES 1. All Star/Studio-Please refer to AmeriDance All Star Team Divisions & Safety Rules. 2. School/Recreational League- Please refer to AmeriDance School/Rec Team Divisions & Safety Rules.

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OVERALL AWARDS INFORMATION · · · ·

All participants receive a gift! Winners – Placements in each division will be announced after the competition, after the scores are tabulated. All trophies for their respective divisions will be presented at this time. Squad score sheets will be available following the awards ceremony. Scoring and placement of squads will be posted online at www.ohioexpocenter.com following the competition, as well as www.americheer.com and www.ameridanceinc.com. Sponsored awards may be presented the day of the competition (or could be mailed at a later time). Additional Awards o Grand Champion……………………Grand Champion Award, FREE entry 2017 Fair o Grand Champions send one coach for FREE* to the 2017 AmeriCheer and AmeriDance InterNational Championships and receive a Grand Champion Trophy. *Please call AmeriCheer or AmeriDance at 800-966-JUMP for details. ·

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A gift certificate will be awarded to the winning squad(s) in the varsity division(s). This award is provided through generosity of Victory Wear, Westerville, Ohio. Please visit www.victorywearonline.com or call 800-966-JUMP for more information.

Bids can be earned for the 2017 InterNational Championships. Show Your Spirit Award – This year at the Ohio State Fair Cheer and Dance competition, we will be awarding our Show Your Spirit Award. This award goes to the team with the most creative, enthusiastic, supportive fans! o What You’ll Win § A Show Your Spirit Banner § Organization/Team name listed on the AmeriCheer and AmeriDance websites § Automatic qualification for the 2017 Spirited Program of the Year. (for more details visit www.americheer.com or call 800-966-JUMP) § More prize packages and info to come

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