Information

All-Star Cheerleading

The sport of All-Star Cheerleading has grown immensely from its roots over 20 years ago. In the 80’s and early 90’s teams were typically formed of athletes who were interested in improving their skills so they would stand a better chance of making their high school or college cheerleading teams. As the sports developed and grew, more and more athletes and their parents viewed All-Star Cheerleading as a viable activity in and of itself. It has evolved into one of the most exciting, fast-paced and strenuous sports scored by a panel of judges. The sport of today is a combination of gymnastics, acrobatics, athletic dance, and many elements unique to All-Star.

All-Star teams are typically comprised of 15-36 athletes with a variety of skills and abilities (much like a football or basketball team.) The coaches/choreographers create a competition routine performed by the group that has elements of tumbling, stunting, jumping, dance and other skills set to music. The routines are typically 2 ½ minutes in length. At competitions, the teams are divided by age and ability level. The routines are judged by their level of difficulty, precision, creativity, and entertainment value. Routines are scored based upon the execution of tumbling, jumping, dancing, motion techniques, tosses, stunting, performance and choreography.

Hip Hop Dance

Dance teams are compiled of teams based on age. Each routine is typically 2 minutes and 15 seconds. A team may consist of 5 or more members.

Routines in all hip hop divisions are judged primarily on the use of the various elements of street style movements with an emphasis on execution, style, creativity, body isolations and control, rhythm, groundwork, uniformity, costume and musical interpretations. Teams may also put an additional focus on athletic incorporations such as jumps, jump variations, combo jumps and other tricks. By its widest definition, it can include a wide range of styles such as breaking, popping, locking and krumping.
 

Competitive levels

The sport is broken down into competitive levels by age and ability level. The United States All-Star Federation (USASF) is currently the main governing presence in our industry.  Cheerleaders and dancers are normally placed on a team determined by their age, level of skill and their commitment to reach the next level as specified by the USASF. These age groups are as followed:

Age Requirements

Tiny :       3-5  (5 years and younger as of August 31, 2010)
Mini:        8 and under  (8 years and younger as of August 31, 2010)
Youth:    11 and under  (11 years and younger as of August 31, 2010)
Junior:   14 and under  (14 Years and younger as of August 31, 2010)
Senior:   18 and under  (18 Years and younger as of August 31, 2010)
International: 14 & up  (14 Years and older as of August 31, 2010)

Tumbling Guideline

Level 1 – no tumbling skills, round off, cartwheels
Level 2 – standing back handspring, round off back handspring
Level 3 – standing back handspring, round off back handspring, back tuck
Level 4 – standing back tuck, round off back handspring, layout
Level 5 – toe touch, back tuck, round off back handspring, full
 

Competition and Additional Costs

In addition to uniform and practice wear costs there are other costs that can be associated with All-Star Cheering which may be incurred throughout the season. These costs include, but are not limited to:

Competition Fees
Coaches Fees
Travel Expenses
Choreography Fees
Music Fees
 

What is the USASF?

The United States All-Star Federation (USASF) sets all the rules for All-Star Cheerleading and Dance Nationally. They also set the age requirements and skill requirements for levels and divisions. USASF is the industries leader in Safety. Coaches are certified and credentialed by USASF in order to coach.

 It’s about safety standards & coaching education. It’s about providing a safe environment to allow for the continued growth of all star cheerleading and dance across the country. It’s about parents knowing their children are being taught using safe methods that are in accordance with the standards of care. It’s about standardization of rules from one competition to the next.

The U.S. All Star Federation is officially organized as a not for profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors. The Board consists of industry leaders from major competition companies and nationally recognized all star program owners. The organization is also comprised of a number of committees, such as Rules; Selection; Membership and Safety, Education and Ethics, that advised the Board on pertinent issues.