Divisions, Rules & Scoring

Divisions

• 2025-2026 NHSCC School & Rec Divisions

Event Guidelines

• 2025 – 2026 UCA Rules and Regulations 

Score Sheets and Scoring Guidelines

• 25-26 Performance Score Sheet
• 25-26 Non-Tumbling Score Sheet
• 25-26 Intermediate Score Sheet
• 25-26 Intermediate Non-Tumbling Score Sheet
• 25-26 Non-Building Score Sheet
• 25-26 Game Day Score Sheet
• 25-26 Spirit Program Game Day Score Sheet

General Scoring

• 25-26 Scoring Updates 
• 25-26 Stunt Scoring Guidelines
• 25-26 Stunt Scoring Guidelines – Skills
• 25-26 Spirit Program Game Day Scoring Guidelines 
• 25-26 Point Deduction Explanation
• Game Day Cues

Scoring and Legality Review Process

1. Event Accuscore process:  UCA Scoring Review Process
2. Pre-Event Legality Review link: UCA Legality Inquiry Form (jotform.com)

Please see UCA Rules & Regulations for details on submitted a pre-event legality review.

Divisions

• 2026 College Cheer Performance & Game Day Divisions

Rules

• 2025-2026 Rules & Regulations
• Eligibility Form – Coming Soon 

Score Sheets

• Performance Routine Score Sheet
• Game Day Score Sheet
• Partner/Group Stunt Score Sheet 
• Pep Band Score Sheet

General Scoring

• 2025-2026 College Scoring Updates
• Point Deduction Explanation
• 2025-2026 College Coed Stunt Scoring Guidelines
• 2025-2026 College Multi-Based Stunt Scoring Guidelines 

Scoring and Legality Review Process

1. Event Accuscore process:  UCA Scoring Review Process
2. Pre-Event Legality Review link: UCA Legality Inquiry Form (jotform.com)

Please see UCA Rules & Regulations for details on submitted a pre-event legality review.

Divisions

• UCA All Star Divisions

Rules

• 2024 – 2025 UCA All Star Regional Competitions and All Star National Championship Rules – Coming Soon!
• 2024 – 2025 Varsity Spirit Rules and Regulations

Scoring

• Varsity All Star Scoring & Judges

Thank you for your interest in becoming a judge for Varsity Spirit! Applications for the 2025-2026 season will be open from May 1, 2025 until August 1, 2025. To apply click HERE!

Judges selected for one of our regional events should meet these standards

• Have no direct affiliation with any team/gym who will be attending (or potentially will be attending) in a division they will judge. This includes coaching, choreographing, cleaning, etc.
• Must be available for pre-event training via webinar at a time/date to be determined
• Must pass and be trained and educated in one or more of the category scoresheets that are used for judging.
• Must be of the highest ethical and moral values. Must possess and maintain the highest standards of integrity, ethics and professionalism.
• Must complete Varsity Spirit Compliance Course to include
  • Background Check
  • Code of Conduct
  • Understanding, Recognizing and Reporting the Maltreatment of Children
  • Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Must be well-respected in the cheerleading, dance, band and/or song/pom industry.
• Judges will be informed that any behavior deemed to be unsupportive of Varsity Spirit’s mission may be factored into the final selection of judges.

In addition to the regional event standards these additional criteria will be used when selecting our National Championship Judges.

• Preferred to have judged or will judge 2 or more “Regional” type events during the 2024-2025 season.
• Preferred to have been a judge or equitable experience for at least 3 years.

Providing accurate, fair, and unbiased feedback for our customers is one of our top priorities.  With that said, our selected panel of judges must have no affiliation with teams in a division they are scheduled to judge.

Example of potential Conflicts of Interest:

• Current Coach and/or Choreographer
• Former Coach and/or Choreographer and/or Athlete
  • Must be 5 years out from any program
  • Must not have had any contact with a team this season
  • Did not go to any practices or performances in the last 5 years
• Married / Partner / Dating / Related to coach
• Parent of an athlete on a team

Due to the size of our National Championships, judge’s with conflicts may be selected. Every effort will be made to ensure that a judge with a potential Conflict of Interest is not scheduled to judge that team or school’s divisions.

USA CHEER COACH MEMBERSHIP

1. USA Cheer has developed a comprehensive Membership Program, which includes a background check, athlete protection training, acknowledgement of concussion training with return to participation guidance, a member code of conduct, and safety training courses on risk management and safety rules.
2. Varsity Spirit will require that all school coaches, choreographers, and personnel wishing to access the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box at our competitions have a USA Cheer Coach, STUNT Coach, or Professional Membership. At least one coach must have the USA Cheer Coach Membership that include the USA Cheer Youth Risk Management certification course and must accompany the team at every competition.
3. You must complete your membership requirements before your first competition.  Please note that the background check will take 2-10 days to be processed and returned. Coaches without an approved Membership will not be allowed access to the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box.
4. When checking in at Varsity Spirit competitions, you will now simply provide proof of membership for each coach from your organization who wishes to go into the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box. Upon proof of membership, each coach will receive a wristband that will allow them access.
5. The USA Cheer Membership is available on the USA Cheer website. Once your membership is complete, you can print your membership card, or save and display it on your mobile device at event registration along with your photo ID. This season’s membership will be active until May 31, 2024.