Rules & Scoring

USA Cheer has developed a comprehensive Membership Program, which includes a background check, athlete protection training, acknowledgement of concussion training with return to participation guidance, a member code of conduct, and safety training courses on risk management and safety rules.

Beginning with the upcoming 2021-22 competition season, Varsity Spirit will require that all school coaches, choreographers and personnel wishing to access the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box at our competitions have a USA Cheer Coach or Professional Membership.

Varsity Spirit will cover the $33 membership fee for the 2021-22 season. You must complete your membership requirements before your first competition. December 1 is the last day to complete the requirements to receive this membership free of charge for the upcoming season. Please note that the background check will take 2-10 days to be processed and returned.

When checking in at Varsity Spirit competitions, you will now simply provide proof of membership for each coach from your organization who wishes to go into the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box. Upon proof of membership, each coach will receive a wristband that will allow them access.

The USA Cheer Membership is available on the USA Cheer website. Once your membership is complete, you can print your membership card, or save and display it on your mobile device at event registration along with your photo ID. This season’s membership will be active until May 31, 2022.

CLICK HERE to learn more and to complete the steps required before your first competition. Use code VACH21 to receive your free USA Cheer Membership by December 1, 2021. 

Which membership option should you select?
One coach per team (usually the Head Coach) must complete the Cheer Coach Membership, which requires the Safety and Risk Management course to be completed every four years. This has been a requirement at Varsity Spirit events for the last two years. This course is discounted to $75 for USA Cheer members and will be at the expense of the coach. If your course certification is up to date, you will not need to retake the course until it expires. All other coaches, choreographers and adults affiliated with the team who wish to access the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box must complete the Professional Membership. If you are a college spirit coordinator that coaches cheer and dance, you do not need to complete the Dance Membership in addition to the Cheer Coach or Professional Membership.