New to cheerleading, or researching it for your child? This guide explains the main types of cheer, the positions on a team, the first skills to learn, what gear you need and how to start safely. Cheer is popular: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says more than 3.5 million young people take part, most of them girls between 6 and 17.

What Is Cheerleading?

Cheerleading combines stunts (lifting and holding athletes in the air), tumbling, jumps, dance and crowd-leading cheers and chants. USA Cheer describes a typical competition routine as 2½ minutes of tumbling, stunting, pyramids, dance and cheer segments. Some teams cheer only at games, some only compete, and many do both.

Types of Cheerleading

• School cheer: According to USA Cheer, school cheerleaders’ main role is supporting other school teams by leading the crowd at games and pep rallies and promoting school spirit. School teams may also compete. High school cheer follows the NFHS/USA Cheer Spirit Rules.
• All-star (club) cheer: All-star cheer’s main purpose is competition. Teams are based at private clubs, open to athletes from the area, and follow U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) rules. Teams are grouped by age and skill level, from Tiny Novice Level 1 up to adult Level 7. USASF tiers include non-competitive FUNdamentals programs, Novice and Prep teams for newer athletes, and Elite teams for experienced ones.
• Youth recreation cheer: community programs that cheer for youth league games. USA Cheer publishes sideline rules for these programs.
• College cheer: college teams lead the crowd at games, and many also compete at national championships run by UCA and NCA. Each school runs its own tryouts. See our College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory.
• STUNT: a head-to-head competitive sport derived from cheer, governed nationally by USA Cheer. It became an NCAA Championship sport in January 2026, with the first NCAA STUNT Championship scheduled for spring 2027.

Positions on a Cheer Team

In stunts, every athlete has a role. A Varsity Spirit stunting guide describes the three main jobs:

• Flyer (top person): the athlete in the air. Body awareness, balance and tight body positions are key. See our flyer technique guide.
• Bases: the athletes who lift and hold the flyer. Power comes from the legs, through the shoulders and out through locked arms. See how to base in cheerleading.
• Backspot: stands behind the stunt, helps stabilize it, often leads the timing and protects the flyer’s head, neck and shoulders on dismounts.
• Front spot: some groups add an athlete in front for extra support.

Size doesn’t decide everything. The Varsity guide notes that a heavier flyer with great technique is often easier to stunt with than a lighter flyer with poor technique.

First Skills to Learn

Motions

Motions are the arm positions used in cheers, chants and dances. Common beginner motions include the high V, low V, T, broken T, touchdown and diagonal. Hit each one sharply, with straight wrists and tight fists, and practice in a mirror so your arms land in the same place every time.

Jumps

Beginner jumps include the tuck jump, herkie, pike and toe touch. Start with a strong arm swing and jump, land with your feet together and knees bent, and stretch daily for flexibility. Our jump height guide has drills.

Tumbling

Tumbling is learned through progressions. Beginners usually start with rolls, cartwheels, round-offs and walkovers before moving to back handsprings and tucks. USASF rules say coaches must require proficiency before an athlete progresses, and USA Cheer says skills that haven’t been mastered should be performed only in a supervised practice environment. Learn back handsprings and tucks at a gym with a qualified coach and spotting, not at home. Our back handspring and standing back tuck guides explain the progressions to work through with your coach.

Cheer Safety Basics for Beginners

The AAP says cheer’s overall injury rate is fairly low, but injured athletes can need a long time to recover. Its guidance for families includes:

• Choose a program with a qualified coach. KidsHealth advises that the coach attend every practice and be certified by a recognized cheer organization.
• Stunts and skills should never be done on concrete, asphalt, dirt, vinyl floors, or wet or uneven surfaces.
• Spotters should be present for flying moves and dismounts.
• Programs should have a written emergency action plan.
• Athletes, coaches and parents should learn the signs of concussion. An athlete with a suspected concussion should stop and get checked by a health professional.

Tell your coach if you’re uncomfortable with a stunt, and stop if you get hurt or feel pain. Get checked before you return. Read more in our guide to common cheerleading injuries.

What You Need to Start

• Cheer shoes: USASF and USA Cheer rules require soft-soled athletic shoes. Dance shoes, boots and gymnastics slippers aren’t allowed. See our cheer shoe guide.
• No jewelry: USASF and USA Cheer rules ban jewelry while cheering. USASF says it must be removed, not taped over; medical ID tags and bracelets are the exception. USA Cheer’s college rules also require short fingernails.
• Practice clothes: fitted athletic wear you can move in, and hair secured the way your team asks.
• Water bottle: drink before, during and after practice.
• A sports physical: the AAP recommends booking it at least 6 to 8 weeks before the season starts.

A home mat can be useful for stretching, jumps and drills you’ve already learned, but learn new tumbling at a gym with a coach. See our home cheer mat guide.

How to Get Started

1. Decide which type of cheer fits you: school, all-star, rec or college.
2. Find a program with qualified coaches. For all-star, ask about beginner tiers such as FUNdamentals, Novice or Prep.
3. Take a tumbling or cheer class to build basics before tryouts.
4. Practice motions, jumps and flexibility at home.
5. Read our cheerleading tryouts guide before your first tryout.

For more beginner resources, visit our Beginner Cheerleading Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late to start cheerleading as a teenager?

No. All-star clubs offer Novice and Prep teams for newer athletes, and USASF levels run all the way to adult teams. School and rec teams also take beginners, though some school tryouts require specific skills.

Do I need to tumble to make a cheer team?

It depends on the team. Some school and rec teams don’t require tumbling. Many competitive and college teams do. Check the tryout requirements for your team.

What is the difference between school and all-star cheer?

School cheer’s main job is supporting school teams and leading the crowd, with competition as an option. All-star cheer is based at a private club and focuses on competition.

Once you join a team, our cheer and dance season prep checklist covers what to do before the first practice.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, Safety in Cheerleading: Epidemiology and Recommendations (Pediatrics, 2024) and Cheerleading and Sports Physical (HealthyChildren.org); USA Cheer, All Star, College Cheer, STUNT Advances to NCAA Championship Sport Status and 2026-27 College Cheer Rules; USASF, All Star Tiers and Cheer Rules (effective June 1, 2026); Varsity Spirit, Stunt Basics; KidsHealth (Nemours), Cheerleading safety. Last checked October 1, 2026.