USASF RULES / AGE GRID

Safety will always be #1 priorty.
We abide by the highest of rules and regulations.
Coach Layla is a certified USASF Coach. Below you can find the details for Age guidelines and basic rule's for levels.
Never hesitate to talk to Coach Layla or Lori if you have any questions or concerns. 

Level 1:
A. Standing/Running Tumbling 

1. Skills must involve constant physical contact with the performing surface. 

2. Forward/backward rolls (no dive rolls), cartwheels/block cartwheels, round offs, backbends, walkovers, handstands are allowed. 

3. No tumbling is allowed in immediate combination after a round off or round off rebound. There must be a clear pause/stop of athlete momentum after the round off/rebound prior to the next tumbling skill. 

4. Front and back handsprings are not allowed.

Level 2 :
A. General Tumbling 

1. Dive rolls are allowed. Swan/arched position or twisting dive rolls are not allowed 

2. There is no twisting or turning allowed after a back handspring step out. The feet must come together after the skill is completed prior to twisting or turning. Example: Back handspring step out > ½ turn = Illegal. 

3. Flips and aerials are not allowed. 4. No twisting while airborne. 

B. Standing Tumbling 

1. Series front/back handsprings are not allowed. 

2. Jump skills in immediate combination with handspring(s) are not allowed. 

C. Running Tumbling 1. Series front and back handsprings are allowed.

Level 3 Tumbling:
A. General Tumbling 

1. Dive rolls are allowed. Swan/arched position or twisting dive rolls are not allowed. 

B. Standing Tumbling 

1. Series front and back handsprings are allowed. 

2. Flips and connected jump-flips are not allowed. 

3. No twisting while airborne. 

C. Running Tumbling 

1. Flips a. Back Flips may ONLY be performed: (1) In a tuck position (no additional skills) (2) From a round off or round off back handspring(s). 

2. Aerial cartwheels, ¾ front flips and running front tucks are allowed. a. No tumbling prior to front tuck except a front handspring. 

3. No tumbling is allowed after a flip or an aerial cartwheel. 

4. No twisting while airborne except aerial cartwheels. 

LEVEL 3:

A. General Tumbling 

1. Dive rolls are allowed. Swan/arched position or twisting dive rolls are not allowed. 

B. Standing Tumbling 

1. Series front and back handsprings are allowed. 

2. Flips and connected jump-flips are not allowed. 

3. No twisting while airborne. 

C. Running Tumbling 

1. Flips 

a. Back Flips may ONLY be performed: 

(1) In a tuck position (no additional skills) 

(2) From a round off or round off back handspring(s). 

2. Aerial cartwheels, ¾ front flips and running front tucks are allowed. a. No tumbling prior to front tuck except a front handspring. 

3. No tumbling is allowed after a flip or an aerial cartwheel. 

4. No twisting while airborne except aerial cartwheels. 

LEVEL 1: 

A. Spotters 

1. A spotter is required for each top person at prep level and above. 

2. A spotter is required for each top person in a floor stunt. The spotter may grab the top person’s waist. 

3. The center base in an extended v-sit may be considered a spotter as long as they are in a position to protect the head and shoulders of the top person. 

4. Shoulder sits, T-Lifts, and stunts where the top person is only supported at the waist, do not require a spotter. 

B. Stunts - General 

1. At least 1 base must remain in contact with the top person. 

2. Leap frogs and leap frog variations are not allowed. 

3. Single based stunts with multiple top persons are not allowed. 

4. No stunt, pyramid, or individual may move over or under another separate stunt, pyramid, individual or prop. This pertains to an athlete’s torso/head moving over or under the torso/head of another athlete; not the arms or legs. 

5. A top person may not pass over or under the torso/head of another top person regardless if the stunt or pyramid is separate or not. 

C. Stunts - Levels 

1. Single leg stunts are only allowed at waist level. 

2. Prep level single leg stunts are allowed if: 

a. The top person is connected to someone standing on the performance surface, which must be a separate person other than the base(s) or spotter. 

b. The connection is hand/arm to hand/arm and made prior to initiating the single leg prep level stunt. 

