What changed in the NFHS spirit rules for 2026-27, and what do high school cheer coaches (grades 9-12) need to know? New stunt, toss and dismount rules, footwear and surfaces, middle school add-ons, concussions and lightning.
High school cheer uses the NFHS Spirit Rules, written by the National Federation of State High School Associations with USA Cheer as its rules partner. The current edition is the 2026-27 Spirit Rules Book.
USA Cheer offers 2026-27 courses for coaches: a Comprehensive course on the whole cheer section and a Rules Changes Only course.
The NFHS Spirit Rules Committee approved eight rule changes and two revised definitions (February 2026), effective for the 2026-27 season.
| Rule | Change |
|---|---|
| 2-3-5a, new 2-3-5k | Braced flips may use a hand-to-foot connection, with extra restrictions when it's the only connection |
| 2-3-5d | Bracers may release or move to a load once the top person descends to a cradle, horizontal at prep level or below, or the performing surface |
| 2-4-2c (3-4-3c dance) | New catchers in vertical-to-horizontal non-release transitions can't be involved in another skill |
| New 2-5-5g | A top person may not pass over the torso of another top person or bracer in braced release transitions |
| 2-5-6c | One twist allowed in a vertical release from extended to extended |
| 2-5-6e | Two catchers required for releases from vertical to horizontal |
| 2-7-8d (3-7-8d dance) | ¼ twist allowed in cradle dismounts to new catchers |
| 3-1-3a (dance) | When footwear is required, it must be worn on both feet |
| Definitions | Loading position/load and tumbling revised |
The 2026-27 NFHS Spirit Rules Book is available from NFHS, in print and through NFHS Digital.
Yes, with restrictions.
Rule 2-3-5a: a braced flip used to require a hand-to-hand or hand-to-arm connection with the bracer. It now also allows a hand-to-foot (or feet) connection.
New Rule 2-3-5k: when hand-to-foot is the only connection:
The NFHS added these restrictions specifically for flips where hand-to-foot is the only connection.
Yes, once the top person is coming down, under Rule 2-3-5d (new for 2026-27):
If the flip ends in a cradle, a horizontal position at prep level or below, or on the performing surface, the bracers may release the top person or move to a loading position once the top person begins to descend.
Hand-to-foot connections: after confusion about the new hand-to-foot braced flip, NFHS and USA Cheer issued an official clarification. A bracer holding a hand-to-foot connection may also drop to a loading position or release the top person's foot when the top person is landing in a horizontal position or on the landing surface, as described above. Situation 2.3.5.F and the photo example on page 67 of the 2026-27 rules book are correct.
Single twist from extended to extended (Rule 2-5-6c): a vertical release from an extended position to an extended position may now include one full twist. The old limit was a quarter turn. The NFHS sees this as a natural progression, since a full twist from prep level to extended was already allowed.
No passing over another top person or bracer (new Rule 2-5-5g): in braced release transitions, a top person may not pass over the torso of another top person or a bracer. Rule 2-2-10 still allows this movement when building, stabilizing or dismounting a pyramid.
Two catchers for vertical-to-horizontal releases (Rule 2-5-6e): releases from a vertical to a horizontal position, including a single-based stunt, need at least two catchers.
Cradle dismounts to new catchers (Rule 2-7-8d): a ¼ twist is now allowed in all dismounts to catchers who aren't the original bases. This lets a forward-facing top person cradle to new catchers standing to the side, a common pyramid dismount.
Non-release transitions from vertical to horizontal (Rule 2-4-2c): catchers who aren't the original bases (new catchers) are allowed, but they must not be involved in any other skill when the transition starts.
Releases from vertical to horizontal (Rule 2-5-6e): at least two catchers are required, including when a single-based stunt goes from vertical to horizontal.
The same ¼ twist and new-catcher changes apply to dance (Rules 3-7-8d and 3-4-3c).
Both definitions were revised for 2026-27.
Loading position / load: the top person is supported under the foot or feet below the bases' shoulder level. This position isn't limited to the start of a skill; it can also be used during a transition.
Tumbling: any hip-over-head skill that is not supported by a base and begins and ends on the performing surface.
Non-inverted "acrobatic" skills such as seat rolls and side rolls are not tumbling. The NFHS made this change to clear up confusion over whether those skills are allowed in rules for "tumbling" and "non-tumbling" divisions.
Risk minimization is an NFHS spirit point of emphasis for 2026-27:
For dance teams, new Rule 3-1-3a clarifies that when footwear is required, it must be worn on both feet.
Spirit participants are prohibited from standing in the free-throw lane (NFHS Spirit Rule 1-1-16). The NFHS lists this under its 2026-27 risk minimization point of emphasis.
The space you use for spirit activities at games must also be free of debris and obstructions, and the surface must be suitable for what you're performing. Slick, wet or otherwise unsafe surfaces aren't appropriate.
The NFHS Spirit Rules are written for high school. Junior high and middle school teams are usually governed at the district level, and many follow their state association's rules. USA Cheer recommends elementary, middle school and junior high teams follow the NFHS Spirit Rules plus these add-ons for 2026-27:
| Team | Tosses to cradles (basket, sponge, J-toss) |
|---|---|
| Elementary school | Prohibited |
| Middle school and junior high | Allowed only if it's a straight-ride toss and there is no twisting |
Tosses to the skills legal under NFHS Rule 2-5-4 (tosses to non-inverted stunts) remain legal for all three levels.
USA Cheer stresses following skill progressions for straight-ride tosses. Its recommended progression:
NFHS concussion guidance:
Return-to-play protocols and who can give clearance are set by state law and your state association, and some states are stricter than the NFHS guidance.
The NFHS offers a free Concussion in Sports course on NFHS Learn.
Under the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee lightning guidelines:
Safer places: a substantial building with plumbing and wiring where people live or work, such as a school, gym or library. Each venue should have someone assigned to monitor the weather and an evacuation plan.
These apply to outdoor practices and to cheering at outdoor games. Your state association may adopt its own version.
Copyright compliance is one of the NFHS spirit points of emphasis for 2026-27.