Level Divisions & Placement Guidelines

Coaches and athletes are expected to carefully review all level descriptions prior to registration. Proper level placement is essential to ensure a fair, safe, and balanced competition environment.

Athletes must be entered in the level that reflects their overall ability, consistency, strength, and control—not isolated skills or future goals.

SkyDancer reserves the right to reassign levels if an athlete’s performance does not align with the registered division.

Novice 

Very new to aerial apparatuses.

• Under 1 year of training
• Building foundational skills: climbs, basic holds, beginner inversions
• Simple sequencing with clear pauses
• Limited strength and control
• Little to no prior competition experience

Allowed:

• Use of knots for support and positioning
• One basic drop maximum from a secure position
• Drop must be low-risk, controlled, and clearly prepared

Not Allowed:

• Multiple drops
• Dynamic elements, beats, or releases
• Advanced transitions

Height Limit: May not exceed 14–15 ft

Focus: Safety, control, and confidence

Beginner – Level 1 (L1)

Developing consistency and control.

• Approximately 1–2 years of training
• Consistent climbs and basic inversions
• Short sequences (2–3 skills), may include pauses

Allowed:

• Basic transitions and combinations
• Controlled movement between skills

Not Allowed:

• Dynamic elements or advanced drops
• Uncontrolled transitions

Height Limit: May not exceed 15 ft

Focus: Clean execution, alignment, and stability

Beginner – Level 2 (L2)

Building strength, flow, and early performance quality.

• Approximately 1–3 years of training
• Stronger inversions and improved endurance
• Short combinations with smoother transitions

Allowed:

• Very basic, low-risk drops (limited)
• Simple combinations with flow

Not Allowed:

• Complex or high-risk drops
• Advanced dynamic elements

Height Limit: May not exceed 15 ft

Focus: Flow, control, and developing artistry

Intermediate – Level 3 (L3)

Transition into structured and continuous routines.

• Approximately 2–4 years of training
• Clean inversions and connected sequences
• Reduced pauses between skills

Allowed:

• Controlled drops
• Introduction of dynamic elements
• Longer combinations

Focus: Consistency, flow, and routine structure

Intermediate – Level 4 (L4)

Strong intermediate athletes with technical control.

• Approximately 3–5+ years of training
• Fluid transitions and continuous movement
• Multiple sequences and increased complexity

Allowed:

• Multiple drops
• Dynamic elements (apparatus-dependent)
• Complex combinations

Focus: Complexity, endurance, and performance quality

Advanced – Level 5 (L5)

High-level athletes demonstrating strength and precision.

• 5+ years of training or coach approval
• Advanced technique, control, and endurance
• Complex sequencing and transitions

Allowed:

• Multiple dynamic elements (drops, releases, beats/spins depending on apparatus)
• Advanced transitions and combinations

Focus: Technical excellence, difficulty, and artistry

Elite / Pre-Professional

Top competitive and pre-professional athletes.

• Exceptional strength, control, and consistency
• Highly complex, original sequences
• Advanced risk elements performed with precision

Allowed:

• Full range of advanced skills appropriate to apparatus

Focus: Mastery, originality, and professional-level performance

Additional Placement Guidelines

Athletes with a background in gymnastics, dance, acrobatics, or other strength-based sports may demonstrate advanced strength, body awareness, and control even with limited aerial experience.

For this reason, athletes with a strong physical foundation may not be appropriate for Novice level, even if they are new to aerial apparatuses. Coaches should take overall ability into consideration when selecting a level.

Level Adjustment Policy

To ensure fairness and safety across all divisions:

• The Head Judge reserves the right to move an athlete to a higher level if the routine demonstrates skills or ability beyond the registered division
• Level adjustments may be made prior to or during the competition if necessary

Routine Review Option

If you are unsure about proper level placement, you are encouraged to submit a video of the routine for review prior to registration.

Our team will provide guidance to help ensure the athlete is placed in the most appropriate and fair division.

