Maryland Twisters 2025-26 Handbook
World Class All-Star Cheerleading
Welcome to Maryland Twisters
We are excited to have you as part of our family for the 2025-2026 season. Maryland Twisters is a world class all-star cheerleading program that strives to provide a positive and rewarding experience for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Our mission is to develop confident, respectful, and disciplined individuals who can achieve their full potential through the sport of cheerleading.
As a Maryland Twister, you will have the opportunity to train with some of the best coaches in the industry, compete at local and national events, and be part of a supportive and fun community. You will also learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, commitment, and sportsmanship.
This handbook contains important information and policies that you need to know as a member of our program. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you succeed and have a great season. Welcome to Season 28!
Our Mission Statement:
Mission: MDT is a diverse and all-inclusive cheer community which invests in the whole child by teaching life lessons that will inspire our youth to be better athletes, selfless teammates, and purposeful, confident leaders.
Vision: Our vision is to be known in our community as a safe haven for kids to grow their passion for cheerleading.
Motto: Trust the Process
Values: Accountability, Communication, Pride, Perseverance, and Relationships
MDT STAFF TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS
Rise To Win MDT has partnered with Rise To Win, a national non-profit organization dedicated to inspire leaders in sports to create and maintain positive change on matters of diversity, inclusion and equality. Follow along on Instagram @risetowin
Mind, Body, Cheer MDT has partnered with Mind, Body, Cheer, a program created by Jeff Benson, author of Unblocked. His program helps train coaches, athletes and parents on the mental, physical and emotional demands of competitive cheerleading. For more, follow along on Instagram @mindbodycheer
MDT Program Overview
All star cheerleading is a year-round competitive sport that involves a team of athletes performing a 2 minute and 30 second routine that consists of tumbling, stunting, pyramids, jumps, and dance. The routine is performed on a 42 by 54 foot spring floor and judged by a panel of experts based on difficulty, execution, creativity, and overall impression. We safely train our athletes in those categories and help them learn those skills correctly.
Maryland Twisters offers teams for athletes of different ages and skill levels, from beginner to elite. Our teams are divided into two categories: full year (novice, prep & elite) and half year prep.
Full year teams (novice, prep & elite) practice from June to May and attend an average of 6 competitions throughout the season. In addition to that, we also compete at end of season events such as the Regional Summit, the Youth Summit, The Summit, The Cheerleading Worlds, The One, All-star Words and more. Competition schedule to be released in August.
Half year teams (prep) practice from November to March and attend 3-4 local competitions. Schedule to be released in November.
U.S. All-Star Federation (USASF)
MDT is a member of the USASF. MDT owner Tara Rall also sits on the board of directors for the USASF.
USASF is the governing body of all-star, and their mission is to make our sport safer with consistent rules and competition standards. Team divisions are by age and level, from novice, prep, elite levels 1 to 6. The level determines the skills and elements that the team can perform in their routine. The higher the level, the more advanced and challenging the skills are. The USASF also sets the age ranges for each division, based on the birth year of the athletes. For more information, visit www.usasf.net.
Team Placement
Team placement is the process of assigning athletes to the appropriate team based on their age and skill level. Putting teams together and setting them up for success is like a puzzle. We strive to make sure all pieces fit, and your athlete will be a strong contributor. Team placement is done through an assessment that takes place in May for full year teams and in November for half year teams. During the assessment, athletes will demonstrate their tumbling, stunting, and jumping skills in front of our coaches and evaluators. Athletes may also be asked to perform a short dance or cheer.
Team placement is not a tryout. We do not cut anyone from our program. We aim to place every athlete on a team that best suits their abilities and goals. However, team placement is not guaranteed. We reserve the right to decline or remove an athlete from our program if we determine that they are not a good fit for our culture, expectations, or standards.
Your athlete is expected to maintain all skills for the team they are assigned to. Should your athlete lose any skills, regardless of the reason, they are at risk of reassignment, or placed on alternate status.
Financial Commitment
Please know that being in all-star cheerleading requires a significant financial commitment. The cost of cheerleading includes tuition, competition fees, routine choreography, music, uniforms, shoes, practice wear and travel such as air and hotels. We understand that this can be a burden for some families, so we try to keep our fees as reasonable and transparent as possible.
