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Fall 2010
Cheer-LEADING the Crowd: Let’s get to it!
As you know- fans attend to watch the games-not the cheerleaders, but there ARE ways to get fans to appreciate and understand what you’re there for: to lead the crowd.
Getting fans to yell with you may be one of the biggest challenges as a cheerleader, but it’s also the main purpose of a cheerleader. Here are some tips to help you and your squad get fans on their feet!
Get ’Em Ready before the Game
-Everyone loves music! If there’s an upbeat song on the radio, it’s almost impossible to ignore it! Playing music at a game can work the same way. People are already excited about watching their team play, and if you add a few spirit lifting tunes, they’ll be out of their seats. Utilize a custom made CD as well as your band and enjoy the results!
Leading through Stunting
-When doing a crowd- leading cheer, you want to be in a stunt as if you are standing on the ground (effortless). Remember, you will be able to lead the crowd better if you are comfortable in the stunt. You don’t want the crowd focused on what stunt you are doing. Instead, you want them to focus on what you are yelling.
-When you do stunts in a cheer, always incorporate signs, poms, and motions. A cheerleader flashing a sign on the ground will most likely be unnoticed, but if you put the sign up high, the crowd won’t be able to ignore it!
-Half-time and time-outs are perfect for those flashy skills! You can throw up a few basket tosses, build some pyramids, and wow the crowd! At this point, you won’t be distracting to the game, and fans will enjoy watching your skills and be impressed with your talent!
Know What's Going On
-There is nothing more frustrating to a player and fans than cheerleaders that don’t know what’s going on in the game. Watch the game. Know if your team is on offense/defense, and do a cheer that goes with the game.
-After you know what’s going on in
And remember when calling cheer/chants– don’t start calling them when your team needs concentration!
Have Short Simple Cheers and Motions
-It’s not necessary to tell the crowd a story with your cheers. If cheers are wordy, the crowd won’t be able to understand or follow. Stick with short cheers with easy words and the crowd will catch on to them quickly.
-Fans may not be joining in when the cheers start now, but there is no way they will ignore you if you follow these steps to great crowd involvement. Always watch the game, cheer hard, and get the crowd to yell with you. Don’t forget, that’s why you’re there!
Checklist: Prepare for Competition!
While every squad approaches competition from a slightly different angle– here is a general checklist to use as you prepare this season:
Check Time Limits, Boundaries & Legality of Stunts
Every competition has guidelines for maximum routine and music time. It is up to your squad to come in under the time limits. Many competitions also have boundaries which may cause trouble for squads who just use an open floor for practice. Squads also must know which stunts are legal or illegal.
Score Sheet Requirements
Different competitions have different score sheets. Make sure you have a routine that builds points on that particular score sheet associated with the event you are attending.
Evaluate Routine for Dead Spots
Step back from your routine and evaluate as a “judge/spectator” to locate the places that lose the attention of the crowd. You might want to arrange a Choreography Clean up Clinic to provide a fresh set of eyes. Place sharp filler motions or something in these spots to keep the continuity of the routine.
Evaluate Consistency of Stunts
If any stunt is not hitting on a consistent basis then it is guaranteed not to hit under pressure. When in doubt "water it down." The squad needs perform with confidence!
Synchronize Everything
Motions, dance, tumbling, tops in stunts, bases in stunts, when to walk, when to clap, everything– and do it sharp.
Have Fun
This is the time the stress level starts to rise at an incredible rate. Stop and talk about it. Work as a team- rely on each other. Remember, this should be fun or it's not worth it.
Build Confidence Again, talk about it. Work on building your confidence level. Take the floor as a team not as a group of individuals.
Perform in Front of a Crowd
Work out some of the nerves– the more performance times the better!
Make sure to have Backup copies of your Music
After you are positive your times are under the limit, make a few copies of the music and put different people in charge of it.
Be Prepared for any Outcome
Only one team will win in your division. If you don't place where you wanted to, then evaluate what you could have done better. It is always easier to blame and much harder to step back, evaluate, and grow from there. Also, if you do win, represent your school or gym with class. People will look forward to seeing you at the next competition
if you do!
Keep in touch with UCA & Your Apparel Rep!
Whether on the field or out in your community- your Varsity Apparel reps give you the means to promote school spirit! Did you know- your rep is here to help you with: Uniform orders, Camp gear, practice gear, filler orders, spirit raising props, Fund-raising ideas, Camp and Competition info and registration, and MORE!
Melinda Southern 919.787.5967 msouthern@varsityspirit.com
Krystal Maldonado 919.585.4722 kmaldonado@varsityspirit.com
Jessica Mancz 980.875.9175 jmancz@varsityspirit.com
Kelly Powers 910.300.9337 kpowers@varsityspirit.com
Kim Ponder 828.682.6309 kponder@varsityspirit.com
Cara Pullano 757.717.7805 cpullano@varsityspirit.com
Nicole Haight (all star customers) 800.977.4380 nhaight@varsityspirit.com
Contact me any time!Brandi Allen
UCA NC State Director
866-913-6782
ballen@uca.com
