Bring it on.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Power-lifting. High-flying gymnastics. Through-the-roof jumps. Cheerleading The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. is the sport that's making scads of you switch from dance, gymnastics and track (to name a few) to shouting it out full-time. When we heard how many GL readers, were rah-rah-rah for cheerleading, we knew we had to provide an all-out guide to doin it right. Here are tons of tips for making the team, upping your skills and getting along with the squad. UM, COACH? Have about a million questions before you face the judges? We've got answers. University of Maryland's cheerleading coach Jarnell Bonds tells you how to ace your audition. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I've never cheered before. How can I prepare for tryouts? All squads are different, so you've gotta go right to the source. "Communicate with the coach and current team members about what the team is looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. . Focus your prep based on their feedback," Coach Bonds tells us. That way, you'll know whether you should double up on dance or make the most of your motions. E-mail your coach to ask if you can watch a practice or two. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What will make me stand out from the crowd? "I always prefer the athlete who shows the strongest desire to join the team. They're the ones who'll work the hardest," says Coach Bonds. I can't really tumble. Do I still have a shot? "Strong tumbling is essential," Coach admits, "but no more important than stunting and showmanship. All-star teams value these categories, as well. Many times, high school squads don't have as big a focus on their score sheet for tumbling." Show the coach what you can do--safely! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What should I wear? "Wear a practice uniform that mimics something you have seen current team members in--look like you are already part of the team. This helps the coach picture you as a future team member," Coach Bonds informs us. I haven't worked out in a while. How can I condition? Coach Bonds recommends push-ups for core strength, as well as lunges and squats to give ya a good base for stunting. Flyers should work on core muscles (think crunches!) for stability in liberties and scorpions. Don't forget to do cardio three to four times a week so you can get through a 3-minute routine (it's waaay longer than it sounds!). [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] STEP UP YOUR SKILLS There are a couple of months left before summer camp and eons before football season kicks off. So now's the time to start your training. Keep on reading for some cheer-tastic tips. Your coach is definitely gonna notice your over-the-top improvements! IMPROVE YOUR OUTLOOK Whether you're a rookie or the team captain, put last year behind you. Take time to get to know this year's squad--there might be lotsa fresh faces--and to practice some new skills--the latest routines, cheers and chants. "Be open to change," says Misty Hodges, University of Louisville's all-girls cheerleading coach. "It takes time to learn the ropes." SHOW OFF BETTER FACIALS Cheering is all about getting the crowd pumped, whether you're rooting on your school's basketball team or competing in regionals. So, um, you've got to look like you're having a blast. But between all the mental gymnastics (5, 6, 7, 8 ... where the beck am I supposed to be now?) and the super-physical stunting, it can be tough to look like you're genuinely stoked stoked adj. Slang 1. Exhilarated or excited. 2. Being or feeling high or intoxicated, especially from a drug. . So rehearse your game face in the mirror before brushing your teeth. Your smile will be bigger, and you'll perfect that 'tude-filled head toss. Wink! GET HIGHER JUMPS "Flexibility will allow one to improve the height of her jumps," Coach Hodges clues us in. Make some time in your schedule for a stretch sesh. Feeling crunched for time? We won't tell anyone if you limber up in front of the tube. When asked how she gets her jumps sky-high, Samantha, 14, whose rec REC - CONVERT squad won major competitions last year, says, "I stretch every day to stay flexible, which really helps. Leg lifts help, too." MAKE YOUR MOTIONS KNIFE-SHARP If your coach has told ya once, she's hollered it 100 times: Keep those arms rigid! It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to grab a pair of free weights for curls, or drop and do some push-ups. The more toned your arms are, the easier it'll be to make those high V's sharp. Make it a point to really practice them--don't just mock the motions when you're rehearsing a cheer. Going full-out will help you be more prepared come competition time. ROLL WITH IT If you really want to impress the masses, kick your tumbling skills up a few notches. Your round-off might have cut it in the past, but now the team is attempting to stick back handsprings. "Always learn the proper technique before moving on to more difficult skills," Coach Hodges reminds us. Adds Kate, 18, who has been cheerleading since she was just 7 and is now a squad trainer, "During the summer, I practice my tumbling on the trampoline trampoline Resilient sheet or web (often of nylon) supported by springs in a metal frame and used as a springboard and landing area in tumbling. Trampolining is an individual sport of acrobatic movements performed after rebounding into the air from the trampoline. , which helps a lot for when the season starts up again." No more throwing those tucks ... and hoping to land safely, especially on the hard floors of the gymnasium. So let's hear it out loud: Three cheers for soft landings! BE THE GIRL WHO MAKES THE CHEERLEADING SQUAD! The competition looks fierce? Don't hide behind your pom-poms. Real cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
GET A STUNT PARTNER "I got the guts to try out for cheerleading through my friend Kayti. She was cheering and really enjoyed it. Next thing I knew I was trying out for the team. I was nervous because I had never cheered in my life. Tumbling classes helped me out a lot. Give it your all, and leave them with a lasting impression." --Hannah, 18 BE ENERGETIC "Smile and show off your personality as much as your cheering ability. I followed this advice and made the squad. When we had tryouts, I was always my bubbly, friendly self. I also put all my energy into cheers and stunts, and I kept smiling through it all. Now, I'm a smiley See emoticon. smiley - emoticon , enthusiastic, spunky spunk·y adj. spunk·i·er, spunk·i·est Informal Spirited; plucky. spunk  i·ly adv. cheerleader!"