Tuition is a monthly charge that covers the cost of team cheer and tumbling practice. All star fees cover the costs for choreography, music, competition registration, and coach time and travel to events.
Full year teams’ tuition is divided into 11 installments, from June to April. All star fees are invoiced in 7 installments June through December. Winter teams are invoiced an all-inclusive monthly fee with 6 installments from November to April. Monthly fees are due on the first of each month and late after the tenth. Monthly fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Monthly fees do not include any additional classes, privates, clinics, or camps that an athlete may choose to attend.
Travel planning and other expenses are the responsibility of the parents and those arrangements are not made through the gym unless we attend a Varsity Stay Smart event where you are required to book hotels through them. The gym will simply pass you a link to book on your own.
Uniform and apparel are the items that athletes need to wear for practices, competitions, and other events. Uniforms and apparel include practice wear, shoes (purchased through our pro shop), bows, and other items available for purchase in the proshop. Uniforms and apparel are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Uniform and apparel must be worn as instructed and kept in good condition.
Miscellaneous items are any other costs that may arise throughout the season, such as your athlete’s USASF membership, end of season event costs, team gifts, pictures, etc.
Early Termination Fee
Any athlete who quits or is removed from a team on or after August 1st will be charged an early termination fee of $500 or $1,000 on or after December 1st. The fee is non-refundable and covers the costs of adjusting the team and the routine after the athlete's departure. The athlete will also be responsible for paying any outstanding balance on their account, including tuition, Allstar fees, Worlds fees, Summit fees, or any fees. Athletes who decline an alternate reassignment are also subject to the early termination fee. The fee applies to Winter Team athletes as well.
Practice Schedule & Expectations
From June-August, each team practices two weeknights, no weekends, for 1, 2 or 3 hours each time depending upon the team. From September – April, each team practices one or two weeknights and one weekend day for 1, 2 or 3 hours each practice depending upon the team.
Team practices are open to parents and spectators via the parent viewing area, unless otherwise specified by the coaches. Parents and spectators are not allowed inside the training areas. All personnel inside of the training area are USASF certified coaches and athletes.
Attendance Expectations
All practices, competitions, and other events are mandatory for all athletes, unless otherwise specified by the coaches.
Absences
Athletes may request up to three summer vacation days, which must be submitted in writing at the start of the season.
Absences due to serious illness (with a doctor’s note), the death of an immediate family member, or a school event (with a note from a teacher) must be reported to your team rep and/or coach immediately.
Only a coach from your team can approve absences—athletes and parents must ensure the coach is informed of any missed practices.
Modified Duty
If an athlete is feeling unwell (e.g., headache, stomach ache) but is still able to attend practice, they will be given modified duty based on their tolerance level
Attendance Requirements
Pre-Competition Attendance: Athletes must attend at least 10 consecutive days of practice leading to any competition.
Punctuality & Full Participation: Athletes are expected to arrive on time and remain for the entire duration of each practice, competition, or event.
Mandatory Events: All competitions and post-season events are mandatory.
Late Arrivals: Consistently arriving late will result in the following three-step policy:
1. Verbal warning
2. Written warning
3. Dismissal from the program
Timely Pick-Up: Parents must pick up their athlete on time. Any pick-up more than 15 minutes after practice ends will result in a $25 late fee.
We can remove an athlete for violating our attendance policies.
Injuries & Return to Play
A serious injury may result in your athlete not being able to participate fully for a period of 2 weeks or more. Depending upon the time of year, your athlete may be moved to alternate status until he/she is cleared to return to play. A diagnosis, doctors note and return to play instructions should be shared with your coaches. If your child is released by their doctor, depending upon the time of year, your athlete can return to the active roster to compete. If your child’s release is close to any major national or post season event, the coaches will determine if he/she will return to the floor.
Crossovers & Alternates
A crossover is an athlete who is assigned to one team but “crosses over” to another team to fill a need. Several glossary of crossover terms below:
Emergency Crossovers: This is an athlete who is asked to crossover to compete with another team within MDT due to an emergency. (i.e. athlete injury on one team which occurs 2 weeks prior to a competition.)
Extended Crossover: This is an athlete who is asked to crossover to another team for more than one competition for various reasons. The athlete must pay the competition registration as a crossover to the second team. There is also a $25 crossover monthly fee for the extra team practice training.
