Welcome to the World of Cheer
So, your daughter (or son) wants to be a cheerleader! What’s this cheerleading gig all about? Here’s is a sneak peak into the world of Australian
Cheerleading.
Cheerleading is a fun, high energy team sport where every athlete is important.
You can find comprehensive information about the world of Cheer by visiting
www.aascf.com.au.
Cheer in Australia can include Competitive Cheerleading, Group & Partner Stunt, Pom
Dance and Recreational Cheerleading (non competitive).
All Star cheerleading is a team sport which involves girls and/or boys performing a 2.30
minute routine made up of team tumbling, stunting, pyramids, jumps and dance segments.
The routine is performed and scored against other competitors.
Your daughter or son will learn Tumbling, Stunting where a group of two or more
individuals elevate another cheerleader in the air and Pyramids, which is stunting but done
as a large group which has to be interconnected. The last part of the routine is Dance and
this consists of choreographed high energy dance moves.
All Star cheerleading squads are not associated with a school or sports leagues.
A cheerleader will receive training to get their bodies physically fit and learn how to be a
committed team player and respect others.
All Star cheerleading teams train year-round for competitions and each team member is
vital to the team and the performance. Therefore it is important athletes attend every
training session throughout the year. Everybody plays an integral part! Over time, each
member of the squad should be trained in all aspects of the sport in order to develop their
skills to reach their maximum potential.
Teams usually consist of between 12 and 32 athletes. Squads can be either co-ed or all
girl. Our coaches have the task of putting our team structure together, incorporating all the
elements needed to perform the complex routines of basing, flying, tumbling, jumping and
dancing. Most of these well rounded athletes are capable of performing all of these skills.
At competitions, the teams are divided by age and ability level. The routines are judged
based on difficulty, execution, creativity, and showmanship. Competitions is where all that
hard work in training is put to the test.
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Teams consist of Small or Large groups, small being 5-20 athletes and
large 21-32. The teams can compete in divisions of Tiny, Mini, Youth,
Senior and open.
Competition time!
HYC teams compete at the following AASCF competitions:

Winterfest— this competition is a warm up for comp, it is a chance to
change routine and see what others are doing

Battle

State Comps (held in each state)

Nationals (7,000 athletes (and growing) compete Nationally)
At comp time your cheerleader can expect loads of fun, a chance to meet other
cheerleaders, watch different level teams compete and show off what they have learned
throughout the year.
Cheerleaders Perform on 9 run Competition size matted floor for all competitions.
1st, 2nd & 3rd placed teams receive trophies for Regional’s/State’s and up to 4th & 5th
Division Champion Team Trophies at Nationals.
AASCF will provide each competitor through our club with professional photos and videos
FREE at every competition.
What can you do for your team?
HYC have 8 teams and each team has a parent representative. Their job is to foster
harmony and involvement amongst families, report any issues they become aware of to
the Centre Manager for quick resolution, support the Coaches and Team Captains with
the organisation of social events and fund raisers. Provide help on comp days if needed,
attend information sessions to assist the coaches by giving a parents perspective.
At the beginning of the year your club will provide a team contact list to all parents. This is
a great way for the parents to get to know one another, share car pooling to training and
competition's and support our teams.
You may like to put your hand up if you have any skills you can provide to the club. This
might be graphic design, video editing, website design, fund raising or any industry
contacts for specific jobs. Any help would be gratefully received.
So what does a cheerleader do?

Jumps—there are many sorts like toe touch, hurdler (side and
front), pike, tuck, straight jump, star jump... to name a few

Tumbling—back and forward roll, cartwheel, back and forward
walk over, standing back and front handspring, standing back
tuck, front tuck, layout, full (level specific skills)

Stunting is where you hold and throw people (flyers) into the air.
There are many kinds of stunts, such as thigh stand, prep,
extension
Some key attributes to be a successful cheerleader
Practice, practice, practice! It takes dedication and perseverance!
Technique—work on your technique, good technique always pays off
Core strength—the core of your body gives you strength and stability. Without good core
strength you not only risk injury, but you are making every single skill much harder than it
should be. Many skills can be mastered simply by better core strength.
Stretching & Flexibility— in cheerleading flexibility is incredibly important because it
makes the body move more effectively and improves posture, alignment and physical
appearance. The joints become stronger, minimising the risk of injury and everyday and
sporting performance improves significantly.
What are they talking about?
Motions—a set position of a Cheerleader's arms. Motions include Clean, T motion,
L motion.
K motion, hands on hips, diagonals, touchdown, High V, Low V, and loads of variations.
You will need to have strong arm motions to succeed.
Extension— a Stunt is when a base lifts a flyer, holding a foot in each hand and fully
extending their arms.
Lib— (or Liberty) a stunt in which a flyer, held in the air, lifts one knee and places her
hands above her head in a high V or hand on knee.
Prep - prep level is at the shoulders. The flyer's feet are at the bases shoulders and the
bases arms are not extended.
Base - The person(s) that remains on the floor during a stunt while lifting the flyer.
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Here are the Cheer Levels…
Level 1 - cartwheels, front and backwards walkovers , round-offs, forward rolls and backward
Level 2 - standing back handsprings, running (with round-offs, front walkovers, cartwheels) back
handsprings and everything from level 1
Level 3 - everything from level 1 & 2, jump back handsprings, multiple standing back handsprings,
multiple standing back handsprings to a back tuck. round-off back tuck, cartwheel back tuck,
round-off back handspring back tuck
Level 4 - everything from levels 1, 2, & 3. jump back tuck, standing back tuck, multiple standing
handsprings to a layouts, including layout step-outs. Round-off layout, running handspring to
layout, etc.
Level 5 - everything from levels 1,2,3, & 4. jump layouts and layout step outstanding full-twistinglayouts, running fulls
Level 6 - everything from levels 1,2,3,4, & 5. in the level double fulls are allowed
Note: Highett Youth Club only have levels 1-3
Comp day from a parent’s view…
AASCF notify clubs about 1-2 weeks prior to comp on competition timings (it is wise to block out
comp weekends until you have your timings) HYC will pass all details on to you—competition
time, arrival time, team meeting time, team warm-up time. HYC teams don’t necessarily compete
around the same time/day, but we always try and support any teams competing near your own
Team’s time. You will be emailed or given on the day a running sheet which will show
presentation time of your Level.
Once the team have finished their routine they will be returned to you, where they will be hungry
and keen to watch other competitors—so sit back and enjoy as you won’t be going anywhere
until your level’s team places are announced!
Tip—you will receive guidelines on what to wear/do from your club or parent rep, so take note of
the “jewellery of any kind is not allowed”. Jewellery must be removed and may not be taped
over (Teams will have points deducted if this rule is not adhered to), so if your daughter would
like her ears pierced that year, make sure this is well in advance of competition time as removing
newly pierced ears and reinserting is not fun!
Your child will be expected to wear our Team uniform, white cheer shoes and hair bow, along
with a tracksuit to and from competition. This raises the profile of the club and presents a
professional appearance.
Order forms for these items will be coordinated by the Club and your team’s Coach. There is also
the opportunity to purchase 2nd hand items from your Club.
Hair & Make-up—your coach will advise guidelines around this, but start practising on how to
master those poofs!
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