A common belief is that the higher level a team is on, the better it is. That is not true! The level does not indicate how good a team or athlete is. Athletes on all levels are incredibly skilled and teams are just as competitive on level 1 as level 7.
The level represents the overall skill level of the whole team, not just individual athletes. For example, an athlete with level 4 skills may compete on a level 3 team. In the same way, an athlete with level 1 skills may compete on a level 2 team.
Gyms can choose to have teams on any level – there are no specific requirements to compete on a specific level. However, being on the level that best matches a team’s skill abilities is often the best option. Having a team with mostly level 3 skills compete on level 5 would probably only lead to more problems than the “glory” of being on a higher level!
Now that you have some basic knowledge about the level system, let’s get into the different levels!
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Level 1
Teams competing on level 1 have the most restrictions when it comes to skills. Despite the strict rules, many routines are very creative and teams perform difficult skills!
For stunts, the flyer is not allowed to be held higher than prep level (exception for pyramids, see below), which is by the base’s shoulders. One-legged stunts are allowed but must be braced if on prep level. A brace is not needed for one-legged stunts below prep level. Up to a ¼ twist is allowed in stunts.
Tumbling skills include cartwheels, round-offs, forward rolls, backward rolls, front walkovers, back walkovers, and combinations of the skills.
For pyramids, flyers are allowed to be lifted on two legs at an extended level. This is only if the flyer is braced by another flyer on prep level or below.
Level 2
On level 2, teams start doing more stunting on extended level and handsprings in tumbling.
Two-legged stunts are allowed on extended level and one-legged stunts don’t need a brace on prep level. Teams are allowed up to ½ twist to extended two-legged stunts and prep level one-legged stunts. Basket tosses are also allowed, but only “straight rides” where the flyer does not perform a skill in the air.
Tumbling skills include standing back handsprings, round-off back handsprings, and combinations of skills.
For pyramids, flyers are allowed to be lifted on one leg at an extended level. This is only if the flyer is braced by another flyer on prep level or below.
Level 3
Starting on level 3, we see teams performing tucks in tumbling and basket skills!
One-legged stunts are allowed on extended level and do not need a brace. Teams are also allowed to do up to a ½ twist to extended one-legged stunts and 1 twist to prep level one-legged stunts. For basket tosses, flyers can perform one skill, like a full twist or toe touch.
Tumbling skills include series of standing back handsprings, round-off tucks, front tucks, aerials, and combinations of skills.
For pyramids, full-ups to extended level are allowed for one-legged stunts as well, if braced. Skills like ball-ups and braced flips are also allowed to some extent.
Level 4
On level 4, more and more spins and twists are allowed in stunts!
Teams are also allowed to do up to 1 twist to extended one-legged stunts and 1 ½ twist to prep level one-legged stunts. We also start seeing more advanced inversions, such as handstands and back handspring ups. Two skills are allowed in basket tosses, like double twists and kick fulls.
Tumbling skills include standing back tucks, standing back handsprings tuck, round-off layouts, punch fronts, and combinations of skills.
More skills are allowed in level 4 pyramids, like braced flips and rewinds, 1 ½ twists, and more.
Level 5
Level 5, previously called “restricted 5”, is where twists in tumbling start to appear!
For stunting, teams are allowed up to 1 ½ twist to extended two-legged stunts and 1 twist to extended one-legged stunts. Flyers are also allowed to do a double twist dismount from extended one-legged stunts. Up to three skills are allowed in baskets, except for kick doubles.
The main difference in tumbling is that athletes are allowed to perform full twists in running tumbling, like a round-off back handspring full twist.
Level 5 pyramid skills are similar to those allowed on level 4. For some skills though, more twisting is allowed and fewer braces needed.
Level 6
Now that we’re getting to level 6, it’s time to double the skills!
Double-ups are allowed to both two-legged and one-legged stunts. Flyers can also double twist down from a stunt, where up to 2 ¼ twists are allowed. Up to three skills are allowed in basket tosses, like the kick doubles most teams perform.
The level 6 tumbling skills also double, since double fulls are allowed! Almost any tumbling pass is allowed to end with a double full so it is one of the main level 6 skills we see in tumbling. For standing tumbling, it is also allowed to perform standing fulls.
In pyramids, flyers are allowed to twist in flips and release moves on level 6, unlike level 5 and below.