In order to be a rec team, your main goal has to be to cheer for another sport. You are not supposed to be competition only. If you don't want to go the allstar route, then UCA created the club division a year or two ago. What you're describing sounds like it aligns closest with the club division.
Allstar prep divisions could also be an option if you don't want to or have access to UCA competitions.
This is not true with the introduction of the Performance Rec division. The team does need to be associated with a community program such as Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, SKIES, CYS (assuming original poster is military), etc.
Recreation Scoring, Rules & Restrictions
All Recreational Teams will follow the USASF Rules and Regulations for the levels in which they are competing. To view those rules, please visit
USASF Cheer Rules
Scoring Grids and Level Appropriate Skills documents can be found at
Varsity All Star Cheerleading - Varsity Scoring
Performance Rec is defined as a competitive rec division that has level restrictions and will be judged on the
Varsity All Star Score Sheet, and follow the level guidelines for All Star cheer set forth by USASF.net. Teams in Performance Rec divisions often practice more, have competition practices and/or compete on a regular basis.
Traditional Rec is defined as a lower commitment and/or entry-level competitive rec division that has level restrictions and will be judged on the
Varsity All Star Prep Score Sheet. Teams in Traditional Rec divisions typically practice less than Performance Rec teams, focus on cheering for their organization’s athletic teams and/or compete very sporadically.
In order to maintain the integrity of these Traditional Rec divisions, the following skill caps will be in place:
1) No basket tosses allowed at any level
2) No stunt quantity or coed quantity requirement
3) Jumps are capped to the 4.8 range
4) Stunt difficulty, pyramid difficulty, standing tumbling difficulty and running tumbling difficulty are capped at the LOW range
Programs must choose one style (Performance or Traditional) and all teams within the program must compete in these divisions.
Recreational Cheerleading – "Rec Cheer"
Varsity recognizes that Recreational Cheerleading does not have an official governing body to refer to, and that Rec Cheer Teams may have different guidelines to follow within their individual organizations. Please adhere to the guidelines set forth by your organization, and select the division that best fits both the age and abilities of the athletes on the team so that your team will be given the best opportunity for success at Varsity events.
For the purpose of competing at Varsity events, both Traditional and Performance Rec Cheer is defined below. All teams competing in these divisions must meet these criteria in order to compete in these divisions:
1. Must be affiliated with, report to, and be governed by an organization such as the following:
a. YMCA
b. Boys and Girls Club
c. City/County Parks and Recreation Program
d. Community Youth Organization
e. Pop Warner Association
f. Any other community run program not associated or affiliated with a school or all-star program
2. A team must be able to prove their relationship and affiliation with their said organization if requested. Their organization’s President or higher seated authority must submit a formal letter stating their endorsement.
3. 50% of the team must have cheered for a sport (i.e. football or basketball) with that association or organization within the current cheer season.
Proof must be provided upon request.
a. If the organization the team is representing or associated with does not offer cheering for a sport (i.e. basketball or football), this rule may be waived only if the president or higher seated official writes a letter to the event producer informing them this option is not available. This is the only reason a team should not be allowed to cheer for a sport. This also does not guarantee you will be allowed to compete in a rec division.
4. A team may not have more than 25% all star athletes on its teams. Proof must be provided upon request.
5. Participants may not represent more than one recreational program in a season. Proof must be provided upon request.
A Recreational/Organizational Cheerleading team may do or have the following:
1. Can hold tryouts.
2. Can have their own practice facility or gym.
3. Can practice and/or attend tumbling classes at gymnastics or All Star cheer facilities.
4. Can combine team members from other teams within the organization.
If a team does not meet all of the above criteria they may be disqualified.
Rec Cheer Teams who do not cheer for a sport, or are affiliated with all-star programs or schools, even if it is a half-year or introductory team, will need to register in the all-star, prep cheer or school division that best suits their ability level at Varsity events. They are NOT considered Rec Cheer teams and cannot register in the Rec Cheer Divisions listed above for Varsity events.
