Level 1 & 2 Competitive Cheer Guide for Parents (2026)

Level 1 and Level 2 are where most competitive cheer athletes begin their journey—and where most dads get their first real taste of what "all-star cheer" actually means. These foundational levels introduce basic tumbling, stunting, and jumps while building the teamwork and discipline that define the sport. For parents, it's also where you'll decode your first comp schedule, learn what "hitting zero" means, and realize that even beginner levels come with a price tag that makes youth soccer look like a coupon hobby.

This guide breaks down what Level 1 and Level 2 actually involve, what skills your athlete will learn, what competitions look like, and—most importantly for your wallet—what it's going to cost. For the complete breakdown of all competitive cheer levels and how they progress, see our full guide to competitive cheer levels.

What Defines Level 1 Competitive Cheer

Level 1 is the entry point for competitive all-star cheer. No tumbling skills beyond forward and backward rolls are allowed, stunts are limited to waist-level or below, and jumps focus on basic toe touches and herkies. The routines are 2 minutes and 30 seconds of choreographed motion designed to teach athletes the fundamentals: timing, synchronization, proper technique, and how to perform under pressure.

Most Level 1 teams are made up of younger athletes (ages 5-10) or brand-new cheerleaders of any age who are just starting out. The focus is on building a strong foundation—coaches prioritize clean execution over difficulty. Your athlete will learn proper body positions, how to count an eight-count, and what it feels like to perform the same routine dozens of times until muscle memory takes over.

From a parent's perspective, Level 1 is where you'll learn the competition circuit itself: how to read a schedule, where the spectator entrance is, why you're paying $15 to watch your own kid, and how to sit through seven straight hours of routines to catch your team's 150-second performance. It's an adjustment. By the third comp, you'll have the venue snack bar menu memorized and a mental map of every bathroom and ATM location.

Level 1 Skills Breakdown

Tumbling: Forward rolls, backward rolls, cartwheels, and round-offs. No back handsprings, no aerials, no front or back walkovers. If it leaves the ground in a flipping motion, it's not Level 1.

Stunts: All stunts must be at waist level or below. Thigh stands, shoulder sits, and basic preps are common. No full extensions, no twisting dismounts, no basket tosses. Level 1 is about learning to hold a stunt, stay tight, and trust your bases.

Jumps: Toe touches, herkies, and front hurdlers. Jumps are timed to specific counts in the routine, and judges watch for synchronization, pointed toes, and proper arm placement.

Dance/choreography: Sharp, clean motion sequences. Level 1 teams spend significant time on choreography because it's one of the few areas where they can showcase performance quality and energy.

What Defines Level 2 Competitive Cheer

Level 2 is where things start to look like "real" competitive cheer. Back handsprings and round-off back handsprings are allowed, stunts can go to prep level (chest height), and the routines start to have more dynamic movement. It's still a foundational level, but the skill progression is noticeable—and so is the pressure on athletes to perform those skills consistently.

Level 2 teams typically include athletes ages 7-12, though older beginners and athletes who are still perfecting their back handspring may also compete at this level. The routines are still 2:30, but the pacing is faster, the transitions are tighter, and the expectation for clean execution is higher. Judges start looking for technique details that weren't as critical in Level 1.

For parents, Level 2 is often the year you realize this isn't just a one-season commitment. Your athlete is hooked. They want to move up. And you're starting to see line items on the gym invoice that weren't there before: private tumbling lessons, choreography fees, extra practice sessions. Welcome to the escalation.

Level 2 Skills Breakdown

Tumbling: Back handsprings, round-off back handsprings, front and back walkovers, and cartwheels. Multiple back handsprings in a row are allowed, but no tucks, layouts, or twisting. This is the level where most athletes spend months perfecting their standing back handspring before it's competition-ready.

Stunts: Stunts can go to prep level (shoulder height), and single-leg stunts are allowed. Extensions are still prohibited, but you'll see preps, prep-level liberties, and basic pyramids. Dismounts can include cradles and basic twists.

Jumps: Same jump types as Level 1, but executed with more height, sharper leg positions, and better synchronization. Combinations and connected jumps (toe touch to pike, for example) become more common.

Baskets and tosses: Not allowed at Level 2. That's a Level 3 and above skill.

Competition Schedule and Season Length

Most Level 1 and Level 2 teams compete at 4-8 competitions per season, typically starting in November or December and running through March or April. The season length depends on your gym's philosophy and whether your team is aiming for a end-of-season championship like The Summit or a regional final.

