School & High School Cheerleading

School cheer is affiliated with a middle or high school and governed by NFHS rules in partnership with USA Cheer. Teams cheer at school events (game-day) and may also compete at invitational and state championship events.

Scoring Docs →Find Competitions →

PRIMARY RULEBOOK

NFHS Spirit Rules Book

GOVERNING BODY

NFHS + USA Cheer

SEASON

Fall (football) + Winter/Spring (competition)

ROUTINE LENGTH

Up to 3 min (varies by event)

TOP EVENTS

UCA Nationals, NCA Nationals, State Championships

RULES UPDATED

Annually by NFHS

GAME-DAY VS. COMPETITION CHEER

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Game-Day / Sideline Cheer

Performed at football, basketball, and other school games
Focus: crowd engagement, spirit, leading cheers
No judges — not scored
Governed by NFHS safety rules
All school cheer teams do this; competition is optional

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Competition Cheer

2–3 minute routine performed for judges
Scored on stunts, tumbling, jumps, dance, performance, safety
UCA, NCA, and state associations run events
State champions determined by state athletic association
Top teams can qualify for national events (UCA, NCA)

NFHS SPIRIT RULES — KEY FACTS

How NFHS Rules Work

Who it governs

All 50 states' high school cheer programs that are NFHS members (the vast majority). Middle school programs often follow NFHS rules as well.

Rule layers

NFHS sets the national baseline. Each state athletic association adds its own supplement (additional restrictions or permissions). Your state's rules = NFHS + your state's overlay.

Annual updates

Published each spring for the following school year. 2025-26 had major reorganization: Rule 1 definitions moved into Rules 2 (cheer) and 3 (dance), and dance was fully separated.

Safety focus

NFHS prioritizes safety over difficulty. Inversions, basket tosses, and certain pyramid heights are restricted compared to all-star. Coach certification (USA Cheer) is strongly encouraged.

MAJOR SCHOOL CHEER EVENTS

UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship

UCA / Varsity SpiritFebruary, Walt Disney World FL

One of the most televised school cheer events. Thousands of teams. Broadcast nationally.

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NCA High School National Championship

NCA / Varsity SpiritJanuary, Fort Worth TX

Major school cheer event run concurrently with NCA All-Star Nationals.

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State Championships

State Athletic AssociationsVaries by state (typically Nov–Feb)

Determined by your state's athletic association (NJSIAA, GHSA, etc.). The most important competition for school teams in most states.