Back handspring
A backward skill where the athlete jumps to their hands and snaps their feet over to land.
Parent guide
The words behind the weekend.
A quick, plain-language guide to the terms you hear at practice, in gym emails, and around the competition floor.
40 parent-friendly terms
Search the glossary
Search by the word you heard or by what it means. Use the letter row to jump around the guide.
Showing 40 of 40 terms
Section
Tumbling
10 terms
Back tuck
A backward somersault with the body tucked and no hands touching the floor.
Cartwheel
A sideways rotation over the hands that is often one of an athlete’s first tumbling skills.
Full
A layout with one complete twist during the flip.
Front handspring
A forward skill that travels over the hands and finishes with the feet landing ahead.
Layout
A straight-body backward somersault performed with the body extended.
Roundoff
A cartwheel-style skill that lands with both feet together and sets up backward tumbling.
Running tumbling
Tumbling that starts with an approach to build momentum across the mat.
Standing tumbling
Tumbling that starts from a mostly still position without a running approach.
Tumbler
An athlete who performs tumbling skills as part of a routine or team section.
Section
Stunts
10 terms
Base
An athlete who supports, lifts, or catches another athlete in a stunt.
Cradle
A planned catch that brings a flyer down from a stunt into the bases’ arms.
Dismount
The planned way an athlete exits a stunt and returns to the floor or a catch.
Extension
A stunt where the flyer is held at full arm height above the bases’ heads.
Flyer
The athlete who is lifted or supported in the air during a stunt.
Heel stretch
A one-leg stunt shape where the flyer holds the raised leg near the heel.
Liberty
A one-leg stunt where the flyer stands on one foot with the other leg bent.
Prep
A stunt position where the flyer is held around shoulder height by the bases.
Spotter
An athlete who helps protect and guide the flyer during a stunt or dismount.
Stunt
A coordinated skill where one or more athletes support another athlete off the floor.
Section
Teams
10 terms
Age grid
The competition rules that group athletes into eligible age ranges for a division.
All-star cheer
A competitive team sport built around tumbling, stunts, jumps, dance, and a timed routine.
Bow
A team hair accessory that is usually purchased separately from tuition and uniforms.
Choreo
Short for choreography, the planned movement, formations, and music counts in a routine.
Crossover
An athlete competing on more than one team during the same season.
Division
A competition category based on details such as age, team size, and program type.
Level
A skill category that describes which tumbling and stunt skills a team may perform.
Practice
A scheduled team session for learning skills, cleaning choreography, and preparing to compete.
Roster
The official list of athletes assigned to a team for the season or event.
Routine
The complete timed performance a team presents on the competition floor.
Section
Competitions
10 terms
Awards
The trophies, banners, or recognitions given to teams after results are announced.
Bid
An invitation or qualification that can help a team attend a major championship event.
Deduction
Points removed from a score when a routine has a rule issue, fall, or execution mistake.
Judges' panel
The group of officials who evaluate a routine using the event’s scoresheet.
Performance order
The schedule showing when each team will compete in its division.
Qualifier
An event or result that determines whether a team can advance to another competition.
Sanctioned event
A competition approved by the governing organization to follow its official rules.
Scoresheet
The judging form that shows how a routine is evaluated and where points are earned or lost.
Summit
A major end-of-season championship series that teams may qualify or receive a bid to attend.
Worlds
A top-level international championship event for eligible all-star cheer divisions.