This is from the tryout packet 2013:
Level 1 – jump connected backward roll, bridge kick over, back walkover, front walkover, cartwheel, round off. (All of these skills should have straight legs and pointed toes with a strong land/stand).
*A bonus skill for Level 1 could be a standing back handspring with average to low technique.
Level 2 – standing back handspring, back walkover back handspring, round off series of back handsprings (3 or more), front walkover or back handspring step out specialty pass to series of back handsprings. (All of these skills should have legs squeezed together, straight legs, and pointed toes with a strong land/stand).
*A bonus skill for Level 2 would be a strong standing two back handsprings with average to low technique.
Level 3 – multiple jump combo to jump series of standing back handsprings, standing series of back handsprings (3 or more), round off back handspring back tuck, punch front, specialty running pass of front walkover, back handspring step- out, or punch front pause to round off series of back handsprings to back tuck. (All of these skills should have straight legs, pointed toes, and legs together on back handsprings. The back tucks should have tall sets and then tight tucks with a strong land-stand).
*Bonus skills for Level 3 would be standing back tuck, standing series of back handsprings to back tuck, or round off back handspring layout with average to low technique
Level 4 – multiple standing back tucks, multiple whip jumps to back handspring back tuck, standing one handspring to layout and/or back handspring tuck/whip to two back handsprings to layout, round off back handspring layout, level appropriate specialty pass of punch front, whip, or bounding whips to round off back handspring layout. (All of these skills should have straight legs, pointed toes, and legs together. The layouts should have tall sets, pull into a straight body (hollow position hold for the entire flip), and then a strong land/stand).
*Bonus skills for Level 4 would be multiple jump combination to back tuck and round off back handspring full with average to low technique.
Level 5 Restricted – multiple (4+) combo jump to back tuck, standing two back handsprings to full, round off back handspring full, level appropriate specialty pass to round off back handspring full. (All of these skills should have straight legs, pointed toes, and legs together. The full should have a tall set, strong hollow body position, tight twist, and a strong land/stand).
*The bonus skills for Level 5 Restricted would be having some of the true Level 5 skills listed below but not having all of them.
Level 5 – multiple combo (4+) jump to back tuck, multiple jump combo to two back handsprings to full, standing one back handspring to full, round off back
handspring double full, level appropriate specialty pass to full/double. (All of these skills should have straight legs, pointed toes, and legs together. The full/double should have a tall set, strong hollow body position, tight twist, and a strong land/stand).
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Here are some specific examples of how an athlete can or can not make a certain Level:
Example A – Suzy has strong technique on standing 3 back handsprings, she has an excellent round-off back handspring back tuck, and a strong specialty pass with front walkover to series of back handsprings to back tuck.
Suzy is an excellent candidate for a very strong Level 3 team this year.
Example B – Sally was on level 3 last year with the hopes of going to level
4. She was a very strong level 3 athlete this year and has all the necessary requirements to make level 3 again. She also has a round-off back handspring layout with average technique, a solid standing back tuck, a jump combination to back handspring back tuck with weak technique, and no specialty pass to layout, and no standing 2 to layout.
Sally would not be a good candidate for Level 4 at tryouts this season because she doesn’t have the entire skill set for Level 4 and she doesn’t have strong to excellent technique on the Level 4 skills she does have.
Example C – Debby competed Level 5 last year and is trying out with the jump combo to back tuck and a round off back handspring full. She doesn’t have any of the other skills required for Level 5 so she probably won’t be a great candidate for a Level 5 team this year and may struggle making a restricted Level 5 team.
Please know we always make the best decisions for each athlete and team. We genuinely care about the athletes at Cheer Athletics and want to provide each person with the best chance for success and for a fun year. Good luck at tryouts! We are going to make this next season our best ever!!
Feel free to contact one of your current team coach if you have any questions. If you need further assistance after speaking with a team coach, please refer to your Level Director.
Thanks,
Cheer Athletics Staff
