Get Your Spirit On: A Beginner’s Guide to Basic Cheerleading

Cheerleading is more than just pom-poms and shouting; it’s a dynamic blend of athleticism, coordination, teamwork, and infectious enthusiasm. Whether you’re dreaming of joining a squad or simply looking for a fun way to get active, learning the basics of cheerleading is an exciting journey. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the fundamental motions, jumps, and chants, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to start your cheerleading adventure.

Before You Begin: Essential Preparations

Before you dive into the routines, it’s crucial to lay a solid foundation. Here’s what you need to consider:

1. Warm-Up is Key

Never start any physical activity, including cheerleading, without a proper warm-up. This helps to prevent injuries and prepares your muscles for the movements ahead. A good warm-up should include:

• Light Cardio: 5-10 minutes of activities like jogging in place, jumping jacks, or high knees. This raises your heart rate and increases blood flow to your muscles.
• Dynamic Stretching: These are movements that take your joints and muscles through their full range of motion. Examples include arm circles, leg swings, torso twists, and walking lunges. Avoid static stretching (holding a stretch for a prolonged period) before exercise.

2. Proper Attire

Comfortable and appropriate clothing is essential for cheerleading. Opt for:

• Athletic Wear: Clothes that allow for a full range of motion, such as leggings, shorts, and a fitted t-shirt or tank top. Avoid baggy clothing that could get in the way.
• Supportive Shoes: Athletic shoes with good support are a must. Choose sneakers with good cushioning and ankle support to protect your feet and ankles during jumps and movements. Avoid wearing sandals or casual shoes.
• Hair: Keep your hair tied back and out of your face to avoid distractions and potential safety hazards.

3. Safe Environment

• Open Space: Choose an area that is free of obstacles and provides ample space for movement. Avoid areas with slippery surfaces or uneven terrain.
• Supervision: If possible, practice with a friend or adult who can help provide feedback and ensure safety.

Basic Cheerleading Motions: Building Blocks of Routines

Cheerleading motions are the foundation of any routine. Mastering these basic movements is crucial before attempting more complex sequences. Here are some essential cheerleading motions:

1. High V

Description: Extend both arms diagonally upward, forming a ‘V’ shape above your head. Your palms should be facing forward, and your arms should be slightly bent.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend your arms out to the sides and then smoothly bring them up at a 45-degree angle, forming the ‘V’ shape.
3. Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid shrugging.
4. Maintain a tight core for balance and control.

2. Low V

Description: Extend both arms diagonally downward, forming a ‘V’ shape below your waist. Your palms should be facing forward, and your arms should be slightly bent.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend your arms out to the sides and then smoothly bring them down at a 45-degree angle, forming the ‘V’ shape below your waist.
3. Maintain a relaxed posture and avoid hunching over.
4. Engage your core to keep your balance.

3. T-Motion

Description: Extend both arms straight out to the sides, parallel to the floor, forming a ‘T’ shape. Your palms should be facing downward.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend your arms straight out to the sides, keeping them level with your shoulders.
3. Ensure your palms are facing the floor and your elbows are straight.
4. Keep your chest lifted and your core engaged for proper form.

4. Touchdown

Description: Extend both arms straight up above your head, parallel to each other. Your palms should be facing inward or each other.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Raise your arms straight up above your head, keeping them parallel.
3. Your palms should be facing inwards.
4. Maintain a strong, upright posture and avoid leaning forward or backward.

5. Clasp

Description: Bring both hands together in front of your chest, clasping your fingers together.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Bring your hands together in front of your chest.
3. Clasp your fingers together securely.
4. Maintain a relaxed but engaged posture.

6. Punch

Description: Extend one arm straight out in front of you, making a fist. Your other arm can be in a variety of other motions.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend one arm straight out in front of you.
3. Clench your hand into a fist, keeping your wrist straight.
4. The other arm can be on your hip or in any other motion needed

7. Broken T

Description: Extend your arms out to the side, bent at the elbow. Your palms are facing inward.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend your arms out to the sides.
3. Bend your arms at the elbow so your hands are facing inward

8. Daggers

Description: Extend your arms out to the side, bent at the elbow with your fists clenched and facing up.

Instructions:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend your arms out to the sides.
3. Bend your arms at the elbow with your fists clenched and facing up

Basic Jumps: Adding Height and Energy

Jumps are an exciting part of cheerleading routines, adding a dynamic element to the performance. Here are a couple basic jumps to start with:

1. Tuck Jump

Description: A jump where both knees are tucked up towards your chest while in the air.

