American Youth Football & Cheer
the largest youth football and youth cheer organization on earth.

American Youth Cheer
AYC Cheers, Dances & Steps!

We remember "it's for the kids."
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AYC Membership & Structure
Terminology/Definitions
AYC Divisions/Team Age Breakdown
Rules and Regulations
AYC and Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA)
Varsity - Official Uniform Partner
Training: Cheer Camps and Coaches Clinics
National Championships
FAQs and Extras

The American Youth Football (AYF) League created a sister league uniquely for its’ Cheerleaders. This league is called American Youth Cheer (AYC). Any cheerleading, dance or step team who cheers for, or is affiliated with, an American Youth Football Team is automatically welcomed into this organization.

AYC also encourages Youth Cheerleading squads that are not affiliated with AYF football teams or rec football programs to join AYC independently. All Cheerleading & Dance squads are required to be registered as members of AYF/AYC as a non-affiliated cheer squad. To register squads and become a member visit Joinayf.com

AYF/AYC is configured into two independent structures. 

1) Tournament Memberships and
2) Local Membership. 
 
Declaration of  your organizations intention/structure is required yearly at registration.

1. Tournament Membership Structure:

Tournament Membership Structure pertains to those leagues that plan to participate in AYF/AYC Regional and National Championships Championships and other pre or post-season competitions.  These leagues are required to strictly abide by AYC Rules and Regulations and age divisions as outlined in the Official American Youth Cheerleading Rulebook.  This rulebook must be followed at all times along with the The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), this includes but is not limited to Pre-Season, In-Season, and Post-Season play (Year Round).
 

2.  Local Membership Structure:

Local Membership Structure stays true to the AYF/AYC objective of remaining independent and supporting all teams regardless of their competitive intentions.  Organizations that DO NOT plan to participate in AYC inter-league Regional and National competitions have the freedom to participate as a member of AYF/AYC under its Local Membership Structure.  These Local Memberships Structure leagues are free to play in accordance with their own locally adopted governing rules, in so long as your rules subscribe to the AYC Governing Principles.

AYC governing principles:

1. Safety
2. Sportsmanship
3. Full Participation

Local Membership Structure leagues can retain independence in creating a structure that fits their group specifically. 

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Tournament Membership Structure: Terminology/Definitions

Region:  A Region is defined as a geographic territory.  The geographic territory is determined by the AYF National Office.  The 8 regional territories that make up AYF can be found online at:  AYF Regional Map.  A Region is comprised of Conferences within their territories that have applied for, and have been granted membership by the National Office.
Conference:  A Conference is defined by the geographic boundary of its membership.  A Conference’s membership is the Associations that have applied for, and have been granted membership, by the Conferences governing body.  In keeping with the American Youth Football’s Goals and Philosophies no application for membership should be unreasonably withheld.

Association:  An Association is often defined as a local city, or town. The acceptable method and determination of what participants can register within any given Association is governed by the Conference/Region to which it is a member.

Division:  A Division in Cheerleading is defined a grouping of Teams in a specific Age bracket.

Team:  Teams are further broken down into Small - Large and skill classification Red – Blue.  Teams electing to compete in AYC regional and national competitions are required to restrict teams to (36) thirty-six members, mascots not included in this total.

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Cheer Team Age Divisional Matrix (2011):

*AGE CUT OFF/BIRTHDAY DATE: July 31st

CHEER AGE DIVISIONS 

Dance/Step Age Divisions (2011):
 

Age Divisions will be divided into small and large (at tournaments) if there are at least two teams that will ultimately compete in that division
Small team 5 – 16 members
Large team 17 – 36 members

*Mascots are not included in the total count

If there are ANY waiver/exception requests – please email ebray@americanyouthfootball.com

Game Time Division:

A Game Time Division at Championships has been created to showcase what cheerleading is all about - leading the crowd! The division gives teams who traditionally don't compete a chance to show how they rule the field and lead the crowds at their schools.

Teams can step off the sideline and into the competition. "Bring your sideline skills & get your game on!"

