NCATANational Collegiate Acrobatics

& Tumbling Association

Official Media Guide for the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association®

MEDIA GUIDE 2010-2011

NCATA

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FoundingUniversities

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NCATANCATAtable of contents

REASONS TOATTEND A NCATAUNIVERSITYTENTO

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NCATAINAUGURALNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPONEO

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NCATA STUDENTATHLETESBENEFITING185TO

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NCATA 2010-2011 COMPETITION SCHEDULE14

NCATA FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS5TOP

IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR NCATA COMPETITION6ADD

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Why a NCATA University?

TOPTENREASONS TO

ATTEND ANCATAUNIVERSITY

1Academic SupportInstitutions provide extensive resources such as tutors, study sessions, counselors and other academic support tools to ensure student athletes meet NCAA academic standards and get a top quality education.

Focus on SafetyThe Department of Education states that each athlete has the right to participate in a safe sport in all categories from training to competition. Professional coaches, appropriate facilities and extensive continuing education ensure the highest safety standards. Additional support from the USA Sports Safety promotes these standards.

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Opportunities in AthleticsAthletes are a part of history as it develops with the emergence of a new women’s collegiate sport. Acrobatics and Tumbling is an original sport that provides new opportunities for women to compete in intercollegiate athletics.

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National ChampionshipsNCAA requires all sports to hold a true national championships. With regional competitions culminating in one true Nationals, the pinnacle of college sports is to be the last team standing….the one true National Champion!

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Athletic Support StaffEach university will support their acrobatics and tumbling team as equal to all other sports on campus. All educational and athletic ‘perks’ are awarded to each of the student-athletes representing their acrobatics and tumbling team.

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Why a NCATA University?

6Coaching StaffQualified professional coaches are hired through national coaching searches to administer and train student athletes along with employed assistants and a staff of other coaches.

FacilitiesAcrobatics and Tumbling teams are provided with dedicated equipment, training, locker room and practice area facilities. Teams compete in their university’s premier sports venues on campus.

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Style of CompetitionThe NCATA developed the exciting structure to compete in this sport. The fan friendly meet style format allows athletes from several different disciplines to specialize in their particular strengths as well as teams to excel as a whole.

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Athletic ScholarshipNCAA member institutions have invested millions of dollars into providing athletic scholarships for Acrobatics and Tumbling athletes. The financial advantage to parents and the benefit of a college education is invaluable to the success of a student athlete after graduation.

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Athletic ParticipationWomen who participate in sports have higher confidence and self-esteem. These benefits along with the irreplaceable experience of being a part of a team during college are often the propellants to a more fulfilling future.

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Which NCATA University?

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FOUNDINGUNIVERSITYVISIONARIES

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College Park, Maryland State flagship school NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference East NCATA Conference Undergraduate enrollment of 24,520 Offers: Women’s Gymnastics Team, Co-ed Spirit Cheer and Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling Eugene, Oregon

State flagship school NCAA Division I PAC 12 Conference West NCATA Conference Undergraduate enrollment of 16,942 Offers: Co-ed Spirit Cheer, Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling

Hamden, Connecticut Private university NCAA Division I Northeast Conference East NCATA Conference Undergraduate enrollment of 5,686 Offers: Co-ed Spirit Cheer, Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling

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Which NCATA University?

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Waco, Texas Private university NCAA Division I Big 12 Athletic Conference West NCATA Conference Undergraduate enrollment of 11,880 Offers: Co-ed Spirit Cheer, Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling

Azusa, California Private university NAIA Division Golden State Athletic Conference West NCATA Conference Undergraduate enrollment of 4,163 Offers: Co-ed Spirit Cheer, Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling

Fairmont, West Virginia State university NCAA Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East NCATA Conference Undergraduate enrollment of 3,617 Offers: Co-ed Spirit Cheer, Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling

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ONLYONENCATA

INAUGURALNATIONALCHAMPIONSHIPS

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Only One.The NCATA follows the NCAA philosophy of having only one National Championship crowning a single national winner. The East and West Conference will come together to enjoy this inaugural event in early April in Eugene, OR.

One Standard.The NCATA is setting a standard with the implementation of ONE National Championship representing the acrobatics and tumbling programs across the United States.

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National ChampionshipThe NCATA National Championship is a single-elimination tournament. Teams must be from member universities in good standing with the NCATA. All regular season requirements must be met including, but not limited to, number of required meets, team membership, and coach professional membership.

