Ok, well there are a lot of general questions and other post floating about so I decided to make a post that should generally help you with all your cheerleading areas!

*Basic Motions*

Clasp- The clasp is one of the easiest motions. Tightly wrap hands around each other, hands should be right be low your chin. Squeeze your shoulders in and hold tight to your body your sort of squeezing your boobs.

The 'T'- The T is a very commonly used motion. Arms are brought out to the sides. Arms should be parallel to the floor, elbows straight, shoulders down, fits closed, wrists inline with your arm, and both arms should be level.
*-------((()))---- *

Touch Down AKA Goal Posts- Both arms are directly above your shoulders, straight up. Your arms should be touching the sides of your ears, with wrists straight, and elbows straight. Your fists are closed and facing inward towards each other.
* *
- -
- -
-o-

High V- Arms are place above head basically in a v position. Arms out in front of you so you can see your fists and part of your arms. Make sure your wrists and fists are inline, because this is a common error in cheerleading.
*---- *
-\---- /
---\---- /
-----\--0--/

Low V- The Low V is the same as the high v but lower and by your waist. Put fists over belly button and shoot out that is the level that your arms should be out at.

----/-------\
---/---- \
--/---- \
-*---- *

Sorry about all the extra lines in the diagrams they wouldnt let me do them with just spaces.
This is a sight that has a lot of cheerleading motions that I didn't cover and it shows pictures of the motions: www.cheermanitoba.ca . . .


*Jumps* www.eteamz.com . . .
www.mspineapple.com . . .
groups.msn.com . . .(helpful sights)

When doing a cheerleading jump you should always be counting (5-6-7-8-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) until you land and clean up. 5-6-7-8 is the preparation where you stand cleaned up. 1-2 is when you hit your clasp. 3-4 is when you hit your high v. 5-6 is where you swing your arms in front of your body and back up to a T which should be hit on the count of seven. 8 is where you slap down and clean up. Counts 5-6-7 is where you get all your power from; when you swing your arms in front of your body build up motion and jump and your arms and jump should hit at the same time on the count of 7. When you land make sure you bend you knees slightly to absorb impact.

Toe Touch- When you jump you rotate your legs so they are at hip level. And your knees are facing the ceiling. Make sure your rotating your hips and not just jumping upward. Arms are placed into a T motion. Don't reach for your toes bring your feet up to your arms. Sit into your jump to help rotate hips more also keep your back straight don't hunch over!

---- O
*-------/\-----*
---- /\
\-------/\-----/

Left and Right Hurdler- The left or right leg is in a toe touch position straight with toes pointed. The opposite right or left leg is bent in a table top position with the knee parallel to the ground, but not facing the ground. Arms are in a T.

Front Hurdler- The left or right leg is right in front of your body kicked up. The opposite right or left leg is bent with the knee facing the ground. Arms are over your head in a diagonal touch down position. Don't whip your head and look down, always look straight ahead or up.


*Stunts* www.mspineapple.com . . .

Always stunt with spotters around, mats, and a qualified coach.

Flyer- the person who is lifted up into the air.
Base- the people who hold/throw the flyer up in the air.
Back Spot- the person who helps get the flyer into the air and also helps the bases hold some weight. The back should always be counting during the stun.
Front Spot- another person who helps the bases with some of the weight and helps the flyer get into the air.

Shoulder sit- the base lunges, the flier kicks up and around on to the bases shoulders.
Thigh Stand- Two bases lunge in towards each other, the flyer puts one of her feet into the bases pocket (a level and sturdy spot that will show up if the base is in a deep lunge) the base wraps there arm around the flyers leg and its repeated on the other side.

Prep/Extension- The flyer steps into the bases hands on 1-2 the bases should be in a double lunge. The back spot should hold the flyers waist. The bases will bring the flyer up to chest level (Prep) or fully extended over there heads (Extension.)

I have not gone into great detail because you should not be stunting with a qualified coach around or a person who knows the stunts and positions.

*Cheers/Chants* www.mspineapple.com . . .

