Cheerleaders
AIR FORCE
Cheerleaders
AIR FORCE
Cheerleaders
AIR FORCE
Cheerleaders
AIR FORCE
Skills Breakdown By Level
There is a lot of focus on Level 5 cheerleading as that is the world standard for competition, however, Level 5 is an incredibly advanced level and the safety risks are very real. Unbelievably there is a Level 6 division which borders on circus skills - this level is strictly for adults only and is, therefore, internationally competitive but without the same renown as Level 5 where athletes compete at the World championships from the age of 12. The World Championships are the "Olympics of Cheerleading" and only have Level 5 & 6 divisions, but, for exceptional Level 1 - 4 teams, "The Summit" competition provides an opportunity to compete for a World Championship title.
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It is important to appreciate the incredible amount of hard work that goes into becoming a level 5 athlete - this really is equivalent to being an Olympic athlete and should be treated with the same level of commitment if that is your goal.
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Everyone starts at Level 1 learning the basics in a safe environment and at a safe height before progressing gradually through each level and each skill at a sensible pace, managing risks every step of the way. Below is an example of the basic skills included at each level of the sport and an example of a competition routine at that level. In our recreational classes for each level we break these skills down into 3 more levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced before giving the opportunity to compete at each level.
This low-pressure, structured way of learning increases safety and allows individuals to progress at their own pace.
Level 1
Gut Level 1 & 2 Leg Stunts
Shoulder Height 2 Leg "Prep" Level Stunts
Braced 1 Leg "Prep" Stunts
Braced 2 Leg "Extended" Level Stunts
Prep Level Dismounts
1/4 Turn Mounts
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Forward & Backward Rolls
Handstand Forward & Backward Rolls
Cartwheels
Round Offs
Forward & Backward Walkovers
Level 2
Prep Level 1 Leg Stunts
Extended Level 2 Leg Stunts
Braced 1 Leg Extended Level Stunts
"Straight" Basket Tosses
Inverted Stunt Mounts
Extended Level Dismounts
1/2 Turn Mounts
1/4 Turn Dismounts
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Standing Back Handspring & Straight Jump - Back Handspring
Round Off - Back Handspring (series)
Front Handspring - Flyspring (series)
Dive Forward Roll
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Level 3
Gut Level Inverted Stunts
Braced Prep Level Inverted Transitions
Full Twisting Mounts to Prep Level
Full Twisting Transitions at Prep Level or below
Full Twisting Dismounts From 2 Leg Prep & Extended Level Stunts
Twisting and Shape Basket Tosses
Release Moves to Prep Height 1 & 2 Leg Stunts
Braced Release Moves to Extended 2 Leg Stunts
Extended Height 1 Leg Stunts
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Front & Back Somersaults in Tuck Position
Standing Back Handspring Series
Advanced Jumps - Back Handspring (series)
Round Off - (Back Handspring (series)) - Tuck Back Somersault
Level 4.2
Prep Level Inverted Transitions
Extended Level Inverted Stunts
1.5 Full Twisting Mounts to Prep Level
Full Twisting Mounts to Extended Height 1& 2 Leg Stunts
Full Twisting Dismounts from 1 Leg Extended Stunts
Double Full Twisting Dismounts From 2 Leg Extended Level Stunts
Double Twisting and 2 "Trick" Basket Tosses
Release Moves to Extended Height 1 & 2 Leg Stunts
2.5 Person High Pyramid Braced Transitions
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Level 2 Tumbling ONLY - This division is for squads with high level stunters still developing their tumble skills. It also helps teams to conquer the difficulty increase from Level 3 to Level 4 more gradually.
Level 4
Stunts allowed are the same as above (Level 4.2)
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*Tumble rules have changed significantly, below are the skills allowed in the 2018-19 season - the routine in the video follows the old rules as they are still in use until the end of the 2017-18 competition season.
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Standing Front & Back Somersaults in Tuck Position
Standing Back Handspring (series) - Back Tuck Somersault
Advanced Jumps - Back Handspring (series) - Back Tuck Somersault
Front Handspring (series) - Straight Front Somersault (series)
Front Somersault Step Out - Round Off - Straight Back Somersault
Round Off - (Whip - "BHS" (series)) - Straight Back Somersault
Round Off - (Whip - Back Handspring (series)) - X-Out Back Somersault
Level 5
Double Full Twisting Mounts, Transitions & Dismounts at any height
Inverted Stunts and Transitions at any height
Double Twisting and 3 "Trick" Basket Tosses
Full Twisting Release Moves at any height
2.5 High Inverted & Full Twisting Braced Transitions & Release Moves
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Standing BHS - Whip - (Double) Full Twisting Somersault
Standing Full Twisting Somersault
Advanced Jumps - Full Twisting Somersault (or) Back Tuck Somersault
Round Off - (Double) Full Twisting Somersault - Straight Back Somie
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Level 6 - ADULT ONLY DIVISION
Double Full Twisting Mounts, Transitions & Dismounts at any height
Inverted & Full Twisting Mounts, Transitions & Dismounts at any height
Full Flipping & Triple Twisting Basket Tosses
Full Twisting or 3/4 Flipping Basket Tosses to a New Base Group
Double Full Twisting and Full Flipping Release Moves at any height
2.5 High Inverted & Full Twisting Braced Transitions, Releases & Stunts
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All tumble skills and combinations are allowed EXCEPT Double Backs, Double Fronts and Triple Twists or higher.