What Is AYC & Competitive Youth Cheer?

A Parent-Friendly Guide to Understanding Our Sport

If you’re new to the world of competitive cheer — or just starting to explore options for your child — you may be wondering what exactly AYC is and how it compares to other types of cheer programs. Great news: you’re in the right place.

At JoCo Phoenix, we’re proud to be part of AYC (American Youth Cheer), the largest youth cheer organization in the country. But more importantly, we’re passionate about helping families understand what competitive cheer really is — and why it’s become such a powerful, confidence-building sport for kids of all ages (4-16).

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🔥 AYC: The National Organization Behind Youth Cheer

American Youth Cheer (AYC) is the national governing body for youth cheerleading within American Youth Football (AYF) — but unlike traditional football cheer programs, AYC does not require sideline cheer at games.

That means programs like JoCo Phoenix can focus solely on competitive cheer, athlete development, and preparing routines for high-level competitions.

What makes AYC different?

• It is the largest youth competitive cheer organization in the U.S.

• It offers a clear and safe progression system for athletes

• It emphasizes age-appropriate skills

• It is inclusive — anyone can start, regardless of experience

• It supports both traditional competitive teams and Inspiration (adaptive) teams

AYC provides the structure, rules, safety standards, and national competitions that organizations like ours use to guide training and season planning.

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🏆 What Exactly Is Competitive Youth Cheer?

Competitive youth cheer is a team sport where athletes train to perform a 2 minute and 30 second routine that includes:

• Stunting

• Tumbling

• Jumps

• Dance

• Formations & transitions

• Team performance and confidence

These routines are judged using the national YCADA scoring rubric, which evaluates difficulty, execution, technique, and creativity.

Competitive youth cheer is NOT:

🚫 Sideline cheer

🚫 Cheering for football

🚫 Only for advanced athletes

🚫 Only for flexible, tumbling-heavy kids

Competitive youth cheer is:

🔥 A true athletic sport

🔥 A place where beginners can grow into confident athletes

🔥 A team-centered environment that teaches discipline, resilience, and teamwork

🔥 An opportunity to perform on a stage in front of thousands

🔥 A pathway to high school and all-star cheer

At JoCo Phoenix, our athletes train year-round to build strong fundamentals, trust in their teammates, and confidence under pressure.

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⭐ How Competitive Cheer Works in AYC

AYC cheer programs are divided by:

• Age divisions

• Team size

• Skill level (Levels 1–4)

This allows athletes to learn safely at a pace appropriate for their age and experience.

When your child joins JoCo Phoenix, our coaching staff evaluates the athletes during Spring Training and Assessments to determine team placement based on:

• Safety

• Skill level

• Age

• Physical readiness

• Maturity

• Team needs

Every athlete who registers will be placed on a team. We do not hold tryouts that “cut” kids. We believe in building athletes — not eliminating them.

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🏆 Local, Regional, National and Global Competitions - JoCo Phoenix offers four competitions each season:

🥇 1. Locals (October)

Your first chance to compete and get scored for the season.

🥈 2. Regionals (November)

A chance to qualify for Nationals.

🎖️ 3. Nationals (December – Kissimmee, FL)

Where the highest-ranking teams from across the country compete.

🌍 4. Globals (February)

YCADA’s international, invitational-style event — a celebration of the top teams of the season.

JoCo Phoenix trains to compete in all four events, giving athletes multiple opportunities to improve, succeed, and experience unforgettable memories as a team.

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💕 Who Can Join Competitive Cheer?

At JoCo Phoenix — everyone. We offer a place for:

• New athletes

• Experienced cheerleaders

• Athletes with no tumbling

• Athletes with advanced skills

• Children with cognitive + physical disabilities (our Inspiration Division, the Firebirds)

There is no experience required to begin your competitive cheer journey with us. We build athletes through training, consistency, and teamwork.

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Why Families Choose Competitive Youth Cheer — and JoCo Phoenix

Competitive cheer is more than a sport — it’s a place where young athletes learn:

• Confidence

• Discipline

• Determination

• Teamwork

• Time management

• Resilience

• Leadership

• How to perform under pressure

And at JoCo Phoenix, they learn all of that within a family-focused, inclusive, nonprofit organization where our motto stands strong:

🐦‍🔥 "Together We Rise" 🐦‍🔥

Whether your child has been cheering for years or is completely new to the sport, AYC and JoCo Phoenix offer a structured, safe, and supportive pathway to grow, learn, and shine.

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✨ Ready to Learn More or Join the Phoenix Family?

Registration for our new season opens in March! Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our website for updates on our spring trial classes, assessments, and team placements.

If you have questions, reach out to jocophoenixayc@gmail.com. We’re here to help every step of the way! Because at JoCo Phoenix… Together We Rise!