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NCATA National ChampionshipsApril 7-9, 2011

University of Oregon

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QualificationChampionship Qualification Score (CQS) for All Around Championship Teams will be seeded for the NCATA Championship based on regular season results from each sanctioned meet. For the all-around championship, the CQS is calculated by averaging the four highest final scores earned during each event at NCATA sanctioned meets.

Two out of the four scores earned must be earned at NCATA away sanctioned meets. If a tie occurs the next highest score is used to break the tie. Top two all around CQS scores earn a bye for the first round at the championship. The top six all around CQS scores qualify to compete at the NCATA championship. CQS will be calculated per event and a separate CQS will be calculated for the all around score.

Tournament Brackets

Event FinalsEvent finals will occur on Saturday morning prior to the national championship meet. Each heat will have four teams competing.

The four highest scores earned throughout the regular season (in each of the 4 skill events and the team event) at NCATA sanctioned meets will qualify for event finals at the championship. Student-athletes may not compete twice in the same heat during the event finals at the championship. One substitution to the originally qualifying group allowed for injury or a double qualifying athlete in the partner stunt, pyramid, tumbling and basket toss rounds is permissible. The group or individuals identified as receiving the highest score will be “Event Champion.”

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How many athletes benefit from NCATA opportunities?

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STUDENTATHLETESBENEFITING

Azusa Pacific UniversityStudent-Athlete Roster yields = 25 females1

University of MarylandStudent-Athlete Roster yields = 36 females2

3 Baylor UniversityStudent-Athlete Roster yields = 27 females

4 Fairmont State UniversityStudent-Athlete Roster yields = 30 females

5 Quinnipiac UniversityStudent-Athlete Roster yields = 31 females

6 University of OregonStudent-Athlete Roster yields = 36 females

These 185 student-athletes inspiring women have chosen to become a pioneer in a grand way. These athletes are making

history in the sports world by being a member on the first teams to compete in the new sport of acrobatics and tumbling.

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Where are NCATA athletes coming from?

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ATHLETEREPRESENTEDCLUBS / SCHOOLS

South Jersey StormUSA All StarsCheer DynastyStar AthleticsMaryland TwistersSpirit CentralPremier Great White SharksWorld Cup Shooting StarsStingraysJuST CheerUltimate Athletics LegacyAll Star LegacyPittsburgh SuperstarsGravity CheerTop GunCheer Factor All StarsStealth All-StarsCheer Challenge All-StarsFAME All-StarsJersey Devil All-StarsRams All-StarsWorld Cup Odyssey All-StarsConnecticut Spirit All-StarsUSA Wildcat All-StarsPACE All-StarsWest Coast ExtremeIgnite All-StarsMotion All-StarsNor*Cal Elite All-StarsCalifornia Cheer GymHype Addiction Icon All-StarsPacific Coast MagicMagic All-StarsTexas Lonestar Cheer Co.Fierce All-StarsCalifornia Flyers All-StarsChampion CheerStorm CheerCheer AthleticsCheerNationPremier TennesseeCalifornia All StarsDesert Storm EliteKidnasticsIllinois Cheer Company

1 Will-Moor GymnasticsRettig's GymnasticsYellow Jackets Gymnastics ClubFive Star Gymnastics AcademyCascade Elite Gymnastics ClubFlips GymnasticsGymnastics PlusFlight School Gymnastics CenterOGA Gymnastics club

Gold Star GymnasticsBulgarian National GymMetro Gymnastics CenterLe Club GymnasticsDiamondback GymnasticsAmerican Elite GymnasticsAmerican Gymnastics AcademyTwiststars

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3 Lahainaluna High SchoolMater Dei HSCroton HarmonJackson MemorialSachem NorthSt. John VianneyWood RidgeMount OliveAcademy of the Holy NamesNipmuclan RegionalHoly NameBrick TownshipRobert E. Fitch High SchoolWesterlySeymourTaunton High SchoolShamokin AreaMiddletown AreaNonnewaugRaritan High SchoolRoxburyBurlington

MethuenOregon City HSWestview HSGlencoe HSUnion HSWestern Christian HSNorth Forsyth HSAliso Niguel HSBarbe HSNewport HSReno HSRed Mountain HSLithia Springs HSKamehameha HSSan Marcos HSVista HSOak HSLos Alamitos HSUpland HSChicago Christian HSWoodrow Wilson Classical HSSanta Rosa Academy

The NCATA athletes come from varied backgrounds. They seek a university education and an athletic experience at a great university. Some athletes have volleyball, track and

field and basketball experience as well.

