What Is Elite Cheer?

Quick answer: in All Star cheer, "Elite" is the name for the standard, traditional competitive track - the full-commitment teams that compete at every numbered level from Level 1 to Level 7. It is not a separate tier above Level 7. The USASF rulebook calls it "All Star Elite (Traditional All Star)" to distinguish it from the lighter-commitment Prep and beginner Novice tracks.

What Does This Division Mean?

All Star programs typically offer three tracks, which the USASF calls "tiers":

• Elite - the traditional All Star experience, with full-length routines (up to 2 minutes 30 seconds under USASF rules) and the full set of skills allowed at each level, including tosses.
• Prep - the same level rules, but shorter routines and no tosses, aimed at a lighter commitment.
• Novice - an entry track with extra skill restrictions, where teams are rated rather than ranked against each other.

So a "Level 2 Elite" team and a "Level 6 Elite" team are both Elite teams - the level tells you how advanced the skills are, while "Elite" tells you which track the team competes in.

A Common Misunderstanding

Because "elite" sounds like "the very best," it's easy to assume Elite teams are a level above everyone else. In All Star cheer that isn't what the word means. The most advanced teams are simply Elite teams at Level 6 or Level 7.

You'll also see "Open" used in division names, such as "Senior Open" or "International Open." That refers to an age category for older athletes, not to a skill tier.

Typical Stunt, Tumbling and Jump Expectations

Elite teams follow the standard rules for their numbered level - see the levels hub and each level's page for what's allowed. There are no extra skill restrictions for being in the Elite track.

Division / Governing Body Differences

The Elite/Prep/Novice naming is used by the USASF and the event producers that follow its rules. Other governing bodies, school associations and countries may use "elite" differently, or not at all. Always check how your own governing body and event define their divisions.

Parent Questions

Parents sometimes hear that their child is on an "Elite team" and wonder if that means the top of the gym. It usually just means the team is in the full, traditional competitive program - ask the gym which level the team competes at to understand how advanced the skills will be.

Related Levels

See Prep, Novice, or the levels hub for the full system.