GHSA's No Flash Rule
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 11:13AM I'm not sure spectators that challenge this rule know the risk of their actions! I by no means want to justify the rule, yet it remains the rule to be followed. You see, we as spectators do not have the ability to make rules to be followed, and create risk for the teams and athletes we care about each time we do not abide by the rules as they are written.
First, I would like to express the reason GHSA has created the flash photography rule. They have determined that the flash creates a distraction to the athletes, therefore is dangerous to the athletes that are competing. That being said, if they are correct, I can't believe anyone would continue flashing under those circumstances! I am sure that no one wants their child, athlete, or team to be endangered while performing!
Second, the judges have the right to stop any performance where the rulse are being violated, and if thieir performance is interupted, that will clearly create a danger to the athletes! That being said, I cannot believe anyone is still flashing! I have begun to aggressively announce this only because I have listened to the judges as they threaten to stop more routines due to the violation of this rule. I am not willing to see these competitors placed in that situation. I care too much for their safety and right to a fair and uninterupted performance/competition.
Finally, knowing that the judges have a history of stopping a performance, knowing that their purpose is safety, and knowing that none of us have the ability to change any rules, I recommend that we all honor the rules, and stop placing our athletes at risk of not only being endangered, but also being stopped in the middle of their performance. I have attached a video of one event where the action of stopping a performance was taken to enforce the rule. Watch this video and understand that when flashes are going off while your team is on the floor, this could happen to your team!!! Take a look!!! Then take action to protect your athletes!!!
The judges will stop a performance. Don't cause this problem for your team!!
I have continually offered assistance to anyone that needs help turning their flash off. Just brig your camera to me or any of my staff, and we will assist you! That being said lets not show our dislike to any rule where the judges might stop a team due to our lack of better judgement. It only will harm the athletes that we care to see have the most success possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scot Adamson
In reading the GACheerleadingvent.com, I have noticed that the judges have stopped yet another team while performing due to spectators using flashes! This during the 2011 season!
Reader Comments (1)
I didn't see any flashes in this video, but I'm sure live in a gym is different. None of the other GHSA sports have the no flash rule whether it's inside or outside. Stopping those kids in the middle of a routine in my opinion was much more dangerous! Can you imagine how nervous the kids must have been to try and finish? Most of the cheerleaders at this level compete all stars and are use to bright flashing lights. There's more injuries in high school cheerleading than all stars. (number of athletes compared to same number of athletes at same skill level and it's not from camera flashes it's from coaches!) The judge yelling may think she is doing what's best for the kids safety but this sounds like a control issue of the same old people running a sport that they can't do themselves. Has anyone ever heard it publicly announced when the top cheer positions for GHSA are nominated and elected????????