Competitive T&T Full Season team | Competitive Short-Season Cheer Teams | Non-Competitive Pre-Teams for T&T | Non-Competitive Cheer Classes, Clinics & Teams

Twiststars Tumbling & Trampoline AND DuPage Cheer & Power Tumbling

A poster with some information about the pre-team programs.

Competitive and Non-Competitive T&T (Tumbling & Trampoline Gymnastics) Teams: Check out our different programs:

T&T is short for Tumbling and Trampoline Gymnastics and we do it all here at DuPage Cheer & Power Tumbling. We have three tracks for those who love everything tumbling and trampoline and depending on your commitment, availability and skill, can determine which track is best for you!

The travel team starts in June every year and runs a full year through May each year. For ages 7 +. Depending on age/ability, practices are 3-5x a week for 2.25 hours each practice. Travel team attends 5-8 travel competitions (~2-5 hours away) from December - May with invitationals, state in April and Regionals in May. If athlete qualifies for Nationals, we highly recommend athlete attends their Nationals but we do not mandate. For levels 8- Elite, Gymnastics Championships is usually the 3rd week in June and for levels 5-7, Stars & Stripes is usually the 3rd or 4th weekend in July. Travel team is a more regimented program working all three events with athletes looking to advance skills and routines. Many of our travel athletes are working towards Nationals and international competitions so the sky is the limit with the travel team.

Pre-Team is for the more advanced class athletes ages 5-8 (Silver) and ages 8-12. (Gold) who are interested in learning more skills, progressing them into routines and continuing their love for tumbling and trampoline but not quite ready to commit to a full season T&T program. It is the initial step into a competitive program for the older athlete with less overall commitment than our travel team. DCA's pre-team is co-ed where girls and boys at or around the same level and age practice together with the focus on advancing individual skills and learning to connect these skills into routines that they can then compete in a showcase in a fun, stress-free environment at in-house events. Practices for pre-team is 2x a week.

Fall Pre-Team (Silver): Sept 2 - Dec 12 | Ages 5-8 | Registration Due: Aug 25

We are taking registrations now for our pre-team silver group (ages 5-8). Pre-team Silver will practice 2x a week for 3 hours a week: Tuesdays 5-6:30pm and Saturdays 2-3:30pm. Each practice athletes will work skills, drills and routines on all three events: tumbling on rod floor, trampoline and double mini trampoline. There will be a clinic in October for this group and the end of session showcase on December 12th at 2pm. Athletes receive a team training leotard and are encouraged to do both fall and spring session- but it is not required. For those who are ready with routines and interested in competing, we will offer an in-house USAG competition in December but this is optional. For more information on Pre-Team Silver, please register for the Pre-Team Try Out and Trial on Saturday August 22 - it's free and a chance to try out all three events and learn some skills in a fun team environment. Can't make it on the 22nd but still interested? Call the front desk for more information and the registration form.

Fall Pre-Team (Gold) | Sept 2- Dec 12 | Ages 8-13 | Registration Due: Aug 25

Pre-Team Gold is for our older athletes ages 8-13. Registration is open now through August 25th. Pre-team Gold will practice 2x a week for 4 hours/week: Wednesdays & Fridays 4:15- 6:15pm. Each practice athletes will work on advanced skills, drills and routines on all three events: tumbling on rod floor, trampoline and double mini trampoline. We follow USAG progressions and levels and the goal is for these athletes to have competition ready routines to show off in December. For athletes interested in competing and seeing what it is about, we will offer an in-house USAG sanctioned meet in December. This is optional. The session starts the week of September 2 and ends with the showcase on December 12th (~2pm). There will be a clinic for this group in October and the showcase at DCA on December 12. We encourage athletes to participate in both the fall and spring sessions but it is not required so if you can only do one session, we'd love to have you. If you are unsure about this sport, please come to the August 22 team tryout and trial where you can try skills on all three events in a fun and safe team atmosphere. It will give you a taste of what this program looks like and it is FREE. Please just register through the parent portal so we know to expect you. Can't make it on the 22nd but still want to do the fall session? Call us for more information and to get the registration form.

