Mississippi High School Activities Association The place for high school sports in Mississippi Related Articles
2020-21 Spirit Considerations
Note: This is not an exhaustive list and there might be additional steps in each community to help prevent the spread of virus. Even when taking all precautions, there will still be risk of transmitting illnesses. Everyone should stay vigilant about the health of members of their teams. These guidelines are to be integrated with the NFHS guidelines and the MHSAA Mississippi Sports Medicine guidelines. The situation with Covid-19 is rapidly changing. Please keep up with the latest from the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health.
1. Spirit Rules Considerations
- Cheerleading and Dance General Risk Management (2-1-14, 2-1-16): Sideline and playing surface placement during game.
Participants should be appropriately spaced on the court, field or sideline to ensure proper social distancing.
- Cheerleading Apparel / Accessories (3-1-1): Jewelry of any kind is prohibited except for the following: A religious medal without a chain is allowed and must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert medal must be taped and may be visible.
Masks may be worn but are not required. No masks may be worn in routines that involve stunting. Any mask worn during a routine that does not involve stunting but involves tumbling must be taped and secure.
- Dance Apparel / Accessories (4-1-1): Jewelry of any kind is prohibited except for the following: A religious medal without a chain is allowed and must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert medal must be taped and may be visible.
Masks may be worn but are not required. No masks may be worn in routines that involve stunting. Any mask worn during a routine that does not involve stunting but involves tumbling must be taped and secure.
2. Mitigation Strategies
- Cheer teams spaced on sidelines/stands for social distancing.
- Dance teams spaced on sidelines/stands for social distancing.
- Cheer/dance stunt with administration approval.
- Teams/coaches should wear a mask when not participating.
- No visiting before/after game or half-time between schools.
- Teams should not share crowd leading props (signs, poms, etc.)
- Props should be cleaned after each game.
- These groups should always remain separate from game participants and remain away from the fans or non-group members.
- Water bottles should be designated to each player whenever possible. In the event that this is not possible (due to team size, venue, etc…) then non-shared water sources need to be used such as disposable water cups.
- See the Guidance for Hydrating Athletes document posted to the MHSAA website