3. Walk up shoulder stands are allowed. 

4. Stunts above prep level are not allowed. Exception: Two leg stunts may immediately pass through an extended position. 

D. Stunts - Twisting 

1. Up to ¼ twist allowed. 

2. Rebounding to a prone position (½ twist to stomach) in a stunt is allowed. 

3. ½ Wrap around stunts are allowed. 

4. Up to a ½ twist is allowed if the top person starts and ends on performance surface and is only supported at the waist. 

E. Stunts- Release moves 

1. Not allowed other than those allowed in Level 1 Dismounts. 

F. Stunts-Inversions 

1. Not allowed. 

LEVEL 2: 

A. Spotters 

1. A spotter is required for each top person: 

a. Above prep level. 

b. In a floor stunt. The spotter may grab the top person’s waist. 

B. Stunts -General 

1. During transitions, at least 1 base must remain in contact with the top person. 

2. Single based stunts with multiple top persons are not allowed. 

3. No stunt, pyramid, or individual may move over or under another separate stunt, pyramid, individual or prop. This pertains to an athlete’s torso/head moving over or under the torso/head of another athlete; not the arms or legs. 

4. A top person may not pass over or under the torso/head of another top person regardless if the stunt or pyramid is separate or not. 

C. Stunts - Levels 

1. Single leg stunts above prep level are not allowed. Exception: Single leg stunts may immediately pass through an extended position. 

D. Stunts - Twisting 

1. Up to a ½ twist allowed. Exception: 

A single full twisting log/barrel roll is allowed but must: a. Start and end in a cradle position. 

b. Be assisted by a base. 

c. Not be assisted by another top person. 

d. Not include any other skill than the twist. 

E. Stunts - Release Moves 

1. No release moves allowed other than those allowed in Level 2 Dismounts and Tosses. Exception: A single full twisting log/barrel roll is allowed but must: 

a. Start and end in a cradle position. 

b. Have 2 catchers for single-based log rolls. Multi-based log rolls have 3 catchers. 

c. Return to original bases 

d. Not be assisted by another top person. 

e. Not include any skill other than the twist. 

F. Stunts - Inversions 

1. Transitions from ground level inversions to non-inverted positions are the only inversions allowed. 

2. Inverted athletes must maintain contact with the performance surface unless the top person is being lifted directly to non-inverted position. 

LEVEL 3:

A. Spotters 

1. A spotter is required for each top person above prep level. 

2. Single based stunts with multiple top persons require a separate spotter for each top person. 

B. Stunts - General 

1. During transitions, at least 1 base must remain in contact with the top person. Exception: See Release Moves 

2. No stunt, pyramid, or individual may move over or under another separate stunt, pyramid, individual or prop. This pertains to an athlete’s torso/head moving over or under the torso/head of another athlete; not the arms or legs. 

3. A top person may not pass over or under the torso/head of another top person regardless if the stunt or pyramid is separate or not. 

C. Stunts - Levels 

1. Single leg extended stunts are allowed. 

2. Extended single leg stunts may not brace or be braced by any other extended stunts. D. Stunts - Twisting 

1. Up to 1 twist allowed to prep level or below or if landing in an extended two-leg stunt.

2. Up to ½ twist if landing in an extended single-leg stunt. 

E. Stunts - Release Moves 

1. Release moves must: 

a. Start at waist level or below. 

b. Land at prep level or below. 

2. Release moves must not: 

a. Pass through or land inverted. 

b. Release from inverted to non-inverted. 

c. Pass above extended arm level of the bases (not the back spot). If distance is greater than the length of the top person’s legs must follow Toss or Dismount rules 

d. Come in contact with other top persons in separate release moves. 

3. Release moves that land in a non-upright position must have: 

a. 3 catchers for a multi-based stunt 

b. 2 catchers for a single-based stunt. 

4. Skills performed during the release move are restricted to: 

a. A single skill/trick. 

b. 0 twists. 

5. Log/barrel rolls: 

a. Up to 1 twist. 

b. Must land in a cradle, or flat and horizontal, body position. i.e. Flat back or prone 

c. Must have 2 catchers for single-based log rolls. Multi-based log rolls must have 3 catchers. 

