Guidelines

We follow industry standards for age divisions, rules and guidelines. 

Please contact us for more information.

2018-2019 DIVISIONS (ALL-STAR CHEER)

SPECIAL NEEDS
• Special Needs (All Ages, Female/Male, Unlimited members)

SHOW TEAMS
• Show Team Cheer (Exhibition Only)
• Parents Challenge

LEVEL 1 DIVISIONS
• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Mini (8 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Youth (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)

LEVEL 2 DIVISIONS
• Mini (8 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Youth (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)

LEVEL 3 DIVISIONS
• Youth (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, No Males)
• Senior Coed (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, 1 or more Males)

LEVEL 4.2 DIVISIONS
• Senior (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)

LEVEL 4 DIVISIONS
• Youth (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, No Males)
• Senior Coed (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, 1 or more Males)
• Open (17 yrs & older, 5-32 members Female/Male)

LEVEL 3.5 DIVISIONS
• Senior (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• International Open 5 (14 yrs & older, No Males, 5-24 members)
• International Open Small Coed 5 (14 yrs & older, 1-4 Males, 5-24 members)
• International Open Large Coed 5 (14 yrs & older, 5-12 Males, 5-24 members)

RESTRICTED LEVEL 5 DIVISIONS
• Youth (11 yrs & younger, 5-36 members, Female/Male)
• Junior (14 yrs & younger, 5-36 members, 0-4 Males)
• Senior Restricted (10-18 yrs old, 5-36 members, 0-4 Males)

LEVEL 5 DIVISIONS
• Junior (14 yrs & younger, 5-36 members, No Males)
• Junior Coed (14 yrs & younger, 5-36 members, 1 or more Males)
• Senior # (12-18 yrs old, 5-36 members, No Males)
• Senior Small Coed (12-18 yrs old ,5-20 members, 1-4 Males)
• Senior Medium Coed (12-18 yrs old, 5-30 members, 1-8 Males)
• Senior Large Coed (12-18 yrs old, 5-36 members, 1-18 Males)
• International Open 5 (14 yrs & older, No Males, 5-24 members)
• International Open Small Coed 5 (14 yrs & older, 1-4 Males, 5-24 members)
• International Open Large Coed 5 (14 yrs & older, 5-12 Males, 5-24 members)

LEVEL 6 DIVISIONS
• International Open 6 (17 yrs & older, No Males, 5-24 members)
• International Open Small Coed 6 (17 yrs & older, 1-15 Males, 5-24 members)
• International Open Large Coed 5 (14 yrs & older, 5-12 Males, 5-24 members)

PREP TEAMS

SPECIAL NEEDS
• Special Needs (All Ages, Female/Male, Unlimited members)

SHOW TEAMS
• Show Team Cheer (Exhibition Only)
• Parents Challenge

LEVEL 1 PREP DIVISIONS
• Tiny Prep (6 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Mini Prep (8 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Youth Prep (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior Prep (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior Prep (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)

LEVEL 2 DIVISIONS
• Mini Prep (8 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Youth Prep (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior Prep (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior Prep (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)

LEVEL 3 DIVISIONS
• Youth Prep (11 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Junior Prep (14 yrs & younger, 5-32 members, Female/Male)
• Senior Prep (10-18 yrs old, 5-32 members, Female/Male)

 

2018-2019 SCHOOL RULES & DIVISIONS (CHEER)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• Novice Elementary (5-30 members, 6th grade & below, Female/Male)
• Intermediate Elementary (5-30 members, 6th grade & below, Female/Male)
• Cheer Pom (5-30 members, 6th grade & below, Female/Male)

JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Novice JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/ Male)
• Intermediate JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/ Male)
• Advanced JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade &below, Female/ Male)
• Non-Tumbling Advanced JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/ Male, NO TUMBLING ALLOWED)
• Non-Building Advanced JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/Male, NO BUILDING ALLOWED)
• Sideline Cheer JH/MS (5-30 members 8th grade &below, Female/Male)
• Fight Song JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/Male)
• Time Out Dance JH/MS (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/Male)
• Cheer Pom (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/Male)