Here are some commonly asked questions and basic information about our T&T team!

What Is T&T?

T&T is short for "tumbling and trampoline" and is a competitive sport for males and females governed by the USA Gymnastics (USAG). T&T is called "trampoline gymnastics" internationally and is just one of the branches of the sport of gymnastics. Although you may only be familiar with artistic gymnastics as this is what is broadcasted on television, gymnastics encompasses T&T gymnastics, acro gymnastics, and rhythmic gymnastics. T&T has four events (the BEST four events in our book).

Tumbling

which consists of high-energy tumbling passes where each progressive skill performed is faster than the previous skill. A power tumbler gains speed as he/she tumbles down the rod floor flipping and twisting but has to stick the landing at the end of the pass for maximum points. DCA competes with floor levels starting with round off back handsprings through elite passes consisting of whips, double flips and transitioning in the middle of the tumbling pass.

Trampoline

trampoline routines from beginner to elite consist of 10 skills performed in a row with precision, strength, and height. A trampolinist must perform these 10 skills and stick the landing acquiring the appropriate amount of difficulty for that level while keeping form and kick-outs. Beginner routines start with tucks, straddles, and half turns while elite passes include double somis in almost every bounce! Trampoline increases air awareness and makes for better tumblers and is currently the only T&T event that is competed in the Olympics.

Double Mini Trampoline

is trampoline that consists of two beds. An athlete runs at the double mini trampoline from about 50 feet, does one skill set onto the surface of the trampoline (mounter skill) and one skill off (dismount skill), and lands on the landing mat. The skills range from beginners doing tuck or straddle to, again, elite level performing the double and triple somi mounter skill on and a double to triple somi dismount skill.

Synchronized Trampoline

Syncho trampoline is a huge event in Europe and Asia and is gaining attention here in the USA. It is fun and addictive event where two trampolinists perform the exact same routine on two different trampoline beds in sync. The athletes are judged on the difficulty of their routine, the execution of their routine, and their ability to stay synchronized.

T&T is fun, addictive, and the average team member commits to 4–12 hours in the gym, leaving lots of time for other sports, homework, family time, etc. In the world of recreational, high school, and all-star cheer, T&T is a great compliment to cheerleading as the athletes are usually the best, most confident tumblers on the cheer floor. T&T is also a great alternative for a gymnast that is no longer interested in competing on bars, beam, and vault but is only interested in competing tumbling and learning to do trampoline and double mini.

At the highest level, T&T athletes compete at world championships, while trampolinists compete at the Olympics.

What skills do I need to join DCA's TNT competitive?

DCA's T&T team has a spot for everyone interested in learning and competing skills from back handsprings to double-twisting layouts and more! If someone is interested in being on the power tumbling team, we'll place you at your level for competition for tumbling, trampoline, or double mini (or all 3!); but we’ll continue to work with the athlete to advance their skills for all events. At the most basic level, we like to see athletes with a solid round off to a rebound on the floor, an understanding of two-foot jumps on a trampoline surface, the ability to take direction from a coach, and a willingness to learn.

What is the typical practice and competition schedule for a team?

Our team kids are in the gym 2–5 times a week with 2–3 hour practices per day (depending on level), covering all three events: double mini trampoline, trampoline, and rod floor tumbling. During the summer, we practice during the 12–4:30 pm time from Monday–Thursday with morning practices on Fridays. During the school year, practice expands out to Monday–Friday 4 pm–9 pm (younger athletes taking the earlier 4–6 pm practice slots on weekdays and the junior high–high school athletes taking the 6–8:30 pm practices) and 3rd grade – HS athletes coming in on Saturday mornings as well. Coaches work very hard to come up with proper drills and curriculums for each athlete, to best accommodate their skill level and their competition goals; so even though this is a team, it is very much individualized training for each athlete on our team.

