The NCATA has further information on frequently asked questions for the following groups:
General Information
Q: What is Acrobatics & Tumbling?
A: Acrobatics & Tumbling is the evolution of different disciplines of gymnastics, which includes the athletic aspects of competitive cheerleading. The format was created at the collegiate level in 2009 to address the interests and abilities of young women competing in this skill set. Individuals and small groups execute acrobatic lifts, tosses, and tumbling.
Q: Is Acrobatics & Tumbling an NCAA Emerging Sport?
A: Yes. Acrobatics & Tumbling was adopted as a NCAA emerging sport in all three divisions effective August 1, 2020.
Q: Is Acrobatics & Tumbling an NCAA Championship Sport?
A: No. When 40 Acrobatics & Tumbling programs meet NCAA sport sponsorship thresholds for participants and competitions (18, 6), Acrobatics & Tumbling will be eligible to begin the legislative process for NCAA championship status.
Q: What division do Acrobatics & Tumbling teams compete in?
A: The NCATA is comprised of members from NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII. As the sport continues to grow all teams currently compete across divisions, though the NCATA schedule prioritizes divisional, regional, and conference competition.
Q: What are the athletic backgrounds of young women competing in Acrobatics & Tumbling?
A: Student-athletes in collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling primarily come from a variety of gymnastics and cheerleading disciplines, primarily women’s artistic and Xcel programs, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic, youth acrobatics & tumbling, all-star cheer, high school cheer and STUNT, and sideline cheer. Student-athletes also have backgrounds in diving, track & field, weightlifting, and dance or are multi-sport athletes.
Competition
Q: What is the format of an Acrobatics & Tumbling meet?
A: Two or three teams compete at a meet in head-to-head competition. A meet is made up of six events: Compulsory, Acro, Pyramid, Toss, Tumbling, and Team Event. Teams alternate taking the mat to compete each heat, the home team competes last in each heat. In total, there are 20 heats. Meets typically last 1.5 to 2 hours. For more detailed info, visit our
Meet Format page.
Q: What type of facility is required to host Acrobatics & Tumbling meets?
A: Acrobatics & Tumbling teams compete in a standard basketball or volleyball arena with hardwood surface. The competition floor is made up of 13 mats of carpet-bonded foam, which are 2 inches thick and measure 6 x 42 feet each.
Q: What is a standard uniform for Acrobatics and Tumbling?
A: It is a form fitting numbered jersey and shorts, much like a university volleyball team uniform. A tennis shoe is also worn by all participants (brand and style may vary from team to team). If a potential student-athletes is not used to performing in shoes, they will have ample time to adjust to wearing shoes during pre-season training once they arrive on campus.
Q: How many women compete on a typical Acrobatics & Tumbling team?
A: Up to 28 student-athletes may be listed on the competition roster for each meet. There are opportunities for student-athletes to compete in a variety of events or to specialize in events. If a team’s best player competed in every possible heat, she would participate in fourteen heats. An ideal roster size for an Acrobatics & Tumbling team ranges from 24-45 student-athletes
Q: How are meets scored?
A: Teams are scored on the execution of skills based on pre-determined start values in a standardized scoring system (similar to those used in gymnastics). Trained officials evaluate skill execution and apply deductions if technical errors occur.
Q: What size crowds do Acrobatics & Tumbling draw?
A: Acrobatics & Tumbling meets draw crowds both from the campus community and the general public. Crowds often include families with girls and young women who are involved or interested in activities using these skill sets, but also include students and others who enjoy the fast pace of meets (usually under 2 hours) and demonstration of strength, agility and teamwork that the Acrobatics & Tumbling student athletes demonstrate.
Sport Administration
Q: Are all NCATA Acrobatics & Tumbling teams added as varsity programs on college campuses?
A: Yes, NCATA members offer Acrobatics & Tumbling as a varsity intercollegiate sport within their athletics programs and do so in compliance with Title IX. A varsity sport is defined as being recognized and supported by an institutions athletic department, in contrast to being a club sport or other campus activity. To be considered a varsity programs, institutions must demonstrate programmatic resources are available in similar fashion as other varsity programs on campus. In addition, programs must compete in regular season competition against other varsity programs and have opportunities to qualify for post-season play in an established national championship format.
Q: How does competing in Acrobatics & Tumbling differ from competing in collegiate gymnastics, competitive cheer and STUNT?
A: Acrobatics & Tumbling meets include six events, all of which are competed on the floor and in varying group sizes. Collegiate gymnasts compete in four events on different apparatus as individuals. Competitive cheer is a program that provides an opportunity for sideline cheerleaders to compete beyond their campuses. STUNT is also a type of cheerleading competition in which participating teams compete identical skills outlined in a video in varying group sizes.
Q: How is competition in Acrobatics & Tumbling different than in NCAA Gymnastics?
A: In NCAA Gymnastics, student-athletes compete in the artistic gymnastics format four events (bars, beam, floor, vault). Included in those events are different apparatus. Acrobatics & Tumbling includes student-athletes from a variety of gymnastic disciplines – artistic, acrobatic, trampoline, power tumbling - and those who participate in competitive cheerleading. The sport includes six events, all of which are competed on the floor. Currently, there are no competitive opportunities at the NCAA level for gymnasts competing in disciplines other than artistic gymnastics.
Q: How is the experience of students competing in Acrobatics & Tumbling different than those who participate in cheerleading or STUNT?
A: In cheerleading, students participate in competition through their participation in their university’s spirit program or sideline cheer. In STUNT, students participate on a mixture of club and varsity programs. Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athletes at NCATA member institutions are members of varsity intercollegiate programs and train year round with their team, including sport specific strength and conditioning. Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athletes are treated like other varsity student-athlete on campus, with support for their physical health, mental health, academic success, career development, and community service.
Q: Could a student-athlete compete in Acrobatics & Tumbling and cheerleading?
A: Students participating in Acrobatics & Tumbling may not also participate in traditional cheer to ensure they are considered and treated as student-athletes. Students who have previously participated in sideline or traditional cheer are not prohibited for trying out for, and competing on, the Acrobatics & Tumbling team in subsequent years. However, they then relinquish their participation in cheerleading or cheerleading related activities. When institutions first establish an Acrobatics & Tumbling team, some already enrolled students may move from traditional cheer to Acrobatics & Tumbling; however, upon doing so, they may not continue their participation in traditional cheer.