Do you have to know gymnastics to be a cheerleader? I'm thinking about trying out for highschool cheerleading next year and I was just wondering if you need to know gymnastics or not...I can do a pretty good cartwheel if that helps?
I've been to the highschool games where they cheer and it doesn't seem as if they do a whole lot of flips and fancy stuff like that.
Any responses from cheerleaders or past cheerleaders would help. Thanks!
2007-02-18 15:16:15 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Other - Sports
As a current cheer coach, I can tell you what we expect from our girls.
First and foremost we stress academics. Being a good cheerleader requires a great deal of practice, and this can sometimes hurt your grade point average. We always stress that you can't go on in life to make a living at cheerleading....you have to have an education to do that.
As for the actual requirements:
Knowledge of routines, cheers and chants: Know them backwards and forwards....well enough to begin them anywhere in the middle of the cheer. I have seen many good candidates dropped due to the inability to start a cheer at any point in the routine.
Tumbling/Gymnastics to include cartwheel, roundoff, and back hand spring. Girls who can do a tuck usually get extra points. If you don't have your back hand spring or tuck down, nail the cartwheel and roundoff...lots of spring!
Flexibility and Posture: Be able to do splits and heal stretch. In a Liberty or heal stretch position, hold your balance for 20 seconds. Extra points are given for girls who can do arabesques.
Judges always look for personality and smiles. Be sure to let yours shine through on try out day! It never hurts to add a little wink or nod when the judges look your way!
Keep your movements sharp and in proper form! No sloppy arms, wrists etc. You can lose lots of points in this area. If you have never cheered, you might want to check out cheerleading.about.com for proper movement techniques. I would also suggest that you attend a couple of games to see how the cheerleaders move.
I have also advised many girls to take a video recorder to the game and video tape the cheerleader. You can then take that home and practice at your own pace...stopping and starting when you need to.
If you are able, demonstrate as many tumbling techniques as you have. Ditto for jumps. This is where you can out-shine the competition. If you do not have this ability, be super enthusiastic in high kicking and movements!
dance is great, it gives you poise and rythm, but don't rely on your dancing abilities alone. Your job will be to show the judges that you can work as a team member and engage the crowd to cheer on your team. Make the judges WANT to cheer with you!
On try out day, wear your hair in a pony tail and or off of your face. Not too much make-up and no jewelry. Let them know that you are a serious contender, not there for a beauty contest. Do some deep breathing exercises just before you try out...and remember, every one else is just as nervous as you! Just do your best and it will show!
Best of wishes to you!
2007-02-24 10:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by coachls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya, I think you need to know only a bit of gymnastics if you wanted to do cheerleading. But you can learn the gymnastics tricks where you go to do cheerleading. But since they dont do a whole lot of flips, then just go for it, do what you can! If it was a more competitive cheerleading, then yes, you have to know gymnastics when cheerleading. Not saying nessessarely go and do gymnastics. Have fun
Gymnast
2007-02-20 02:51:45 · answer #2 · answered by Juno ツ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the coach, but f you aren't seeing a lot of tumbling from the current team that gives you some idea. However, most coaches would be happy to add more gymnastic skills to their squad so if you can get to a tumbling class that could be helpful.
You've got a cartwheel so work on your round-off. Also work on your bridges and handstands as they are key elements to back handsprings. That way if you do need to learn one at some point you'll be that much closer to knowing what you need to know.
2007-02-23 15:33:08 · answer #3 · answered by Coach ~Jen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends what kind of team you have...do they do flips, like backhandsprings, fron handsprings, back tucks...stuff like that?
Well you can work on your flexibility you will surely get in. Cheerleading is divided...side lines and competition...Competition is more like gymnastics than anything! You will need to know the basics to start you off like round-offs, splits, jumps, etc. Here is a good video to help you:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ORAu0t40OnE
2007-02-20 11:06:57 · answer #4 · answered by Clara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, generally not. You will probably need to work out a little to get stronger, in case they do lifts or anything, but most cheerleaders aren't gymnasts..
2007-02-20 00:24:24 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Im a cheerleader and i think you can stil make it without tumbling but you definitly have to do beable to do stunts.
2007-02-20 08:04:32 · answer #6 · answered by Janelle S. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to know the basic of gymnastics...
2007-02-23 19:50:47 · answer #7 · answered by W.H.C. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