How to Plan Cheerleading Pep Rallies

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, solidarity and excitement. They can incorporate many elements, including bonfires, band performances and cheerleading routines.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• School marching band
• Banners
• Bonfire

Plan Your Pep Rally

1. Choose a date for your pep rally. Typically, you'll want to plan cheerleading pep rallies around school events, such as homecoming, prom, or a big football game to make them more relevant.
2. Get approval from your school's activities director for your pep rally. Be sure to detail all the events involved (powder puff football, limbo, dance routines, bonfire, etc.) so that the school will have full knowledge of the festivities.
3. Choose a site for your pep rally. Usually a gymnasium is ideal for winter pep rallies, while outdoor fields or school stadiums are traditional spring pep rally sites.

Prepare for Your Pep Rally

4. Make large 9 foot by 12 foot banners out of white sheet paper for your team to run through when entering your pep rally. Be sure to cut slits in the paper throughout for easy tearing and attach the banner to sturdy poles on either end for gripping.
5. Create 24 inch by 36 inch signs out of posterboard or card stock. These signs can be held by other cheerleaders or passed through the crowd. Each should display appropriate messages like "Beat the Tigers!" or "Go Wildcats!"
6. Practice a specific routine to perform at your cheerleading pep rally. This routine can be looser than a traditional game cheer and can incorporate modern music and dance to get the crowd going.

Tips & Warnings

• The Universal Cheerleading Association, or UCA, always has new and improved ideas for cheerleading pep rallies.
• Use crowd participation at cheerleading pep rallies by shouting repetitive chants and cheers to keep students and fans excited.
• If you have a bonfire, be sure school officials are in charge of lighting and regulating the location of the fire in order to follow all necessary safety precautions.
• Make sure cheerleading pep rallies are located in areas that allow lots of people to easily congregate without crowding. If located inside, be sure there are adequate exits in case of emergency. Outside locations should be free of debris and allow for plenty of parking when applicable.

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