Coaching Cheerleading

Coaching junior high cheerleading can be a challenging and fulfilling coaching experience. Many cheerleading coaches start out as cheerleaders themselves, and experience the teamwork and skill...

Ready to be viewed as something other than a ditz in the way of the game? Okay! Put down the poms and pick up these tips on looking like the intelligent, professional crowd-pleaser that you truly are!

Handstands are one of the essential moves every gymnast should know. They are performed on most apparatuses, are central to many tumbling stunts and build the upper body strength needed for many...

Do you have trouble passing the ball to the setter when it's served to you? Learn the best way to pass a volleyball with your arms.

Cheerleading, or rally, has come a long way since the days when it was considered an activity for girls only. Today's cheerleader is an extraordinary athlete, performing some of the most difficult...

I can just imagine what you are thinking.Most likely you are reading this and thinking "why would somebody need to learn how to jump?" To a certain degree,you will see you are right.Most...

I've been a competition cheerleader for 10 years and a gymnast for 6 years or so. I know learning a new skill can be very difficult, so I've broken down the basics of a back tuck to help you out.

Whether your just started out and want to be a cheerleader or your a seasoned veteran tryouts are always stressful. Especially if their are up and coming freshmen ready to take your place.

If you have mastered the backhandspring it's time to move on to the bigger and better things!

If you have never attempted to do any type of gymnastics in any way please don't try this! I don't want anyone to get hurt. This is mainly for people that have an idea of how to do it. (and yes,...

The Awesome (or Cupie) is an extended stunt in which the flyer is standing with both feet in the hands of the base(s). Traditionally, this is a co-ed two person stunt; however, it can certainly be...

The Retake is a simple addition to any combination stunt. It can be done in a liberty stance for the flyer or with two feet. The below instructions are for the flyer in a two foot stance. In the...

As a female base squad, it may feel like it takes longer to master a stunt than it should. Poor technique is usually to blame in such stunt groups in addition to injuries. Simple exercises will...

This is an elite level basket toss skill that includes 2 separate body movements: forming an "X" and then performing a full twist. A X-Full basket toss is to be performed by advanced level...

Tumbling has become an advanced for elite squads and that's why it's crucial to be able to perform your best, in any situation. Although we are all athletes, much of what we do is simply a mental...

Cheerleaders often forget to practice the most important part of being a cheerleader, which is to lead the crowd. Motions are the easiest form of leading the crowd, but are often overlooked even...

There are so many various skills involved in a cheerleading routine; it is difficult to perfect every skill in every category. Motions, jumps, stunts, dancing and tumbling are just a few of the...

Cheerleading music adds the excitement to the routine and provides entertainment for your audience; however, it is often difficult to select the right music from the wrong.

Specifically for high school squads, dedication is an extremely important element in this sport. Before the first day of tryouts begins, each potential candidate should know exactly what to expect...

Routines are tricky creatures and must be a 3 minute fluid action-packed show of perfection to earn a top score. Transitions are the key to the overall success of your routine.

As a coach, it’s either very easy or very difficult to tell if your routine is ready for the competition floor. Satisfying judges is no easy task. Competition routines vary enormously as do...

Cheerleading makeup defines the look of the squad on the competition floor. The eyes and lips are focal points and help dramatize facial expressions. Eye makeup should be fun and light. It should...

A single, or full down, is an advanced dismount for an extension prep. The bases and back spot perform the same as they would for a straight pop cradle. The flyer twists herself using her body;...

A double down is the most difficult dismount for a half extension to be performed by advanced level squads only. It is best suited for a half because the stunt group is able to give the flyer the...

A kick twist basket toss is to be performed by advanced level cheerleading squads only. If thrown correctly with proper strength and control, the kick twist basket toss is impressive to both...

This is an advanced level trick for flexible flyers who have mastered a steady liberty. The Arabesque 540 is a stunt in which a flyer, held in the air, extends one leg directly behind her,...

The Leg Star is a simple pyramid that is visually pleasing to audiences and judges alike. The counts are done in pairs, but the motion of the movement takes place on the odd number.

The Base 360 stunt sequence is exciting and requires a moderately advanced four-cheerleader stunt group to build. This stunt is unusual because the bases, rather than the flyer, will be doing the...

Developing a sold, creative, yet challenging routine season after season is an arduous task if you are one of the coaches who does her own routine choreography. A routine must have all the...

There are several methods taught for loading into a liberty by the United Cheerleaders Association and the National Cheerleaders Association. The run-in approach may be used as well with the...

The Three Person is an advanced and very difficult stunt commonly seen in co-ed squads. These directions are meant to incorporate single gendered squads as well. This stunt will earn a very high...

Basket tosses are stunts to be performed by intermediate to advanced level cheerleading squads. The toe touch variation is to be attempted once a straight ride basket toss is perfected. In order...

What should you do to get in shape? What will the judges look for? Do you have what it takes to make it through tryouts? Calm down!!!! Take a deep breath, now read on. Tryouts aren't meant to...

If you've left competitive cheerleading or just enjoy the sport and want to use your expertise in a positive way, consider being a judge for a cheerleading competition. You'll need to look at...

Many schools, summer camps or community sporting organizations have a cheerleading squad to help rally the crowd's support and keep the pep going throughout the sporting season. Follow the steps...

You can practice tumbling with your children at home if you have enough space. It doesn't take much. Here are some pointers for teaching kids how to do a cartwheel.

A cheerleading coaching conference is an excellent venue for amateur and seasoned coaches alike to learn new stunts, coaching techniques and to network with other cheerleading professionals....

Daring and competitive, high school cheerleading incorporates elements of dance, gymnastics and stunting into one exhilarating sport. If you want to be a high school cheerleading coach, you should...

Pop Warner cheerleading and dance squads are located in most of the fifty states, with most programs along the east coast and southern U.S. If you want to coach Pop Warner cheerleading, you have...

Cheerleading has been a popular pastime in the United States and abroad for the better part of the last century. Today's cheerleaders are serious athletes, with a wide range of gymnastics,...

Popular cheerleading chants are simple, impacting and highly memorable. When your squad wants to perform or learn popular cheerleading chants, you can select school standards or make up new ones...

If you want to coach college cheerleading, you have to have a solid background in competitive cheerleading, great physical stamina and a dedication to this ever-changing sport. College level...

Professional cheerleaders are typically associated with football and basketball in America and represent some of this country's most agile and outstanding athletes. If you want to become a...

In the United States, any cheerleading competition is a very competitive and potentially nerve-wracking event in which hundreds of squads compete in order to vie for one trophy. These competitions...

Cheerleading pep rallies can be simple or complicated to plan, depending on your squad size, resources and school environment. Either way, cheerleading pep rallies serve to boost school spirit,...

Since the 1970s, cheerleading has been taken seriously as a competitive sport in the world of high school and collegiate athletics. Cheerleaders as young as 5 have joined squads all across the...