CHEER AND DANCE EXTREME – DANCE TEAM DI VISIONS & DEFINITIONS
TYPES OF DANCE TEAMS
All–Star Dance Team
An All Star Dance Team is a team that does not cheer/dance for any sport and is formed for the primary purpose of competing. The team
works out in a private gym/studio and/or is coached by a paid professional.
Dance Studio
A team that is trained by paid, professional dance instructors in a dance studio and are not affiliated with a cheer and/or gymnastics team.
Varsity
A Varsity division team is a team made up of official school team members or official school competition team members. All members MUST
attend that school and be in grades 9th-12th.
Recreation/Youth League
A recreation/youth league team is a community team that provides support for a sport or performs in recitals or parades. Coaches are non-
paid, non-professionals.
CATEGORY DEFINITIONS
Acrobatic/Gymnastic Dance
A routine consisting of controlled acrobatic or rhythmic gymnastic movements involving balance and flexibility. Choreography should be
used to blend gymnastics and dance together and include choreographed movement; bridging tricks and/or passes in a fluid styl e. Routines
MUST be performed on the performance floor/area as designated by Cheer and Dance Extreme.
Hip-Hop
A routine where dancers replicate the style of street dance popularized in the 1980’s. Choreography should consist of the latest of street
dance style as seen in current dance videos. Movement may include the elements of popping, locking, footwork and freezes performed to
aggressive and hard driving rhythmic music. Break dancing and some replications choreography may be included in this category.
Jazz
A routine where all dancers execute free form movement and styling characteristic of American jazz dance, whether in jazz or character
shoes of any kind, half-soles or bare feet. Choreography should include technique with such moves as kicks, leaps, splits, and isolations
emphasizing extension, control, body placement, style, uniformity and precision.
Kick
Routines emphasize control, height uniformity, extension, toe points, timing and creativity of a variety of kick series. Fifty kicks must be
performed in the routine. For a kick to be counted, at least half of the team must perform the kick. A kick is defined as one foot remaining
on the floor while the other foot lifts with force at least one inch from the floor.
Lyrical
A routine where all dancers interpret the lyrics or mood (intent) of a song (with or without words) using a combination of ballet and/or jazz
and/or modern technique. This form includes the use of legwork, balance, flexibility, facial and body emotion. Choreography should be fluid
in movement and focus on emotion that compliments the musical selection. Dancers may wear character shoes, lyrical shoes, half-soles or be
barefoot. Routine can incorporate any form of dance or gymnastics/acrobatics
Pom
Routine which must include such elements as marching, clean, strong and sharp arm movements with poms, arm placement, kicks,
uniformity, jumps and splits. Choreography should include incorporating the above skills while utilizing visual effects through levels,
formations and ground work. Any type of music is permissible and pom poms should be used for at least 80% of the music.
Variety
Any routine combining two dance styles, i.e. jazz and ballet or a routine utilizing but not limited to ballroom, swing and/or vintage or
contemporary dance styles. Also, any routine, which does not fit in any category previously listed. Use of a prop or pantomime does not
automatically place a routine in the Variety category.
Open
An open category will be offered/created when separate dance categories are not offered in an age division. A routine in this category may
incorporate any one style or combination of styles outlined above. All styles will be judged against each other in this category. This division
encourages teams to compete against teams/routines and not against a score.
