FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about All-Star Cheer Academy’s Competitive Travel Program

What is competitive cheerleading?

Competitive cheerleading (also known as extreme cheerleading) is a regulated sport comprised of different levels of cheer teams based on age and ability which compete against each other. Competitive cheer involves skills which require the strength of football, the grace of dance, and the agility of gymnastics. The cheerleaders perform a 2:30 routine comprised of cheer, tumbling, jumps, stunts, pyramids, basket tosses and dance. The United States All Star Federation (USASF) is the governing body of competitive cheer and sets the rules and regulations that teams and gyms must adhere to.

How many competitions do you attend?

Our travel teams attend approximately seven competitions per season, with two of them being national championships. Our partial travel teams attend 3 competitions, and our non-travel team attends 1 competition.

How far do you travel to competitions?

The majority of our competitions take place in Pennsylvania, such as Penn State, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg. Other competitions, such as National Championships, can take place in New Jersey and Maryland. We make every effort to keep our competitions within a four hour travel time from the gym.

Does being a competitive cheerleader mean that I have to spend a lot of $$$$?

No, not at all. Our competitive cheer program has four cost areas: registration fee, monthly tuition, competition fees, and uniform fees. At All Star Cheer Academy, we do not charge additional fees for choreography, music, guest coaches, critiquing clinics, etc., as you might find at other area gyms. We will not charge you for anything other than what has been spelled out in our handbook. Our policy is: "If it’s not in our Handbook, you don't have to pay for it." For example, the purchase ACA apparel, bags, practice clothes, and other cheer related items are not required. In addition, our Parent’s Association provides constant fundraising opportunities to help defray individual cheerleader expenses. For detailed information regarding our costs, please e-mail us at mail@allstarcheeracademy.com and we can discuss exact costs based on your interest of involvement in our program.

Cheerleading has a reputation of being dangerous. Will my child be safe?

At The Academy, safety is our primary concern when instructing all of our athletes. Our coaches offer over 60 years of combined coaching, cheerleading, gymnastic, and dance experience. We, as coaches, spend hours obtaining certifications from CPR and First Aid to Safety Certifications from USA Gymnastics, and credentialing with the USASF, the governing body of All Star Cheerleading. In addition, we make sure that our athletes are taught through a progression process. They spend hours at each level mastering skills in their proper progression before they are ever allowed to attempt a more difficult or elite skill. We perfect before we progress. Athletes must master skills in practice before they are ever allowed to perform the skill in a competitive routine. We do our best to make our program as safe as possible.

Will my child be cut through the tryout/placement process?

No, never. There is a place on a team for everyone. We have something for all cheerleaders—from beginner to elite.

Do I need a back handspring in order to be on a team?

No. As stated earlier, there is a place for every athlete and all abilities.

What are some of the benefits of the travel program?

Well, to be honest, the list is endless, but here are some of the biggest benefits…

1. Our travel teams have a unique sense of COMMRODERY. Our travel “family” is a very tight-knit group!
2. The travel teams get exposure to that COMPETITIVE ENVIROMENT that fosters their love of the sport. They also have a better understanding of what it takes to be a successful member of a team because they are competing on a continual basis.
3. Many health professionals have found that today’s youth are faced with obesity and related health problems due to sedentary lifestyles. Our travel teams spend an average of four to six hours a week in the gym, helping to promote a lifetime of healthy choices and PHYSICAL FITNESS.
4. Because we compete against many of the same teams at various competitions, the cheerleaders have the opportunity to meet many girls with similar interests, which allows them to form new friendships and connect with other athletes that share their same love and passion of the sport.
5. Today, many colleges and universities recognize cheerleading as a sport and offer scholarships to support it. They have a specific higher level skill requirement to try out for their cheer squads. An athlete with a background in competitive cheer would be better equipped to meet these requirements.
6. Our travel teams are afforded the opportunity to witness cheerleading at the highest of levels, by competing in national and international championships with other elite teams. They also have a broader awareness of some of the best competitive cheer programs in the country.

All-Star Cheer Academy has set the standards for excellence in our area and has “raised the bar” in competitive cheerleading (extreme cheerleading) in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are unique and innovative. Many have tried to IMITATE but none have been able to DUPLICATE what we do best…..produce CHAMPIONS!!!