AGE GRID, RULES & SCORING
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
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:
In addition to the standard Cheer Prep divisions as shown on the SCUK Age Grid, the BCA will also offer our own "Pre-Prep" divisions based on coach feedback, as we recognise there is a clear need to promote development within the sport:
- U6 Pre-Prep Level 1
- U8 Pre-Prep Level 1
- U10 Pre-Prep Level 1
- U12 Pre-Prep Level 1
- U14 Pre-Prep Level 1
- U16 Pre-Prep Level 1
- Senior Pre-Prep Level 1
These divisions will follow the same requirements as shown on the SCUK Age Grid for Prep divisions, but with the following additional restrictions:
- No Front or Back Walkovers
- Single Leg Lib (no other body positions) at prep level with proper legal bracer in stunts or pyramids.
- No Tic/Toc or Release style skills at prep level in stunts or pyramids.
- Two Foot extensions in Pyramids must be braced on both sides with hand arm connection only.
- No Twisting to Extended level in Pyramids.
Please Note:
Pre-prep athletes may not crossover to or from other Novice/Prep/IASF divisions.
Teams will be scored on the UK Prep Scoresheet.
Cheer Solo Divisions
| Division | Age (Birth Year) | Level (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| U6 Solo | 5-6 (2020-2022) | 1 |
| U8 Solo | 7-8 (2018-2020) | 2 |
| U12 Solo | 9-12 (2014-2018) | 5 |
| U16 Solo | 13-16 (2010-2014) | 6 |
| Open Solo | 17+ (2010 or earlier) | 7 |
Stunt Group and Cheer Duo divisions will follow their respective guidelines as shown in the SCUK Unified Age Grid.
Please Note: No further splits will be made for Speciality divisions.
Dance Solo Divisions
| Division | Age (Birth Year) | Style |
|---|---|---|
| U6 Solo | 5-6 (2020-2022) | Combined |
| U8 Solo | 7-8 (2018-2020) | Combined |
| U12 Solo | 9-12 (2014-2018) | Combined |
| U16 Solo | 13-16 (2010-2014) | Combined |
| Open Solo | 17+ (2010 or earlier) | Combined |
Dance Duo divisions will follow their respective guidelines as shown in the SCUK Unified Age Grid.
Please Note: No further splits will be made for Speciality divisions.
2026/2027 Scoring
Cheer Divisions
From this season, we will be adopting the new IASF Cheer scoring system for all Elite Cheer divisions, with an expanded Quantity Chart to match the SCUK age grid.
Prep and Novice divisions will use the USASF scoring system but with the point values amended slightly to match the IASF Cheer scoring system.
Deductions Level 1-4 & NT 2.0-4.0
Deductions Level 5-7 & NT 5.0-7.0
* Pre-Prep, Schools & Masters divisions also use the All Star Prep Score Sheet.
Dance Divisions
Standard dance divisions utilise the IASF Dance scoring system found here:
Scoring categories will be split between three panel judges, with each judge focussing on:
- Technical Execution
- Choreography
- Group Execution/Overall Effect