Chants- a short peppy cheer, it is normally done during the game, It usually has a lot of quick sharp motions or stomping and clapping. X= clap
Ex: Purple (clasp) and gold (high V), Purple (clasp) and gold (high V), Purple (clasp) and gold (high v), lets (as you bring your arms down from a high v back to clasp) FIGHT (X), FIGHT (X), FIGHT !! (X)


Cheers- a longer than a chant, it usually includes a jump or two, with quick sharp motions.
Buffalo Hills are the best (XXXX)
Were number (bent knees arms in clasp position) 1 (spring up onto toes and have arm in touch down position with finger in #1 position), we're BHS (XXXX)
We'll put you to the test, (jump: toe touch)
Fighting harder than the rest. (jump: side hurdler)
We're pushing (arms at shoulder height bent) to the (Arms out in front of body crossed right over left) top (swing to high V).
Purple (left arm in high V right arm in low V) and (the T position) Gold (right arm in high V left arm in low V) cant be (arms behind head fists hidden behind head, elbows up) stopped (jump out to low V)
(right arm on hip whole time) Go (left arm flat and bent fist near collar bone) Fight (left arm bent, elbow pointing down to ground, fist near shoulder) Win (left arm up in touch down position)
Yell Go (X) Fight(X) (pause cross arms over chest) win (Hit high V.)

*Stretching* cheerleading.about.com . . .

Before you begin to stretch you should warm up. Try running like 4 laps around a large gym or something.

Stretching is a very important part of cheerleading! It should always be done before any type of cheerleading or sport activity, it helps prevent in muscle injury.

Arms-
1) Bring left arm behind head into a bend position with fist facing down and use left arm to gently pull until you feel it. Repeat with other arm.
2) Bring left arm across chest, bring right hand to cup the elbow and gently pull until you feel a stretch. Then repeat on other arm.

Neck-
1) bring ear down to left shoulder and repeat on other side. (3-5 times on each side)
2) bring chin down to the chest and bring the back of your head to your back as if trying to touch your head to your back. (3-5 times on each side)

Shoulders-
1) Bring arms straight above head clasp hands together. Lean to the left but keep body centered over hips, only lean a little bit till you can feel the stretch and repeat on other side. (repeat 2x)
2) Bring arms behind body clasp and pull shoulders back, then lean forward and raise arms up as high as they will go. (repeat once)

Lunges-
1) Stand with feet a little wider than shoulder width bend right knee and lean to that side, hold for a count of ten and repeat on other side.
2) Stand with one foot in front of the other bend front leg and lean forward, switch feet and repeat.

Straddle-
1) Sit on floor with legs spread open as far as they will spread. Lean your left ear over to left knee and bring right arm over head as if trying to grab your toes, if you can grab your toes that great! Repeat on other side)
2) Still on floor in straddle position, lean your nose into your knee and try to grab foot with both hands repeat on other side.
3) Reach arms forward out away from straddle and lean down try to touch your nose to the floor if you can turn your head to the side and try to touch your ear.
*always be sure that your toes are pointed! *

Pike-
1) Bring legs together pointe toes and reach forward and try to grab them. (repeat twice)
2) With legs still together flex feet you should feel a little pull on your calves and lean over and try to grab your feet. (repeat twice)

Splits- place left foot infront of right and slide down as far as you can go, that is a left split, and hold for the count of 10. (repeat on other side)

Other-
Bridges
Try straight kicks
Heel stretches
Scorpians

*Tumbling* www.mspineapple.com . . .

Tumbling is a very important part of cheerleading. Many squads require tumbling or it is an added bonus. I would sugesst that you take a weekly tumbling class it helps alot and improves your chances of making it onto the squad.

Common Skills -
Forward roll
Cartwheel
Round off
Back handspring
Back tuck
Layouts

*Tryouts*

About.com has an email that they will send you to prepair you for tryouts! Here is some more information about it: cheerleading.about.com . . .

Tryouts normally consist of cheer, chant, tumbling, dance, and jumps.

Attire-
One should wear shorts, t shirt, socks, and cheerleading shoes or athletic shoes. Your shirts shouldnt be too lose or too tight. Shirt should be tucked in for best appearance. Hair should be pulled up off your face. Jewlery is not allowed at tryouts, games, or pracices. Some make up is ok but dont over due it, you might be sweating, and running make up is never pretty.

