Understanding the Scoring System, Age Grid & Divisions at UK Cheer Competitions

Navigating the rules, scoring systems, and divisions of UK cheerleading competitions can be overwhelming. In this article, we break down key details for UK cheerleading competition . Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or program director, this guide will help you understand the essentials. If you run a cheerleading competition and would like to be added to this list, please email us at info@cheerfromheadtotoe.com.

How to understand the ages for different score sheets

” Allstar Dance, Prep Dance, Allstar Cheer, Prep Cheer, Novice Cheer, Schools Cheer, University Cheer,
Stunt Groups and other specialty divisions, the age of an athlete will be determined by age on 31.08.24.

For IASF Cheer & IASF Dance divisions, an athlete’s eligibility is determined by their age in the year of competition age in 2025.

IASF divisions (Cheer & Dance): The eligible age for an athlete is determined by their age during 2025.

EXAMPLE:

If a 13- year-old athlete is participating in a division where the minimum age is 14; that athlete is legal for the division if the
athlete turns 14 during 2025.

EXAMPLE :

An athlete who turns 13 after January 1st 2025 is eligible for a division where
the maximum age is 12, as they will be 12 for at least 1 day during 2025.

Before you continue on to the Competition Scoring System, Age Grid, and Division let me introduce myself.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this list is for reference purposes only and is subject to change at any time. We strongly advise all athletes, coaches, and teams to double-check the latest rules, scoring systems, and division offerings directly with the respective competition organizers. Always refer to official sources to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Competition :Jamfest Europe

Safety Rules: IASF

Scoring system: United kingdom version of the United scoring system

Division as follow :

Jamfest offers all the Cheer and Dance division listed on SCUK grid

Group stunt, solos, duos,

University cheerleading and School cheer are available

but are rarely requested To request these division contact Jamfest Europe

Competition: BCA British cheerleading Association

Safety Rules: IASF

Scoring system : For Summit-eligible divisions, United kingdom version of the United scoring system is used only at our Summit Bid Qualifying Events Allstar Nationals Telford and Summer Showdown Edinburgh
Worlds-eligible divisions, IASF scoring system is used.

For non-Worlds eligible divisions, BCA uses their own bespoke scoring system.

Division as follow :

BCA offers all the Cheer and Dance division listed on SCUK age & division grid

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 grid for further information.

Non-SCUK Speciality Divisions available at BCA events
Cheer Solo Divisions
Cheer Pre-Prep Divisions: 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:

Competition : Future Cheer : FC

Safety Rules: IASF

Scoring system : United kingdom version of the United scoring system used
Exception : Stunt Group Score Cheer Individuals have their own bespoke FC scoresheet

Division as follow :

All Star Elite, IASF Cheer,

Prep Cheer, Novice Cheer,

Schools Cheer, Universities Cheer,

Adaptive Abilities Cheer,

Exception : Cheer Stunt Group Stunt Group, Cheer Individuals are scored on a bespoke FC scoresheet

Competition : Legacy Cheer and Dance

Safety Rules : IASF
Exception Cheer abilities safety rules will included IASF and ICU speciality Rules where ICU rules will take precedence over IASF rules.

Scoring : United kingdom version of the United scoring system is used
Exception : IASF scoring system is used for Cheerleading Worlds Divisions
Stunt Group Divisions Solo Divisions Cheer

For Cheer Abilities teams opting to compete in these divisions, LCD use the ICU Special Abilities/Special Olympics scoring system, but with the ‘Cheer’ element removed.

Division as follow :

Novice Cheer Divisions,

AllStar Prep Cheer Divisions AllStar Elite Cheer Divisions

IASF Cheer Divisions (excluding Cheerleading Worlds divisions)

Masters Cheer Divisions School & University Cheer Divisions

Adaptive Abilities Divisions

Competition : Power Up

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : United kingdom version of the United scoring system

Division as follow :

First Charge: offers all the Cheer and Dance division listed on SCUK grid

Summer Surge : offers all the Cheer and Dance division listed on SCUK grid excluding University and School division.

Competition : Incredible cool events : ICE

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : ICE follows the IASF Rules : Exception ICE Stunt Group , Level 0 Novice, Tiny Novice which have their own bespoke scoresheet.

Division as follow:

Level 1-7 International All Girl Divisions

Level 2-7 International Non Tumble Division

Level 3-7 International Co-ed Divisions

Level 4-7 International Non Tumble Co-ed Division

Masters, School and University Divisions

Competition: Energy Events UK

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : United kingdom version of the United scoring system

Division as follow:

Energy offer all Cheer Divisions on SCUK Grid and stunt group no solos

Competition: International Cheerleading coalition : ICC

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : ICC has a bespoke scoring systems that aligns with IASF scoring systems

Division as follow:

IASF & senior (including 4.2) Division IASF & senior coed Division

IASF & senior & university coed non-tumbling Division

IASF & senior & university non-tumbling Division

University, school & masters Division

Prep Division Novice Division

Tiny Novice Division Stunt group and Solo & Duo division

Competition: Cheer City

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : United kingdom version of the United scoring system however they do offer a service to be scored on the open scoresheet after the event. 

(Open scoresheet is what Allstar worlds score on. So there would an additional charge for this but teams would then score the routine from the event and send out the scoresheet after the event. (this is discounted for our bid teams) )

Division as follow:

Cheer city offer all SCUK divisions But some events are limited to what is on offer due to the amount of teams we have entered into events

Additionally Cheer City offer

U17 and U19 to fit in with Allstar World bid provider. 

Competition: Scotcheer

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : IASF scoring system for Level 1-5

United kingdom version of the United scoring system for

Prep Cheer

Novice Cheer

Division as follow:

Tiny Novice Cheer

Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior, Senior & Adult – Novice Cheer

Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior, Senior & Adult – Prep Cheer

Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior, Senior & Adult – Cheer – levels 1-5

Stunt Group – Level 1-5 Cheer Solo Cheer Duo

Competition : 21st century cheer

Safety Rules : IASF

Scoring : United kingdom version of the United scoring system

Division as follow:

21st century cheer offer all Cheer Divisions on SCUK Grid as well as specialty tumbling including duo and trio tumble routines which is score on 21st century score sheet but still align with IASF rules including limited skills by age group. Specialty tumbling divisions are separated by age group and the score sheet is weighted more towards technique to allow competitors to focus on their strongest tumbling skills rather than the highest level skills. 

They release these score sheets before registration each season.