Full Year Crossovers: This is an athlete who is asked to crossover to another team for the entire season to fill a void of a stunt or tumbling position. If you are a full year crossover, you are required to meet the practice and coach expectations equally for both teams. An example of a full year crossover is, an athlete can base on this team but an older team needs a flyer. This athlete is able to stay on both teams should they choose to. To cross over as an extended athlete for the season, there is a $25 monthly tuition fee, and an all-star fee for that 2nd team to cover music/choreography, coaches’ costs, and the registration fees for each competition in which they crossover. The coaches & Program Director reserve the right to change an athlete’s crossover status. A crossover athlete may be required to rent or purchase a uniform for their crossover team.
Note: coaches cannot make any exceptions to the crossover fees. If your athlete is asked to be an extended or full year crossover please know that there WILL be additional fees associated with that, whether or not the coach mentions it to you. If your athlete is asked to crossover, please contact the accounting office right away to find out the fees.
For post season events– management will determine which team the crossover should compete with. The athlete nor the parent will decide what team to compete with.
Alternates: An alternate is someone who is removed from the active team roster due to various reasons (i.e. cannot fulfill skill requirement for team, injured and won’t be cleared to practice for an extended period of time, etc.). Tuition for alternates is $125 per month. If an alternate athlete is put into a competition, they must pay the competition fee and uniform rental (if one is available) or they may be required to purchase a uniform if one is not available to rent for that competition. Coaches will determine practice and competition attendance expectations.
If an athlete is offered an alternate position or a different team assignment and declines it, any monies paid to date are non-refundable, and the athlete is subject to the Inconvenience Fee. This includes tuition, Allstar fees, Worlds fees, Summit fees, or any fees associated with award events.
If an alternate athlete is moved to full team status, the Allstar fees (and Worlds fees, if applicable) from past months must be paid.
If you are designated as an alternate on a team and the team is awarded a paid bid for Summit or Worlds, the bid will be allocated to the athlete who performs on the floor at the postseason event. Consequently, any alternate will be responsible for covering the bid expense to attend Summit or Worlds.
Competition Schedule
Competition schedule is the list of competitions that each team attends throughout the season. Competition schedule is determined by the coaches and the gym based on the level and category of the team, and the quality and location of the events. Competition schedule is subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances.
Each team will attend 6 to 8 competitions in a season, depending on the level and category of the team. Competitions are usually held on weekends, from November to April, and may require overnight travel. The schedule of competitions can require athletes on elite teams to miss school; including but not limited to a Thursday, Friday and/or Monday. Competitions are the main goal and focus of the season, and are where the teams showcase their skills, talent, and hard work in front of judges and spectators.
Each competition has its own rules, regulations, and procedures that the teams and the program must follow. These include registration deadlines, performance order, scoring system, awards ceremony, and safety guidelines. The coaches and the gym will communicate all the relevant information and instructions to the athletes and parents prior to each competition. Parents are not allowed to contact the competition officials directly.
Each competition also has associated fees, which cover the cost of entry, music, and coaching. Competition fees are paid in advance and are non-refundable and non-transferable. Competition fees do not include any travel or hotel expenses that may be incurred. Some competitions may have a stay to play policy, which requires athletes to book their hotel rooms through a designated provider.
Below is an example of a weekend plan for a national competition for team travel. This does not reflect every national or post season event. Your athlete may miss school as a result.
EXAMPLE:
Friday
- Fly to venue and arrive by 4:00 pm
- Team mandatory practice at venue at 4:30 pm
Saturday
- Day 1 - perform 8:00 am
Sunday
- Day 2 - perform 3:00 pm
Monday
- Travel home if your awards are Sunday night
The purpose of this is to inform parents that school absences may be required to accommodate elite competitions.
Stay Smart Housing
Some of our 2-day national events with Varsity only require all attendees to book hotels through their housing vendor. This process is called Stay Smart. They provide several hotel options and require all of us to book through them. That booking information is released sometime after August when our competition schedule is finalized. Based on the example schedule above, Stay Smart housing is required for several out of state nationals. Schedule TBA.