JV/ FRESHMAN
• Novice JV/Freshman (5-30 members, 9th-11th grade, Female/Male)
• Intermediate JV/Freshman (5-30 members, 9th to 11th grade, Female/Male)
• Cheer Pom (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/Male)

HIGH SCHOOL
• Small Novice HS (5-15 members, 9th -12th grade, Female/Male)
• Large Novice HS (16-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male)
• Small Intermediate HS (5-15 members, 9th -12th grade, Female)
• Large Intermediate HS (16-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female)
• Coed Intermediate HS (5-30 members, 9th -12th grade, Female/Male)
• Intermediate HS Open (5-30 MEMBERS, 9th – 12th grade, Female/ Male)
• Non-tumbling Intermediate (5-30 members, 9th -12th grade, Female/Male, NO TUMBLING ALLOWED)
• Small Advanced HS (5-15 members, 9th -12th grade, Female)
• Large Advanced HS (16-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female)
• Coed Advanced HS (5-30 members, 9th -12th grade, Female/Male)
• Advanced HS Open (5-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male)
• Non-Tumbling Advanced HS (5-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male, NO TUMBLING ALLOWED)
• Non-Building Advanced HS (5-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male, NO BUILDING ALLOWED)
• Sideline Cheer (5-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male)
• Fight Song HS (5-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male)
• Time Out Dance HS (5-30 members, 9th-12th grade, Female/Male)
• Cheer Pom (5-30 members, 8th grade & below, Female/Male)

Cheer Pom
• Minimum 55 seconds, maximum 1:15 second routine
• Music and Pom poms must be used through 90% of routine
• Emphasis on crowd entertainment musicality and cheer technique
• 3 Jump combination, single jump, motions and formation changes
• Important characteristics of a pom routine include strong pom technique, clean/precise and sharp motions, synchronization and visual effect, and may incorporate tricks (visual effect includes level changes, group work, formation changes
• No tumbling or stunting is allowed. Dance lifts allowed but limited to 2 people only, no swing arounds or lifts above shoulder level

• **Please send in lift prior to competition for review from OSC Safety Judge

NOVICE SKILLS RESTRICTIONS:

STANDING TUMBLING: Standing tumbling is limited to a standing single back handspring. Standing back handspring series and jump/back handspring combinations are not allowed. Standing tucks are not allowed.

RUNNING TUMBLING: Running tumbling is limited to front and back handspring series. Flips and aerials are not allowed (no tucks).

STUNTS: Single leg stunts may not be held or pass through an extended position. No extended liberties. Twisting transitions are limited to a 1⁄2 twist by the top person. Exception: Log Rolls/Barrell rolls are allowed. All release moves must land in a cradle. The only inversions allowed are transitions from ground level inversions to non-inverted positions. No other inversions are allowed.
Example: Going from a handstand on the ground to a non-inverted stunt such as a shoulder sit is allowed.
Example: Going from a cradle to a handstand or from a prone position to a forward roll is not allowed.

PYRAMIDS: Extended one leg stunts must be braced by at least one person at prep level or below. Connection must be made prior to executing single leg extended stunt and must be made at prep level or below. Any time a top person is released by the bases and braced by other top persons, they may not perform any skill during transition and must land in a cradle. Inversion in pyramids are not allowed with the exceptions of the inversions allowed under Novice Stunts. Release moves in pyramids are not allowed with the exception of the release moves allowed under Novice Stunts.

DISMOUNTS: Only straight pop downs, basic straight cradles and 1⁄4 turns are allowed.
TOSSES: The only body position allowed is a straight ride.

INTERMEDIATE SKILLS RESTRICTIONS:

STANDING TUMBLING: Flips are not allowed. No standing back tucks or back handspring back tucks.

RUNNING TUMBLING: Back Flips may ONLY be performed in tuck position only and from a round off or round off back handspring(s). Other skills with hand support prior to the round off or round off back handspring are allowed.
Example: Front handsprings and front walkover through to round off back handspring(s) back tucks are allowed. No twisting while airborne. Exception: Aerial cartwheels are allowed. No tumbling is allowed after a flip or an aerial cartwheel. Cartwheel tucked flips and/or cartwheel – back handspring(s) – tucks are not allowed.

