RAINDROPS: Our beginner team offers an introduction to the exciting sport of cheerleading. This is the youngest team (usually preschoolers and kindergarteners) and novice squad, focusing on basic tumbling, simple cheers and stunts, motions, dances and jumps, and learning age-appropriate cheerleading skills to prepare for performances. The Raindrops team practices for 60 - 90 minutes, once per week, at Larchmont Elementary School in Mount Laurel. Additional practices may be added on the spring floor to prepare for competitions.  

LEVEL 1 COMPETITIVE TEAM(S)
FLURRIES & THUNDER:
Our intermediate teams transition from exhibition to competitive and are designed to continue building on fundamental entry level cheer skills including tumbling, cheers, stunts, motions, dances, and jumps. Emphasis is placed on correct technique, form and building the proper foundation for safety and advancement. It is recommended that cheerleaders are enrolled in a tumbling class. Basic tumbling for this team includes: forward rolls, cartwheels, bridges, round-offs, and working toward front and back walkovers. This squad(s) practices at Larchmont Elementary School for 1 - 1.5 hours twice a week from September – early March. Occasional spring floor practices to be added to prepare for competitions.  

ELITE LEVEL 1 TEAM
STORM: (Evaluations required for team placement)  Our competitive Level 1 team is designed to continue building on appropriate level cheer skills including tumbling, cheers, stunts, motions, dances, and jumps. Emphasis is placed on correct technique, form and building the proper foundation for safety and advancement. Attention is directed toward developing the necessary strength and flexibility to enable the cheerleader to master the skills and to provide the physical basis needed for more advanced skills. It is required that Elite Level 1 athletes participate in a tumbling class; tumbling class fees are included in the tuition, and MLCA will arrange a team tumbling class from September - March for the season. Level 1 tumbling skills: forward rolls, cartwheels, bridges, round-offs, front and back walkovers (working toward back handsprings). The squad practices two days during the week: For example: 2 hours at Larchmont Elementary School and 1.5 - 2 hours at a local gym (spring floor fees are also included in the tuition). A third day of practice may be added as needed during the season to prepare for competitions. Competitive teams attend a mandatory 2-hour stunt clinic, and a 2-day Cheer Choreography Camp in late August/early September.  

ELITE LEVEL 2.1 and/or 2 TEAM(S)
LIGHTNING: (Evaluations required for team placement) Our Lightning team won the National Championship at the 2021 Recreational Cheer Championships in Orlando, FL!  Our competitive Level 2.1/2 team(s) focuses on continuing to build cheer skills including tumbling, cheers, stunts, motions, dances, and jumps. Emphasis is placed on correct technique and form, plus building the proper foundation for safety and advancement. Additional emphasis is directed toward developing the necessary strength and flexibility to enable the cheerleader to master the skills and to provide the physical basis needed for more advanced skills. It is mandatory that Level 2 athletes participate in a tumbling class; tumbling class fees are included in the tuition, and MLCA will arrange a team tumbling class from September - March for the season. Levels 2 encompasses more connected tumbling; skills include cartwheels, round-offs, standing back handsprings, jumps into back handsprings, connected running tumbling (e.g., round-off into a back handspring). The squad practices two days during the week: For example: 2 hours at Larchmont Elementary School and 1.5 - 2 hours at a local gym (spring floor fees are also included in the tuition). A third day of practice may be added as needed during the season to prepare for competitions. Competitive teams attend a mandatory 2-hour stunt clinic, and a 2-day Cheer Choreography Camp in late August/early September.   

*If there are enough skilled athletes, this level may be divided into two teams:
• Level 2 – these athletes demonstrate level 2 skills in stunts, jumps, and tumbling
• Level 2.1 - these athletes demonstrate level 2 skills in stunts and jumps, but have level 1 tumbling skills: forward rolls, cartwheels, bridges, round-offs, front and back walkovers (working toward back handsprings)

ELITE LEVEL 3 TEAM
HAIL: (Evaluations required for team placement) Our Hail team won the National Championship at the 2023 Recreational Cheer Championships in Orlando, FL!  Currently, this is our highest-level team that focuses on executing previously learned skills including tumbling, motions, stunts, chants, jumps, and dance. Emphasis is placed on excellent technique and form, plus knowledge of the proper foundation for safety and advancement. Additional emphasis is directed toward increasing the necessary strength and flexibility to enable the cheerleader to execute the skills and to provide the physical basis needed for more advanced skills. It is mandatory that Level 3 athletes participate in a tumbling class; tumbling class fees are included in the tuition, and MLCA will arrange a team tumbling class from September - March for the season. Level 3 encompasses more connected tumbling; skills include: jump hurdle round-off/front walkovers into back handsprings, standing two back handsprings, jumps into back handsprings, connected running tumbling (e.g., round-off/front walkover into multiple back handsprings or back tuck). This team requires more advanced stunting and tumbling including tucks. Athletes on the Level 3 team are expected to have mastered a majority of level 2 skills and be prepared for the next level of stunting and tumbling at the beginning of the season. The squad practices two days during the week: For example: 2 hours at Larchmont Elementary School and 1.5 - 2 hours at a local gym (spring floor fees are also included in the tuition). A third day of practice may be added as needed during the season to prepare for competitions. Competitive teams attend a mandatory 2-hour stunt clinic, and a 2-day Cheer Choreography Camp in late August/early September.   

Please note the elite teams are an additional time commitment. If placed, each athlete and parent will receive an agreement, committing to the time required to make this a successful season. The contract will act as guidelines for the season and will be enforced as outlined.