Level 1 Cheerleading Explained

Quick answer: Level 1 is the entry point of the competitive cheer level system. It's designed for beginner athletes and generally limits stunts, tumbling and jumps to their most fundamental forms, with no inverted or advanced skills.

What Does This Level Mean?

Level 1 exists so that athletes brand new to competitive cheer can compete safely while still building foundational skills. It's typically the most restrictive level in the system, focused on control, technique and consistency rather than difficulty.

Typical Stunt Categories

Level 1 stunts are generally limited to basic two-leg positions such as a prep, without single-leg positions, inversions or release skills.

Typical Tumbling Categories

Tumbling at Level 1 is generally limited to basic skills such as forward rolls, cartwheels and round-offs, without back handsprings or airborne (salto) skills.

Jumps and Motions

Jumps at Level 1 focus on basic single jumps performed with correct technique, and motions focus on clean, sharp fundamental positions rather than more complex combinations.

What Changes at the Next Level?

Level 2 typically introduces single-leg stunt positions such as a liberty, along with standing back tumbling, expanding on the fundamentals built at Level 1.

Division / Governing Body Differences

Exact skill lists for Level 1 vary between governing bodies and competition providers, and can change between seasons. Some organisations also use age-based or non-tumble divisions alongside the numbered level system.

Parent Questions

New parents often ask whether Level 1 means their child is a "beginner forever" - it doesn't. Level 1 is simply the starting classification; athletes typically progress through levels as their skills and experience grow, at whatever pace suits them.

Related Levels

See Level 2 for what comes next, or the levels hub for the full system.