Game Day Live

VIDEO SUBMISSION QUALIFICATIONS: Video submissions due from November 1 to December 1, 2021

• Video must demonstrate the band and cheerleaders performing the school’s fight song together.
  • This video can take place at a game or an organized practice.
  • The band can be situated next to the cheerleader’s performance surface or behind the performance surface, but NOT on the performance surface.
• The other Game Day Live elements including band chant, situational sideline and crowd leading are allowed to be demonstrated into the qualifying video, but are not required.

Cheerleaders:

• The cheer team must still attend an in-person or virtual UCA Regional Competition and compete in the Game Day division, even if they already received a guaranteed bid for Game Day Live from the video submission process.
• Game Day Live bids will ONLY be offered to teams that submit a video. Game Day Live bids may be offered at select Regional Competitions in 2021-2022 if facility allows.
• Videos must be submitted prior to the cheer team attending a UCA Regional Competition.
• Teams that accept the invitation to compete in the Game Day Live division will ONLY be allowed to compete in Game Day Live and Traditional Routine. They will not also be allowed to compete in the current Game Day division.

Pep Band:

• The pep band must submit a deposit per pep band member upon registering for the Championships. Spots will be held on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The pep band must be in a school-related, coordinated outfit (i.e., traditional team uniform, coordinated outfit representing your school colors, letters, mascot, etc.).
• The pep band does NOT need to attend a Varsity Spirit Camp or UCA Regional Competition in order to submit a video in conjunction with the cheer team.

To review the Game Day Live filming guidelines, click here!

The Game Day Live performance consists of four elements—Band Chant, Situational Sideline, Crowd Leading and Fight Song—combined in a 3-minute performance by the pep band and cheerleaders, just like the current game day format. The entire performance may not exceed 5 minutes with entry and exit of all performers.

RUN ON:

• The pep band will have one (1) minute to enter the competition performance floor and set up in formation.
• ONLY Handheld or harnessed instruments allowed in the pep band.
• Pep Bands will be introduced to the floor and may play any cadence or song. Only the pep band is scored during this time.
• At the end of one (1) minute the cheer team will be introduced to the floor and will have 30 seconds to take their formation prior to starting the first Band Chant component.  Pep Bands may play any cadence or song during the 30 second cheer team introduction. Only the pep band is scored during this time
• Following the one (1) minute performance and entry, pep band members should be in formation for the start of the  routine showing a clear beginning of the Band Chant. All pep band members should remain off the mat and cannot be allowed in any stunts/tumbling during the performance. During the performance, Pep Band members are allowed to change formation but must remain in the designated performance area in which they started.
• See Specific Event Rules and Regulations for space limitations. Space will be dependent on the venue you are performing.

BAND CHANT: The cheerleaders should demonstrate spirit and enthusiasm while entering the performance floor and continue until the pep band starts playing the Band Chant. As soon as the cheerleaders are set on the performance floor, the pep band may start playing.

• Cheerleaders: Once the band starts playing, the cheerleaders may not incorporate any skills other than kicks and jumps, just like summer camp. The cheerleaders 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.
• Pep Band: The pep band should focus on playing spirited music that reflects a game day environment, and that the cheerleaders can incorporate visual movements to. Pep bands may use props; however, props must conform to the NFHS Band safety course guidelines.

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.

• Cheerleaders: The cheerleaders should focus on crowd effectiveness, motion technique and skills relevant to a game day environment. NOTE: It is a requirement to incorporate skills into the Sideline (stunts, jumps and/or tumbling).
• Pep Band: The pep band should provide a cadence that the cheer team and crowd back home could easily yell along with, eliciting a crowd response. Pep bands may use props; however, props must conform to the NFHS Band safety course guidelines.

CROWD LEADING: There must be a clear distinction between the Sideline and kicking off the Crowd Leading portion. The cheerleaders and pep band may show spirited interaction as a clear transition.

