E. Teams will be assessed a point deduction for any unsportsmanlike, unprofessional, disrespectful and / or unsupportive behavior. The amount of the penalty will be determined by the competition officials. NOTE: Penalty points will be included with the Worlds score sheets that will be posted on TheCheerleadingWorlds. net by early 2026.
II.
Athletic Performance Standards
A. Appropriate Choreography— Judges reserve the right to assess warnings and / or deductions when a team’ s choreography does not meet the appropriate standards. 1. All facets of a performance / routine, including both choreography and music selection, should be appropriate and suitable for family viewing and listening.
2. Examples of inappropriate choreography may include, but are not limited to: mocking the use of a gun to display violence against a person / people and / or the promotion of gun violence of any type; movements such as hip thrusting and inappropriate touching, gestures, hand / arm movements and signals; slapping; positioning of body parts; and positioning to one another.
B. Music Guidelines— Music or words unsuitable for family listening, which include, but is not limited, to swear words and / or connotations of any type of sexual act or behavior, drugs, explicit mention of specific parts of the body / torso, and / or violent acts or behavior. Removing improper language or words from a song and replacing with sound effects or other words may still constitute“ inappropriate”.
C. Appropriateness of music or movement— If there is any question or uncertainty about the appropriateness of music or choreography, coaches should assume it is inappropriate and remove it to avoid placing their team in an unfortunate situation..
D. Makeup— If worn, makeup should be uniform and appropriate for both the performance and the age of the athlete. Face / eyelid rhinestones are not allowed. False eyelashes are allowed but may not be decorated in rhinestones or additional jewelry.
E. Bows— Bows should not be excessive in size( acceptable bows are generally no more than 4” in width) and should not be a distraction to the performance. Bows should be worn in a manner to minimize risk for the athletes, should be adequately secured and should not fall over the forehead into the athlete’ s eyes, or block the view of the athlete while performing.
F. General Uniform Guidelines— No risqué, sexually provocative or lingerie-looking or inspired uniform or garments allowed. All uniform pieces should adequately cover the athlete and must be secured to eliminate any possible wardrobe malfunction. Appropriate undergarments must be worn. In addition to the following guidelines, athletes also must consider that a combination of uniform pieces may also deem a uniform appropriate or inappropriate. ALL garments must properly cover the athlete and the athlete’ s undergarments during the routine. 1. Uniform / Skirt Guidelines— When a skirt is worn as part of the uniform, briefs under the skirt are required. The skirt must fully cover the hips. The skirt must completely cover the briefs and must fall 1 inch below the briefs( regular and boy-cut briefs). When shorts are worn as part of the uniform, there must be a minimum of a 2-inch inseam.
2. Uniform Top Guidelines— Uniform tops must be secured by straps or material over at least one shoulder or around the neck( tube tops are not allowed).
3. Visit USASF. net for more information about Athlete Performance Standards( APS).
G. Coverup Guidelines –- Athletes with non-full top uniforms must wear t-shirts or other suitable cover ups over their uniforms unless they are in warm-up areas, traveling as a group directly to or from warmups, or on the performance stage.
The Cheerleading Worlds ® Rules & Regulations 2026
The Cheerleading Worlds ® 2026 23