Make sure you have a positive attitude!

The judges are looking for sharp and acurate motions! Use your loud voices! Smile look like your having fun show attitude! Make eye contact with each judge! If you mess up dont show it! Keep smiling and recover! Remember Smile have fun and be stiff!

*Game Etiquette*
-Be on time and ready for the game, try not to come late!
-Always be a good sportsman! Never use bad language or attitude!
-Show respect for an injured player. Always sit down and cheer when he gets up no matter what team he is on!
-Dont yell, wisper, or pointe when a person falls or misses a shot.
-Dont chew gum during the game.
-Know the rules of game.
-Always stunt when appropiate!
-Never cheer war with the other cheerleaders. Friendly competition is fine but that's it!
-The home team should go over to the visiting team and introduce themselves and tell which quarters they can go out.
-If the crowd is rowdie try to distract them with a cheer or a stunt.
-If your team loses always be supportiave an be a goodsportsman


I hope this has helped! Have fun cheering! Please reply with any further questions or comments!

~Manda

thank you!!!!
darcey

Thanks for replying, I guess I spent my time on something that no one wants to read... but there are alot of help me posts I've never done cheerleading but I need help.


~Manda

I'm not a cheerleader (which is a pity becuase I LOVE cheerleading) as they don't have them here in Australia.

But I read through your post and it is great!!! It's certain to help anyone!

Karma for you!

~>Nessa

your article is cool! i bet it took you a long time to write it! thanks for that!
i rated your comment because i wanted to give you karma but i don't understand how... sorry! perhaps you can explain it to me then i can give it it would be really nice

love,
lillykitty

Rating some one up and giving them karma is pretty much the same thing. Karma is the points that you get after a person rates you up. Down by the reply button there is a button that says 'rate+' if you click onto that it gives the person 1 point of karma. I hope I've helped you understand more.

~Manda

What a great post... thanks for taking the time out to write it for everyone!!! Karma for your hard work

**SACcheer**

Hey Nessa,
there are cheerleading teams in Australia, I'm in one, and I'm coaching one. Theres school teams, University teams, and all star teams. Check out australian-cheer-association.org for more info on australian teams.
And check out some of the posts in Pics because u'll find australian cheerleaders in there.

and great post manda, you're definately helping a lot of people.

Hey! Cheerleading is so much fun! Since I graduated high school i haven't found a good college team, thats compeitive, to join. I love teaching cheerleading. I worked at a cheer and dance studio. It was fun. Everyone keep cheering!! Holla @ ur gurl!!

Thanx extreme cheer... I had no idea there were soo many!

Thank you for that site!

Karma for you too!

~>Nessa

yah theres a website with all this on it...

ur tips r gr8, me n sum of my m8s are thinkin of startin the 1st eva cheerleadin group @ our skl! ur ideas cud help us get started! thanx a bunch

To RoaryEmms: I dont think that websight has exactly all this on it... Because I didnt copy and paste it! But if you want to get the link and show me then I would be glad to see it! Therea are many websights with cheerleading info but I did not copy and paste it here and call it my own!

~Manda

I thought that your post was helpful for those who are newbies. I remember the packages the newbies on the squad 40 zillion pages with rules and everything else on them i should post em one of these days but that would take toooo long so i wont make ya'll suffer.

those rips are great!!!

those won't exactly get u on the squad, there's more things u have to know. But that's a good post for like the first workshop (not trying to put u down). You also have to know the splits (most likely u wont get on the squad if u dont know them )

Im not sure what cheer squad your on but on my squad they dont really give two Sh*t$ about the splits. Who the hell does splits anymore... Yay look at me I can do a split now I can be a cheerleadger!! Whaaaaazaaaaa

cheerleading is easy

This is awesome for people that are starting to get ready for try-outs and are new at it. It's also pretty good for cheerleading clinics for beginners.

chill

Very awesome post! Wow, that must have taken you forever to type up! Definetly glad you did though

That is very good but it would have been evening better if you would have picture but could you tell me how to do a flip.

been there done taht

cool

Thanks for that great advice, I had cheerleading tryouts today and the info was very helpful to me. I did excellent!! I really think I did!!! So thank you again.

luv,
Tannasia