Cheer Gyms Gymnastic Gyms

High Schools

Oregon Coast CollegeStephen F. AustinMichigan StateBiola University

College of the CanyonsUniversity of TennesseeKennesaw State University

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Who supports the NCATA?

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USA GymnasticsUSA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States and has agreed to sanction NCATA competitive events. NCATA athletes are members of USA Gymnastics and adhere to the rules and policies of the organization. NCATA officials, coaches, and administrators are professional members of USA Gymnastics and follow the organization’s standard requirements, such as mandatory criminal background screening and safety certification.

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NCAAAs a recognized sport at each university, each acrobatics and tumbling team follows all NCAA rules and guidelines for student-athletes, such as recruiting standards, practice restrictions, academics, scholarship criteria, travel requirements, drug-testing, etc. Acrobatics and tumbling athletes are held to the same requirements and restrictions and given the same institutional benefits as all other NCAA certified athletes including important medical care and concussion testing. All institutions sponsoring acrobatics and tumbling teams are members of the NCAA.

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United States Sports AcademyThe United States Sports Academy is the educational organization for USA Sport Safety. The Academy offers college level course work enabling coaches to receive important continuing education credits as well as allowing any coaching professional to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in Sports Science. The syllabus also meets UN Human Rights for children. The NCATA includes course work from the Sports Academy in the safety training and certification of it's coaches.

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USA Sports SafetyUSA Sport Safety is dedicated to raising the standard of care in acrobatics and tumbling safety to reduce injury, disability, and death from the sport. USA Sport Safety has assembled the nation’s top sports medicine and safety experts to tackle the safety concerns of the #1 cause of catastrophic injury to female athletes in the United States. As a totally independent organization, the rules governing acrobatics and tumbling safety are written by more than 20 doctors, lawyers and experts with more than 500 combined years experience. The rules are also based on peer reviewed scientific research.

The NCATA｠continues to develop relationships with key sports organizations.｠ The foundation of success these groups provide, coupled with the cooperation and guidance from science, medical and sports experts, is an important part of

the long term growth and success of acrobatics and tumbling.

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What are the most commonly asked questions?

TOP5NCATA

FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS

Acrobatics and Tumbling is an evolution of the all-female portion of competitive cheer. The main purpose is to compete on behalf of a university. Athletes on NCATA teams are subject to the same benefits and standards as NCAA certified amateur athletes with regard to GPA, eligibility, practice limits, recruiting policies, etc. While composed of athletes, a college cheer team's main purpose is not

competition. Cheer teams do not receive the full financial, academic, professional staff and medical support provided to varsity programs and do not comply with all NCAA requirements. Sideline cheerleading is not structured to be a college sport. Acrobatics and Tumbling was created to specifically to be a college sport to meet the needs of female athletes with this skill set.

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What is the difference between Cheer and Acrobatics & Tumbling?

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Cheerleading is being protected by the NCATA’s efforts. There is a clear separation between sideline cheerleading and competing in a sport. Both are outstanding athletic opportunities, but the line has been blurred by the competition aspect dominating traditional cheerleading. The NCATA is

redrawing the line by using the most athletic and competitive components to form a model that is consistent with the set up of other traditional Olympic sports. Acro and Tumbling responded to popularity and interest by developing a sport that eliminates the argument whether it is a sport.

Why did the NCATA try to change cheerleading?

Will athletes that cheer at games be the same athletes for A&T?Traditional cheerleading will always have its place on the sidelines of college athletics. However, the commitment to being a scholarship athlete in a varsity sport prohibits the opportunity to compete on another team. NCAA rules prohibit same-season crossover and current research shows injury rates

are partly a result of lack of specific training or too much training (i.e. overload with games, studying, competing, jobs, class time, PR appearances). Female athletes now have a choice that was previously never available.

The NCATA, the governing body of Acrobatics & Tumbling, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to bring the sport under the NCAA. It is responsible for developing the rules, regulations, policies and providing governance of the sport. Former expert competitive cheer coaches, along

with professional collegiate sports administrators are well suited to advocate for the best interest of the athletes and the sport. Invaluable resources and international reputation are just some of the benefits of working with the foundations of progress towards becoming an NCAA sport.

