NCA Cheerleading Competitions

The National Cheerleader’s Association offers a variety of NCA cheerleading competitions throughout the year that are geared to meet the needs of many different cheerleading levels.

Getting involved in competitions sponsored by the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) is easy. There are several different types of competitions for almost all ability levels and divisions. If your squad is planning on attending a championship competition this year, it’s imperative that you prepare well in advanced.

This includes:

• Fundraising
• Building skills and improving technique
• Working on stunts
• Choreographing a winning routine

In addition, most squads find it very helpful to attend cheerleading camp in the summer before the school year begins. The NCA website contains all the information you will need to register. Also, some squads are invited to attend based on their reputation from other competitions. However you get there, competing in NCA cheerleading competitions is sure to help your squad improve their overall cheerleading skills.

The National Cheerleader’s Association really tries to reach a variety of age groups and ability levels in order to give as many cheerleading squads as possible the opportunity to compete. For this reason, they offer a variety of programs throughout the year. Here is a listing of their typical offerings.

This event is generally held the last week of December in Texas. The competition is intended for junior high and senior high squads. There are two sections of competition: a sideline cheer and chant competition and a performance competition that requires a two and a half minute routine set to music. In addition to division champions, there are also awards for sportsmanship, best tumbling, best stunts and showmanship.

This competition is for All-Star squads ranging from sixth to twelfth grade. All-Star squads are generally allowed a higher level of stunting and tumbling than recreational and/or school squads. The safety regulations are different for All-Star squads, and their championship is generally held the last weekend in February.

These championships still offer a variety of competition for varying age levels and ranges, but they have great venues. Many coaches consider taking their squad to one of these competitions not only to compete, but to enjoy the sites and sounds when they’re not competing. These competitions are always held in the spring and the venues are Knott’s Berry Farm, New York City and Daytona Beach.

Classic championships are smaller competitions that are “closer to home.” Participating in one of these competitions can lead to an invitation to the larger National competition. These competitions are held throughout the southeast and east coast. Dates vary depending on location.

Want to compete and reward your squad for all of their hard work and dedication? There are a few competitions held at various theme parks! Theme park destinations vary to some degree, but these prove to be squad favorites. Compete, and then enjoy the theme park. It doesn’t get much better than that!

These competitions are held close to home. They are great “beginning” competitions for new squads since you will find yourself competing against teams within your community.

Getting ready for a national competition takes months of effort and hard work. Here is a time line of what your should be doing and when.

• Assess the skills of the squad.
• Decide which competition would best fit your squad’s skill level.
• Have a meeting, and set a list of training goals. Be specific in terms of stunts and skills that you want all squad members to have, but also make sure that the goals are obtainable.
• Begin choreographing your routine. Also hire a choreographer now if you plan to use one.
• Communicate with parents; make sure that they have the time, date and price of Nationals.
• Plan fundraising if needed.

• Practice hard! Begin really working on your routine.
• Drill on your stunts and other cheerleading skills.
• Perform parts of your routine at pep rallies and games when possible.

• Hold fundraisers to help subsidize or pay for your trip to Nationals.
• Don’t miss early bird registration! Check your specific competition for more details.
• By the end of this month, your routine should be completed.
• Fine tune travel details including transportation as well as hotel accommodations if needed.
• Hold a meeting with all squad parents. Secure chaperones and answer any questions.

• Perform the routine during practice.
• Make a final determination as to what stunts you’ll keep during the routine. Remember that it’s better to keep well executed stunts over difficult stunts.
• Make sure that your routine falls within all safety guidelines and has all required elements according to the scoring sheet.
• Look for opportunities to perform. The more your squad performs, the better they will be prepared for the National stage.

• Fine tune the routine.
• Make sure that all of your travel arrangements, registration, chaperones and other details are in place.
• Plan a post-competition party to reward the girls for their work. It’s generally best if a few parents will handle this task.

Most communication regarding competitions will take place between the squad coach.

Contacts include:

• Varsity.com
• Your state representative listed on NCA's website.
• The NCA newsletter.
• NCA general contact information.

NCA Address and Phone:

2010 Merritt Drive
Garland, TX 75041
1-800-NCA-2WIN

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