The competition schedule will come out in September, and each level will have set meets they will be required to attend at the local level (within 2–4 hours from the Chicago suburbs). We always add a fun (but competitive) travel competition that is optional but a great opportunity to get in front of new judges, compete against athletes from across the country, and bond with your teammates. All DCA athletes compete at USAG state meet usually in April and USAG Regionals in May. We encourage everyone who qualifies for Nationals to attend but it is not mandatory. At the highest level, athletes can compete internationally and World Age Group Championships and World Championships held every November through FIG as well as World Games and World Cups usually held in the summer months all over the world.

The team is fun but a lot of work, and we welcome all hardworking and dedicated athletes who are interested in the sport of tumbling and trampoline.

If you have any questions, please call us at 630-588-9000 or email at coach@dupagetumbling.com.

Preliminary Information for DCA's Short Season Allstar Program is Here! Tryouts will be December 5th and the first practice will be December 14. Check out links below for more info. We run a short season cheer program every winter/spring. Our cheer season starts right as the recreational cheer season ends and is a perfect compliment to your rec cheer season. All-star is a different competitive cheer program focusing on fast-paced routines with intricate motions, advanced stunting, and leveled tumbling. Build your cheer experience and advance your personal cheer skills by doing all-star cheer and see why people LOVE doing DCA cheer in their "off" season. Interested in pre-season cheer private lesson or evaluation? Our coaches can work with your athlete 1:1 in our cheer private lessons to help prepare them for tryouts. Time spent on tightening up motions, jump prep, facials, dance and timed tumbling. A great way to give your athlete a little confidence before they go into tryouts. Link for setting up these 1:1 cheer privates coming soon.

Prelim Info on DCA Allstar Cheer Practice Schedule, ages & divisions

Prelim Info on DCA Allstar Cheer Important Dates & Competitions

Tiny Novice: Ages 4-6. No try outs. Exhibition team with 1 practice day/week + your choice of tumbling day.
Mini Novice: Ages 7-9. The perfect team for learning allstar stunts, tumbling and performing a routine the athlete is proud of. One practice/week + tumbling class of your choice.
Youth Novice: Ages 8-12. Designed to build and improve each athlete's skills at the allstar cheer level to eventually be on a prep or elite team. The love for cheer is cultivated here! 1 team practices/week + your choice of tumbling class.
Youth Prep: Ages 8-12. For athletes who love cheer and are still building skills. Allstar skills and experience in a competitive environment. 2 team practices/week and pick your tumbling day.
Junior Prep: Ages 10-15. For athletes dedicated to improve and advance their all star stunting and tumbling skills by working hard to accomplish team goals. 2 team practices/week plus pick your tumbling day..
Elite: Youth & Junior divisions geared toward the athletes who are committed to performing at the highest level and have past allstar experience.
Boot Camp for our 7th & 8th graders looking to try out for their high school cheer team-January - April each year. Saturday Boot camp + you choose your tumbling day. Jumps, motions, stunting, dance and tumbling + mock tryout at end.
Jr. Boot Camp: 5th and 6th graders looking to stay in shape with their cheer skills during the off season from recreational cheer. January - April. Saturdays + a weekday tumbling class.

Cheer-Abilities Program (DCA BLITZ)

DCA has a special needs team called BLITZ, and they are awesome. This team has been running since 2012, and many of the original girls are still on the team today! We meet Saturday afternoons during the school year. Times vary each school year so please call, and you can come to watch or participate in practice to see if this is something your child is interested in doing. Athletes learn cheer moves, dances, a special DCA cheer, and participate in around 3–4 competitions/performances each year. The only cost to participate in BLITZ is a uniform fee which we try very hard to keep reasonable but still match our other cheer program's uniforms. We work with every ability, and everyone is welcome on the team. BLITZ is part of our cheer family and participates in all team events like our end of season banquet. Interested in finding out more about our special needs team, or know someone who would LOVE to be part of this team? Give us a call at 630-588-9000.