About Cheerleading Chants

Sporting events can be a blast from the action alone, but they become even more vibrant when the spectators get into the action themselves. This, and other functions, can be encouraged through cheerleading chants. The chants aren't spewed off the top of the cheerleaders' heads. They spend much time and energy practicing, perfecting and enhancing the chants to get the best effects possible: an energized audience and team.

Function

Chants' primary purpose is to make a lot of noise, but they also have secondary roles. Some chants may be intended to rile up the crowd by getting the audience on their feet or stomping on the stands. Others may acknowledge a play well done, a player's great move or a victory. Others will pump life back into the players and crowd when a loss seems eminent. One more function of a cheerleading chant is to distract the other team. Loud chants are often called out when the other team is about to make a penalty shot or other play for which silence and concentration are crucial.

Features

Chants are big on repetition. Cheerleaders usually chant a phrase or word repeatedly so it's easy for others to join in. Some chants will rhyme, others will spell out team names or other words and all will include a definitive rhythm that energizes all who hear it. Chants rely mainly on loud, clear voices, but they can also be accompanied by stomping, clapping, dancing and the colorful twirling of batons and pompoms. Stunts, jumps and even choreographed routines can also accompany the chants.

Warning

Chants should not be performed at the highest decibel possible. Although chants should be loud, constant strain of the vocal cords will cause damage. More important is that the words are enunciated, timed properly with other chanters and clear. A megaphone can be used to boost the volume, but the array of cheerleaders chanting in unison can often be loud and effective enough if the chants are done properly.

Considerations

Some chants are taken from popular songs with a strong rhythm. An example of this is Queen's song "We Will Rock You." Cheerleaders line up facing front and chant: "We will, we will rock you." The chant is accompanied by two foot stamps and one clap for the three beats of the chant. For added effect, fists should be balled up and arms circled in front of the body as the feet are stamped, ending in a clap in front of the chest with hands held erect.

Universality

Many chants, including "We Will Rock You," are easily recognized and picked up by anyone who hears them. Others are universal to any game, yet some may be specific to a certain sport. The following chant, for example, is specific to basketball: "Dribble it (clap,clap) / Pass it (clap,clap) / Let's (clap) make (clap) a basket." Universal chants can often be tailored to a particular team name and colors. This chant is an example: "Go green, Go white, Go Spartans, Go right." Any team colors and name can be substituted, and the last word of the chant can be adapted to rhyme with one of the team's colors. Hence the chant can become: "Go blue, Go gold, Go Wolverines, Be bold."