High School Spirit Rules Adjusted to Provide Increased Clarity While Maintaining Focus on Minimizing Risk

Adjusted language in high school spirit rules helps to clarify how participants may perform certain stunts while still minimizing risk. While some rules have been modified to allow a natural progression of skills to continue within the sport, others have been revised to ensure consistency among similar skills.

Eight changes and two definitions were among the revisions recommended by the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee at its February 8-10 meeting in Orlando, Florida. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors and take effect with the 2026-27 high school spirit season. 

“While participant safety remains the most significant priority for the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee, we are also working diligently to ensure that rules and expectations are consistent between similar skills,” said Chris Paulson, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and liaison to the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee. “This year’s rule changes reflect current trends and incorporate input from across the country, all while maintaining a commitment to safety and education. These changes will ensure that young people can participate in Spirit as safely as possible.”

One of the rules being adjusted is Rule 2-3-5, regarding inversions. Rule 2-3-5a previously required a hand-to-hand/arm connection to be maintained during a braced flip. New language now allows either a hand-to-hand/arm or a hand-to-foot/feet connection. However, new Rule 2-3-5k states that if the only connection is hand-to-foot, the top person cannot perform any twists; the bracer must be in a double-based prep with a spotter, and the top person must be caught by the original bases.

Another adjusted rule regards release stunts and tosses. Rule 2-5-6c now allows for a single twist during a vertical release from an extended position to an extended position. This rule change from a quarter-turn is a natural progression of the stunt, which allows a full twist from prep level to extended level.

Dismounts in the cheer and dance sections are also being addressed. Rules 2-7-8d (cheer) and 3-7-8d (dance) now allow a ¼ twist in all dismounts to catchers who are not the original bases. This change allows a forward-facing top person to cradle dismount to new catchers who are standing to the side, completing a common pyramid dismount visual without increased risk.

Other rules changes include:

· Rule 2-3-5d notes that, during braced flips in a pyramid, bracers can now release the top person or move to a loading position if the flip ends in a horizontal position at prep level.

· Rules 2-4-2c (cheer) and 3-4-3c (dance) clarify that in non-release stunts/lifts, catchers who are not the original bases (cheer) or supporting dancers (dance) must not be involved with any other skill when the transition is initiated.

· Rule 2-5-5g is added to clarify that a top person may not pass over the torso of another top person or bracer. While Rule 2-2-10 allows for that movement when helping to build, stabilize or dismount a pyramid, this rule change clarifies that action is illegal in braced release transitions.

· Rule 2-5-6e now requires that a single-based stunt falling from a vertical to horizontal position has at least two catchers.

· Rule 3-1-3a clarifies that when footwear is required, dancers must wear footwear on each foot.

· The definition of “Loading Position/Load” is being modified in both sections to state that the top person (cheer) or executing dancer (dance) is supported under their foot/feet below the bases’ (cheer) or supporting dancers’ (dance) shoulder level. The previous definition did not precisely define this position as it is commonly understood. Additionally, this change clarifies that this position is not limited to the beginning of a skill or position but can also be used in transition.

· The definition of “Tumbling” is being modified to refer to any hip-over-head skill that is not supported by a base (cheer) or supporting dancer (dance) that begins and ends on the performing surface. This change clarifies that there are several "acrobatic" skills that aren’t considered tumbling (e.g., seat rolls, side rolls, etc.) because they aren't inverted and are less of a safety concern. This change will clarify confusion about whether these skills are allowed or restricted in rules involving "tumbling" or "non-tumbling" divisions.

A complete listing of the spirit rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on the “Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Spirit” and then “Rules.” The print version of the 2026-27 Spirit Rules Book will be available for purchase in late May at www.NFHS.com, and the digital version will be available in the same timeframe via NFHS Digital at www.NFHS.org.   

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, spirit is the sixth-most popular sport for girls with 206,262 participants in 8,465 schools nationwide.