We follow the IASF Cheer & Dance Rules
Performing a technique outside the boundaries of your division level will incur a penalty as per the Scoring Guidelines. BCA's Competition Rules and Safety Guidelines comply with the technical and safety aspects of IASF, as applicable to UK duty of care compliance. You are expected to be conversant with the rules and safety requirements. Wherever possible all rules are quoted exactly as the rule book. However, division age ranges reflect the general structure of British and European squads, and are designed to allow all squad age ranges to compete.
Please note: Some divisions that are listed on the SCUK age grid (such as Prep and Novice) are not supported by the IASF. SCUK base these divisions on the IASF Legality Rules, however there are also additional rules and restrictions that you need to be aware of. Please ensure you check the SCUK age grid (listed below) for further information.
IASF Cheer Legality Rules & Glossary
USASF Dance Prep Rules **NEW**
BCA Speciality Division Guidelines
If you have a rules question or a video you would like a legality ruling on, please contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Age Grid
We follow the SportCheerUK Unified Divisions and Age Grid.
Please note: Not all divisions will be available at all events. Please check the individual competition pages for further information.
Non-SCUK Speciality Divisions available at BCA events:
As there is a clear need to allow space for the development of the sport of cheerleading, the BCA has decided to open the following divisions for this season:
- Tiny Pre-Prep Level 1
- Mini Pre-Prep Level 1
- Youth Pre-Prep Level 1
- Junior Pre-Prep Level 1
- Senior Pre-Prep Level 1
These divisions will follow the same Age Grid Requirements put forth by the 2024-2025 SCUK Age Grid, to allow for a smooth transition at this stage of the season for teams who have placed their athletes.
Skills allowed in these divisions will be determined by the IASF Level 1 Safety guidelines, with the additional Skills Restrictions applicable to all of these divisions:
- No Front or Back Walkovers
- Single Leg Lib at prep level with proper legal bracer.
- No Tic/Toc or Release style skills at prep level.
- Intermediate athletes may not cross over to or from other Novice/Prep/IASF divisions.
Teams will be scored on the traditional UK Prep Scoring Grid and are expected to work to develop the fundamentals of Level 1 before progressing.
Cheer Solo Divisions
| Division | Age | Level (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny Solo | 3-6 | 1 |
| Mini Solo | 7-8 | 2 |
| Youth Solo | 9-11 | 5 |
| Junior Solo | 12-14 | 6 |
| Senior Solo | 15-16 | 6 |
| Open Solo | 17+ | 7 |
- Cheer Duo/Trio divisions will follow their respective SCUK team age grids
- No further splits will be made for Solo/Duo/Trio divisions.
Dance Solo Divisions
| Division | Age | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny Solo | 3-6 | Open/Combined |
| Mini Solo | 7-9 | Open/Combined |
| Youth Solo | 10-12 | Open/Combined |
| Junior Solo | 13-15 | Open/Combined |
| Senior Solo | 16+ | Open/Combined |
- Dance Duo/Trio divisions will follow their respective SCUK team age grids
- No further splits will be made for Solo/Duo/Trio divisions.
2024/2025 Scoring
Cheer Divisions
Non-Worlds eligible divisions
Cheer Philosophies (Read me first!)
Worlds eligible divisions
IASF Worlds Non-Tumble Levels 6-7
Please Note: At Cheer Bid Battle and other events where Summit bids are awarded, the United Scoring System will be used for Summit eligible divisions.
