Performance Cheer (Pom, Hip Hop and Jazz)
Performance Cheer, also known as dance, consists of team routines where competitors perform choreographed dances in three different categories offered by Cheer Canada – Pom, Hip Hop, and Jazz. Canadian all star, scholastic and cheer ability divisions are available, with a wide range of age divisions and team sizes. Performance scoring consists of three score sheets that separate the components of team dance routines – Choreography, Technical Execution and Group Execution. All Performance categories and divisions are judged on the same score sheets with style specific elements outlined on the technical execution score sheet.
Performance Cheer Category Definitions
POM – Incorporates the use of proper Pom motion technique that is sharp, clean and precise while allowing for the use of concepts from Jazz, Hip Hop and High Kick. An emphasis is placed on group execution including synchronization, uniformity and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine focuses on musicality, staging of visual effects through fluid and creative transitions, levels and groups, along with complexity of movement and skills. Poms are required to be used throughout the routine. Costuming should reflect the category style. See score sheet for more information.
HIP HOP – Incorporates authentic street style influenced movements with groove and style. An emphasis is placed on group execution including synchronization, uniformity, and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine utilizes musicality, staging, complexity of movement and athleticism. Costuming should reflect the category style. See score sheet for more information.
JAZZ – Incorporates traditional or stylized dynamic movements with strength, continuity, presence and proper technical execution. An emphasis is placed on group execution including synchronization, uniformity, and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine utilizes musicality, staging, complexity of movement and skills. The overall impression of the routine should be lively, energetic and motivating, with the understanding that the dynamics of movement may change to utilize musicality. Costuming should reflect the category style. See score sheet for more information.
Performance Cheer Rules
The Performance Cheer All Star division must follow IASF Dance Rules.
2021-2022 Scholastic Performance Cheer Rules (EN / FR)
**Cheer Canada shall only offer the categories of pom, jazz and hip hop, and will revisit opening new categories after consulting PSOs and EPs on their growth and recommendations in 2021.
Performance Age Grids
All Star Performance Cheer Division List 2024-2025 (EN / FR)
Performance Cheer School Division List 2024-2025 (EN / FR)
Note 1: PSOs shall have the ability to make exceptions to the Scholastic Grid in order to best meet the needs of their province. The intent of this is to assist programs who cannot field a team in the current grid.
Note 2: If a division is deep, the event producer may elect to subdivide the divisions based on team size. Cheer Canada recommends to split the divisions equally so there will be 50% of the teams in each division.