--Sophia, 12 STAY POSITIVE "One thing my coach said stuck out to her at tryouts was my attitude. Being able to twist and flip is important, but those things can be taught. I had a very positive attitude, and that helped. And be honest about your weaknesses. Coaches are looking for girls who are confident, cheerful and full of energy!" --Alyssa, 14 BE A TOP GUN TEAMMATE Being a cheerleader is a year-round commitment, even if you only cheer for one season. Between camp, homecoming, fundraisers, pep rallies and competitions, you'll be logging major hours with the team. Here's how to be a total squad all-star! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Raise Your Voice Spending time "Spending Time" is the first single released by Christian artist Stellar Kart. The lyrics describe the band members desire to spend "more time with God". "Sometimes it’s a real struggle to spend time with God. together outside the gym is key for squad bonding. Have the girls over for a cheer film fest, or suggest everyone claps clap 1 v. clapped, clap·ping, claps v.intr. 1. To strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound, as in applauding. 2. it up for the softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' girls. It may be a li'l tough to break the ice at first, but the team'll follow your lead. Next time, Ashley may step up and invite everyone to her pool. For now, be cool being the girl who brings everyone (not just squad faves) together. Roll Call The squad is stoked--matching duffels arrived just in time for camp. Now, um, which is yours? Break out the poster board, markers and stickers to make cute name tags for the bags. Laminating lam·i·nate v. lam·i·nat·ed, lam·i·nat·ing, lam·i·nates v.tr. 1. To beat or compress into a thin plate or sheet. 2. To divide into thin layers. 3. paper from the craft store will make them extra sturdy. Punch a hole, thread some string through, and they're ready to roll. It's a Cheer Emergency! So you can't heal a twisted ankle. But you can be prepped for any other mini-disaster teammates might face. Your girl's cool new cropped 'do won't stay up? No prob. You have bobby pins and plenty of hairspray. Keep a Cheer 911 kit in your bag. Stuff it with tampons, glitter, hair elastics, deodorant deodorant /de·odor·ant/ (de-o´der-int) 1. masking offensive odors. 2. an agent that so acts. de·o·dor·ant n. and extra socks. Toss in some energy-boosting trail mix, too! You'll def be the go-to girl. COOLEST CAMPS Cheerleading camp is the ultimate experience. Where else can you talk about double-downs and people actually get you? GL searched the country, and we're giving out our first-ever honors for the best cheer camps. Gimme gim·me Informal Contraction of give me. adj. Slang Demanding material things or especially money; acquisitive: today's gimme society; tired of gimme letters. n. an A-W-E-S-O-M-E! CROWD FAVE fave Informal n. One that is preferred above others or likely to win; a favorite. adj. Favorite. [Short for favorite.] UCA Summer Camp, varsity.com RIGHT-ON IF Your squad's spirit is legendary! RAVES GL readers can't stop gushing gush v. gushed, gush·ing, gush·es v.intr. 1. To flow forth suddenly in great volume: water gushing from a hydrant. 2. over the camp's exciting atmosphere, not to mention the staff's commitment to cheerleaders at every level. "There are always amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. instructors who help each girl individually," Katie, 12, tells us. "They really know what they're talking about. It's a week of non-stop cheer-manial" This camp has locations all over. MISS CONGENIALITY Pine Forest Pine forest may refer to:
RIGHT-ON IF Your squad loves, loves, loves the idea of a woodsy, old-school getaway. RAVES You'll bunk deep in the Poconos and do all sortsa traditional camp activities (night swimming! talent shows!), in addition to days filled with cheering. ALL-AROUND AWARD NCA (Network Computing Architecture) An architecture from Oracle for developing applications within a networked computing environment. It provides a three-tier distributed environment based on CORBA that uses program components known as "cartridges. Summer Cheer Camp, varsity.com RIGHT-ON IF Your coach has put the kibosh ki·bosh n. Informal A checking or restraining element: had to put the kibosh on a poorly conceived plan. [Origin unknown. down on any shot at going to sleepaway camp. RAVES NCA sends counselors to you. Says Sarah Kate, 13, "We learned awesome cheers, chants and killer stunts!" GRAND CHAMPION Panama City Panama City, city (1990 pop. 34,378), seat of Bay co., NW Fla., on St. Andrews Bay; inc. 1909. A Gulf Coast resort with amusement parks and excellent fishing, it is also a port of entry. The city's industries produce paper, clothing, and chemicals. Beach Cheer Camp, panamacitycheercamp.com RIGHT-ON IF The team is looking for an amazing vacay and camp seems like a fab excuse. RAVES We're swooning swoon intr.v. swooned, swoon·ing, swoons 1. To faint. 2. To be overwhelmed by ecstatic joy. n. 1. A fainting spell; syncope. See Synonyms at blackout. 2. over visions of practices on the beach. You'll share a condo with your crew! [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] |
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