Thanks for deciding to join us in Kansas City, MO for the Mid America National Championship at the Kansas City Convention Center on March 26-28, 2010. We appreciate your support in COA, look forward to your participation and hope your trip to Kansas City, MO is a safe one!

Please click on any of the following links for more information:

PERFORMANCE ORDER & PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Specific performance and practice times will be available on Friday, March 19th after 5:00 p.m. EST. All times are subject to change due to cancellations and additions beyond COA’s control. COA will update times on Tuesday, March 23rd after 5:00 p.m. EST with any additions or cancellations so you have the most up to date information. All Cheer and Dance Teams perform twice, excluding Collegiate Divisions. Teams will perform in the same order on Saturday and Sunday

In an effort to become more environmentally conscious, COA is making strides to become a “green” company. COA will not longer provide Championship programs at most championships. We will post the performance order near the spectator entrance. If you would like a copy of the performance order, you can print one from our website on the Wednesday prior to the championship. Remember to recycle your paper and plastic products. Thanks for helping in our endeavor to better the planet.

Friday March 26, 2010
All Cheer & Dance Specialty Divisions

Saturday March 27, 2010
All Cheer & Dance School/Rec Teams
All Cheer & Dance All Star Teams

Sunday March 28, 2010  
All Cheer & Dance School/Rec Teams
All Cheer & Dance All Star Teams
All Collegiate Divisions

SCORING
Saturday counts as 40% of your total combined score. Sunday counts as 60% of you total combined score. The combined scores from Saturday and Sunday determine the final rankings.

PARTICIPANT RELEASE AND WAIVER FORM
COA and the JAM Brands are once again taking your competition experience to the next level by introducing The JAM Waiver. The JAM Waiver will serve as the universal waiver for all of the JAM Brands. Complete one waiver once upon registering for your first JAM Brands event, and The JAM Brands will take care of the rest. No need to resubmit them when competing or participating with multiple companies of The JAM Brands. Once completed, The JAM Waiver will be held on file with The JAM Brands and will be reusable year after year. That’s right – The JAM Waiver will eliminate the inconvenience of tracking down kids and parents every year for every competition for signatures and waiver information. All participants will be required to submit The JAM Waiver upon participating at their first JAM Brands event. No exceptions will be made. Individual waivers need to be submitted upon adding new members to your team(s) throughout the year. The JAM Brands will continue to check all team lists to make sure that all participants have a waiver on file. You will be notified of any missing information or waivers. All information must be properly and entirely filled out on The JAM Waiver in order to be valid. Below are important exceptions:

The JAM Waiver will serve as a lifetime waiver for all event producing companies of The JAM Brands. New waivers MUST be submitted for all individuals with waivers on file ONLY under the following circumstances…

• Change in insurance information
• Change of legal guardianship
• Once participant reaches the age of 18

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the gym, participant and/or legal guardians to ensure that each participant’s lifetime waiver is updated if one of the circumstances listed above occurs.
           
If this is your first Jam Brands Event of the year, click HERE to receive a copy of the Jam Waiver.

ROSTER
Complete one form per division entered and return with your Registration Form.  All Rosters must be in the COA office no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. 

NATIONAL CHAMPION SIZING FORM
Complete one sizing form for EACH division entered (Teams Only). Do not include alternates. Return this form on the day of the event to COA Registration.

SPOTTERS
In an effort to provide a safe performance environment, COA is allowing programs to provide their own routine spotters. We feel that allowing programs to put trained and knowledgeable routine spotters on the floor that are familiar with the performances and areas of the performance that may need ‘special attention’, the overall safety of the competition environment is improved. COA will allow teams to provide up to 4 of their own routine spotters for each or their competition performances. COA will not be providing routine spotters. It will be up to the discretion of the coach how many routine spotters, if any, they choose to use. Please pay special attention to the stipulations and suggestions below:

DEFINITION OF ROUTINE SPOTTERS:

Routine spotters are individuals affiliated with the performing program that are voluntarily provided by the performing program as a safety precaution for the routine. Routine spotters cannot be uniformed members of the competing team and must adhere to all “Rules for Routine Spotters.”

RULES FOR ROUTINE SPOTTERS:

• Routine spotters are there to help ‘catch’ falls and/or mistakes, not to assist or save skills. Routine spotters may only be used for stunts, pyramids and/or basket tosses. Spotting of tumbling is prohibited and will result in a .5 deduction for each occurrence. Any contact by a routine spotter that assists a stunt, toss or pyramid will also result in a .3 deduction for each occurrence.
• Flagrant contact by a routine spotter that assists a stunt, toss or pyramid may result in a .5 deduction for each occurrence. Point deduction is at the sole discretion of COA. The decision of the judges is FINAL.
• Routine spotters must dress differently than the team so they are not mistaken for participants.
• Routine spotters are for safety purposes only and are not to engage in excessive behavior before, during or after the performance. Doing this will result in a .1 deduction. Routine spotters should enter the stage behind their team and exit immediately ahead of their team.
• COA encourages the use of routine spotters, however, they are not required. Use your best judgment as to whether routine spotters are needed for your routine.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ROUTINE SPOTTERS:

• Routine spotters should look presentable. Remember, the overall appearance of your team and their performance is important. Routine spotters should appear “neat and orderly” in order to minimize distraction.
• It is strongly suggested that routine spotters be at least 18 years of age.
• Routine spotters should make every attempt to be ‘inconspicuous’ during the routine. Remember, touching the skill WILL result in a point deduction. It is best to be present for safety reasons, but, unless there is a fall, not do anything that will appear to help or assist with the stunt.
• Routine spotters should be trained to know proper spotting technique. Routine spotters should know the routine(s), so that spotting is conducted as safely as possible.

ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN
You must check-in the day of the event at the COA registration table.

DIRECTIONS
Kansas City Convention Center is located at 301 W. 13th St., Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64105.

RULES & REGULATIONS
Make sure your routines are up-to-date with all COA Guidelines and the USASF rules and restrictions!  NOTE:  All music must be in CD format. Tapes cannot be used.

• In the interest of safety, only athletes and coaches are permitted to enter the practice area.
• Air horns are prohibited in the performance rooms.
• Outside food & beverages are not permitted at any COA event. Food and beverages will be sold during the championship at the concession stand.
• Smoking is not permitted at any COA Event.  Please inform your parents of this policy.
• Video taping is not permitted. COA encourages you to order a professional video production of your routine from Mr. Video Productions (if available).

ADMISSION
Two coaches per team division and all athletes will be admitted free of charge. Coaches of specialty division athletes will not be admitted free of charge. 

General admission tickets can only be purchased at the door on the day(s) of the event. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the Championship. Coolers and food are not permitted at any COA event.

For Registration Policies, Guidelines and Terns click HERE