What Is an Aerial in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: an aerial is essentially a cartwheel performed with no hands touching the ground - the athlete rotates sideways through the air using only momentum and body control, landing on their feet.

What Does It Look Like?

The athlete moves through the same sideways rotation as a cartwheel, reaching the arms out as if to place hands on the ground, but the rotation and momentum carry the body all the way around without the hands ever touching down.

Who Is Involved?

Tumbling is performed individually, though multiple athletes typically perform aerials together, in unison, as part of a tumbling sequence.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Aerials are typically used as a stand-alone connecting skill, adding visual difficulty compared with a standard cartwheel in the same spot in a tumbling sequence.

How the Term Is Used

"Aerial" describes any no-handed cartwheel-style rotation; some regions and gyms also use "aerial cartwheel" or "air cartwheel" for the same skill.

Related Skills

The aerial is a direct progression from the cartwheel, requiring the same body shape and rotation without the safety net of hands touching the ground.

Level / Division Context

Under the USASF All Star rules (2026–27), aerial cartwheels are allowed in running tumbling from Level 3, and aerials (cartwheel and front walkover) are allowed in standing tumbling from Level 4. Athletes usually learn them once a cartwheel is very consistent, since removing the hands raises both the difficulty and the importance of controlled technique.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a controlled, straight sideways line through the rotation, good height, and a stable landing without the hands ever touching the floor.