Michigan Pom Association Championships February 1, 2015 Location: Alma College Dear Pom Coaches, Thank you for being a part of the Michigan Pom Association Championships. We are excited to see your great performances. Here are a few reminders and helpful tips that should make the day go smooth for all teams. Attached is a release form that all team members and their parents need to sign. Please bring all completed forms with you to the registration table the morning of the competition. If a team member does not have a release form they will not be able to perform. Registration *Team registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Please do not register prior to 9:00 a.m. Our registration table will not be open until then. Only two coaches will be admitted with the team. All parents or extra coaches MUST enter through the spectator’s entrance. After your team has registered, coaches should head to the gym to test music. * Doors will open to spectators at 9:00 a.m., please inform parents of this. The doors will be locked until then. There will be a spectator fee of $6.00 for students and adults. Children 5 and under are free. No passes will be accepted. * There will be a 4 minute spacing time available to teams after they register. This is on a first come first serve basis. If your team wishes to have spacing time, please register as soon as possible so we can stay on schedule. * Following registration, there will be a brief coaches meeting at 10:00. Welcome will begin at 10:30. *Parking in the main parking lot at Alma College is limited. Please let spectators know that all parking lots on campus are open to the public on Sundays. Competition *After registration all teams will move into the warm up area. Teams will then move into the holding area before their performance. If your team needs to change into their uniforms, you may use the locker room or restrooms. *Spectators are allowed to video tape and take pictures. *Varsity teams will be broken up into small and large varsity categories if 8 or more schools register in a category. Division sizes will be determined after all teams have registered. If a varsity category is broken up into small/large varsity, your division will be determined by the number of girls your team registered. If the number of girls competing changes, you will remain in the division you were originally registered in. *If there is only one team registered for a division, they will be judged against the score sheet. 90% and higher will be a 1st place, 80%-89% will be a 2nd place, 70%-79% will be a 3rd place, and so on. * Your score sheets will also include personal comments from the judges. *In case of bad weather, you will receive a personal phone call, informing you the competition has been canceled or delayed. * Tips to keep in mind for judging: Judges will be looking for energy and enthusiasm. They will be looking for visual movement in your routine that is pleasing to the audience. Awards: All teams will receive a trophy and an individual ribbon for each team member. First place team will also receive an individual medal for each team member. Requirements Time: A minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3½ including entrance and exit. If time is exceed there will be a 5 point deduction Kick line: All teams must perform a 32-count kickline with all team members connected. You may not disconnect during the 32 counts. Within the 32 counts all teams must include at least 4 straight high kicks done in unison by all team members. Poms: All teams must use a set of poms per girl for at least 80% of their performance. Music: Coaches must provide music on a CD or mp-3 player. A representative from each team will be responsible for choosing the track and starting/stopping the music. Please bring at least 2 back-up CD’s with you to the competition. Originality: Competition routines must be original from/for your team. It cannot be a routine taught at a camp or any other outside activity. Judging Criteria Appearance: Clean and neat uniformed look (10 points) Formation/Transitions: Organized, creative, straight lines, and evenly spaced (10 points) Team Unity: Timing and precision, moves are well synchronized (10 points) Form/Technique: Body positioning, pointed toes, straight arms and legs, quality of jumps (10 points) Showmanship: Smiles, facial expressions, and eye contact (10 points) Kicks: Height, level, and synchronization of kicks (10 points) Choreography: Variety of moves, level of difficulty, use of music (20 points) Overall Performance: Overall audience appeal (20 points) Total Points Possible: 100 Competition Guidelines *Tumbling is allowed as long as one part of the body remains in contact with the floor at all times. Tossing of any kind is not allowed. Dive rolls, round-offs, handsprings, tucks, aerials, and layouts are not allowed. In addition, body slams are not be allowed. Athletes must land on hands/feet first in order to break fall. *Lifts are allowed as long as the lifted athlete and base remain in contact. However, any move in which the lifted athletes hips are above their head is not allowed. *Athletes are not allowed to put poms in mouths. Code of Conduct *Any questions or concerns regarding a team’s performance should be addressed by the coach only, and at least 48 hours after the conclusion of the event. *Judges scores and placements are final. I look forward to seeing everyone, and good luck. Amy King, Michigan Pom Association