Competitions are usually local or regional, within a 2-4 hour drive, though some gyms attend larger events that require overnight travel. Each competition weekend includes athlete check-in, warmups on a practice mat, a brief backstage prep, and then the 2:30 performance on the main floor. Then you wait 3-6 hours for awards, where your team will receive a trophy, a plaque, and—if they hit zero deductions—a standing ovation from you in the bleachers.

Between competitions, expect 2-3 practices per week, usually 1.5-2 hours each. Some gyms add weekend practices as competitions approach. If your athlete needs extra tumbling help, you'll also be scheduling private lessons or open gym time, which runs $30-$60 per 30-minute session depending on your location.

Cost Breakdown: Level 1 and Level 2

Let's talk numbers, because this is where the MatDads wallet starts to feel it. Level 1 and Level 2 are the "affordable" levels—which is cheer-speak for "still more expensive than you expected, but not catastrophic yet."

Monthly tuition: $150-$250 per month for 2-3 practices per week. Gyms like Maryland Twisters and Cheer Athletics—Dallas typically fall in the higher end of that range, while smaller local gyms may be closer to $150-$180.

Uniform package: $300-$500 one-time cost. Includes competition uniform, warm-ups, practice wear, and bow. This is paid upfront, usually in summer before the season starts.

Competition fees: $75-$125 per competition, paid per athlete. This covers your child's entry into the event. Multiply by 5-7 comps for the season.

Choreography fees: $200-$400 per season, split among the team. Some gyms roll this into tuition; others charge it separately in the fall.

Gym/team fees: $100-$300 annually for insurance, music licensing, and gym operations.

Travel costs: Gas, hotels (if overnights are required), and food. Budget $100-$300 per competition weekend depending on distance.

Spectator fees: $15-$25 per person per day at most competitions. Yes, you pay to watch your own child. It's a cheer thing.

Total estimated cost for Level 1 or Level 2: $3,500-$5,500 for a full season, depending on number of competitions and travel distance. That's the baseline. Add private tumbling lessons, extra practice fees, or last-minute uniform replacements, and you're easily in the $6,000 range.

For comparison, as your athlete progresses to higher levels, costs escalate significantly—see our breakdown of Level 3 and Level 4 costs to understand what's coming next.

What to Expect as a Level 1 or Level 2 Parent

Your athlete will be tired. Cheer practices are intense—two hours of conditioning, tumbling drills, stunt practice, and full-outs. They'll come home sweaty, sore, and somehow still wired with energy. You'll become the snack coordinator, the carpool scheduler, and the person who knows exactly how many Advil to pack for competition weekends.

You'll also become fluent in cheer terminology you never knew existed. "They bobbled the lib but saved it before the cradle" will be a normal sentence. You'll understand what "hitting zero" means (no deductions—perfection), and you'll feel the same rush your athlete does when the judges announce a first-place finish.

Level 1 and Level 2 are the honeymoon phase of competitive cheer. The costs are manageable, the travel is regional, and the competition pressure is relatively low. Enjoy it. By the time your athlete is talking about moving up to Level 5 or Level 6, you'll look back on these early years as the "cheap season."

How Long Do Athletes Stay at Level 1 or Level 2?

Most athletes spend 1-2 seasons at Level 1 and another 1-2 seasons at Level 2 before progressing. The timeline depends on how quickly they master required skills—particularly the back handspring, which is the gatekeeper skill for moving beyond Level 2. Some athletes move up in a single season if they have prior gymnastics experience or pick up skills quickly. Others take longer, and that's completely normal.

Coaches evaluate readiness based on skill consistency, not just whether an athlete can land a back handspring once. Can they hit it in practice? Can they hit it under competition pressure? Are their fundamentals strong enough to support higher-level skills? Moving up too fast leads to frustration, injuries, and deductions. Patient progression is always the better path. For more on how gyms evaluate athletes for level placement, see our guide on moving up in competitive cheer.

Preparing for the Jump to Level 3

If your athlete is finishing Level 2, the next conversation will be about Level 3—and it's a bigger jump than the previous progressions. Level 3 introduces standing tucks, full twisting stunts, and more complex pyramids. The competition fees go up. The travel increases. And you'll start hearing whispers about "The Summit" and "bids" that will dominate your life for the next several years.

But for now, enjoy Level 1 and Level 2. These are the years your athlete falls in love with the sport, builds lifelong friendships, and learns what it means to be part of a team. And you? You're learning how to be a cheer dad—which means mastering the art of the encouraging nod, the post-performance hug, and the strategic ATM withdrawal. You've got this.

Frequently Asked Questions