Levels of Cheerleading

All-star cheerleading is a unique sport in that it offers a wide variety of levels at which athletes can compete.  Most age groups offer 2 or more levels, allowing beginner through elite athletes the opportunity to be challenged.

Depending on the size of each gym, there may be more or less levels available at each age group.  No single gym in the world offers every age division and level.  At Perfect Storm Athletics, we always strive to ensure our athletes are being challenged.  In some cases we will move an athlete up an age division in order to keep them with similarly skilled athletes.

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.  As levels increase so does the pace and complexity of a routine.

One important note about levels is that the level is the same, regardless of the age group.  For example, tiny level 1 and senior level 1 are the same level.  While the pace and complexity of a level 1 senior team (ages 14-18) may be higher than that of a tiny team (ages 5-6), they have the same rules and scoring criteria.

Each level builds on the previous.  (Level 2 includes all level 1 skills plus additional, more difficult skills, and so on for each level.)  Every level has a list of level appropriate skills as well as elite skills.

The following is a very basic breakdown of skills at each level along with what age divisions may be offered at that level.

Level 1

• U6, U8, U12, U16, U18
• Tumbling includes rolls, cartwheels, roundoffs, and walkovers
• Stunting is generally at or below should height, tossing is not allowed

Level 2

• U8, U12, U16, U18
• Tumbling includes dive rolls, handsprings and roundoff handsprings
• Stunting is generally at should height or above, a basic toss is allowed except in the mini division

Level 3

• U12, U16, U18
• Tumbling includes aerials, punch fronts and round off handspring tucks
• Stunting is generally one one leg at should height or above, there are more elaborate mounts and dismounts into stunts, single skill tosses are allowed

Level 4

• U12, U16, U18, Open (age 14+)
• Tumbling includes standing tucks and layouts
• Stunting is generally above shoulder height on single legs, stunting is more elaborate including, double skill tosses are allowed

Level 5

• U12, U16, U18 and Open (age 14+)
• Tumbling includes standing and running fulls and other specialty skills
• Stunting is above shoulder height on single leg, stunting is more elaborate including twists and flips, tosses are elite

Level 6 & 7

• Open (age 17+)
• Tumbling includes standing and running fulls
• Stunting is similar to level 5 only with more flipping.  Level 7 pyramids are 2.5 high.

For a list of teams offered at our gym, please see our Program Handbook.