No matter if you are attending your first open day at a community team or having trials for an Allstar team, there are some crucial steps to take before becoming a cheerleader. The below will provide you with some useful tips on how to get up and flying!
Research your team before becoming a cheerleader
Whilst waiting for your first training session you can spend some time researching your team. Take a look at the founders, coaches and athletes, speak to them and ask them questions about the team. Ask your teammates how they became a cheerleader. Cheerleading is a team activity and your teammates will be more than happy to help.
Every team will have its own culture and it would be useful as an athlete to know more about your new team before joining. It will make the transition much smoother as you get to know your teammates and coaches.
Preparing beforehand will settle the nerves before your first session and will not lead to any surprises in the future.
Other useful information that you will need to know;
- Time and date of the session
- Cost of the session
- Address of venue
- Contact for coach
Cheer Talk – know the terminology
Familiarise yourself with the terminology used in the sport. By doing so, your brain will register the words and vocabulary used for all the different techniques. You’ll also give a good impression to your whole team if you can distinguish between the different moves. Plus it will make life much easier for you when carrying out the routines!
Just starting out and want to know more about the basics of cheer? We’ve got you covered. Head over to our article on What is Cheerleading where we give a general overview of the sport.
Cheerleading clothing
Teams very rarely train in uniform and full makeup. However, asking your coach if there are any clothing requirements before your first session is recommended.
Fitted clothing is a must for a good show. However, if the clothing is too tight it could possibly restrict your movement. If the clothing is too baggy, it could ruin the performance visually and also get in the way when doing your routines.
Many community teams will recommend comfortable clothing and trainers but some Allstar programmes will advise differently.
If you’re joining an Allstar team there’s a big possibility that you could be competing in the near future. Speak to your coach beforehand so you can be 100% sure about your cheer clothing and footwear.
Always prepare in advance. The last thing you need on your mind amongst rigorous training schedules is to stress about what to wear.
Other things to bring
- Water
- Small snack
- Towel
- Medication (if you have medical conditions or allergies)
Stretch and keep active!
In order for a successful cheer career, cheerleaders must be flexible. Therefore stretching your body most days is essential if you want to excel cheer.
Becoming a cheerleader requires you to be fit, strong, durable and enthusiastic, all of which goes towards putting on a great performance. Athletes must demonstrate flexibility, therefore stretching is high up on the list for anyone starting out in cheer. As boring as stretching can be, it can be done whilst your favourite TV show is on in the background and your body will thank you after your competition!
Prepare to perform
Performing in front of the public is a game-changer. It can really boost your confidence and take you further, not just in cheerleading but life in general.
Practice in front of friends and family just so that you can get used to a small audience watching you. Going into your first training session you’ll be much more confident knowing that you’ve performed in front of a crowd. It will also cancel out some pre-performance nerves come competition day.
However, if you have never performed don’t worry, your teammates will help you get up to speed in no time.
Stay cool and don’t panic
Cheerleading is a competitive sport but above all else, it’s a fun team activity. There will be struggles and serious hard work. Cheer programmes set high expectations but all you can do is give it your all. Approach everything with an open mind and a positive attitude.
Mistakes can happen. If you make a mistake then just forget about it and move on to the next routine. There’s no time for dwelling on things for too long in this fast-paced sport so dust yourself off and keep trying.
Some of the routines cheerleaders typically perform can look daunting at first but don’t be scared. With desire and dedication, you’ll soon conquer those initial fears and your coaches will support you along the way.
Act like a cheerleader before becoming one
Cheer promotes teamwork, positivity and helping others. Having the right mentality is key to becoming a successful cheerleader. Therefore you should think about how your mindset and behaviour is representative of cheer. You should encourage others, contribute positively towards those around you and live life with a smile on your face.
Do you think there are other areas that new athletes should consider before becoming a cheerleader? Or is there anything that you would like us to include in future articles?
Let us know in the box below.
