Did you know that cheerleading competitions do not all follow one universal set of rules?
Although many rule systems are similar, small differences can determine whether a skill is legal in one competition but not allowed in another.
A stunt that looks perfectly acceptable in one routine may result in a penalty elsewhere.
To understand why, it helps to know the two organisations behind some of the most widely used cheerleading rules: the ICU and the IASF.
What Are the ICU and IASF?
ICU stands for the International Cheer Union.
The ICU oversees international cheerleading events for national teams, including the ICU World Cheerleading Championships. Athletes represent their countries and compete against national teams from around the world.
IASF stands for the International All Star Federation.
The IASF oversees international all-star cheerleading and organises The Cheerleading Worlds, where club-based and all-star teams compete.
In simple terms:
- ICU competitions mainly involve national teams
- IASF competitions mainly involve all-star or club teams
Both systems are designed to promote athlete safety and organise skills by level, but their rules are not always identical.
Why Were the Level Numbers Different?
Before the 2019/2020 cheer season, the ICU and IASF level systems were more closely aligned.
The IASF later changed from a six-level structure to a seven-level structure and adjusted several skill restrictions.
Under the rules used when this article was written:
- The former IASF Level 5 became Level 6
- The former IASF Level 6 became Level 7
- A new IASF Level 5 was introduced between Levels 4 and 6
- The new Level 5 was similar to what had previously been called Level 5 Restricted
The ICU also offered Level 0 as an entry level for younger or beginner athletes, while the IASF system discussed in this article did not include Level 0.
This meant that the same level number could represent different skill allowances depending on which rulebook was being used.
Please note: This article was based on the ICU and IASF rules for the 2019/2020 season. Cheerleading rules are updated regularly, so coaches should always refer to the current rulebook before including a skill in a routine.
Level 1
One of the key differences at Level 1 involved stunt height.
Under the IASF rules, a two-legged stunt could temporarily pass through extended level before returning to prep level or below.
This allowed a flyer to move briefly above the bases’ heads during certain transitions.
Under the ICU rules used at the time, Level 1 stunts were not allowed to pass through extended level in the same way.
This may sound like a small difference, but it affected how coaches choreographed basic stunt entries and transitions.
Level 2
A similar difference applied to one-legged stunts at Level 2.
IASF teams could allow certain one-legged stunts to pass temporarily through extended level during a transition.
Under the ICU rules, this was not permitted.
As a result, a Level 2 stunt sequence that was legal in an IASF competition might need to be adjusted before being performed under ICU rules.
Level 3
At Level 3, the differences became more noticeable.
Under ICU rules, twisting stunts were generally limited to one twist to prep level.
IASF teams, however, could perform a full twist to a two-legged extended stunt.
This skill had previously been associated with a higher level, so its inclusion gave IASF Level 3 teams more options when creating stunt sequences.
Another difference involved suspended rolls.
A suspended roll is a skill in which the flyer rotates in the air while being supported through contact with the bases or bracers.
Under ICU rules, certain backward suspended rolls could not include twisting. The IASF rules did not contain the same restriction.
Downward inversions also differed slightly.
Under ICU rules, teams could perform downward inversions from waist level without passing through prep level.
Under IASF rules, the flyer could pass through prep level during certain downward inversion skills.
Level 4
At Level 4, IASF teams were allowed slightly more twisting difficulty in their stunt entries.
IASF Level 4 teams could perform up to one-and-a-half twists to an extended stunt.
Under the ICU rules, one-and-a-half twists were limited to prep level, while only one twist was allowed to extension.
This meant IASF teams could perform some more advanced twisting entries at the same numbered level.
Release moves also differed.
Under ICU rules, certain release moves had to begin below prep level before being caught at extended level.
Under IASF rules, some release moves could begin from prep level.
This included skills such as low-to-high tic tocs, which were placed at a higher level under the ICU system.
Downward inversions could begin at prep level and pass through extended level under both systems, but the ICU rules placed additional restrictions on which types of downward inversions were allowed.
One example was the pancake, where the flyer folds forwards while the bases maintain control of the legs or feet before catching the flyer on the back.
ICU Level 5 Compared With IASF Levels 5 and 6
This comparison was more complicated because the IASF had introduced a new Level 5 between Levels 4 and 6.
Under IASF Level 5, dismounts were generally limited to a maximum number of tricks.
Similar restrictions applied to basket tosses.
For example, although a kick double could be counted as a three-element toss, it was not permitted in IASF Level 5 because tosses involving more than one twist could not include additional skills.
Kick double basket tosses were permitted under ICU Level 5 and IASF Level 6.
Release inversions also differed.
IASF Level 5 mainly allowed non-twisting released inversions.
Under ICU Level 5, a limited twisting released inversion, such as a front handspring with up to a half twist, could be permitted.
IASF Level 6 allowed a wider range of skills in this category.
Another major difference was the rewind.
A rewind is a free-flipping stunt entry in which the flyer performs a backward flip from ground level into a stunt.
Under the system discussed in this article, rewinds were permitted in IASF Level 6 but were placed at ICU Level 6.
Pyramid rules were generally similar, although twisting braced release inversions were restricted differently.
For example, a braced front full could be performed in ICU Level 5 and IASF Level 6, but not in IASF Level 5.
ICU Level 6 Compared With IASF Level 7
The highest levels of both systems shared many similarities, but important differences remained.
Under the ICU rules, tumbling was limited to skills involving one flip and one twist.
IASF Level 7 allowed tumbling skills with up to one flip and two twists.
Free-flipping stunt entries also differed.
Under ICU rules, free flips generally had to begin from ground level.
IASF Level 7 allowed certain free-flipping skills to begin while the flyer was already supported at prep level.
This gave IASF Level 7 teams more freedom to include flipping transitions within a stunt sequence.
Why These Differences Matter
A routine may look legal simply because you have seen another team perform the same skill online.
However, that team may have competed under a different rulebook, at a different level or during a different season.
Before adding a new skill, coaches should always check:
- Which organisation’s rules the competition follows
- The athlete division and level
- The latest season’s rulebook
- Any competition-specific rule adjustments
- Whether the skill requires additional conditions or bracers
Never assume a skill is legal based only on a video.
Always Check the Latest Rules
Cheerleading rules continue to evolve as new skills are developed and safety standards improve.
The ICU and IASF systems share the same goal of creating safer and more organised competitions, but their level structures and skill allowances may differ.
That is why coaches and athletes should always confirm which rulebook applies before finalising a routine.
The right skill under the wrong rules can still result in a deduction.
