How to Be a Better Cheerleader

Last Updated: October 10, 2022 References

What do you think when you think of a good cheerleader? Tight with motions? Can hold a stunt? Well, it's not just that. You need to be fit in 3 categories: mental/emotional health, social health, and physical health. Cheerleading isn't just all fun and games. If you're reading this article, you're here because you want to become a better cheerleader, because you're bored and have nothing else to do, or because you're not fit in all three categories. This article will help you become the best cheerleader you can be!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Performance and Physicality

1
Stretch! Whatever stretches your coach has you do at the beginning of practice, do at home 1-2 times per day (splits, etc..) If you are a flyer, stretch your scorpion and heel stretch/bow and arrow. Over time, you will see a huge improvement!
2
Improve your basics! Handstands, bridges, back handsprings, and back bends will help you with more difficult tumbling. It's true!
- Learn how to fall the right way. Believe it or not, there is a right way of falling! If you're falling backwards, don't just freak out or twist; just do a safety roll, which is just almost doing a backwards roll, but not rolling and just stopping with your hands above your head. If you're falling forwards, tuck your chin in, extend your arms above your head, and roll.
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3
Improve your jumps. Remember to keep tight and squeeze your body the entire time. If you're sloppy, you can get hurt. A good way to improve your jumps is to practice the position of the jump you want to become better at when you're just sitting down watching TV or on the computer.
- For further improvement, buy a pair of ankle weights (about 1 to 2 pounds each is good). While wearing them, do "leg lifts" - sit in a straddle, put your hands in front of you, and lift your right leg 10 times without letting it touch the ground in between each lift. Do the same with your left leg, and then with both legs at the same time. It's important that you keep your hands in front of you and don't let your legs touch the ground in between each lift. Do this every day and your jumps will be much better!
4
Take tumbling. Tumbling is extremely beneficial to an aspiring cheerleader. A couple of benefits of tumbling are learning how to have better tumbling passes, helping with jumps, and needed exercise.^{[1]
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5
Work on your arm motions. When cheering, your motions should be sharp, not wild and uncontrolled. Shoot your arm motions, and make sure your arms aren't sloppy. Squeeze your arms at all times.^{[2]
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6
Work out every day! Being strong will help your tumbling, jumps, stunts, and everything else.^{[3]
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- Practice makes permanent, so even when you practice, fix every possible mistake.
7
Buy equipment to practice at home (don't do anything too dangerous, though). If you're working on back handsprings, barrels will really help.

If you mess up on a cheer at a game or competition, don't stop! No one in the bleachers knows that cheer! They are not a cheerleader! They won't know!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Attitude and Appearance

1
Pay attention to your appearance. If you don't take yourself seriously and look like a mess, why should other people take you seriously? Wear clothes that fit you, not ones that are too tight or too baggy. The best choice for cheer clothes are soft shorts and a T-shirt or tank top.^{[4]
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- Wear your hair up - ponytails are ideal. Not only does it look pretty, but it also keeps the hair out of your face while cheering.
- Never wear jewelry! It can get caught, snagged or ripped, and that hurts.
2
Be loud! Don't be afraid to yell! However, don't start screaming. You will stand out to the coach if they can hear you over everyone else. Remember to shout loudly and say the words clearly.
3
Have confidence. If you don't make it the first time, keep practicing and trying. If you do make it, then don't think, "Gee, I'm the best." Obviously you have skill if you've made the team, but no one (including the coaches) will want to deal with that kind of attitude, and it can affect you next tryout season.
4
Be Positive! Always have a positive attitude! Always believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you will succeed!^{[5]
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5
Don't let your personal life interfere.
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Never, ever give up!
7
If you want to work on one specific skill, take private lessons.
8
Try your best, even at your practice. You perform what you practice, and if you practice not trying, or saying it's too hard, you won't perform as well. As as long as you can say "I gave 100%," your coach will be happy.
9
Be kind. This step is another important one. When you watch movies, you may see cheerleaders being stuck up and rude but in reality, that's not how a cheerleader should be. If you're an awesome cheerleader, you will have respect for yourself and others. Don't pick on the new guy or people lower than you. That`s not cool even though your friends do it. A cheerleader is nice to everyone, and being nice means being nice to your team members too.^{[6]
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- Ask questions, ask your coach for things they are looking for also ask for previous routines and tapes.
10
Befriend a former cheerleader. Ask someone who's been on the team in previous years, preferably Varsity cheerleaders with more experience.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why do I need ankle weights for the flyer in cheerleading?

Community Answer

Because they are so heavy, you will get used to them and when you take them off, you jump even higher!
Question

How do I deal with people making fun of me for being a cheerleader?

Community Answer

Ignore them; reacting to bullies only encourages them to continue bullying. Be yourself, don't change yourself, and don't give up your dreams just because people make fun of you.
Question

How flexible do you have to be?

Community Answer

Being super flexible isn't always necessary but it does help. If you need more flexibility, your coaches and other girls should be able to help you become more flexible.

Warnings

Acting like a snob can cause you to be very unpopular among the rest of the school. Just remember that being on the cheerleading team doesn't make you better than everyone else, it just means you're good at cheering.

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While in a stunt, if the flyer begins to fall and you're a base, don't move out to avoid getting hit. Move in closer to the other base, and attempt to grab your flyer before she hits the ground. While the flyer is important, your safety is important too. If you are about to have someone fall on your head, just try to catch them or warn your other cheerleaders before they do. This way, no one will get majorly hurt.

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Don't work your muscles too much because that can cause injury and you won't be able to cheer.

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Stay in time with the rest of your teammates. Keep counting in your else, and use your peripherals to see what part everyone else is on.

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Don't spread any rumours about any other teammate during cheer-leading! It's just a major don't! People, even if they don't like the person you are talking about, will hate you, and it's just not a good thing to do!

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Don't lie about missing a practice. Tell the truth about everything to your coaches, and if they are good people, they will understand!

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When you do exercises, and your muscles start to burn, rest a bit then go back to exercising.

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Don't be mean to other people in the school that aren't as popular as you.

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Don't attempt any tumbling moves or advanced stunts unless you have a coach and mat or you have experience at them. Trying things before you are ready for them is what gets people hurt, and gives cheerleading a bad rep.

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