Level 1 Cheerleading Explained

Quick answer: Level 1 is the entry point of the competitive cheer level system. Tumbling is limited to skills that keep contact with the floor - rolls, cartwheels, roundoffs and walkovers, with no handsprings or flips - and stunts are mostly limited to two-leg stunts up to shoulder (prep) height, with no inversions, release moves or tosses.

What Does This Level Mean?

Level 1 exists so that athletes brand new to competitive cheer can compete safely while still building foundational skills. It's the most restrictive level in the system, focused on control, technique and consistency rather than difficulty.

The details below follow the USASF All Star Cheer Rules for 2026–27, which most All Star programs in the US use and which closely match the IASF rules used by many other countries. Other governing bodies, school associations and event producers can differ.

Typical Stunt Categories

• Two-leg stunts up to prep level. A stunt may pass straight through an extended position, but can't be held there.
• Single-leg stunts only at waist level - or at prep level if an additional base keeps a hand/arm connection to the flyer throughout.
• Twisting limited to a quarter twist, with a few narrow exceptions.
• No inversions, release moves or tosses (sponge tosses and waist-level cradles included). Dismounts are limited to straight pop-downs and basic straight cradles.
• Pyramids are allowed up to two people high, with strict bracing rules.

Typical Tumbling Categories

Level 1 tumbling is limited to skills where the athlete stays in contact with the floor: forward rolls and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, walkovers and, in running tumbling, roundoffs. No tumbling may follow directly after a roundoff, and there are no back handsprings or flips.

Jumps and Motions

Jumps and motions aren't restricted by level in the way stunts and tumbling are. At Level 1 the emphasis is simply on clean technique: basic jumps performed correctly, and sharp, accurate motions.

What Changes at the Next Level?

Level 2 adds back handsprings (a single standing back handspring and running handsprings such as a roundoff back handspring), single-leg stunts at prep level such as a liberty, two-leg extensions, and the first toss - a straight ride.

Division / Governing Body Differences

Exact skill lists vary between governing bodies and competition providers, and are updated every season. Novice Level 1 divisions add extra restrictions on top of these rules, and Prep divisions ban tosses. Always check the current official rules for your team's governing body and event.

Parent Questions

New parents often ask whether Level 1 means their child is a "beginner forever" - it doesn't. Level 1 is simply the starting classification; a team's level reflects the skills the whole team can perform safely, and athletes typically move up as their skills and experience grow.

Related Levels

See Level 2 for what comes next, or the levels hub for the full system.