Most people think that doing a cheer means you shout the words at the top of your lungs and wave your arms around endlessly; nothing can be further from the truth. In cheerleading, there are many factors that determine if you are doing a cheer correctly. Your motions have to be clean and sharp. You have to use your voice properly so that it carries and you have to pronounce each word correctly so that it is understood clearly. Then, there the stances that go with the motions and the jump at the end of the cheer, if you choose to use one.
Find a Cheer
Here are just a few of the
many cheerleading cheers on the About.com Cheerleading site. Determine what kind of cheer you want, then look through the list. Remember you're only limited by your imagination. You can make up your own words or use the words from more than one cheer. And don't forget to use your school's initials, your mascot or your school's name in place of what has been submitted. Now, write down your cheer, memorize it and practice saying it over and over again.
Cheerleading Motions
Whether it's a high V or hands on the hips, motions make the cheer. Keep in mind that your motions should be sharp and snappy and never done sloppily. There are right and wrong ways to do cheerleading motions, so take the time to learn the correct way to execute your motions. Once you've decided on what motions you want to use, put them with the words of the cheer and practice everything in front of a mirror. This is an ideal way to see if the cheer flows nicely or is awkward to perform. Don't be afraid to try something different.
Using Your Voice and Facials in Cheerleading
This is probably the most overlooked aspect of doing a cheer, but it is one of the most important. If the fans and audience can't hear you or see your facials, what's the point of cheering? You want crowd involvement and your ultimate goal is to spread the cheer and excitement. All of this is accomplished with your voice and the smile on your face. Don't sing your cheers and don't scream them. Pronounce each word clearly. Lower your voice so that it is deeper and carries further. Use your voice from your diaphragm and keep a smile on your face at all times. Happiness is contagious.
Ending Your Cheer with a Cheerleading Jump
A jump is the perfect way to end your cheer on an exciting note. Be sure to spend time on learning your cheerleading jumps. Also, know that the only way to improve your jumps is by doing a lot of them. There are no shortcuts. To perform a cheerleading jump you will need strong arms, legs, abs, shoulders, stomach muscles and lots of stamina. And that's where jump drills will help. Perfect each aspect of the jump which includes the prep, lift, execution and landing.
