AMERICAN CHEER POWER
How to Compete with American Cheer Power

HOW TO START AN ALLSTAR TEAM

1.  Cheerleading coaches should have a safety certification.  This course can be taken at our National Cheerleading Coaches Conference.  Safety is very important!  Coaches need to know the legalities and limitations of pyramid building and tumbling.  American Cheer Power belongs to the NLCC (Nation's Leading Cheer Companies" and we follow their Safety Rules/Guidelines.   

2.  Find a place to practice.  This can be an established gymnastics facility, gymnasium, or you can rent your own building.  If you are going to rent your own building you will need to buy a competition floor and secure insurance. Ross Athletics is who we use for all of our flooring needs. Click Here for the website or call (888) 600 ROSS

3.  The average cost for All-Star Cheerleading is $75-$125 per month per cheerleader for two 2-hour classes per week.  Gyms that charge more usually include an extra class of tumbling instruction or an "open gym" on a Friday night where kids can come and work on their tumbling skills for a few hours.

4.  All-Star cheerleading is a year-round sport.  Try-outs are usually held in late March to May.  Gyms usually hold a parent meeting to discuss the costs of the upcoming competition season.  Tryouts are a few days later.  A clinic is held and kids are taught jumps, a cheer, a dance and sometimes work in groups to see how well they stunt together.  Tumbling is not taught at tryouts, however kids are encouraged to show the tumbling skills they have already mastered.  A few days or a week later, the kids try out and coaches decide which team they will be on based on age and ability level.

5.  Advertise your tryouts with flyers, signs, ads in local newspapers, etc.  Word of mouth will probably grow your team faster than any other method.

6.  Competition season typically runs September through May.  Decide which competitions you would like your team to attend.  List the dates, locations and costs and give this to the parents along with due dates for competition fees.  Register for competitions immediately as some fill up fast.  Be sure all forms are filled out correctly by yourself and each cheerleader.  Having a team mom or parent booster club is a tremendous help with fundraising and travel arrangements.

7.  Decide which age division and ability level you will compete at.  Read guidelines thoroughly and be careful that all your stunts and tumbling are legal for that ability level.

8.  Order uniforms early so everyone will have one at the first competition.