Travel Event Expectations
We know that traveling to away competitions can be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to showcase your skills. We also want to make sure that everyone has fun, stays safe, arrives on time, and is ready to give their best performance. To help us achieve these goals, we ask you to follow these expectations when traveling with the team:
All athletes are required to arrive at travel competitions by 4:00 pm the night before they are scheduled to compete.
Supervision: All athletes on travel teams must stay with a parent, guardian, or designated chaperone at all times.
Restricted Activities: To maintain peak performance, athletes must avoid swimming, sunbathing, and other recreational activities that could impact their condition or appearance until after their awards ceremony.
Airfare Booking: Parents are responsible for booking airfare for their athlete and must submit travel details to the Team Rep before departure.
Curfew & Accommodation Rules: Athletes must abide by the curfew set by coaches and respect all accommodation rules.
Mandatory Pre-Competition Practices: Athletes must attend all practices during the 10 days leading up to any competition—no exceptions.
Prohibited Behavior: The use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, electronic smoking devices, or abusive language is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the Twisters program.
Sportsmanship Expectations: Athletes and parents must demonstrate respect and good sportsmanship toward our staff, fellow parents, judges, officials, spectators, and opposing teams.
Team Support: Athletes will be assigned MDT teams to support and "cheer on" during the competition to foster team spirit.
Before you book your airfare or hotel/Stay to Play travel, confirm with your team rep your travel day and competition days. If you have multiple children in the program, please be proactive with communication to team reps and coaches. Please know some events begin earlier or on Friday.
Competition Etiquette
Competition etiquette is the set of rules and expectations that govern the behavior and conduct of athletes, coaches, and parents at competitions. Competition etiquette is designed to ensure the safety, respect, and sportsmanship of all participants and spectators. Competition etiquette is enforced by the coaches, the gym, and the event producers and applies to all competitions and events.
Competition etiquette is as follows:
Alcohol Policy: Per USASF regulations, no outside alcohol is permitted at any event or inside competition halls. If alcohol is sold at the venue, we request a suspension of alcohol in our contracted areas.
Itinerary Compliance: Athletes, coaches, and parents must follow all instructions provided by the gym and coaches, including meeting times, locations, attire, and procedures for each competition.
Event Rules & Regulations: All participants must adhere to the rules and policies set by the event producer and venue, including those related to registration, warm-ups, performances, awards, and safety.
Parental Boundaries: Parents should not approach or discuss any athlete other than their own. If a safety concern or emergency arises, parents should contact the coach directly.
24-Hour Rule: Any concerns regarding placements, judging, or competition-related matters may not be addressed with team reps, coaches, or management until 24 hours after returning from the competition.
Sportsmanship & Conduct: The entire MDT community is expected to demonstrate sportsmanlike behavior at all times.
Represent with Pride: Athletes and families should proudly wear black and blue Twister gear at competitions.
Winning & Losing with Class: We will win with grace and lose with dignity—always clapping for our competitors when we feel defeated and remaining humble when crowned champions.
Respect for Officials: Athletes, coaches, and parents must show respect for judges, officials, event staff, and volunteers, accepting scores, results, and feedback with grace and professionalism.
Respect for Others: All MDT athletes, coaches, and parents must respect other teams, programs, and spectators throughout the event.
Awards Ceremony Attendance: Athletes must be present at the awards ceremony to celebrate their achievements. Those who miss the ceremony will not receive jackets, medals, banners, or other awards. Athletes should remain until the end of the event, unless prior arrangements have been made with their coach for extenuating circumstances.
Safety and Conduct
Maryland Twisters is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all athletes, coaches, staff, parents, and spectators. We expect everyone to follow the rules and regulations of the gym, the USASF, and the event producers, and to behave in a respectful and responsible manner at all times.
The following are the safety and conduct policies and procedures for Maryland Twisters:
Coach & Staff Instructions: Athletes must follow all instructions from their coaches and gym staff at all times. They are not permitted to attempt any skills or stunts that have not been approved or supervised by a coach.
Jewelry Policy: Per USASF rules, athletes cannot wear jewelry of any kind, including earrings, nose rings, tongue rings, belly button rings, facial piercings, clear plastic jewelry, bracelets, necklaces, or pins on uniforms. Jewelry must be completely removed—taping over jewelry is not allowed. The only exception is medical ID tags/bracelets.