Final Notes

• Athletes must compete at the level that reflects their true overall ability
• Difficulty alone does not determine placement—execution and control are critical
• Performing skills above the level may result in reclassification
• Safety and fairness are the top priorities at all times

Level Divisions & Placement Guidelines

Coaches and athletes are expected to carefully review all level descriptions prior to registration. Proper level placement is essential to ensure a fair, safe, and balanced competition environment.

Athletes must be entered in the level that reflects their overall ability, consistency, strength, and control—not isolated skills or future goals.

SkyDancer reserves the right to reassign levels if an athlete’s performance does not align with the registered division.

Novice 

Very new to aerial apparatuses.

• Under 1 year of training
• Building foundational skills: climbs, basic holds, beginner inversions
• Simple sequencing with clear pauses
• Limited strength and control
• Little to no prior competition experience

Allowed:

• Use of knots for support and positioning
• One basic drop maximum from a secure position
• Drop must be low-risk, controlled, and clearly prepared

Not Allowed:

• Multiple drops
• Dynamic elements, beats, or releases
• Advanced transitions

Height Limit: May not exceed 14–15 ft

Focus: Safety, control, and confidence

Beginner – Level 1 (L1)

Developing consistency and control.

• Approximately 1–2 years of training
• Consistent climbs and basic inversions
• Short sequences (2–3 skills), may include pauses

Allowed:

• Basic transitions and combinations
• Controlled movement between skills

Not Allowed:

• Dynamic elements or advanced drops
• Uncontrolled transitions

Height Limit: May not exceed 15 ft

Focus: Clean execution, alignment, and stability

Beginner – Level 2 (L2)

Building strength, flow, and early performance quality.

• Approximately 1–3 years of training
• Stronger inversions and improved endurance
• Short combinations with smoother transitions

Allowed:

• Very basic, low-risk drops (limited)
• Simple combinations with flow

Not Allowed:

• Complex or high-risk drops
• Advanced dynamic elements

Height Limit: May not exceed 15 ft

Focus: Flow, control, and developing artistry

Intermediate – Level 3 (L3)

Transition into structured and continuous routines.

• Approximately 2–4 years of training
• Clean inversions and connected sequences
• Reduced pauses between skills

Allowed:

• Controlled drops
• Introduction of dynamic elements
• Longer combinations

Focus: Consistency, flow, and routine structure

Intermediate – Level 4 (L4)

Strong intermediate athletes with technical control.

• Approximately 3–5+ years of training
• Fluid transitions and continuous movement
• Multiple sequences and increased complexity

Allowed:

• Multiple drops
• Dynamic elements (apparatus-dependent)
• Complex combinations

Focus: Complexity, endurance, and performance quality

Advanced – Level 5 (L5)

High-level athletes demonstrating strength and precision.

• 5+ years of training or coach approval
• Advanced technique, control, and endurance
• Complex sequencing and transitions

Allowed:

• Multiple dynamic elements (drops, releases, beats/spins depending on apparatus)
• Advanced transitions and combinations

Focus: Technical excellence, difficulty, and artistry

Elite / Pre-Professional

Top competitive and pre-professional athletes.

• Exceptional strength, control, and consistency
• Highly complex, original sequences
• Advanced risk elements performed with precision

Allowed:

• Full range of advanced skills appropriate to apparatus

Focus: Mastery, originality, and professional-level performance

Additional Placement Guidelines

Athletes with a background in gymnastics, dance, acrobatics, or other strength-based sports may demonstrate advanced strength, body awareness, and control even with limited aerial experience.

For this reason, athletes with a strong physical foundation may not be appropriate for Novice level, even if they are new to aerial apparatuses. Coaches should take overall ability into consideration when selecting a level.

Level Adjustment Policy

To ensure fairness and safety across all divisions:

• The Head Judge reserves the right to move an athlete to a higher level if the routine demonstrates skills or ability beyond the registered division
• Level adjustments may be made prior to or during the competition if necessary

Routine Review Option

If you are unsure about proper level placement, you are encouraged to submit a video of the routine for review prior to registration.

Our team will provide guidance to help ensure the athlete is placed in the most appropriate and fair division.

