Cheer America Guidelines

Performance Routine Requirements

All-Star & Recreation Squad routines must not exceed 2 ½ minutes, and there will be no minimum time requirement.  Choreography must consist of the following: Motions & Dance, Jumps, Tumbling, Partner Stunts & Pyramid/Baskets or Tosses (Level 1 teams will not be judged on baskets or tosses...these teams will be judged on dismounts)

Group & Partner Stunt routines may be up to 60 seconds with music. The routine does not necessarily need to be choreographed to the music. Partner stunt participants must provide their own spotter. The spotter may not assist with stunts. Groups may have up to five members. Partner Stunts is two members.

Spirit Leader routines may be up to 90 seconds with music. The routine must include a cheer (over the music is allowed) and dance and should be designed to motivate the crowd. No tumbling is permitted. Participant must also incorporate at least three jumps.

Spirit Leader Duo must include two competitors; routines may be up to 90 seconds with music. Male/Female combinations are allowed. The routine must include a cheer (over the music is allowed) and dance and should be designed to motivate the crowd. No tumbling is permitted. Participants must also incorporate at least three jumps.

Best Cheerleader routines must consist of three stamina jumps, tumbling skills, a cheer and dance. NO Lay-outs or Full Twisting Tumbling Allowed. All flips must be in a TUCKED position! All flips from a standing position must originate from a backhandspring (No standing back tucks). Aerial Cartwheels ARE Permitted. Time limit is 90 seconds. Music may be used for all or part of the routine. There is no limit to the number of incorporations (jumps, tumbling, etc.).  Standing Tumbling: Flips must be performed in a tuck position and must be performed from a back handspring. Running Tumbling: Flips must be performed in a tuck position. No tumbling after a flip. No twisting skills allowed. Aerial cartwheels permitted.

Elite Best Cheerleader routines must consist of three stamina jumps, tumbling skills, a cheer and dance. Time limit is 90 seconds. Music may be used for all or part of the routine. There is no limit to the number of incorporations (jumps, tumbling, etc.). Tumbling skills are limited to Level 5 guidelines.

Best Cheerleader Duo routines must include two competitors. Time limit is 90 seconds. Routines must consist of three stamina jumps, tumbling skills, a cheer and dance. Music may be used for all or part of the routine. There is no limit to the number of incorporations. No stunts allowed. Tumbling skills are limited to Level 5 guidelines.

Best Cheerleader Small Group routines have the same guidelines as Best Cheerleader Duo. Groups may include up to five participants. No stunts allowed. Tumbling skills are limited to Level 5 guidelines.

Cheer Only routines must consist of a cheer not to exceed 30 seconds. No jumps, tumbling or music allowed.

Power Tumbling must include two running passes (corner to corner). Passes may be different. Passes will have a point value based on the degree of difficulty.

Power Jumps must include five stamina (connected) jumps of choice. Please be aware that variety is a category on the score sheet.

Best Dancer routines must not exceed 90 seconds. Props are allowed. A combination of any number of dance styles is allowed.

Best Dancer Duo Duo routines must not exceed 90 seconds. Groups may include up to 2 participants. Props are allowed. A combination of any number of dance styles is allowed. Females and males will compete with one another.

Best Dancer Small Group routines must not exceed 90 seconds. Groups may include up to 5 participants. Props are allowed. A combination of any number of dance styles is allowed. All combinations of females and males will compete with one another.

Cheer America Guidelines

1. In the event of an injury during a performance, the squad has the option to complete their routine. A ‘start-over' or second performance will be allowed at the discretion of CAC judges/officials. Important: it is the ultimate responsibility of the coach to stop the routine/music as deemed necessary in the event of an injury. However, the head judge has the option to stop the music if he/she feels an injury is serious. If a routine is stopped and then re-performed then the routine will be judged from the point of the injury. Any deductions incurred prior to the injury will stand.
2. Please use appropriate music. Explicit lyrics and suggestive moves may reflect negatively on your overall score at the judge's discretion.
3. Time begins with the first movement or word, or at the beginning of the music. No formal entrances will be allowed. all routines including exhibition/show teams must enter and begin routine in a timely manner, using an excessive amount of time may result in a penalty.
4. Team division changes for Classic, Platinum, State, Small Gym and Holiday may not be made after the official schedule has been posted. Exceptions may be made in the event of an injury, which would result in a team being eligible for a small division (or medium as may be the case), or to alleviate crossover conflicts. After schedule has been posted, no team may move into a division with no competition. Division changes for any other reason will be evaluated on an individual basis.
 

Cross-over Requirements

 

Crossover athletes (those competing on more than one team for the same program) will be allowed at all Cheer America events.

Crossovers are not limited to a single level/ he/she may compete at different levels with the following exception...

If an athlete competes at Level 5, he/she may not compete at level 1 and/or 2 at the same event.  Injury alternates may be approved by a Cheer America Director in extreme cases.

Level 5 athletes may however compete at levels 3, 4 and/or 5

Teams may compete in different divisions at the same level with no cross-over restrictions

 

 

 

Cheer Competitions