All Star Cheer vs. School Cheer: What's the Difference?

If you've ever watched an American movie, you've probably thought you already know what cheerleading is: a group of cheerleaders with pom-poms performing on the sidelines of a basketball or football game.

But then one day you come across a video on social media. People flying several metres into the air. Impressive pyramids. Perfectly synchronised tumbling. International competitions.

And suddenly you start wondering what thousands of people ask every year: "Isn't all of that cheerleading too?"

The answer is yes... but not all cheerleading is the same.

There are two main disciplines: School Cheer and All Star Cheer. Understanding the difference will help you better appreciate the sport—and explain why we train the way we do at Barcelona Bears.

What Is School Cheer?

School Cheer is the discipline performed by middle schools, high schools, and universities.

Its main purpose is to support school sports teams during games and events, creating an exciting atmosphere for both athletes and fans. However, that doesn't mean School Cheer isn't competitive.

Many school teams compete in championships where they perform highly technical routines.

Especially in the United States, School Cheer is a major part of school culture and involves thousands of athletes every season.

It's probably the version of cheerleading you've seen in movies and TV shows.

What Is All Star Cheer?

All Star Cheer works very differently.

Athletes don't represent a school or university. They represent a specialised cheerleading club, such as Barcelona Bears. The team's only goal is to train and compete.

Every routine is designed to showcase the highest possible level of:

• Stunts

• Pyramids

• Jumps

• Tumbling

• Synchronisation

• Technical difficulty

• Teamwork

  
  

That's why every practice focuses exclusively on developing the skills needed for competition.

Today, All Star Cheer is the fastest-growing form of cheerleading across Europe.

So... Which Type of Cheerleading Does Barcelona Bears Do?

At Barcelona Bears, we practise All Star Cheer.

This means our teams train throughout the season to prepare competition routines for national and international championships.

Our goal isn't to perform on the sidelines at sports games. Our goal is to compete against the best, grow as athletes, overcome new challenges, and build a team that feels like family.

What Are the Main Differences Between All Star Cheer and School Cheer?

Although both belong to the world of cheerleading, the biggest difference between All Star Cheer and School Cheer is their purpose.

School Cheer

• Represents a school, high school, or university

• Performs at sporting events to support school teams

• Can also compete in cheerleading competitions

• Is part of school life and traditions

All Star Cheer

• Represents a specialised cheerleading club

• Focuses exclusively on competition

• Training is designed to maximise athletic performance

• Includes different age groups and skill levels to ensure fair and safe competition

  
  

Both disciplines feature incredibly talented athletes. The difference lies in how the teams are organised and what they train for.

Which One Is Better?

The answer is simple: Neither.

They're simply different.

Some athletes enjoy being part of their school's sports culture.

Others prefer training at a specialised club and competing at the highest level.

The most important thing is finding the environment where you can grow, learn, and enjoy the sport.

In Spain, most cheerleading teams follow the All Star Cheer model because school cheerleading isn't as established as it is in the United States.

That's why, if you want to start cheerleading in Spain, the most common path is to join a specialised cheerleading club.

Barcelona Bears is one of those clubs.

Why Do Some Cheerleading Teams Perform More Difficult Skills Than Others?

If you've watched different cheerleading competitions, you've probably noticed that some teams perform spectacular stunts while others showcase simpler routines.

That doesn't mean one team is better than another.

The difference comes down to cheerleading levels.

Every team competes within a specific level that determines which skills can be performed safely.

Understanding these levels makes watching a competition even more exciting.

But that's a story for the next article.