Negligent Supervision in High School Cheerleading Leads to Severe Injuries

Case Overview

This case revolves around a high school cheerleader who was severely injured during a routine performance. As the flier in the stunt, she was dropped by two inexperienced setters. It is claimed that the cheerleading coach’s supervision was negligent, leading to this unfortunate incident.

The case seeks an expert opinion on cheerleading supervision standards to review the details and provide insights into liability.

Questions to the expert and their responses

Can you describe your experience as a high school cheerleading coach, including New York?

I have 16 years of experience in coaching and program directing, with significant exposure to both private and school teams. My responsibilities include travel and training events for youth athletes aged between 5-18.

I also hold the NYS cheerleading coach certification AIC levels 1 and 2 along with AACCA/USA Cheer Certification.

What national standards exist at the high school level to safeguard against this type of incident?

There are specific rules and regulations that coaches must adhere to to ensure safety during performances. These include mandatory training on safety measures and guidelines on stunt performance. For instance, most all-girl HS stunts require at least three people plus the flier for safe execution.

Do you hold a USA Cheer membership and NFHS Safety Certification?

Yes, I am a certified AACCA/USA Cheer member, renewing my certification in October of 2020.

About the expert

This expert has an extensive background in cheerleading, with over a decade of experience and a current license as a high school cheerleading coach in New York. Their expertise is further demonstrated by their active membership in the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators. They have held numerous leadership roles, including head of cheerleading choreography at a private academy, program director at a gymnastics center, and founder of a premier all-star team, and currently serve as the cheerleading program director and coach at a high school.