Cheerleading specific questions in regards to
2020-2021 IHSA changes/modifications Season dates/contact dates
**Can we start having sideline practice now, are there any restrictions regarding time
frame and dates?
Sideline cheer falls under the IHSA activity Bylaws 4.000
https://www.ihsa.org/documents/forms/current/IHSA_Section4.pdf
Sideline cheer is an activity and does not have season limits. Therefore, defer to your
local school administration on when your sideline teams will be allowed to organize at
your school. Local school districts can carve out the parameters regarding sideline
cheer that best fit their school spirit needs. Sideline cheer does not have any contest
limitations and can meet year-round provided guidance from their local school
administration. NOTE: Sideline cheer does need to comply with current IDPH health
regulations.
https://dceocovid19resources.com/assets/Restore-Illinois/businessguidelines4/
youthsports.pdf
Currently, Sideline Spirit is categorized under the IDPH as “Lower Risk” with the
following safety measures: 6-feet apart and no stunts or lifts.
**When can winter/competition tryouts take place?
Competitive Cheerleading season may begin on November 16 – Tryouts can be
conducted for a competitive cheer team at that time.
https://www.ihsa.org/Resources/COVID-19#30575-winter
**Can we only practice during the contact days starting Sept 7th?
Sideline Cheer and Competitive Cheer can practice during the allowable 20 days of
contact for teams between September 7 and October 31 following IDPH Phases 4
Guidelines. https://www.ihsa.org/documents/Phase4RTP.pdf. Currently, IDPH guidance
is no contact (stunts or lifts) practices, and training/conditioning only. Motions, Dance,
Cheers, Jumps, Tumbling can occur using IDPH safety protocols.
**Do we have non-contact dates for winter?
Competitive Cheer shall have no contact between October 31 and November 16.
Sideline Cheer can continue to have contact per your local school districts policies.
**Can you do sideline tryouts at any time?
Sideline Cheer tryouts can occur at anytime per your local school districts policies and
procedures.
**What are the dates teams can do choreography for winter/competition season?
Anyone who has contact with a Competitive Cheer team between September 7 –
October 31 and November 16 – February 13 must comply with IHSA coaching bylaw
2.070 Qualifications of Coaches.
https://www.ihsa.org/documents/forms/current/IHSA_Section2.pdf
**Can sideline cheer for other sports or do we need to stay connected to football and
basketball?
Schools can decide at the local level how their sideline spirit squads are best
incorporated into a sideline season, however, IHSA Bylaw 5.340 Competitive
Cheerleading does require competitive cheerleaders to be rostered participants on the
schools winter (basketball) sideline cheerleading team in some capacity.
https://www.ihsa.org/documents/forms/current/IHSA_Section5.pdf
All Star vs. High School
**Will high school athletes be able to participate on both competitive high school and all-
star teams?
The IHSA Board of Directors are still reviewing this rule for November 16 – February 13.
**Are there any restrictions on athletes that may be participating in club/all-star cheer
outside of the state of IL during this “down time”?
Since we are not in the competitive cheerleading season, this is a personal family and local level decision.
Camps/Choreography/Outside Instructors
**When can outside instructors and/or camp come in?
Currently, the IHSA Board of Directors are not permitting outside coaches
(choreographers) during September 7 and October 31 or November 16 – February 13
unless they are Qualified Coaches – IHSA By-law 2.070.
Sideline cheer can have choreographers for senior night/homecoming routines etc...
**When can a choreographer come in?
Virtual contact/choreography can occur anytime.
Choreographers may also work with coaches.
Competition/Winter Season
**Will competition be tumble and jump only or will we only be able to compete if we can
complete all rubric skills (Stunt/pyr)?
The format of IHSA competition will be determined
based on IDPH health guidelines. The IHSA is monitoring these guidelines closely and
will do everything to minimize risk for participants.
**If we will be allowed to compete in some manner, when could we expect to see a revised
scoring rubric (assuming certain skills (stunting) wouldn’t be allowed)?
Any decision by the IHSA Board of Directors regarding winter sports will be made no later than November 16th.
**If we are not able to have a season in the winter will they move us to the spring? Or will we be canceled?
All options are on the table as the IHSA staff, BOD and IDPH continue to monitor all health metrics.
Will competitive cheerleaders be required to cheer for winter sport?
Unless revised by the IHSA Board of Directors, IHSA Bylaw 5.340 Competitive Cheerleading does require
competitive cheerleaders to be rostered participants on the schools winter (basketball)
sideline cheerleading team in some capacity.
https://www.ihsa.org/documents/forms/current/IHSA_Section5.pdf
**Suggestion for competition possibility if we are High Risk Tier 2....(currently 1)...this
allows “intrasquad scrimmaging” which indicates contact - BUT no competition...could
we work with gov. office as cheer and dance do not actually compete head to head and
would have no contact “between different teams”. Could a virtual option be utilized here
where teams perform via live stream from their home gyms where they would never
interact at all with other teams...maybe just for a score?
They would NOT be directly competing in an area with other teams and would be same exposure levels as if they
were “intra-squad scrimmaging”. All these options are on the table and will be reviewed by the IHSA.