The following rules for cheerleaders are in effect at postseason events. During the season, the number of high school cheerleaders at an event may be higher IF space is available, and IF the school and/or conference allow it. For practical purposes, it is usually a good idea to have the same number of cheerleaders throughout the season as the number allowed at playoffs. This way you won’t have to decide which cheerleader(s) sit out during a playoff game/meet.
Cheerleaders at both boys and girls events may use signs (to lead cheers), poms, and megaphones. Fans may not have signs in the crowd or poms with sticks for handles. No one may have artificial noisemakers and laser pens. This includes items that clap together to make noise and the synchronized ringing of cell phones.
FOOTBALL
Any number of cheerleaders may cheer at all regular season games and all playoff games not at the UNI Dome. At the Dome 20 cheerleaders and 2 coaches will be allowed in free and only 20 cheerleaders may cheer at a time.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Six cheerleaders plus a mascot (all in uniform) may cheer at boys’ basketball sectionals, districts, regionals, and state. These cheerleaders must cheer the entire game without substitutions.
WRESTLING
Six cheerleaders (all in uniform) may cheer at wrestling sectionals, districts, regionals, and state. No mascots are allowed. These cheerleaders must cheer the entire meet without substitutions. Cheerleaders must not have pins on their uniforms, on the side of the mat, or on pillows. Cheerleaders should also be conscious of space limitations when bringing pillows to the side of the mat (especially at tournaments).
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Six cheerleaders plus a mascot, (all in uniform) may cheer at girls’ basketball sectionals, districts, regionals, and state. These cheerleaders must cheer the entire game without substitutions.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Six cheerleaders plus a mascot (all in uniform) may cheer at girls’ volleyball sectionals, districts, regionals, and state. These cheerleaders must cheer the entire meet without substitutions. Cheerleaders may be on the floor during the regular season, IF a gym has ample space so that cheerleaders are not in a playable area. Volleyball players are allowed to play a ball until it hits the wall or enters the bleachers, so it’s recommended that cheerleaders remain in the bleachers until a time out or between games to avoid being in a playable area. Cheerleaders at the state meet would not be allowed anywhere on the playing floor during play.
CONFERENCE RULES
Some conferences may have their own rules, so be sure to ask your athletic director if you have any questions. For example, in the CIML Conference, hoops and signs for players to run through are not allowed because of the chance of injury.