Get Ready For Spirit & Tradition To Shine At NHSCC

The UCA Game Day Championship is back and bigger than ever this year at the 2022 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship!

The Game Day divisions were created as a way for teams to showcase and compete the spirited traditions they are performing on their school's sidelines and in their communities all season long. 

During the UCA Game Day Championship, teams will perform a band chant, a situational sideline, a crowd leading section, and their school's traditional fight song. The athletes are encouraged to use signs, flags, megaphones, and poms to encourage fans to cheer along.

With all four elements combined, the Game Day performance cannot exceed a 3-minute time limit.

BAND CHANT: Teams should demonstrate spirit and enthusiasm while entering the performance floor and before the music begins. A cue will not be given to start the Band Chant. Once the music begins, the teams cannot incorporate any skills other than kicks and jumps, just like summer camp. Squads should utilize spirit-raising props and focus on creative movements such as level changes or ripples, execution of the material, and encouraging the crowd to participate.

SITUATIONAL SIDELINE: Following the Band Chant, the announcer will provide a cue for offense or defense. Teams should wait until the announcer finishes the cue and show the proper response to the game day situation. Squads should focus on crowd effectiveness, motion technique, and skills relevant to a game day environment. 

CROWD LEADING: Following the Sideline, teams must return to the performance surface and show a clear separation between elements. Teams can show spirited interaction as a clear transition into the Crowd Leading material but are not allowed to stunt. Crowd Leading can include a cheer reflective of a timeout, general sideline / spell-out, or other cheer material with minimal words, inciting a response and encouraging a crowd to yell along. Teams are required to incorporate spirit props and practical skills (stunts and/or tumbling, if the division allows).

FIGHT SONG: The final element should reflect your school’s traditional Fight Song. Teams should incorporate crowd effective skills (stunts and/or tumbling, if the division allows) and can include spirit-raising props to enhance the overall effect. Fight Song incorporation is limited to three (3) consecutive 8-counts of stunts and/or tumbling. Counting will begin with the initiation of a skill and continue until either the incorporation is complete or the end of the 3rd 8-count. (If the Fight Song repeats, the incorporation will only be permitted both times if the skills are repeated exactly the same.) For teams that do not have an official Fight Song, it is recommended to use a second selection of band chant music. Music guidelines are available at varsity.com/music.

The divisions are all about spirit, tradition, and fan engagement. As we get ready to cheer on our favorite teams at the championship, let’s take a look back at some of the 2021 UCA Game Day Champions!

Franklin High School

Large Varsity Game Day DI

Sparkman High School

Small Coed Game Day

Desoto Central High School

Super Varsity Game Day DI

Pike Liberal Arts High School

Small Varsity Game Day DII

Prior Lake High School

Medium Non Tumbling Game Day

Broken Arrow High School

Medium Coed Game Day

Vandebilt Catholic High School

Super Varsity Game Day DII

Teurlings Catholic High School

Super Non Tumbling Game Day

View 2021 UCA High School Nationals Results

View 2020 UCA High School Nationals Results

View 2019 UCA High School Nationals Results

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*NEW THIS YEAR*

REBROADCAST: 2022 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship: Missed the action the first time? You're in luck. A 24-hour delayed broadcast live stream with the sound of the event will be available to watch on February 12-14th. Watch The Rebroadcast Here.

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