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All-Star Cheer

All-Star cheerleading

All-star cheer is gym-based, competition-only cheerleading with no school or football affiliation. Athletes compete on gym teams organized by age and skill level (L1–L7). The top of the pyramid is The Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando every April.

Scoring Docs Find Competitions

GOVERNING BODY

USASF (US) + ICU (International)

SEASON RUNS

Aug/Sept – April (Worlds)

ROUTINE LENGTH

2 min 30 sec maximum

ROSTER SIZE

5–36 athletes (division dependent)

TOP EVENT

The Cheerleading Worlds (IASF)

SCORING SYSTEM

United Scoring (primary), OCS

SKILLS BY LEVEL & COACH LEGALITY (USASF L1–L7)

Skills below are the representative, commonly recognized skills that first become legal at each level. Each carries conditions in the rulebook (spotters, catchers, twist limits). Always confirm against the current USASF Cheer Rules.

How legality actually works

Legality is uniform — every USASF-sanctioned event company (NCA/UCA/Cheersport, The U.S. Finals, JAMfest, OCS, etc.) uses the same USASF legality rules. A back handspring is legal at Level 2 everywhere. What differs between companies is the scoring system (USASF "Elite", "TheONE"/OCS, Varsity, IASF Worlds), the divisions offered, and a few rec exceptions. Choreograph to the scoring system of the specific event you're attending.

Split & restricted levels

A "split" level like 4.2 = Level 4 building rules with Level 2 tumbling rules. Prep teams follow USASF Prep rules (building only up to Level 3); Novice teams follow even more restricted Novice rules (e.g., Tiny Novice tumbling is limited to forward rolls and cartwheels). Prep/Novice have their own rule sections and time limits — don't apply "Elite" level rules to them.

Level 1

Standing tumbling: forward/backward rolls, handstand, cartwheel, round-off, bridge/kick-over, front & back walkovers (no handsprings).
Running tumbling: round-off, cartwheel, walkovers, round-off rebound (no flips or handsprings).
Jumps: all standard jumps (toe touch, hurdler, pike, etc.).
Stunts: two-leg to prep (shoulder) level; one-leg at waist level. Tosses: straight-ride/pop to a cradle. Pyramids: up to 2-high at prep level.

⚠️ Coach legality check

No extended (overhead) stunts at Level 1. A cartwheel does not earn standing-tumbling difficulty credit on most sheets.

Level 2

✅ Newly unlocked: standing back handspring (single & series), front handspring; round-off back handspring in running.
Stunts: extended two-leg stunts; one-leg at prep level. Tosses: basket tosses with a single skill (e.g., toe-touch) appear.

⚠️ Coach legality check

No aerials and no flips in tumbling yet (those are Level 3). One-leg extended stunts are not yet legal.

Level 3

✅ Newly unlocked: standing handspring step-out / series; round-off handspring tuck and aerials in running.
Stunts: extended one-leg stunts (lib, heel stretch); ½-twisting transitions and dismounts.

⚠️ Coach legality check

Standing tucks are NOT Level 3 — they're Level 4. Full-twisting transitions are not yet legal.

Level 4 (and 4.2 split)

✅ Newly unlocked: standing tuck and standing handspring-tuck; layouts in running tumbling.
Stunts: full-up (single-twisting) entries to extended one-leg stunts; single full-twisting dismount ("full down").
Level 4.2 = Level 4 building with Level 2 tumbling — a stepping-stone division.

⚠️ Coach legality check

A single full down is the twisting-dismount ceiling at Level 4. Double-twisting dismounts are Level 5.

Level 5

✅ Newly unlocked: full (full-twisting layout) in running tumbling.
Stunts: double-twisting dismount ("double down"); full-up to one-leg extended; baskets incorporating a full twist (e.g., kick-full).

⚠️ Coach legality check

Standing fulls and double fulls are Level 6, not Level 5.

Level 6 (Senior Elite / International Open — Worlds eligible)

✅ Newly unlocked: double full (running) and standing full (standing tumbling).
Stunts: double-ups; up to 2¼ twisting dismounts; baskets with up to 3 skills (e.g., kick-double); twisting in pyramid flips/release moves; rewinds to extended level.
🔄 Scored on the IASF/USASF Worlds sheet for Worlds-eligible divisions (building vs. tumbling weighting differs slightly between USASF and IASF).

Level 7 (International Global / Open)

The most advanced skills in the sport, offered only in specific international divisions. Difficulty ceilings are highest here and governed by IASF for Worlds.

🆕 2026–27 update (officially confirmed)

No changes to the All-Star cheer rules or the cheer age grid — birth years simply move forward one year for the new season (top/bottom ages unchanged), including Flex and Non-Tumbling. Carryover worth knowing: tier names are Novice / Intermediate / Premier; "release" was replaced with "loss of contact"; and Youth Flex (L1–3) and Junior Flex divisions allow wider age ranges on one team.

AGE DIVISIONS

Tiny

Ages 4–6

Mini

Ages 5–8

Youth

Ages 5–11

Junior

Ages 5–14

Senior

Ages 11–18+

Open

No age cap

FLEX

Ages 18+ (non-traditional)

Age eligibility determined by USASF Age Grid (published annually). Birth year determines eligible division for the full season.

View Age Grid document →

SCORING SYSTEMS

PRIMARY

United Scoring

Primary system at USASF events. Organized into Performance, Execution, and Difficulty. Uses ranges, MAXes, and quantity charts. Judges score digitally.

OCS (Open Cheer Scoring)

Alternative system designed for Prep and Rec all-star divisions. Simpler rubric structure. Used at events that want a more accessible scoring model.

MAJOR EVENTS

The Cheerleading Worlds

IASF / Varsity SpiritApril, Orlando FL

Pinnacle of all-star cheer. ESPN Wide World of Sports. Bid required.

Visit →

The Summit

Varsity SpiritMay, Orlando FL

End-of-season championship for L1–L4.2. Sometimes called "Worlds for younger teams." Bid required.

Visit →

NCA All-Star Nationals