Is Acrobatics and Tumbling governed and controlled by a true non profit?

5 Why Choose Acrobatics and Tumbling?For NCAA member institutions, continuing to promote and provide opportunities for female athletes is critical. A&T is a very cost-efficient, high participation, wide fan base sport that responds to the solid interest of the scholastic based and club level athletes in the United States. This is the only

opportunity for a woman to receive the full benefits of a varsity scholarship athlete in this skill set. Acrobatics and tumbling is the long awaited evolution of the sport that is a win-win situation for both universities and the athletes.

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What are the important NCATA competition facts?

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Team Size & PositionsAn Acrobatics and Tumbling team is typically 35-40 student-athletes, with an active game-day roster of 28. There are three positions within the squad: base (main and secondary), back base and flyer. A base support is directly under a stunt supporting the majority of the flyer’s weight and is responsible for the flyer’s mid-back, hips and legs during dismounts. A back base is behind a stunt but responsible for the a

portion of the flyer’s weight and stability while they are in the air. Back base is also responsible for the head and shoulders of the flyer during dismount. A flyer is lifted and sometimes airborne in a stunt. All team members are proficient tumblers, with the ability to execute an elite tumbling pass. An elite tumbling pass consists of 3 consecutive tumbling skills.

Meet Structure & Team ParticipationTwo to four teams compete at a meet. The typical duration is roughly two hours. A meet is made up of six events: Compulsories, Stunts, Pyramids, Basket Tosses, Tumbling,

and Team Routine. All event competition is in team rotation throughout each event. The rotation order is predetermined by the Head Official prior to the beginning of the meet.

ScoringScoring is based upon pre-determined difficulty start values. Each skill performed is valued by NCATA officials prior to the meet. Teams submit their skill sequences one week

prior to the meet. Scores are posted immediately following the conclusion of the performance, and overall standings are displayed throughout the meet.

At the end, scores for each event for each team are added to arrive at Team Score.

The maximum score is 300 points.Combined Score Wins

Expected length of a meet is 2 hours for a two team, head to head format. Halftime is 15 minutes occurring between the pyramid and tumbling events. Each team will exit the event floor and break for a minimum of 3m.

During the halftime each team will receive a 3m touch on the main floor. The Head Official is responsible for arranging touch times prior to meet. Teams can use the remaining warm up time at their discretion.

Meet Length

Warm upWarm up will begin with each team afforded 15m of stretch time-no elements can be executed. Each team will have a maximum of 10m on the main mat. Additional mats are

assigned but will not be timed. The meet will start one hour after warm up has begun. The Head Official will determine warm up order, offering home team preference first.

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What are the NCATA competitive events?

Competition Events

EVENT 1: CompulsoriesFour heats construct the Compulsory Event: stunt, pyramid, basket toss, and tumbling. During each heat the teams perform the exact same skills, allowing the officials to compare the technique and execution of each team. No crossover rules apply from the Compulsories to other events.

40 possible points

Stunt Heat-10 points• Straight up Heel stretch• Power press • Arabesque• 810 degree cradle dismount• Unassisted Rewind to Sponge• Heel stretch• 720 degree cradle dismount

Pyramid Heat-10 points• All feet start on the floor• 4‐2‐1. Two shoulder level stunts as 2nd level support built before toss up• Basket up from back• 3 catchers in front• 270 degree flip off of the front• Second level dismounts at the same time as the top flyer, to below shoulder level then floor/

Basket Toss Heat-10 points• Basket Back Tuck• 4 bases tossing, 1 flyer

Tumbling Heat-10 points• No changing athletes between compulsory skills• Athletes must be positioned in windows• Skills performed in order:a. Standing tuck (to front);b. Toe‐touch tuck (to front);c. Handspring tuck (to front);d. Round‐off handspring layout from left to right in two lines.

EVENT 2: Stunt EventThree heats construct the Stunt Event where each team sends a maximum of four athletes to compete a 45 second stunt sequence to counts. Athletes may compete in two heats, however no more than two athletes may crossover together from one heat to another. Timing begins with the first movement, and exceeding the 45 seconds will result in a time deduction. In each heat, teams must attempt all required number of elements in addition to the required skill. The required skill counts as an element.

