Cheer Levels Explained

How the competitive cheer level system works - what Levels 1 to 7 allow, and what the Elite, Prep and Novice tiers mean.

Quick answer: cheer levels are a classification system - Level 1 to Level 7 in USASF and IASF All Star cheer - that sets which stunts, tosses, pyramids and tumbling a team is allowed to perform. Each level adds more advanced, higher-risk skills: back handsprings at Level 2, the first flips at Level 3, twisting at Level 5 and double twists at Level 6.

Why Levels Exist

Levels exist to keep competition fair and skills age- and ability-appropriate. A team can only compete the skills permitted at its level, regardless of what any individual athlete can personally do - this keeps less experienced athletes from being pushed into skills the group as a whole isn't ready for.

How the System Works

Numbered levels run from Level 1 (most restrictive) to Level 7, with each level permitting a wider range of stunts and tumbling than the one below it. Jumps and motions aren't restricted by level.

Alongside the levels, USASF All Star cheer has three tiers a team can compete in: Elite (the standard, traditional All Star track), Prep (shorter routines and no tosses) and Novice (an entry tier where teams are rated rather than ranked). So a team might be "Elite Level 4" or "Prep Level 2". There are also Non-Tumble divisions for teams that don't tumble, and a team's division also depends on its age group and whether it is all-girl or coed.

Levels Are Not Universal

Our level pages follow the USASF All Star Cheer Rules for 2026–27. The exact number of levels, what's permitted at each one, and the names used for divisions vary between governing bodies, school associations, competition providers and countries - and the rules are updated every season. Always check your team's governing body for the specific rules that apply to you.

Where to Start

If you're new to this, start with Level 1 and Level 2 to see how the system builds in practice, or read What Is a Prep? and What Is a Liberty? to understand the kinds of skills that get added as levels increase. Want to see several levels side by side? Try the interactive Level Explorer.

Rules note: Level, skill and division details on this site follow the USASF All Star Cheer Rules for 2026–27, which most US All Star programs use and which closely match the IASF rules used in many other countries. Other governing bodies, school associations and event producers can differ, and rules change every season - always confirm current requirements against the official rules for your team's governing body and event.
Checked against: USASF All Star Cheer Rules and Cheer Age Grid, 2026–27 (updated 18 May 2026) on 15 October 2026

In This Section

Level 1

Rolls, cartwheels and roundoffs; stunts up to prep level.

Level 2

Back handsprings, prep-level libertys and extensions.

Level 3

The first flips: running back tucks and extended libertys.

Level 4

Layouts, whips, standing tucks and extended inversions.

Level 5

Twisting arrives: running fulls and bigger release moves.

Level 6

Double fulls, standing fulls and rewinds - the Worlds level.

Level 7

The highest level: free flips and 2½-high pyramids.

Novice

An entry tier where teams are rated, not ranked.

Prep

Shorter routines and no tosses - not the stunt position.

Elite

The standard All Star tier - not a level above 7.

Non-Tumble

Full routines performed without tumbling passes.

Coed

Teams with male and female athletes - same skill rules.

All-Girl

Teams made up entirely of female athletes.

Age Grid

Which birth years can compete in each age division.