What Is Competitive Cheerleading and How Is It Scored
Competitive cheerleading is a sport in which teams perform a timed routine of stunts, tumbling, jumps, pyramids and dance, and judges score it. Teams are placed in divisions by age, size and skill level, and the highest score in a division wins. Scoring details differ between organizations and events, so the score sheet for your competition is always the final word.
What a competitive routine includes
A routine is built from a few core elements: stunts and pyramids, tumbling, jumps, and dance or choreography, tied together with music and crowd-facing energy. All-star routines usually run around two and a half minutes. If a term is new to you, our cheerleading glossary explains common words in plain English.
How routines are scored
Judges score each part of the routine against a score sheet. Typical categories include the difficulty of the skills, how cleanly they are performed, the quality of the stunts and tumbling, the choreography and the overall impression of the routine. Deductions apply for rule violations and for mistakes such as falls and stunt drops. The exact categories and point values depend on the organization and the event.
Levels and divisions
Teams compete at levels that set which skills are allowed, which keeps competition fair between beginners and advanced athletes. See our guide to cheerleading competition levels for how the levels work. For the official rules and skill requirements, check the governing body: USASF for all-star cheer and NFHS for high school programs.
What teams wear
Competition uniforms are part of the overall look, and they must allow full movement for stunting and tumbling. Fit, fabric and durability matter as much as the design. Read our guide to competition team uniforms to see what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a competitive cheer routine?
All-star routines are typically around two and a half minutes, but the exact limit depends on the event and division, so check the rules for your competition.
Are all competitions scored the same way?
No. Scoring systems differ between organizations and event producers, so always read the score sheet for the event you are entering.
What costs a team points?
Routines can lose points for rule violations, such as skills that are not allowed at a team’s level, and for execution errors like falls and stunt drops.
Where can I find the official rules?
Governing bodies and event producers publish rules and score sheets. For all-star cheer, start with USASF, and for high school cheer, see NFHS.
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