The Cheer Canada All Star Division List (also called “Age Grid”) is based on the IASF Division List, with a few differences based on unique circumstances in Canada. Please find a list of the divisions to be available in Canada below.

All Star Division List 2025-2026 (EN / FR)

Cheer Canada aligns with the IASF rule set for Cheer Canada All Star divisions: http://www.iasfworlds.com/cheer-page/

Prep and Novice divisions will follow IASF level rules, however each has its own additional requirements and modifications.

** Cheer Canada encourages all teams competing outside of Canada to consult with the appropriate event producers and governing authorities to ensure their team size and composition meet event specific requirements. **

CHEER CANADA NOVICE AND PREP DIVISION RULES

The entry points, training times, adjudication style, suggested travel to competition, and varying uniform options below align with Cheer Canada’s Long-Term Development framework.

NOVICE DIVISIONS

Novice is intended as an introduction to cheerleading with modified IASF Level 1 rules requiring fewer hours of instruction.

• • Teams will not be scored but may receive evaluation via the Cheer Canada rating system.
  • Novice teams may only be rated once during a single-day or multi-day event (i.e., 2-day, 3-day, etc)
  • Cheer Canada recommends that Novice teams not travel out of province and schedule fewer performances.
  • Cheer Canada recommends Novice athletes perform in t-shirt and shorts or practice wear.
  • Novice athletes may not crossover to All Star or Prep teams
  • Practices should be limited to once per week

NOVICE RULES

• TIME LIMIT – Routine length may not exceed 1:30
• TUMBLING
  • Tumbling skills are allowed and will follow the Level 1 rules but will not be scored or required.
  • U6 Novice Exception: Only cartwheels and forward rolls are permitted. Not allowed: handstands, round offs, backward rolls, bridges, back bends, etc.
• BUILDING (Stunts/Pyramids, Dismounts/Tosses)
  • Building skills will follow the Level 1 rules with the following modifications:
  • U6 Novice divisions may not include ANY building skills.
  • All Other Age Groups:
    • Single leg stunts are ONLY allowed at waist level or below. No prep level single leg with bracer skills allowed.
    • Two leg skills may not pass above prep level.
    • Up to a 1⁄4 twist allowed (EXCEPTIONS to this rule outlined in Level 1 are not permitted in Novice).
    • Transitions to prone position are not allowed.
    • Straight pop down dismounts are not allowed.
    • No waist level cradles, no tosses or sponge tosses.

PREP DIVISIONS

Prep is intended as another opportunity to introduce the sport of competitive cheerleading. The routine is shorter at 2:00 with no tosses, and therefore, fewer hours of instruction are recommended.

• • U6 and U8 Prep divisions will not be scored but may receive evaluation via the Cheer Canada rating system. All other prep age divisions may be scored and ranked.
  • Prep teams will follow the IASF-level rules for their division. However, tosses are not permitted.
  • Prep teams may only be rated/scored once during a single-day or multi-day event (i.e., 2-day, 3-day, etc)
  • Cheer Canada recommends a shorter season (8 months or less) with no travel outside of the program’s province
  • Cheer Canada recommends a simpler, less costly uniform
  • Prep athletes may not crossover to All Star or Novice teams
  • Practices should be limited to once per week

PREP RULES

• • TIME LIMIT – Routine length may not exceed 2:00
  • BUILDING (Stunts/Pyramids, Dismounts/Tosses)
    • Building skills will follow the Level rules with the following modifications:
      • Tosses are not allowed including waist level cradles and sponge tosses.