Instructions:

1. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms at your sides.
2. Bend your knees slightly and swing your arms up and forward as you jump straight up.
3. As you reach your peak height, bring your knees up towards your chest.
4. Land softly on the balls of your feet, bending your knees to absorb the impact.
5. Return your arms to your sides.

Tips: Focus on a smooth, continuous motion. Practice on soft surfaces, like a mat or carpet.

2. Toe Touch

Description: A jump where you try to touch your toes with your hands in the air while in a straddled position.

Instructions:

1. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms at your sides.
2. Bend your knees slightly and swing your arms up and forward as you jump straight up.
3. As you reach your peak height, extend your legs out to the sides into a straddled position.
4. Reach down with your hands to try to touch your toes.
5. Land softly on the balls of your feet, bending your knees to absorb the impact.
6. Return your arms to your sides.

Tips: Start with small jumps and gradually increase your range of motion. Work on your flexibility.

Basic Chants: The Voice of Cheerleading

Chants are an essential part of cheerleading, using words and rhythm to create excitement and engage the crowd. Here are a few basic cheerleading chants to get you started:

1. Simple Repetition Chant

Example: “Let’s go (team name)! Let’s go (team name)! Go! Fight! Win!”

Instructions:

1. Clap along to the rhythm while saying the chant.
2. Use clear and strong voices while saying the chant.
3. Repeat several times.

2. Call and Response Chant

Example: Leader: “Give me a (team color)!” Cheerers: “(Team color)!” Leader: “Give me a (team color)!” Cheerers: “(Team color)!” Leader: “What’s that spell?” Cheerers: “(Team color)! (Team color)! Go (team name)!”

Instructions:

1. Designate a leader who will call out the first part of the cheer.
2. The other cheerers will respond to the call.
3. The cheer leader will prompt the rest of the cheer

3. Team Spirit Chant

Example: “(Team name)! We’ve got the spirit! Yes we do! We’ve got the spirit! How about you?”

Instructions:

1. Say the cheer loudly and proudly.
2. Add some arm motions to go along with the words.
3. Use this chant to rally and engage the crowd.

Tips: Be loud, clear, and enthusiastic! Make sure to practice the chants with your team so everyone knows the words. Coordinate your arm movements with the words to add extra flair.

Putting It All Together: Simple Cheer Routines

Now that you know the basic motions, jumps, and chants, let’s try putting them together into a simple routine. Here’s an example to get you started:

Routine Example 1

1. Start: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides.
2. Motion 1: High V (8 counts)
3. Motion 2: Low V (8 counts)
4. Motion 3: T-Motion (8 counts)
5. Motion 4: Clasp (4 counts), Punch (4 counts).
6. Jump: Tuck Jump
7. Motion 5: Broken T (4 counts) Daggers (4 counts)
8. Chant: Simple Repetition Cheer (4 counts)
9. Repeat: Repeat steps 1-7 as many times as you want.
10. End: Clasp your hands in front of you and shout the team’s name.

Routine Example 2

1. Start: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides.
2. Motion 1: Touchdown (8 counts)
3. Motion 2: T-Motion (4 counts), Clasp (4 counts)
4. Motion 3: High V (4 counts), Low V (4 counts).
5. Jump: Toe Touch
6. Chant: Call and Response Cheer (8 counts)
7. Repeat: Repeat steps 1-5 as many times as you want.
8. End: Make a high V and shout out the team’s name.

Tips: Start with slow movements and gradually increase the tempo. Practice each sequence multiple times until it feels natural. Record your performance to track improvements and find areas to work on. Be patient, cheerleading takes practice! Don’t get discouraged, everyone starts at the beginning.

Cool Down: The Final Step

Just like a proper warm-up is essential, so is a cool-down. After your practice session, incorporate the following:

• Static Stretching: Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds, focusing on the muscles you’ve used during the routine. Some examples include: quad stretches, hamstring stretches, calf stretches, arm stretches, and torso stretches.
• Light Cardio: Walk slowly or do some light movement for a few minutes to help your body recover.

Conclusion: Embracing the Spirit of Cheerleading

Learning the basics of cheerleading is a rewarding journey that combines fitness, teamwork, and self-expression. Remember to start with the fundamentals, practice regularly, and always prioritize safety. Embrace the energy and enthusiasm of cheerleading, and soon you’ll be confidently performing routines and cheering on your team! So grab your pom-poms, get ready to jump and shout, and let the spirit of cheerleading fill your heart!