Cheerleading

Team sport

Cheerleading is an activity in which the participants (called "cheerleaders") cheer for their team as a
form of encouragement. It can range from chanting slogans to intense Physical activity. It can be
performed to motivate sports teams, to entertain the audience, or for competition.

Cheerleading routines typically range anywhere from one to three minutes, and contain components of
tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting.

Tumbling Dance

Jumps

Cheers Stunting
Cheerleading teams can have anywhere from five to thirty-five athletes. This is not your typical sport in
the sense of “one game and done.” This involves competitions and well- rounded athleticism. For
instance, flexibility, endurance, stability/strength (to catch and hold teammates), and concentration are
all key in cheerleading. Faith in teammates is curial for this sport. Additionally, there is a lack of
redemption in cheerleading, therefore, if one teammate is slacking or distracted, it can derail the
rhythm of the entire team. Cheering is an intriguing mix of athleticism, creativity, collaboration, and
competition.

History of Cheerleading

Although cheerleading is today predominantly associated with femininity, the original cheerleaders
were men. Cheerleading was connected to the emergence of gridiron football at Ivy League colleges
and universities in the United States in the mid-1800s, and the growth and formalization of cheerleading
paralleled that of football. Over the latter half of the 19th century, as attendance at college games grew,
large stadiums were constructed, and spectators were distanced from the playing field. Cheerleaders—
or “yell leaders,” as they were then called—led cheers from the sidelines both to encourage the
spectators and to serve as a form of crowd control. By the 1920s cheerleading had become a formal
extracurricular activity for boys in high schools, colleges, and communities across the country, related to
but distinct from other spirit programs such as marching bands, drum corps, and drill teams. As
ambassadors for their schools and communities, cheerleaders were associated with such character-
building traits as discipline, cooperation, leadership, and sportsmanship.

Women and people of color were excluded from the private all-male schools where collegiate sports
and cheerleading first developed, but many state-supported institutions began to admit women at the
turn of the century, opening the way for their participation in sporting events. Women began joining
cheer squads during the 1920s and ’30s as collegiate sports proliferated and men and women began
socializing more in public.

Equipments

Cheerleaders wear:

Cheerleading uniforms. A cheer uniform consists of a sports top and bottoms (sports bra, pleated skirt
or spandex shorts), cheer briefs, cheer socks, and cheer shoes.
Accessories:

Poms. Traditional cheer poms, or pom-poms are colorful tufts of plastic strips with handles used by
cheerleaders to jazz up their routines. Poms come in many color combinations and shimmery effects.

Megaphones. Cheer squads often use megaphones to make their cheers more audible. Electronic and
acoustic hand-held megaphones amplify the voice, making it easier to interact with the crowd.

Cheer bags. Cheerleaders are on the go a lot, and need to keep their accessories in one place.
Cheerleader bags should provide enough room to stow everything and have good ventilation.

First aid supplies. Accidents happen while cheering! Kits, cold and hot packs, wraps, bandages and
sprays are a must at every cheerleading event. Epic Sports allows you to customize your own team kit,
or buy a few ready-made.

Cheerleading floor mats

Landing mats

Cheerleading Mechanics

1.Opening (2-4 8-counts):

The opening section can demonstrate any type or variety of skills. The most important thing to
remember is this will be your first impression on the judges, so be sure to show your strengths.

2. Standing tumbling (2-4 8-counts):

This section is typically placed in the opening, or soon after, due to the strength needed to perform
these skills. Most standing tumbling refers to back walkovers (for lower levels), back handsprings, or a
tumbling series ending with a tuck, layout, or full twist as the level increases.

3. Partner stunts (6-10 8-counts):

These are stunts (lifting or tossing a flyer) with at least one base. There may be multiple groups or pods,
but the flyers do not touch.

4. Running tumbling (6-8 8-counts):

This section can be performed either as a group or as an individual’s specialized skill.

5. Jumps (2-3 8-counts):

Toe touches, hurdler jumps, and pike jumps should all be included in routines to max out points. Mixing
multiple jumps together and combining them directly into standing tumbling always increases points if
performed properly.

6. Basket tosses (2-3 8-counts):

For this section, two bases with a front and back spot toss a flyer in the air and catch them in a cradle.
The flyer will hit a skill in the air as well, such as a toe touch. Some lower levels cannot perform this skill.

7. Pyramid (6-10 8-counts):

A pyramid is executed by multiple groups lifting multiple flyers, with the flyers connecting in some
fashion by touching or bracing one another in the air.

8. Dance/motion section (4-5 8-counts):

This section is typically placed toward the end of the routine and considered the fun part when the team
can express its style.

9. Transitions (one 8-count):

Transitions are placed between sections, and it is always best to reduce the length and number of
transitions to maximize the use of your time gaining points. Transitions do give the judges time to digest
and note things, but if they can’t look down because so many creative things are happening, that’s
always a good sign. Combining jumps and standing tumbling is a great way to eliminate a lengthy
transition. Another way to reduce transition time is to make sure the tumbling sections keep the stunt
groups on the same side of the mat.

We’ve listed a wide range for the number of 8-counts dedicated to each skill section because it will vary
depending on the age and level of the team. The number of 8-counts is based on a 45 8-count mix,
which has an overall time of 2:30. The points system often dictates how much time is allocated to the
various sections, which is based on the competitions you attend. It’s important to remember to spend
more time highlighting strengths and minimize the time allotted for their weaknesses. Creativity, visual
effects, and smooth transitions always help keep the judges and audience engaged and impressed.

Rules

 Cheerleading squads must be placed under the direction of qualified coaches

 All practice sessions should be supervised and held in an appropriate location
 Coaches should limit a squads' activities to what is appropriate for its level of ability
 Cheerleaders should not perform activities until safely perfected/demonstrated
 Cheerleaders must receive proper training before attempting any form of cheer gymnastics
 Squads should be professionally trained in spotting
 Cheer squads should adopt comprehensive conditioning and strength-building programs
 Cheerleaders should perform warm-up routines before all cheerleading activities
 Before performing any skill, the immediate environment should be considered
 Technical skills should not be performed on hard, wet, uneven, or obstructed surfaces
 Cheerleaders should be trained progressively using spotters until a skill has been mastered
 No jewelry except for religious or medical bracelets are allowed provided they are taped to the
body
 Hard or rough supports, braces and air casts must be covered. Wearers of certain types of casts
may not perform stunts and certain other activities
 Members must wear athletic shoes; no gymnastics slippers
 Hazardous props must be tossed or placed gently
 Mini-trampolines, springboards, and other height-increasing equipment are prohibited in
competitions and performances. May be used in training under the care of qualified coaches