REC / YOUTH SCORING
Rec & Youth Cheer Scoring
Rec cheer has more variation than any other tier. The dominant system is Pop Warner / YCADA — effective June 1 each year. AYC, AAU, and JAMZ each have their own rules that complement this framework.
📅 Key date: June 1
YCADA publishes new Rules/Scoring Packets effective June 1 each year. Anything choreographed before that date may be using last season's rules. Age determination: Pop Warner/YCADA uses the age of the oldest team member on July 31— different from USASF's birth-year grid.
POP WARNER + YCADA (DOMINANT REC SYSTEM)
Pop Warner Cheer & Dance Rulebook 2025-26
Complete Pop Warner Cheer & Dance rulebook. Required reading for affiliated leagues.
💬 For parents: The full rulebook for Pop Warner cheer programs.
YCADA General Rules & Scoring Packet 2025-26
The scoring system for Pop Warner-affiliated events. Includes safety rules, scoring categories, penalty info, and glossary.
💬 For parents: This is the document that determines how your team's performance is scored. New version every June 1.
YCADA Non-Affiliated (NA) Rules & Scoring 2025-26
For youth teams NOT affiliated with a football organization. Covers JAMZ NA Nationals and similar events.
💬 For parents: Not on a Pop Warner football team? This is the version that applies to your league.
Pop Warner Cheer & Dance Hub
Master rec cheer landing page — National Championships info, levels, region structure.
↓ OPEN DOCUMENTYCADA Pop Warner Hub
Coach education courses (Y101/Y102/Y103), judges training, event calendar, glossary skills videos.
↓ OPEN DOCUMENTAYC — AMERICAN YOUTH CHEER
AYC Cheer Divisions & Rules
AYC competition info, 8-region structure, national championship in Kissimmee, FL. Includes Inspiration Division for athletes with disabilities.
↓ OPEN DOCUMENTAAU CHEERLEADING
AAU Cheerleading Handbook
AAU cheer rules handbook. All routines must include cheer, dance, tumbling, and minimum 3 different jumps. Tumbling follows USASF Levels 1-5 guidelines.
⚠️ Verify current edition at aausports.org before using — most recent publicly available version may not reflect the current season.
↓ OPEN DOCUMENT