Cheerleading Tips

Dec 27, 2006

pom-pom queen

Cheerleading Tips - Grin and Bear It

A good cheerleader needs to be smiling even when your team is losing 45-7 to your biggest rival. No matter how hard a stunt or a cheer is, you've gotta keep the grin intact. During try-outs this is really important cuz the coach will notice. Try practicing cheers and routines in a full length mirror so you can keep an eye on your facial expressions. There is nothing worse than seeing a cheerleader doing a basket-toss with a look on her face like she has to go to the bathroom.

Cheerleading Tips - Belt It Out

You gotta have pipes on ya if you're gonna be a great cheerleader. We're talking a clear, loud voice. You've also gotta be able to maintain that loud voice while performing routines. Kinda like Usher belting it out while still bustin' a move. It's not as easy as you think. Practice the moves and the words together - a lot - because sometimes your voice might slip if you're concentrating on the moves of a cheer. Also, lie on your stomach and belt out the cheers while concentrating on your gut. This will help you learn to yell from your stomach, rather than your throat. Your vocal chords will thank you later.

Cheerleading Tips - Come on Get Snappy

A good cheerleader's moves are always tight and rigid. When you clap, your arms should be in front of your face (about lip or nose height) and should not go past your shoulders on the release. Have a buddy put his or her hands on your shoulders and learn to clap in the space in between. Eventually, you'll have that snappy, tight cheerleader clap.

Cheerleading Tips - Learn the Lingo

Ever listen to cheerleaders on the sidelines or in the lunch line? It's like they've got their own vocabularly. That's because, like any sport, there are terms for their moves. If you learn them before you try-out, you're likely to impress the coach - and it'll make things smoother for you. For example did you know there is more than one way to hold your hands during cheers? There are fists, buckets, daggers, etc. Do you know how many people it takes to do a basket toss or what a cupie is? For a glossary of cheerleading terms click here.