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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.

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