Appropriate Choreography - I do agree with this to some degree, though I'm sure a lot of it will be left up to interpretation. There are so many little girls and boys that look up to older/higher level teams and I think that all of our teams need to be good role models for them. I'm just hoping that some competitions won't be too crazy about this rule, because I also believe that you should be able to choreograph for your age group.
Appropriate Uniforms - I think that having full-tops for some cheerleaders will be very frustrating. Take crossovers, for example. Many girls on my team cross over onto a junior team. This also means that had the rule been enforced last year, I would have been forced to wear a full-top uniform as a freshman in high school. At the very least, I hope USASF will limit this rule to Youth, Mini and Tiny only. I agree with the skirt/brief/short rule, though. An inch is not too much coverage to ask for, neither are briefs or a two-inch inseam.
Cover Up Guidelines - I absolutely do not agree with this, and I don't believe it will be enforced as much. This should be left to the discretion of parents, coaches, gym owners, etc. Plus, has anyone thought of how annoying it would be to take a shirt off right before warm ups and still have your hair/bronzer in tact?
Makeup - I do agree makeup should be appropriate and uniform to each team, but I think rhinestones add a bit more of individuality to some performances! I do not personally utilize them, but think that if they are done right, it looks very nice.
Bows - I think I may be the only one, but I'm just waiting for the day when they ban bows for being a "distraction" or some ridiculous thing. This rule seems more like common sense to me.
Tumbling - This really upsets me. I am so encouraged by the hard work athletes put into their tumbling. It's something they identify themselves with-how they make a name for themselves in the cheerleading world. Competitions won't be as interesting because tumbling will be so similar. I remember "Cheerleader Nation" and one of the girls trying out for Dunbar saying that what team you make there depends on what you can do by yourself. Isn't this why we have a 4.2? It's much easier to teach someone to stunt than it is to tumble. We're either opening ourselves up to not as skilled athletes or competitors that are too-practiced. It's like entering a level 2 Youth team into a Mini 1 division.
Age Grid - I don't really agree with the Open age. Younger talents are becoming more and more common. While I see why they would do this, I think 17 is too extreme of an alteration from the previous age. The International age rule is also going to make a big difference to many athletes. If this rule is TRULY necessary, I'd like to see it enforced the season after the next. I'm also disappointed with the loss of Mini 3 division. I love watching them! They're just so talented. I also wish they weren't putting restrictions on Youth 5, especially with raising the Youth age to 12. I think one or the other should be chosen (most preferably, raising the age of Youth. If you're talented enough to be on a level 5 team at age 11, you deserve to twist in braced flips and perform double fulls/kick doubles). The desegregation of Junior Coed 3/4 and All-Girl 3/4 also doesn't sound like a very good idea. While these Junior Coed teams are rarer, the competition tends to be legitimate. Also, the strength many males have will make a difference in tumbling, stunts, baskets, etc. I'm sad to see the division integrate. I do like having a bottom age for Senior teams! 10 seems fair to me. While I know small gyms will struggle, it just doesn't seem right a lot of the times putting a Mini-aged girl up in the air with 18-year-olds.
