Level 6 Cheerleading Explained

Quick answer: Level 6 allows up to one flip and two twists in both running and standing tumbling - so double fulls and standing fulls - and adds the first free-flipping stunt skills, such as rewinds. It's the level contested in the US divisions at the Cheerleading Worlds.

What Does This Level Mean?

Level 6 teams are among the most advanced in All Star cheer. Skill restrictions are few compared with the lower levels, but a team's age division still applies - Junior Level 6 teams, for example, have some extra limits.

The details below follow the USASF All Star Cheer Rules for 2026–27. Other governing bodies and event producers can differ.

Typical Stunt Categories

• Twisting up to 2¼ twists in stunts.
• Rewinds with one flip and no twist - the first free-flipping stunt skill allowed - except in Junior Level 6 divisions.
• Release moves from inverted to non-inverted with up to a half twist, within a height limit above the bases' extended arms.
• Tosses with up to 2½ twists.

Typical Tumbling Categories

• Running: up to one flip and two twists, such as a double full.
• Standing: up to one flip and two twists, so a standing full is now allowed. A standing skill with more than one twist must be preceded by at least two consecutive non-twisting, backward-travelling skills, one of which is a back handspring.
• No flipping and twisting into a double-twisting skill, and no twisting out of one.

Jumps and Motions

Jumps and motions aren't restricted by level. At Level 6, jump and motion technique is expected to be highly consistent and clean throughout a demanding routine.

What Changes From the Previous Level?

Compared with Level 5, Level 6 adds standing twisting, double-twisting tumbling and free-flipping stunt skills such as rewinds.

What Changes at the Next Level?

Level 7 keeps Level 6's tumbling and stunt-twisting limits but opens up building skills: more free-flipping transitions, coed-style tosses to a new base, and 2½-high and tower pyramids.

Division / Governing Body Differences

Level 6 is the top level in many event producers' schedules, and it's the level contested in the US (USASF) divisions at the Cheerleading Worlds. International (IASF) divisions at Worlds also include Levels 5 and 7. Always check your governing body's current level structure.

Parent Questions

Parents sometimes ask whether Level 6 is the same as "Elite." It isn't - in USASF terms, "All Star Elite" is simply the name for the standard, traditional All Star track, which runs from Level 1 to Level 7. See What Is Elite Cheer? for more.

Related Levels

See Level 5, Level 7, or the levels hub for the full system.