Cheerleading Dance Moves

Save the cheerleader, save the world!

So may be that is a little far fetched unless it is a constantly recurring slogan from a science fiction drama series (which it is, courtesy Heroes), but cheerleaders are saviors. They may be responsible for raising the drooping spirits of a team that is losing a match and you never know, the tables may turn. But set aside all the possible uplifting powers that cheerleaders may have, cheerleading is a sport that has been around for more than a century now, drawing attention to games and matches and encouraging participation and support from the audience watching the game. Good moves which include movements like tumbling, jumps, cheers, stunts and dancing can goad spectators to cheer for the teams they are supporting.

What started out as a sideline entertainment at most games and matches has now morphed into a physically demanding and highly challenging sporting event with national level cut-throat competitions judging cheerleading dance routines performed by different teams. The history of cheerleading can be traced back to the University of Minnesota when Thomas Peebies came up with the idea of getting the audience attending football matches more involved, with cheerleading cheers. With cheerleading becoming an important part of most competitions and games and the added requirement of detailing and uniqueness for the routines, choreographing good and easy cheerleading moves has become the call of the day. It needs synchronization and crisp moves with choreography that spells style and panache.

Choreographing Cheerleading Moves

Before you choreograph cheerleading dance routines, it is important to know what the judges may be looking for. It is depending on these factors that you will be choreographing your routine. The team's skill, their technique, the dance moves employed, the stunts performed, the creativity that the routine uses and the consistency with which the team performs are all parameters for judgment.

The best way to choreograph cheerleading routines and decide on dance moves for cheerleading is to divide the entire routine into three sections, namely the beginning, the middle and the end. By dividing the routine into three individual sections, you can decide which moves can be performed in which part of the entire routine. The beginning of the routine is the best time to have all those moves that need high energy levels like tumbling, cheerleading jumps and fast hip hop dance moves. This will also garner the attention of the audience and get them interested and enthused. It is also a good idea to do all the complicated gymnastic moves in the first half of the routine. The middle of the routine can be less high power and include more cheers and chants and also less difficult stunts that will help the team preserve their energy for a zestful finish to the routine. It is in this part that you should include easy moves that can also be done by the audience making the routine more participative. Towards the end of the routine, you need to bring back the energy levels and work towards ending the routine with a flourish. You could have the pyramid move in this part of the routine. Perform a synchronized, powerful dance routine with clean lines and end with a move that will have a lasting impression on not just the judges but also the audience. It is important that while choreographing the routine, you go over the cheerleading moves step by step so that you ensure that every member of team performs the moves with clean cuts.

Always punctuate your steps with high power cheers that will get the audience on its feet and also join you in your cheering. If you are planning to join a cheerleading team or if you are choreographing cheerleading dance routines for a team, remember that while it is important to be stylistic in your routines, it is more important to perform the dance moves for cheerleading together and in rhythm with the music. The same details need to be kept in mind while choreographing moves for kids. At most competitions, teams are given about two to three minutes for their performance, which is why it is even more important to ensure that your routine is timed well and entertain the crowd.