STUNTS: Twisting transitions to and from an extended position may not exceed 1⁄2 twisting transition. Twisting transitions to, from and at prep level may not exceed 1 twisting transition. Release moves must start below prep level and must be caught at prep level or below. Release moves may not pass above extended arm level.

PYRAMIDS: During a pyramid transition, top person may pass above 2 persons high while in direct, arm-to-arm contact with two other top persons at prep level or below. Braced flips are not allowed.

DISMOUNTS: Only straight pop downs, basic straight rides, and 1⁄4 turns are allowed from any single leg stunt. Up to 11⁄4 twists are allowed from any two leg stunt.

TOSSES: Up to 1 trick allowed during a toss. Tosses may not exceed 1 twisting rotation.

**Please send in lift prior to competition for review from OSC Safety Judge

SIDELINE CHEER

• 1 minute time limit
• Time will begin and end with Buzzer sound, similar to Time Out at a game
• Emphasis on crowd involvement
• At least 2 components required from the following: cheers, chants, traditional yells
and/or drum cadences
• No music permitted, drum cadence can be used (CD or Live Drummer)
• No baskets, sponge, elevator or similar type tosses permitted
• No inversions
• No twisting dismounts
• Single leg extended stunts are limited to liberties and liberty hitches
• No running tumbling
• Standing Tumbling is limited to standing back handsprings and standing back tucks

FIGHT SONG:

• 1 minute time limit
• Up to three consecutive eight counts may be incorporated with stunts, tumbling and/or jumps – if repeated, incorporation must repeat as initially performed
• Same skill restrictions as listed in Time Out Cheer Rules and Restrictions

SIDELINE DANCE:

• 1 minute time limit
• Traditional sideline uniforms required
• Emphasis on crowd entertainment
• No stunts or tumbling permitted

2018-2019 RECREATION TEAM DIVISIONS & SKILL RESTRICTIONS

MINI
• Novice Mini (5-36 members, 8 years & younger, Female/Male)

YOUTH
• Novice Youth (5-36 members, 11 years & younger, Female/Male)
• Intermediate Youth (5-36 members, 11 years & younger, Female/Male)

JUNIOR
• Novice Junior (5-36 members, 14 years & younger, Female/Male)
• Intermediate Junior (5-36 members, 14 years & younger, Female/Male)

SENIOR
• Novice Senior (5-36 members, 18 years & younger, Female/Male)
• Intermediate Senior (5-36 members, 18 years & younger, Female/Male)
• Advanced Senior (5-36 members, 18 years & younger, Female/Male)

NOVICE SKILL RESTRICTIONS

Time Limit: Max Time allowed is 2:30. Music may be used for the entire routine or just a portion of it.
Standing Tumbling: Standing tumbling is limited to a single back handspring. Standing back handspring series and jump/back handspring combinations are not allowed. Standing tucks are not allowed.
Running Tumbling: Running tumbling is limited to front and back handspring series. Flips and aerials are not allowed (no tucks)
Stunts: Single leg stunts may not be held or pass through an extended position. No extended liberties. Twisting transitions are limited to a ½ twist by the top person (full ups are not allowed) Exception: Log rolls/ barrel rolls are allowed. All release moves must land in a cradle. Inversions in stunts are not allowed. All inversions must maintain contact with the performance surface. Exception: Transitions from ground level inversions to non-inverted positions are allowed.
Pyramids: Extended one leg stunts must be braced by at least one person at prep level or below. Connection must be made prior to executing a single leg extended stunt and must be made at prep level or below. Any time a top person is released by the bases and braced by other top persons, they may not perform any skill during transition and must land in cradle. Inversion in pyramids are not allowed with the exception of the inversions allowed under Novice stunts.
Dismounts: Only straight pop downs, basic straight cradles and ¼ turns are allowed.
Tosses: The only body position allowed is a straight ride. *Basket tosses, elevator tosses and multi based tosses are prohibited in Mini, Youth, and Junior divisions.