• Heat 1: Required flip skill, 5 elements 10 Pt.• Heat 2: Required twist skill, 6 elements 10 Pt.• Heat 3: Required release, 7 elements 10 Pt.

30 possible points

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3EVENT 3: Pyramid Event

Each team has 60 seconds to perform three 2.5 high structures which each include entry, 2.5 high structure, and a dismount. Officials will score each pyramid separately. Separate pyramid scores and totals will be displayed. A maximum of 24 athletes may participate, and the same athletes must be used the entire round.

30 possible points

HALFTIME INTERMISSIONBetween Event 3 & 4

4EVENT 4: Basket Toss Event

A maximum of four athletes may toss. A basing group consisting of two bases and a back or a top person may only compete in two heats, of which one must be the synchronized basket toss. Athletes may crossover and compete in two heats, one of which must be the synchronized basket toss.• Heat 1: Skill in layout position 10 Pt.• Heat 2: Two synchro. basket tosses 10 Pt.• Heat 3: Two air elements/skills 10 Pt.

30 possible points

5EVENT 5: Tumbling Event

Six heats construct the Tumbling Event. Athletes may compete in both synchronized and in one single pass, but tumble a max. of two times. Passes are synchronized/• Double‐ 2 athletes-identical tumbling pass • Triple‐ 3 athletes-identical tumbling pass• Quad‐ 4 athletes-identical tumbling pass • Ariel- 1 athlete-one flip before final flip• 6 Elements- 1 athlete; 6 elements• Open- 1 athlete; no requirements

60 possible points

6EVENT 6: Team Routine

Athletes perform synchro. choreographed skills in a 2.5m routine set to music. Routine has a minimum of 20 athletes, and a max. of 24 athletes. Routine made up of required and optional skills. The required skills include:• 36 Stunt Elements 20 pt.• 6 Basket Tosses 20 pt.• 5 Pyramids-2.5 high) 20 pt.• 1 Jump/Standing Tumbling/person 20 pt• 1 Running Tumbling Pass/person 20 pt.

110 possible points

+Additional scored categories:

• Routine construction 5 pt.• Dance 5 pt.

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NCATANational Collegiate Acrobatics

NCATADateDec. 3, 2010Dec. 4, 2010Dec. 5, 2010Dec. 5, 2010Jan. 23, 2011Jan. 27, 2011Jan. 29, 2011Feb. 5, 2011Feb. 12, 2011Feb. 12, 2011Feb. 24, 2011Mar 5, 2011Mar 7, 2011Mar 12, 2011Mar 21, 2011Mar 24, 2011Mar 26, 2011Mar 26, 2011April 7-9, 2011

Meet Location Start TimeBaylor vs. Fairmont State Fairmont, W.V. 6:00 p.m. ESTQuinnipiac vs. Maryland College Park, Md. 4:00 p.m. ESTQuinnipiac vs Fairmont State College Park, Md. 4:00 p.m. ESTBaylor vs. Maryland College Park, Md. 12:00 p.m. ESTOregon vs. Baylor Waco, Texas 1:00 p.m. CSTOregon Exhibition Performance Eugene, Ore. 2:00 p.m. ESTAzusa Pacific vs. Oregon Eugene, Ore. 7:00 p.m. PSTBaylor vs. Azusa Pacific, Quinnipiac & Fairmont State Azusa, Calif. 10:00 a.m. PSTOregon vs. Azusa Pacific Azusa, Calif. 7:00 p.m. PSTFairmont State vs. Maryland College Park, Md. 5:00 p.m. ESTAzusa Pacific vs. Maryland vs. Baylor Waco, Texas 6:00 p.m. CSTAzusa Pacific vs. Baylor Azusa, Calif. 9:00 a.m. PSTBaylor vs. Oregon Eugene, Ore. 7:00 p.m. PSTMaryland vs. Fairmont Fairmont, W.V. 6:00 p.m. ESTOregon vs. Quinnipiac Hamden, Conn. 7:00 p.m. ESTOregon vs. Maryland College Park, Md. 7:00 p.m. ESTOregon vs. Fairmont State Fairmont, W.V. 6:00 p.m. ESTMaryland vs. Quinnipiac Hamden, Conn. 11:00 a.m. EST2011 NCATA National Championships Eugene, Ore. All Day

MEDIA GUIDE 2010-2011

& Tumbling Association