Traditional Rec

What is Traditional Rec?

Traditional Rec provides an opportunity for teams with a more traditional sideline format to compete on a foam floor and follow USA Cheer/NFHS Rules. Varsity Spirit Legacy Brands (NCA, UCA, & USA) will offer a variety of divisions to include but not limited to; Traditional (affiliated and non-affiliated), Game Day (affiliated only) and more. Score sheets and guidelines are specific to each brand, so teams have an opportunity to compete with the brand that best fits the athletes’ level of skills and the team’s choreography style. The Traditional Rec divisions offer both affiliated and non-affiliated rec programs a chance to develop their technical skills and crowd engagement through competition routines.

More information about Traditional Rec is coming soon! Looking for a more performance based competition offering? Click the button below to learn about our Performance Rec events.

Learn More

Overview

What to Expect in Traditional Rec

Traditional Rec teams compete at our Legacy Brand Events (UCA, NCA & USA)
Teams will follow NFHS Skill rules and require a USA Cheer Membership
Divisions will include Traditional, Exhibition & CheerAbilities
Maximum Routine Time is 2:30 with Maximum Music Time being 1:45. These routines will include a Crowd Leading Section

Open Rec – Traditional Routine

Traditional routine divisions consist of a music section for teams to showcase stunts, tumbling, jumps, and choreography, as well as a cheer section focused on crowd engagement.
The routine total time is 2:30 with a maximum music time of 1:45.
Score sheets and guidelines are specific to each brand, so teams have an opportunity to compete with the brand that best fits the athletes’ level of skills and the team’s choreography style.

Open Rec – Game Day Routine

The Game Day division is a chance for teams to bring what they do on a sideline to the competition floor.
The game day routine is 3-minutes and includes a band chant, crowd leading section, and fight song.
Score sheets and guidelines are specific to each brand, so teams have an opportunity to compete with the brand that best fits the athletes’ level of skills and the team’s choreography style.

Divisions & Brand Guidelines

Required Forms

26-27 Recreational Verification Form – Click Here
*Must be filled out by October 1, 2026

Championship Events

All Traditional Recreational teams attending a Varsity Spirit event are eligible to qualify for the Championship events below. Please note some of these events require credentialing and a bid to attend.

Performance Recreational teams are not eligible for UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, NCA High School National Championships or USA Jr. Spirit Nationals. Performance Rec teams are eligible to qualify for the following End- of-Season events: The Quest, The Recreational Summit and The U.S. Finals.

News

Insider Info: 2026 UCA & UDA Mile High Regional

The 2026 UCA & UDA Mile High Regional returns to the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver on Nov. 14 and will feature school and recreational cheer teams alongside dance squads competing at the regional level — all streaming live on Varsity TV.