Cheer

AYC Cheer Divisions

DIVISIONS

AGES

SKILL LEVELS

Division 8 5,6,7,8 1 & 2
Division 10 7,8,9,10 1, 2 & 3
Division 12 9,10,11,12 1, 2 & 3
Division 14 11,12,13,14 1, 2, 3 & 4
Division 18 14 ,15,16,17,18 2, 3 & 4
Inspiration Division 5 through 21 1 ONLY
Note: Divisions 8 through 14 now have a 4 year age span, Division 18 has a 5 year age span.

Division 18 teams are not required to cheer at weekly games. Athletes that have graduated high school are not eligible to be a participant.

 

 



 



Step & Dance Divisions

DIVISIONS

AGES

Division 8 5,6,7,8
Division 10 7,8,9,10
Division 12 9,10,11,12
Division 14 11,12,13,14
Division 18 14,15,16,17,18
Note: Divisions 8 through 14 now have a 4 year age span, Division 18 has a 5 year age span.
Athletes that have graduated high school are not eligible to be a participant.

 

 


 

 



Inspiration Division

The AYC Inspiration Division enables youth with either cognitive or physical diabilities to participate in cheer competition.

 

Competing Up - Cheer

AYC provides an "Age Waiver Request Form" that an association may use for an age waiver. The form is located on MyAYF.com. This form MUST be signed and approved by the applicable AYC Region Cheer and Dance Director and then submited to the AYC National Cheer Commissioner prior to the athelete's placement on a team. Not having the proper waiver could result in the director denying the waiver.

Size and Skill Level Division Guidelines

Splitting Divisions into small and large teams.

At the National Championship, divisions may be combined from small and large to an open division when there are fewer than three teams that will ultimately compete in each division.

  • Small Cheer team: 5-18 members, male and/or female.
  • Large Cheer team: 19-36 members, male and/or female.

 

 

National Championships

Road to the National Championships.

Each year, over 200 Cheer, Dance and Step squads, across all AYC divisions, compete for a National Championship Title in Kissimmee, Florida, home to Universal Studios Orlando, Islands Of Adventure and Disney world. For more information please visit AYFchampionships.com.

Qualifying:

AYC has eight regions including Desert Pacific, Mountain Northwest, Midwest, Southwest, Big East, Atlantic, New England, and Southeast. Each region hosts a regional tournament, which is the qualifier for the National Championships. (Learn about your region.) The top 3 teams in each division will win a bid to compete for a national championship.

Regional championships occur in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving weekend. Each region is responsible for scheduling their own Regional Cheer tournament.

Exclusive Offers

Our Sponsors are the most commited , only as a member of AYC, will you receive discounts on Rebel Athletic® uniform & poms and coaching resources by ASEP.

AYC Coaching

Training & Certification

All-Star

An experience like no other. Select AYC seniors are invited to sideline cheer and perform at halftime at the AYF 8th grade all-star football game.

 

 

 

 

 

Training & Coaching

AYC, Varsity and ASEP have collaborated on a book and online course prepared specifically for AYC coaches.
Get Started- Take the Course

Developed by the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) in conjunction with American Youth Cheer and Varsity, the course kicks off by examining some coaching principles designed to improve your skills in the areas of practice and competition-day planning, communication with squad members and parents, safety and first aid, and squad-member training to promote lifelong fitness.

In the second half of the course, you’ll learn the basic cheer techniques and how to teach them effectively. In an interactive format, you’ll see proper ways to perform various maneuvers and how they’re employed in routines.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to

  • better understand your role as a coach (unit 1);
  • communicate effectively with squad members and others in the cheerleading community (unit 2);
  • understand the importance of rules and equipment (unit 3);
  • provide a safe environment for your cheerleaders (unit 4);
  • teach and shape cheerleading skills (unit 5);
  • teach and shape cheer, sideline, and dance skills (unit 6);
  • teach and shape partner stunt and pyramid skills (unit 7);
  • teach and shape jump and stunt skills (unit 8);
  • prepare season and practice plans (unit 9); and
  • make the most of game and competition day (unit 10).

The course includes the e-book Coaching Youth Cheerleading, written by ASEP in conjunction with Varsity Brands.

As part of the final unit of the course, you’ll take the CDC’s Head’s Up: Concussion in Youth Sports course, used as a training resource for thousands of sport organizations across the country.

After completing course activities, you’ll take the 35-question online course test, which covers material from the book excerpts and the online course.

Get Started- Take the Course

AYC Cheer Camps & Clinic are the best way to kickoff your cheer season. Day & Overnight camps have a customized curiculum which promotes techniques, teaches stunts within the AYC rules. Prepare yourself in the best way possible for a great season and a National Championship.

AYC Championship Events

AYC's Regional & National Championships are your place to shine.

Road to the National Championships.

Each year, over 200 Cheer, Dance and Step squads, across all AYC divisions, compete for a National Championship Title in Kissimmee, Florida, home to Universal Studios Orlando, Islands Of Adventure and Disney world. For more information please visit AYFchampionships.com.

Qualifying:

AYC has eight regions including Desert Pacific, Mountain Northwest, Midwest, Southwest, Big East, Atlantic, New England, and Southeast. Each region hosts a regional tournament, which is the qualifier for the National Championships. (Learn about your region.) The top 3 teams in each division will win a bid to compete for a national championship.

Regional championships occur in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving weekend. Each region is responsible for scheduling their own Regional Cheer tournament.