INTERMEDIATE SKILL RESTRICTIONS:

Time Limit: Max Time allowed is 2:30. Music may be used for the entire routine or just a portion of it.
Standing Tumbling: Flips are not allowed. No standing back tucks or back handspring back tucks
Running Tumbling: Flips may only be performed in a tuck position. Flips may only be performed from a round off or round off back handspring entry. No tumbling is allowed after the flip. No twisting during the flip. Cartwheel back tucks are not allowed.
Stunts: Twisting transitions to and from an extended position may not exceed ½ twisting rotation. Release moves must start below prep level and must be caught at prep level or below. Release moves may not pass above extended arm level.
Pyramids: During a pyramid transition, top person may pass above 2 persons high while in direct, arm-to-arm contact with two other persons at prep level or below. Braced flips are not allowed.
Dismounts: Only straight pop downs, basic straight cradles and ¼ turns are allowed for any single leg stunt. Up to 1 ¼ twists are allowed from any two leg stunt.
Tosses: Up to 1 trick allowed during a toss. Tosses may not exceed 1 twisting rotation. *Basket tosses, elevator tosses and or multi based tosses are prohibited in Mini, Youth and Junior Divisions.

ADVANCED SKILL RESTRICTIONS:

Advanced teams will follow AACCA Safety Guidelines with no additional skill restrictions. *Basket tosses, elevator tosses and or multi based tosses are prohibited in Mini, Youth and Junior Divisions. Max Time limit is 2:30. Music may be used for entire routine or just a portion of it.

Visit www.aacca.org for detailed 2018-2019 AACCA School Cheer safety Rules/Guidelines

2018 – 2019 DIVISIONS (ALL STAR DANCE & SCHOOL DANCE)

CONTEMPORARY/LYRICAL

Routines combine the principles of jazz and ballet, emphasizing proper technical execution, the use of flexibility, balance and mood. Routines are fluid in movement and focus on emotion that compliments the musical selection.

• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Mini (9 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female Male)
• Youth (12 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Junior (15 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Senior (18 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Open (14 yrs and older, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

JAZZ

A jazz routine incorporates stylized dance movements and combinations, formation changes, group work, leaps and turns. Emphasis is placed on proper technical execution.

• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Mini (9 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female Male)
• Youth (12 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Junior (15 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Senior (18 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Open (14 yrs and older, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

 

HIP HOP

Routines can incorporate street style movements with an emphasis on execution, style, creativity, body isolations and control, rhythm, uniformity and musical interpretation.

• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Mini (9 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female Male)
• Youth (12 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Junior (15 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, all Female)
• Senior (18 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, all Female)
• Senior Coed (18 yrs & younger, 1 or more Males)
• Open (14 yrs and older, 4 or more members, all Females)
• Open Coed (14 yrs & older, 1 or more Males)

POM

Poms must be used 80% of the routine. Important characteristics of a pom routine include strong pom technique: clean/precise and sharp motions, synchronization and visual effect, and may incorporate tricks (i.e. leaps/turns, pom passes, jump sequences, kick lines etc). Visual effects include level changes, group work, formation changes, the use of different color poms, etc.

• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Mini (9 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female Male)
• Youth (12 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Junior (15 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Senior (18 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Open (14 yrs and older, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

PREP

The Prep Category is for emerging teams and dancers to prepare them for category specific rules. All styles will be judged against each other in this category. A dancer may not compete in a non-prep category and a Prep Category within the same style.

• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Mini (9 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female Male)
• Youth (12 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Junior (15 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Senior (18 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

OPEN

A routine in this category may incorporate any one style or combination of styles outlined in the category listings. All styles will be judged against each other in this category.

• Tiny (6 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Mini (9 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female Male)
• Youth (12 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Junior (15 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Senior (18 yrs & younger, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

SCHOOL DIVISIONS

ELEMENTARY

• Jazz (5th grade & below, 4 or more members, Female/ Male)
• Pom (5th grade & below, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Hip Hop (5th grade & below, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Contemporary/Lyrical (5th grade & below, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Jazz (6th-8th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Pom (6th-8th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Hip Hop (6th-8th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Contemporary/Lyrical (6th-8th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

VARSITY

• Jazz (9th-12th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Pom (9th-12th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Hip Hop (9th-12th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Contemporary/Lyrical (9th-12th grade, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

COLLEGE

• Jazz (College, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Pom (College, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Hip Hop (College, 4 or more members, Female/Male)
• Contemporary/Lyrical (College, 4 or more members, Female/Male)

Old School Cheer reserves the right to split, combine and/or omit any division listed based on enrollment prior to events.