Cheerleading Moves

Cheerleading is a kind of routine dance cum exercise that is performed by a group of cheerleaders. Cheerleading originated in the United States of America. The basic idea behind cheerleading is to motivate and cheer the athletes on the field. Cheerleading also involves encouragement of audience participation in the cheering process. Nowadays, cheerleading is considered to be an independent discipline of sports, where a variety of different skills are induced, such as, dancing, gymnastics, human pyramids and athletics.

Cheerleading Moves
Cheerleading moves are basically classified into 2 types, which are, Cheerleading Jumps and Cheerleading Stunts.

Cheerleading Jumps
Many people have asked the query 'how to do cheerleading moves'. The answer is to learn the moves from an authorized teacher, preferably, your school sports teacher. Bear in mind that wrong moves without the guidance of a teacher can cause painful and serious injuries. Cheerleading jumps often involve simple jumps or rather a short lift off the ground. This the part that is usually taught to all the beginners and is quite often used as a part of warm up. The following are some simple jumps.

• The X jump or the Spread Eagle: The X jump or the spread eagle is a simple cheerleading move where the cheerleaders take a high jump and spread their legs and hands apart. This action makes the body of the cheerleader resemble an 'X'.
• Toe Touch Jump: The toe touch move is a slightly advanced and complex cheerleading move and demands a certain amount of flexibility. To perform a toe touch, the cheerleaders take a high jump in the air and touch their toes in the mid air. When the toe touch is performed, the legs and hands are outstretched and back of the person is kept straight. Attempting this move without stretching warm up is not very advisable.
• TuckThis is another simple jump where the cheerleaders jump in the air and tuck their knees into the torso, with the joints facing skywards. To add an effect to this cheerleading move, many a times, the cheerleaders also hold up and spread their hands into the air.
• Hurdler Jump: The hurdler or the hurdler jump is another jump that is not to be attempted without a warm up. In this jump, cheerleaders first jump in the air and then stick out one leg in front and at the same time, fold their second leg behind the body.

Cheerleading Stunts
Among all the other cheerleading moves, cheerleading stunts are probably the most difficult ones as they involve the use of human pyramids. Most of the times, these stunts are attempted by experienced cheerleaders in their high schools. Stunts are also a very popular part of cheerleading performances at competitions and games. Most of the stunts are performed by cheerleading groups with the help of pyramids. The human pyramids consist of bases and a flyer. The flyer is a cheerleader who possess a very good balance and flexibility. The other members of the human pyramid are also classified into categories, like, the back spot, front spot or side base and mid base. Here are some simple stunts. A word of caution: attempt these moves with the guidance of a teacher.

• Extension Prep: The extension prep is one of the simple cheerleading moves which basically involves a base of 3 to 4 people and a flyer. While doing the routine, the flyer rapidly climbs up the base that is formed by the other cheerleaders. The base leaders support the flyer with their palms.
• Thigh Stand: The thigh stand is a slightly complex cheerleading move but it can be done by beginners. The base leaders kneel down on one leg and sit very close to each other, so that their legs tough. The 'back spot' leader holds the flyer at the waist, the flyer dips, jumps and lands perfectly on the thighs of the bases.

Well, I hope that this will be enough for the beginning. Also, consider this as a column to the question 'how to do cheerleading moves'. After mastering these stunts, most probably, you people who will become cheerleaders, will probably write about the cheerleader moves that you innovate. Though I am not a cheerleader, a piece of advise: Practice hard, warm up properly, make the moves a routine exercise, more of a habit. You can also go through different cheerleading quotes to know more about the sport. Most important of all, flash your gorgeous smiles while performing. I am sure that you will make a very beautiful group of cheerleaders.