Cheerleading is a fun weight- bearing physical activity.
You'll need a good comfortable pair of sneakers that provide
a lot of support and cushion for your feet. Also, many
cheerleaders use spirit-raising tools such as pom-pons
and megaphones.
Make sure you're well conditioned for all those kicks,
jumps, and splits. Warm up before each practice and game,
and focus on stretching your legs and back.
Cheerleading is a fast-paced competitive sport that's
good for your bones and involves a high level of endurance,
strength and precision. If you're just starting out, here
are some basic cheerleading motions:
Arm
Motions
Goal Post. Arms should be above your head, straight up
in the air, and touching the side of your head. Your fists
should be closed with your thumbs facing each other.
High V. From the goal post position, move your arms out
slightly wider to form a high V. Your arms should be slightly
in front of you so that you can see your fists out of
the corner of your eyes.
Low V. For this motion, the opposite of a high V, move
your arms down into a v-like position by your sides.
Basic T. Your arms should be straight out on each side,
in line with your shoulders. Your body should look like
a T.
Jump Tips
There are four main parts to a jump:
The Prep. Begin with your feet together with your weight
on your toes. Move your arms to a high V position and
keep your shoulders back.
The Whip. Next, lift your body up through your shoulders,
quickly swinging your arms forward in a circle. Bend at
the knees, keeping on the balls of your feet, building
up to the lift.
The Lift. When your arms complete their circle to the
high V position, jump off the ground, pushing through
your toes. Once you are in the air, pull your legs up
toward your arms. Keep your toes pointed, your arms stiff,
and your head up.
The Landing. Bring your legs together quickly so that
your feet are together when they hit the ground. Bend
your knees slightly to absorb the weight and take the
pressure of your legs.
For more information, visit: www.bam.gov/sub_physicalactivity/activitycards_cheerleading.html
