What are the pyramid and toss rules, and how do they differ for Prep and Novice?
Rule- Canada
- Cheer Canada
- All Star cheer
- Safety rules
- IASF 2025-28
- 2026-27
- Coaches
Pyramids (IASF Cheer Rules 2025-28):
- Levels 1 to 6: pyramids may be up to 2 high and must follow the stunt and dismount rules. Level 7 allows up to 2 1/2 high.
- A top person must receive primary support from a base unless the move is a legal released transition. Required catchers and spotters must be stationary, keep visual contact with the top person throughout the transition, and not be involved in any other skill or choreography when it starts.
- Single-based or assisted single-based extended stunts are not allowed in U12 and below.
- Level 1 released transitions are not allowed other than dismounts.
Tosses:
- Every toss needs a minimum of 3 and maximum of 4 tossing bases, with one base behind the top person. The top person must be caught in a cradle by at least 3 of the original bases, one at the head and shoulder area.
- Only one top person per toss. No flipping, inverted or intentionally travelling tosses, and nothing may move over or under a toss.
- Level 1: tosses are not allowed, including waist-level cradles and sponge tosses.
- Level 2: straight ride only, and no tosses at all in the U8 division.
Prep and Novice (Cheer Canada):
- Prep: follows IASF level rules for each division, but tosses (including waist-level cradles and sponge tosses) are not permitted. Routine maximum 2:00.
- Novice: modified IASF Level 1 rules. Routine maximum 1:30. Tosses, sponge tosses and waist-level cradles are not allowed, and U6 teams may not include any building skills.
Sources: IASF Cheer Rules 2025-28 (https://www.iasfworlds.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/iasf_rules_cheer_25-28_final.pdf); https://cheercanada.ca/education/all-star-cheer/
Added 25 Oct 2026