Beginning Cheerleading!!! Help PLEASE!!!?

Question

Hey my name is Kimberly and Im 12 years old....turning 13 in April. I want to become a cheerleader and I'm wondering how i can learn because i have NO experiance with gymnastics, tumbling, or cheerleading. I'm pretty athletic. I play basketball, volleyball, and all that other stuff. Do you think I can make it? Tell me how i can learn, what classes I have to take, what I have to have physically, etc. PLEASE HELP!!!

Oh yeah, and by the way...I can't even do the splits!!! And if you could, please include how I can become more flexible and maybe how I could learn how I could do the splits!!

I also forgot to mention that I can do round offs and cartwheels pretty well and am almost doing the splits! Also, thanks to everyone who answered!!!

Answer 1

First of all, do you really want to be a cheerleader? You have to commit a great deal of time to this sport. You will be a integral part of a team that has to work together like a well oiled machine.

I would advise you to take some gymastics/tumbling classes and if your area has them, cheerleading basics. It appears as though you are already physically conditioned and may just need the instruction on gymnastics.

I would work on cartwheels, roundoffs/spilt combination and back handsprings.

As others have indicated, you have to work on the splits by stretching your thigh muscles. The butterfly is the best way to help you here. Sit on you behind, with your legs in a "circle". Press down on your upper thighs until they are as close to the floor as you can get them. count to 5. Repeat this 10 times and then stretch your legs out in front of you. In a stradle position, reaching your arms out to your feet and hold for 5 seconds.
Repeat this exercise 3 times for 3 days.

Day 4 and 5 and 6: Press down on your upper thighes...yes, I know they are sore but this means that you are on your way to getting the splits down. This time, count to 10. Repeat this 10 times and then stretch your legs out in front of you. In a stradle position, reach your arms out to your feet....make sure that your whole body falls to the floor and hold this for 10 seconds.

Repeat this exercise 3 times a day for 3 days.

After a week, Bring your feet closer in to your body and repeat the above.

AT 2 WEEKS., bring them as close as you can to your body and repeat.

AT 3 WEEKS....you will be doing a split!

GO GET 'UM!

Answer 2

Hey! I've been in cheering for six years now I can do all the splits anll the ay down and fronthandspring cartwheel roundoff backhandspring! Take it frome a pro! I am ten years old and on my schools Varsity and on a competitve cheerleading squad. When you are at try-outs you should always be very loud and hit all of your motions really sharp and make them POP when you hit them. And I suggest you should take some conditioning classes to build strength. Wear 2 lbs. weights and run for 7 minutes each day. That's what I do and to get your splits down pick 3 shows that are on each say and fit your schdule and sit in each split for 30 mins. each day. Hope you make the squad you want to be on!

Answer 3

Kimberly, I hate to say it but, your going to be up against other girls that have been cheerleading for years. My grandaughter has been in cheerleading since the age of 6. She started at a Catholic elementary even though she didn't attend that school. She was in gymnastics also. All you can do maybe is take some gymnastic classes now and hope for the best. Do you know any other girls that cheerlead? If you do ask them if you can get together with them and they can show you somethings. Cheerleading today is not what is was years ago. Its cutthroat and out for blood. They are strict.

Answer 4

You don't really need the splits to be a cheerleader. I can't even do them, but I made the team!!
I highly suggest that you signup for a cheer intro. class. They help so much. Make sure you learn motions and jumps. Then try a few private tumbling classes.
I don't know what your coaches expect, but if you're motions and jumps are decent, of should make freshman.

Answer 5

I find that generally athletic people tend to succed in whatever sport they chose. As for what should you should learn check out some of the all-star cheerleading gyms in your area sometimes they offer cheer classes as well as tumbling. If you dont live near any gyms I found CHEER! a dvd was helpful. Also if you know a cheerleader grab her and ask for her help, I'm sure someone would be willing to help you! GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 6

take some gymnastics classes so you can learn some basic tumbling skills..try also going somewhere where you can work out so you can build some muscle and be stronger. try going on walks or running every day or so and for your splits have a friend over and lay down on your back..have you friend lift one leg up as high as possible and hold it for a minute (while keeping the other leg straight down) thats how i learned mine..or like the other girl said sit in your splits and far down as you can go and watch a favorite tv show. either one will work. all it takes is practice. eat healthy foods and work on your tumbling every day..it will get better! trust me. good luck at tryouts! :D

Answer 7

splits-butterfly-sit down, put heels together, and press down on knees for 15 sec, 30 sec, or 60 sec depending on how desperate u r.do enough to stretch but not enough to tear a muscle.try taking gymnastics classes near you. aim to get 2 or 3 classes weekly and tell them u want to be a cheerleader so u need to focus on tumbling(floor).watch gymnastics shows on the internet and tv. if u take gymnastics then they will tell u what to do but you HAVE to practice at home to and practice makes perfect so practice a lot and stretch a lot and practice the way u are going to perform and i was in the same situation as you and i made it so u can to.........if you need any more help then you can email me at [e-mail]

Answer 8

be cheerfuul . always smile . n joi urself .and where little clothes