Is there a level 7 in cheer?

    Keep in mind that this site is about All-Star cheerleading, other types of cheerleading such as pop warner will be different than All-Star! Their are several levels for cheer leading:

  • level 1- requirements are, Tumbling: back walk-over, front handspring, round-off Stunting: An elevator, a connected extension, tick-tock at the belly button level, a cradle, and to have all your flexibility (scorpion, heel stretch, bow and arrow, arabesque, holding scale, and liberty). 
  • level 2- requirements are, Tumbling: Round-off back handspring, standing back handspring Stunting: a cupie, a prep level one leg (including all of your flexibility), and tick-tocks at the chin level, a cradle, and a straight ride toss
  • level 3- requirements are, Tumbling: Round-off back tuck, standing 2 or more back handsprings Stunting: extended one leg ( including all of your flexibility), tick-tocks from the chin level, all the way up to your arms locked out above your head, a hand to hand connected front flip, a full up, a twist down cradle, and a single twist toss, a ball-out toss, and a toe touch or pike open toss.
  • level 4.2- requirements are, Tumbling is the same requirements of a level 2 team, that's where the .2 comes from and Stunting is the same requirements of level 4 stunting and that's where the 4 comes from!
  • level 4- requirements are, Tumbling: Standing back tuck, and standing two back handsprings to a back tuck, and a layout Stunting: a tick-tock at the extended level to the extended level, a switch up to the extended one leg, a double down from two legs, a double twisting toss, and a kick single or double toss. 
  • level 5- requirements are, Tumbling: Round-off full twist or double full, a combination of jumps to a standing back tuck Stunting: 1.5 twist up to an extended position, and up to a 2.5 twisting rotation are allowed in a level 5 routine.
  • level 6- requirements are, Tumbling: Standing full, Running double full Stunting: one man, a single based cupie, a double down from one leg, tuck tosses, and a full twist toss, a tick-tock at extended level with a single base
Tumbling skills increase and get harder, but the tumbling skills on the level before that might be used in the routine too, so every tumbling skill up until that level are needed.
The age categories are:

  • tiny, ages 5 and younger
  • mini, ages 8 and younger
  • youth, ages 11 and younger
  • junior, ages 14 and younger
  • senior, ages 10-18
  • international open, ages 17 and older
A team will be announced as the age group, the level they are on, and the gym that they are from at competitions. Boys can compete and if there are boys on your team it will be announced as, for example: Senior, co-ed level 3, KC Cats! 

With tryouts mostly behind us, new and experienced cheer parents alike may be left scratching their heads with their child’s results. “Junior level 1? Is that good?” Today, we at WSA Cheer hope to clarify a few things in regards to your child’s division. Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with your child’s coach or the gym director. When it comes to why your child made a certain level, they will be able to give you a more detailed and specific answer.

Age Division

When you hear Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior, or Senior, these are all simply referring to your child’s age division. Typically, it is that simple. However, USASF officials tend to change the minimum age requirements for the divisions every few years or so, so this can shift over time. Traditionally, here is the breakdown:

  • Tiny: Ages four through six
  • Mini: Ages five through eight
  • Youth: Ages five through 11
  • Junior: Ages five through 14
  • Senior: Ages 11 through 18 (Depending on the level. This minimum age is increasing next year)

As you can see, there is some overlap. In general, this overlap is designed to help gyms of all sizes make the most competitive team possible. Some smaller gyms may have two 13-year-olds try out with a group of nine-year-olds. While these two both qualify to be on a junior or senior team, they do not have enough athletes to make a team. So, the nine-year-olds may join them to make a Junior level team.

This overlap also creates the ability to craft more competitive teams. A young flyer may be put on a senior team because she is easier to lift, especially if she has the maturity to thrive with her peers. It is a GOOD thing to have your child be at the top age requirement of a team, however. This means they will be leaders, and that they will have a chance at succeeding in competition. No matter what, the age division is mostly based on uncontrollable factors, like your daughter’s height and age.

The level is a bit more straightforward. The number indicates what your athlete is legally allowed to perform on the competition floor. Now, this does NOT mean that they are incapable of throwing higher skills, and it also doesn’t mean that they have every skill required for that level. Their level usually indicates the most that both they and their peers can perform together in order to make the strongest possible team. Your child may be throwing level three skills, but until they can do all of their level three skills with a group of athletes who also are in their age group, they may not be on a level three team. Every gym is different when making these decisions, but again, keep in mind — your level does not always indicate your ability. It indicates the overall best abilities of your team.

WSA Cheer

We hope this has clarified some of the confusion around levels and divisions! No matter what team you are on, even if you didn’t make the one you hoped for, we know you are going to have an incredible season filled with growth. We’ll see you in the fall for competition season!

How many levels are there in cheerleading?

4. There are only essentially five levels. If your daughter or son participates in All Star from the age of 8 to 17, she could spend two years at every single level.

What level should a 12 year old be in cheer?

Junior: Ages five through 14. Senior: Ages 11 through 18 (Depending on the level.

What is the highest level All Star Cheer?

All Star rules are leveled based on progressions of skills commonly performed in cheer and are developmentally appropriate for the age of the competitor. Teams range from Level 1 to Level 7.

Are there levels in cheerleading?

Cheerleading levels are divided up based on two general criteria: tumbling skills and stunting skills. Tumbling is floor gymnastics (rolls, cartwheels, walkovers, handsprings, etc). Stunting is when one or more athletes lift another athlete off the performing surface.