Hair Recommendation: Per USASF rules, hair must be secured off the face in a simple and unexaggerated style that is adaptable for all diversities during practice, warm-ups, and competition.
Safety Standards: Athletes must follow all USASF and event producer safety guidelines and may not perform skills or stunts that are illegal, unsafe, or inappropriate for their level or division.
Injury & Illness Reporting: Athletes must report any injuries or illnesses to their coaches and gym staff immediately. They may not practice or compete if they are injured or sick unless they have medical clearance from a doctor.
Health & Well-Being: Athletes are expected to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle to support their performance and well-being.
Respect & Team Support: Athletes must show respect and support toward their coaches, teammates, gym staff, and other cheerleaders. They are strictly prohibited from engaging in bullying, harassment, discrimination, gossip, or any other negative or harmful behavior toward anyone.
Positive Representation: Athletes must represent Maryland Twisters in a professional and positive manner. They may not wear or display inappropriate or offensive clothing, accessories, or symbols and are prohibited from posting or sharing inappropriate or offensive content on social media or other platforms.
Gym Supervision: Athletes are not permitted to train inside the MDT gym areas without coach-assigned supervision.
Restricted Gym Access: Only athletes and coaches have clearance to enter MDT gym training areas. Parents and visitors must remain in the lobby areas at all times.
Failure to comply with the safety and conduct policies and procedures may result in consequences; removal from the routine, suspension from the team, or dismissal from the program.
Social Media Conduct & Expectations
Please be mindful of what you post on Social Media. Any posts, texts, screenshots, DMs, or written communication not in line with our policy can impact your membership with the MDT program.
Respectful Communication: Parents and athletes must not post anything derogatory about MDT teams or the program. All concerns should be addressed through the proper communication protocol.
No Public Accusations: Parents and athletes are prohibited from posting, commenting, reposting, or engaging in any accusations involving the MDT brand, staff, or members. This also applies to competition brands, judges, other programs, and event attendees.
Zero Tolerance for Bullying: MDT enforces a zero-tolerance policy for bullying or harassment on any social media or online platform.
No Direct Messaging (DMs): Athletes and parents should not send direct messages (DMs) to MDT staff, athletes, or any MDT affiliates.
Failure to comply with the social media policies and procedures may impact your membership with the MDT program.
Communication and Feedback
Maryland Twisters values open and honest communication and feedback among all members of our organization. We encourage everyone to share their thoughts, opinions, suggestions, and concerns in a respectful and constructive way. We also welcome and appreciate any compliments, and recognition from our members and others.
The following are the communication and feedback policies and procedures for Maryland Twisters:
Direct Communication: Parents should communicate proactively and directly with coaches and gym staff regarding any concerns or inquiries.
Texting Policy: Texting coaches is reserved for emergency situations, such as running late, illness (with a doctor’s note), safety concerns, or behavioral issues.
Emailing Coaches: Following the 24-hour protocol, emails should be used for concerns only. Parents should not discuss choreography changes, athlete skill sets, or anything related to another athlete in the program.
Team Representative Role: Parents should also communicate with their team representative, who serves as a liaison between the gym, coaches, and parents. The team rep shares important updates and helps coordinate team events. General questions should be directed to the team rep first, while athlete-specific concerns should be addressed with the coaches or gym director.
Respectful Communication: Athletes and parents must use polite, respectful, and constructive language in all communications. Rude, disrespectful, or destructive behavior will not be tolerated.
Privacy & Confidentiality: All communication should remain private and confidential. Athletes and parents must not share, disclose, or discuss any personal or sensitive information about themselves or others without consent. Additionally, they should not spread rumors or false information about anyone within or outside the program.
Failure to comply with the communication and feedback policies and procedures may result in consequences, loss of lobby privileges, removal from the routine, suspension from the team, or dismissal from the program.
Acknowledgment and Agreement
By signing the Maryland Twisters Contract, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the policies and procedures in this handbook. You also acknowledge that you are responsible for complying with the rules and expectations in this handbook and that you are subject to the consequences for any violations. You also acknowledge that this handbook is subject to change at any time and that you will be notified of any updates or revisions.
Thank you for choosing Maryland Twisters as your cheerleading program. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals. We hope you have a fun and rewarding season with us!