• Cheerleaders: The cheerleaders must return to the performance surface and show a clear separation between elements. They are not allowed to stunt in transition. Crowd Leading may include a cheer reflective of a timeout, general sideline/spell-out, or other cheer material with minimal words, inciting a response, and encouraging the crowd to yell along. Teams should incorporate spirit props and practical skills.
• Pep Band: The pep band’s role is to influence crowd participation by responding to the cheer team’s call-backs, and encouraging the crowd to yell along. They may also create a cadence that would be relevant to the game day environment to increase the overall crowd effectiveness. Pep bands may use props; however, props must conform to the NFHS Band safety course guidelines.

FIGHT SONG: The final element should reflect your school’s traditional Fight Song. For teams that do not have an official Fight Song, it is recommended to use a second selection of band chant music.

• Cheerleaders: Cheerleaders should incorporate crowd effective skills and may include spirit raising props to enhance overall effect. Fight Song incorporation is limited to three (3) consecutive 8-counts of stunts and/or tumbling. Counting begins with the initiation of a skill and continue until either the incorporation is complete or the end of the third 8-count. (If the Fight Song repeats, incorporation is only be permitted both times if the skills are repeated exactly the same.)
• Pep Band: When performing the fight song, the pep band should focus on sound quality, technical accuracy, musicality and engagement. They should lead the cheerleaders and the crowd with their performance, as well as participate in call-backs, if applicable.  Pep bands may use props; however, props must conform to the NFHS Band safety course guidelines.

RUN OFF: The pep band has 30 seconds to play original, spirited music while the cheerleaders exit the competition floor. Once the piece ends, the pep band may exit. Only the pep band is scored during this time.

• See Specific Event Rules and Regulations for additional information on scoring.

Cheerleaders:

• No tosses (basket, sponge or elevator) are allowed.
• No inversions are allowed.
• No twisting released dismounts are allowed.
• No running tumbling is allowed.
• Single leg stunts are limited to liberties and liberty hitches.
• Standing tumbling is limited to one tumbling skill. A back tuck is the most elite tumbling skill allowed (i.e., standing full is not allowed; rippled single back handsprings are allowed).
• Teams should take the floor immediately with spirit and enthusiasm, but without excessive gestures (i.e., running of the flags, chest bumps, intricate handshakes).
• Stunts are not allowed during the team’s entry to the floor or any time prior to starting the performance.
• In between elements, teams must always return to the performance surface. Teams may kick, jump or tumble but may NOT stunt.
• During the Band Chant, only kicks and jumps are permitted.
• Stunts are not allowed as a transition before or between sections. This would include the team’s entry to the floor, between the sideline and cheer, and any time prior to starting the performance. Exception: Tumbling is allowed prior to the start of the performance and between sections, but would be prohibited in the band chant section.

Pep Band:

• Number of pep band members will not be limited; however, some events will have a limitation on the number of band members allowed on the performance surface. Please see Specific Event Rules and Regulations for details.
• Time starts once the band has been introduced.
• Teams must show a clear start and end between each element.
• Spirit raising props are permitted and encouraged (i.e., shaker poms, foam fingers, rally towels, etc.). Pep Bands may use props but must conform to the NFHS Band safety course guidelines.
• ONLY handheld or harnessed instruments allowed in the pep band.
• No pre-made tracks are allowed. All music must be played live.
• In connection with our Band events, each pep band must submit this form signed by a member of the local school administration attesting to the school’s right to use the music, chants and other material in the anticipated performance at Varsity sponsored events.
• Members are prohibited from the cheerleaders’ performing surface and must stay in their designated area for the duration of the performance.

Game Day Live Score Sheet – Cheer

Game Day Live Score Sheet – Pep Band

The cheer team and pep band will receive an overall score of their performance as one unit.

The cheer team and pep band will be scored separately on the following elements:

• Band Chant
• Situational Sideline
• Crowd Leading
• Fight Song

In these elements, the pep band will be scored primarily on:

• Sound Quality – Are the tone and pitch of each note/piece accurate?
• Technical Accuracy – Is the music being performed with correct technique and rhythm?
• Musicality – Is the music appropriate and/or relevant to a Game Day setting?
• Engagement with the crowd – Is the pep band in sync with the cheerleaders, responding with appropriate call-backs when elicited and providing music that complements the cheer elements?
• Overall Performance with the Cheerleaders – Does the combination of the groups reflect a successful Game Day setting?