6. Helicopters are not allowed. 

F. Stunts-Inversions 

1. Inversion Levels 

a. No inverted stunts above prep level. 

b. Multi-based suspended rolls must: 

(1) Have both hands/arms of the top person connected to separate hands of the base(s). 

2. Twisting Inversions a. Multi-based suspended rolls exceeding a ½ twist must land in cradle. 

3. Downward Inversions 

a. Downward inversions are allowed at waist level and: 

(1) Must have 2 bases in contact with the torso. 

(2) Must maintain contact with an original base. 

(3) Are allowed to immediately pass through prep level during the skill. 

(4) Must not come in contact with other downward inversions. 

b. Two leg “Pancake” stunts are not allowed. 

LEVEL 1:
A. Pyramids - General 

1. Required brace/connection(s) must remain the same and stay connected throughout the entire transition. 

2. No stunt, pyramid, or individual may move over or under another separate stunt, pyramid, individual or prop. This pertains to an athlete’s torso/head moving over or under the torso/head of another athlete; not the arms or legs. 

3. A top person may not pass over or under the torso/head of another top person regardless if the stunt or pyramid is separate or not. 

B. Pyramids- Levels 

1. Two leg extended stunts: 

a. Must be braced to a top person at prep level or below with hand-arm connection. 

b. Prep level top persons bracers must be in a shoulder sit, flat back, straddle lift, shoulder stand or have both feet in the bases’ hands. 

c. May not be connected to other extended stunts. 

2. Prep level single leg stunts: a. Must be braced by at least 1 person at prep level or below with hand-arm connection. b. Prep level bracers must be in a shoulder sit, flat back, straddle lift, shoulder stand or have both feet in the bases’ hands. 

3. Extended single leg stunts are not allowed. 

C. Pyramids-Release Moves 

1. Anytime a top person is released by the bases, the top person must land in a cradle or dismount to the performing surface and follow dismount rules. 

LEVEL 2:

A. Pyramids - General 

1. Required brace/connection(s) must remain the same and stay connected throughout the entire transition. 

2. No stunt, pyramid, or individual may move over or under another separate stunt, pyramid, individual or prop. This pertains to an athlete’s torso/head moving over or under the torso/head of another athlete; not the arms or legs. 

3. A top person may not pass over or under the torso/head of another top person regardless if the stunt or pyramid is separate or not. 

4. Extended stunts may not connect to other extended stunts. 

B. Pyramids - Levels 

1. Extended single-leg stunts must: 

a. Be braced to a top person at prep level or below with hand-arm connection. 

b. Have prep level top persons bracers in a shoulder sit, flat back, straddle lift, shoulder stand or have both feet in the bases’ hands. 

C. Pyramids - Release Moves 

1. Anytime a top person is released by the bases, the top person must land in a cradle or dismount to the performing surface and follow dismount rules. 

2. Release moves may not be braced/connected to top persons above prep level. 

LEVEL 3:

A. Pyramids - General 

1. No stunt, pyramid, or individual may move over or under another separate stunt, pyramid, individual or prop. This pertains to an athlete’s torso/head moving over or under the torso/head of another athlete; not the arms or legs. 

2. A top person may not pass over or under the torso/head of another top person regardless if the stunt or pyramid is separate or not. 

3. Extended single leg stunts may not brace or be braced by any other extended stunts. 

B. Pyramids - Twisting 

1. Twisting TO extended single-leg is allowed up to 1 twist 

a. Must be connected to a bracer at prep level or below and a base. 

b. The connection to the bracer must be hand/arm to hand/arm. 

c. The connection to the bracer must remain the same and stay connected throughout the entire transition. 

C. Pyramids - Inversions 

1. Must follow Stunt Inversion rules. 

2. A top person may pass through an inverted position if: 

a. Top person remains in contact with a base(s) that is in direct weight bearing contact with the performing surface and a bracer at prep level or below. 

b. The base that remains in contact with the top person may extend their arms during the transition, if the skill starts and ends in a position at prep level or below. 

c. The connection to the bracer must remain the same and stay connected throughout the entire transition. 

