Squad Events
Competitors from the same dance school may form SQUADS to perform their own choreography.
The choreography should be based on the fundamentals of Cheerdance but may also incorporate elements from other dance styles, such as Street, Jazz, Latin American, etc.
The following elements are not allowed:
*Stunts or Lifts
* Tumbling
* Gymnastic manoeuvres where both feet are raised above the height of the head (i.e. cartwheels, walkovers etc)
* The use of props or equipment (except for poms)
Age-Appropriate Choreography
All choreography, movement, gestures and performance styles must be appropriate to the age of the dancers.
For children’s age categories, choreography must not include overly suggestive, sexualised or provocative movements, gestures or presentation that would be considered inappropriate for the age of the performers.
Teachers and choreographers are responsible for ensuring that routines are suitable for the age group being presented.
Where the organisers or adjudicators consider choreography to be inappropriate for the age of the dancers, this may be reflected in the adjudication and, where necessary, the teacher may be contacted.
SQUADS may choose their own choice of music for the routine.
The music/routine must not exceed 3 minutes.
Music should be suitable for the age of the squad and the audience. No explicit lyrics permitted.
Please email music in advance to our event DJ – cheerdanceukmusic@gmail.com
File must be in MP3 format
Please help our DJ to match this to your entry by including squad name & age group
Age categories for SQUAD events are as follows:
5 years & under
7 years & under
9 years & under
11 years & under
13 years & under
15 years & under
17 years & under
18 years & over
Parents
Additional Needs Open Age Category
The age category for the SQUAD is determined by the oldest member of the team, except for the exceptions given below:
Lifeline Pass:
Each squad may have one “Lifeline Pass”. This allows one competitor to be older than the chosen age category without requiring the squad to move up an age category.
Example: A squad is made up of competitors aged 10–13 years, but includes one competitor aged 15. The Lifeline Pass can be applied to the 15-year-old, allowing the squad to compete in the 13 years & under category rather than moving up to the older age category.
Additional Needs Competitors:
Any competitor that competes in the “Additional Needs” SET ROUTINE SOLO events will be permitted to dance down one age category in the mainstream squad events at the same competition day.
Example: A 10 year old “Additional Needs” competitor would be permitted to compete in the 9 years & under squad category.
Competitors must enter the correct age category, and proof of age should be available if requested.
The minimum number of competitors required for a squad event is 6. This minimum may be reduced to 4 or 5 in cases of last-minute illness or injury.
If there are a sufficient number of entries in a squad age category, the organiser may choose to split the event into sub-categories based on the number of competitors in each squad.
Example: If 6 squads enter an age category, and 3 squads have a small number of competitors while the other 3 have a large number of competitors, the organiser may split the category into two separate sub-categories. This ensures a fairer competition and allows squads to compete against groups of similar size.
Each event is adjudicated by an expert panel of independent dance professionals.
When there are 7 or fewer entries in a SQUAD section, the routine will be performed as a final, and squads will be placed in order of merit. When there are 8 or more entries, a recall round will be held before adjudicators decide the final placings.
A qualified scrutineer uses the skating system to analyse the adjudicators’ marks.
The winning squad will be presented with a cup. All members of squads placed 1st, 2nd & 3rd will receive a prize.
First names and dance schools of finalists will be announced during the prize presentation and published on the website after the competition. Teachers are asked to inform the event organiser if they have any safeguarding concerns regarding this publication.
The adjudicators use a guidance sheet to assist them when marking the SQUAD section. This document is not collected from the adjudicators therefore the notes they make aren’t available for the teachers or public to view afterwards. However it is a useful tool for both the teachers to refer to when choreographing routines and for the adjudicators to use on the competition day. Please see below points included on the sheet
Assessment Crieria 1 – Technical Execution
(40% of Adjudicators’ Mark)
The choreography style exemplified in Cheerdance UK set solo routines is the preferred approach for all participating squads.
Squads will be assessed on the technical execution of their choreography, with particular emphasis on Cheerdance technique. Technical marks will be awarded relative to the complexity of the routine, ensuring that more challenging performances are recognised accordingly.
Assessment Criteria 2 – Squad Formations, Transitions, Synchronisation & Visual Effects
(40% of Adjudicators’ Mark)
Squads will be assessed on the effectiveness of their formations, transitions, synchronisation and visual effects. Adjudicators will consider the clarity, creativity, and precision of formation patterns, the smoothness and fluidity of transitions between sequences, the degree of synchronisation and the overall impact of visual elements in enhancing the performance.
Squads with smaller numbers will be assessed with consideration of their size, so that technical execution, formations, and visual impact are fairly evaluated.
Assessment Criteria 3 – Musicality, Presentation & Performance
(20% of Adjudicators’ Mark)
Squads will be assessed on musicality, performance, and presentation. Adjudicators will evaluate how effectively dancers interpret and respond to the music, demonstrating rhythm, timing, and expression. Attention will also be given to energy, projection, and stage presence, as well as the overall engagement of the squad throughout the routine.
CLOTHING/UNIFORM
While the clothing or uniform worn by the squad will not contribute to the adjudicators’ marks, it is preferred that the chosen style aligns with what dancers would typically wear for their individual solo routines—for example, a traditional cheer uniform, T-shirt and shorts, trainers, etc.
Qualified dance teachers may enter SQUAD events subject to the following restrictions:
Age up to and including 29 years:
* Must compete in a mainstream squad category (not in the parents’ category)
Age 30 years and over:
* May choose to compete n a mainstream squad or parents category
From 2027, we are delighted to offer an Additional Needs Squad Category. This will be eligible to all those that compete in Additional Needs events at the same competition. Initially it will be an open age category with no age restrictions
This will provisionally be timetabled into our programme as follows….
1 day event – during section 3 (alongside the 10/11 year events)
Blackpool Tower Saturday – during section 2 (alongside the 14/15 year events) OR
Blackpool Tower Sunday – during section 2 (alongside the 7/under events)
Depending on the number of entries for this section, there might be flexibility to change the timing to suit what works best for each dance school/group.
Alternatively, competitors that compete in the “Additional Needs” SET ROUTINE SOLO events can join mainstream squads and will be permitted to dance down one age category in the SQUAD events at the same competition day.
Example: A 10 year old “Additional Needs” competitor would be permitted to compete in the 9 years & under squad category.
Firstly, we will look at the next age category up. Taking into account the average age of the dancers and the number of dancers in each squad, we will assess whether it would be appropriate to invite the squad to move up and compete in the next age category.
If moving up is not feasible, the squad will remain in its entered age category, but its performance will be changed from a competition entry to a demonstration.
A demonstration will not count towards the three-category limit. This means that dancers taking part in the demonstration may enter one additional competition category if they wish (set solo, fusion or pairs)
Teachers will be notified of this once all entries have been processed.
Prizes will still be awarded for squad demonstrations.
All ages and abilities from beginners to established competitive dancers are welcome at Cheerdance UK competitions. Cheerdance UK brings together the knowledge, skills and experience needed to create an affordable form of competitive dancing, whilst maintaining excellent competition standards. We believe that Cheerdance UK is great for everyone! With positive feedback not only from competitors but also from teachers suggesting that involvement in Cheerdance UK competitions has had a positive impact on their own business growth.