Learn more in the AYC Rule Book. Attention AYC conferences: consider hosting your own Game Time division and take your cheer competitions to new heights! Questions? Please email cheer@americanyouthfootball.com

Step Division:

Step is a form of dance that has been in existence for decades, it is sophisticated, synchronized chanting and stomping to a rhythmic beats from participants’ hands, feet and mouth.  Today, youth across America have embraced this art form.  AYC National Championships include a Step Division.  See rules in the official AYC RuleBook. For information on participation, contact Deidrea at step@americanyouthfootball.com

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AYC Rules and Regulations

AYC rulebooks are only available to our members and can be found at MyAYF.com.  This site is available to members only; use the password and username you were emailed upon joining.  If your league or conference is a member of AYF and you are a coach or league administrator and don't have a username and password, ask your league administrator to add you to the league account or supply you with the necessary rules.

Please note: the general Football rules as stated in the Official Football Rules and Regulations which apply to players will also apply to the cheerleaders (with the exception of weight or weigh-ins and the rules of contact). Certain rules will be superseded by the Official Cheer Rules and Regulations. Governing of AYF/AYC Leagues occurs as stated in Section 3 & 4 of the Football Rules Section.

AYC SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES & ROUTINE GUIDELINES

Through communication, education and recognition, the NFHS Spirit Association supports coaches of middle and high school cheerleading, pom, dance and drill teams, by assisting them in risk management, good sportsmanship and citizenship, and professional development.

The NFHS Spirit Association is a professional association of spirit coaches from all over the country dedicated to the students committed to making their cheerleading, dance, drill, or pom experience the best it can possibly be.

Within the NFHS Spirit Association, you will discover opportunities for developing your leadership potential as a spirit coach, continuing your professional development through conferences and spirit education courses, and so much more! AYC encourages you to explore the NFHS Spirit Association Web site

All cheer teams must follow the 2011-2012 NFHS Safety Rules. Please refer to the NFHS 2011-2012 Spirit Rule Book for complete set of rules. Please click here to access the NFHS rules for purchase.

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UCA provides exclusive offer for AYC members on Cheer camps, Coaches clinics, certification courses and educational resources. UCA also presents the AYC National Championships.

In addition:

UCA Representatives provide a support system for AYC members at all levels: Local and Regional Support for all AYC members is at your fingertips. If you need assistance in planning an event, educating coaches/participants/parents, need rule clarifications, AYC competition/qualifying guidelines...UCA will help!

Please email Cheer@americanyouthfootball.com or you can locate your UCA State Director (find your state director here)

About UCA: UCA's goal is to inspire leadership on and off the field. All of UCA's material and programs are centrally focused on the traditional role of cheerleading. UCA believes the primary purpose of a cheerleader is to support athletic programs and lead the crowd before and during games. Cheerleaders play an instrumental role in raising, leading and maintaining school spirit in and around their communities. In short, they are leaders in building general morale at their school! See www.uca.com for more.

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VARSITY: The Official Uniform Partner of AYC

Since its founding in 1974 by Jeff Webb, Varsity has been the driving force making cheerleading the dynamic, athletic, high profile activity it is today.

Varsity is comprised of the leading organization and brands in various cheerleading segments and Varsity Brands have shown their commitment to AYC leagues by offering special pricing on Cheer/Dance Uniforms exclusive to AYC members!

Contact a Varsity/CDT Representative Today to take advantage of this great partnership!

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Training:

Cheer Camps

If your are interested in hosting a summer camp in your community please contact cheer@americanyouthfootball.com. AYC and UCA bring you exclusive camp/clinic pricing. Camps are a great way for everyone to start the season right and safer with additional training and education.

Download a Camp 'Save the Date' Request Form
Download the Official Camp Info Flyer
Seethe Top 10 Reasons to Host a UCA/AYC Camp

Coaches Clinics

AYC strongly reccomends that all coaches, (especially those coaching 'competitive' squads) complete the Online Cheer Coaches Course: Coaching Youth Cheerleading, AYC also highly recommend the accompanying book. Learn more and access the course/book now.

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AYC National Championships

Information on our AYC National Championship Event will be posted at www.ayfchampionships.com as it becomes available.

See Past National Championship Results

Watch Past AYC National Championship Routines/ Order Photos/DVDs

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Extras and FAQs

Click here to access some extra info and the answers to AYC FAQs

Click here to access a digital version of the 2010 Cheer Director Welcome Package from AYC/UCA

View Articles:

"Giving Back in a Big Way"

"Cheering Into Fall"