US National Youth and Junior Team Selections
Youth & Junior National Team Locations Announced!
Chicago for Youth AG and Coed, Baton Rouge for Junior AG, Central Florida for Junior Coed!
See important information below the site information regarding ages and requirements.
Youth Teams (YAG youth all girl and YUCO youth coed) – Ages 12-14
Based out of Chicago, IL
It is highly recommended that any athlete selected live within 5 hours of Chicago due to multiple required practices per week for the months leading up to the ICU Championships.
Timeline:
- Video Tryout for Invitation Due Dec 1
- Announcement of Invitees Dec 3
- Tryouts Dec 17, 5-9p at ICE Barrington
- Conflict: Private Tryouts available Dec 28-29 to be coordinated through coaching staff via email.
Skills:
- Preferred Stunting Skills: Switch ups to extended, Full ups to extended, Inverts/Hand to Hands to extended – Similar to AllStar level 4
- Preferred Tumbling Skills: Standing tuck, Standing to layout, Running trick pass (whip, punch front, front hand front) to layout – Similar to level 4 Allstar but on 1.5” non-spring mat
Skills/athletes will be evaluated on forming the best routine for the scoresheet so not all athletes will need to have all skills listed if you provide elite capabilities in one or more categories.
For those trying out for Youth All Girl we encourage but do not require athletes to try out as full stunt groups. Ideally groups that can get together easily outside of practice. To be clear it is possible athletes trying out in a group may not be placed on the team while some of their group members are.
Junior All Girl (JAG) – Ages 15-18
Based out of Baton Rouge, LA
It is highly recommended that any athlete selected live within 5 hours of Baton Rouge due to multiple required practices per week for the months leading up to the ICU Championships. We also recommend for JAG to have an intact group (main base, side base, backspot and top girl) to tryout with.
Timeline:
- 11/22 Invitations to in person selections sent
- 11/26 In person selections (Time/Location will be in the invite emailed)
*Invited to selections but unable to make it in person video submissions: Video submission due by 11/26: -Video Submission Requirements: 30-45 sec max video of standing tumbling, running tumbling pass, and a stunt sequence including an invert (ex: hand in hand, BHS up, FHS up, etc.) and spin. - 11/29 First round advancement emails sent
- 12/15 – 16 Final round of tryouts (invite only)
Skills:
- Preferred Stunting Skills: hand-in-hands, inverts, spinning stunts.
- Preferred Tumbling Skills: standing tuck, running layout, running full
Junior Coed (JUCO) – Ages 15-18
Based out of Central Florida
It is highly recommended that any athlete selected live within 5 hours of Central Florida due to multiple required practices per week for the months leading up to the ICU Championships.
Timeline:
- 11/28 Invitations to in person selections sent
- 12/9 Selections (invite only) Time and Location will be in the invite emailed
- If invited to tryout and unable to make the selection date, information will be provided on potential video submissions
Skills:
- Preferred Stunting Skills: hand-in-hands, inverts, spinning stunts.
- Preferred Tumbling Skills: standing tuck, running layout, running full
- Basket Tosses (kick full variations and kick double variations).
Additional Information
Divisions for 2024
Youth: 12-14
Junior: 15-18
Ages for Competing:
For ICU, all members of the Youth team must be between 12 -14 years of age within the year of the Youth World Championships; all members of the Junior team must be between 15 – 18 years of age within the year of the Junior World Championships. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified.
*PLEASE NOTE: If the athlete is 14 years old on Jan 1, 2024 but turning 15 in the year of 2024, they will qualify for the youth team even if they turn 15 years of age, before the competition in April. In the same instance- this athlete age example would also be eligible for the Junior division. Another example: if the athlete is 11 on Jan 1 2024, but turning 12 in the year of 2024, they are still eligible for the youth team. Last example: if the athlete is 18 on Jan 1, 2024 but turning 19 in the year of 2024, they are still eligible for the Junior division.
Download our Age Check Excel Spreadsheet (right-click and select “Save As…”)
Expectations for Selected Teams:
- We recommend being within driving distance to a location to be considered. It is highly recommended that any athlete selected live within 5 hours of selected area due to multiple required practices per week for the months leading up to the ICU Championships.
- Being on multiple cheerleading teams and the US National Team is not encouraged due to the number of required practices needed to prepare for the ICU event.
- Teams must travel in three days before opening ceremonies to Orlando, FL for mandatory practices leading up to the Opening Ceremonies.
- Teams will be responsible for all expenses. Items that go into costs are, but not limited to: Coaching expenses, transportation, hotel, competition fees, athlete uniform and apparel package, and food. USA Cheer has fundraising ideas and a platform to assist your team with their efforts. You are welcome and encouraged to do fundraisers at home with your schools/programs but there will be set guidelines on what you are able to do for fundraising. Estimated costs for everyone are approximately $1200- $1500 per athlete.
What are the dates of the 2024 ICU World Championships?
April 24 – 26, 2024
What dates will I have to be in Orlando, FL?
Arrival dates are determined by each team but we encourage every team to arrive by Sunday April 21st.
Is there a membership requirement?
Every coach representing the US is responsible for a USA Cheer coach membership and every athlete is required to obtain a USA Cheer athlete membership with age verification. This ensures safety training, athlete protection training, concussion training, background screening and age verification.