D. Pyramids - Release Moves 

Anytime a top person is released by the bases during a pyramid transition and does not adhere to the following rules, the top person must land in a cradle or dismount to the performing surface and follow the dismount rules. 

1. During a pyramid transition, a top person may pass above 2 persons high and perform: 

a. Level 3 Stunt Release skills or Dismounts if: 

(1) Connected to 1 bracer at prep level or below. 

b. Up to 1 twist if: 

(1) Connected to 2 bracers at prep level or below with arm/arm connections. 

c. Non-Twisting/Non-Inverted Release Moves if: 

(1) Connected to 2 different bracers at prep level or below. 

(2) Connected to 1 bracer by hand/arm-to-hand/arm. 

(3) Connected to a second bracer by hand/arm-to-hand/arm or hand/arm-to-foot/lower-leg (below knee). 

(4) Braced on 2 separate sides (i.e. right side-left side, left side -back side, etc.) by 2 different bracers. 

(5) Braced on 2 of the 4 sides of the top person (front, back, right, left). 

d. Non-Twisting/Non-Inverted Release moves to extended with 1 bracer: 

(1) Must initiate from waist level or below. 

(2) The connection to the bracer must be hand/arm. 

2. Contact must be maintained with the same bracer(s) until contact is made with a base on the performing surface (This does not include the uniform or hair). 

3. These release transitions may not involve changing bases. 

4. These transitions must be caught by 2 catchers (minimum of 1 catcher and 1 spotter). 

a. Both catchers must be stationary. 

b. Both catchers must maintain visual contact with the top person throughout the entire transition. 

5. Release moves may not be braced/connected to top persons above prep level. 

6. Pyramid transitions may not involve inversions while released from the bases. 

LEVEL 1:
A. Dismounts - General 

1. 0 Twists (including ¼ turns) allowed. 

2. No dismounts are allowed from skills above prep level in pyramids. 

B. Dismounts to Cradles 

1. Only basic straight cradles are allowed. 

2. Sponge, Load In, Squish and Waist level cradles are not allowed. 

C. Dismounts to the Performance Surface 

1. Only straight pop downs are allowed. 

LEVEL 2:

A. Dismounts to Cradles 

1. Only basic straight cradles and ¼ twist cradles are allowed. 

2. Body positions (toe touch, pike, etc.) are not allowed. 

3. Waist level cradles are not allowed in the Mini Division.

B. Dismounts to the Performance Surface 

1. Only straight pop downs are allowed. 

LEVEL 3:

A. Dismounts - General 

1. Up to 1 trick allowed during a dismount from any two-leg stunt. 

2. Up to 1-¼ twists are allowed from any two-leg stunt. 

3. Any dismount from prep level and above involving a skill/trick (i.e. twist, toe touch) must be caught in a cradle. 

4. Dismounts from an inverted position are not allowed. 

B. Dismounts to Cradle 

1. Up to 1¼ twists are allowed from any two-leg stunts (does not include platform position).

2. Only basic straight cradles and ¼ twist cradles are allowed from any single leg stunt. 

3. When cradling single based stunts with multiple top persons: 

a. 2 catchers must catch each top person. 

b. Catchers and bases must be stationary prior to the initiation of the dismount.

C. Dismounts to the Performance Surface 

1. Only straight pop downs from any single leg stunt allowed. 

2. Only straight pop downs from any prep level or higher two-leg stunt allowed. 

3. Up to 1 trick allowed from any waist level two-leg stunt allowed. 

LEVEL 1:
A. Tosses 

1. Not allowed (includes sponges tosses and waist level cradles). 

LEVEL 2: 

A. Tosses 

1. The only body position allowed is a straight ride (No exaggerated arch). 

2. Arm variations such as a salute or blowing a kiss are allowed if the legs and body are in the straight ride position. 

3. Tosses are not allowed in the Mini division. This includes “Sponge” tosses and waist level cradles. 

LEVEL 3: 

A. Tosses 

1. Up to 1 trick allowed (may not exceed 1¼ twist). Clarification: An ‘arch’ is not a trick. Exception: A Ball-X toss is allowed. 

2. During a twisting toss, no skill other than the twist is allowed.