Final Notes

• Athletes must compete at the level that reflects their true overall ability
• Difficulty alone does not determine placement—execution and control are critical
• Performing skills above the level may result in reclassification
• Safety and fairness are the top priorities at all times

SKYDANCER JUDGING CRITERIA

SkyDancer recognizes athletes for technical excellence, artistic performance, and safe skill progression while encouraging creativity, originality, and individual style. Judging standards are designed to support athletes of all levels while ensuring fairness, consistency, and a positive competitive experience.

NOVICE & BEGINNER DIVISIONS

For Novice and Beginner athletes, judging emphasizes safe execution, proper technique, confidence, and artistic presentation rather than performing the most difficult skills.

Advanced skills are not required to receive high scores. Athletes are encouraged to perform skills appropriate for their level with confidence, control, and excellent technique.

Execution & Technique (10 Points)

Judges evaluate the athlete's ability to perform skills safely, cleanly, and with proper technique.

Judges look for:

• Proper body alignment and posture

• Pointed toes and clean body lines

• Strength and body control

• Balance and stability

• Smooth climbs, wraps, locks, spins, and transitions

• Safe execution of skills

• Confidence throughout the routine

Difficulty should be appropriate for the athlete's division and performed with consistency and control.

Artistry (10 Points)

Judges evaluate the overall presentation and performance quality.

Judges look for:

• Musicality and interpretation

• Stage presence and confidence

• Creativity and originality

• Choreography and routine flow

• Facial expression and audience engagement

• Overall artistic impression

Athletes should demonstrate personality, confidence, and a routine that flows naturally from beginning to end.

INTERMEDIATE • ADVANCED • ELITE DIVISIONS

Beginning with the Intermediate Division, athletes are expected to demonstrate increased technical difficulty while maintaining excellent execution and artistry.

Higher difficulty alone does not guarantee a higher score. Skills must be performed with proper technique, strength, flexibility, control, and confidence.

Difficulty & Technique (10 Points)

Judges evaluate:

• Appropriate difficulty for the division

• Strength and control

• Flexibility and extension

• Balance and body awareness

• Technical precision

• Clean execution

• Dynamic movement and transitions

• Variety of skills and combinations

• Safe progression

• Overall technical quality

Execution (10 Points)

Execution evaluates how well each skill is performed.

Judges consider:

• Proper body alignment

• Pointed toes and leg extension

• Control during climbs, inversions, wraps, drops, spins, and transitions

• Smooth movement without hesitation

• Stability and balance

• Clean entrances and exits

• Fluidity throughout the routine

Small technical errors, loss of control, bent limbs, flexed feet, extra adjustments, slips, or incomplete skills may result in deductions.

Artistry (10 Points)

Judges evaluate:

• Creativity and originality

• Musical interpretation

• Choreography

• Stage presence

• Character and emotion

• Performance quality

• Costume and theme

• Overall presentation

Athletes should create a performance that is engaging, expressive, memorable, and connected to the music throughout the routine.

HEAD JUDGE

The Head Judge oversees the overall quality, fairness, safety, and integrity of the competition.

Bonus Considerations

The Head Judge may award bonus points for:

• Exceptional originality

• Outstanding performance quality

• Innovative choreography

• Exceptional audience engagement

• Memorable artistic presentation

Deductions

The Head Judge may apply deductions for:

• Safety violations

• Time violations

• Costume or equipment violations

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

• Incomplete routines

• Failure to follow competition rules

• Music or administrative violations

Athlete Classification & Level Placement

To maintain fair competition and athlete safety, the Head Judge reserves the right to review an athlete's registered division.

If an athlete is determined to have entered a division below their demonstrated skill level, technical ability, or competitive experience, the Head Judge may recommend or require the athlete to compete in a higher division. This determination may be made before or during the competition.

Athletes, coaches, or studio owners who are uncertain about the appropriate level are encouraged to submit a routine or training video prior to the competition for a level review and placement recommendation.

All decisions regarding athlete classification, level placement, bonuses, deductions, safety, and rule interpretation are final.