Cheerleading is a lot of fun, but keeping your skills sharp and up to date is also important. With that in mind, here are some minor tweaks you can make that will greatly impact how good your routine looks.
Diversify your tumbling skills in your cheerleading routines
Tumbling is a key part of being a cheerleader; so you will want to ensure that you can do at least five types of tumbling. This includes back handsprings, round-offs, front handsprings and skill stunts like handstands and cartwheels. You should also be able to do 180-degree splits in the air while doing a back handspring or round-off.
When learning new tumbling techniques, remember that it takes practice before they become second nature. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like you aren’t getting it right away!
Don’t overlook: Jump technique
The jump technique is an important component of a cheerleading routine, as it can make or break a performance.
The best way to improve jump technique is to practice, practice, practice! The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Try working on your jumps in front of a mirror at first so that you can see how your body moves through space and correct any mistakes before they become ingrained habits.
You can use many different types of jumps in cheerleading routines. Jumping should never feel like hard work—it should always be fun! If it doesn’t feel right when performing a jump, try another variation until one clicks with your style and abilities.
Try Switching Up Transitions
Transitions are the part of the routine where you move from one formation to another. They’re important because they help keep your routine interesting and exciting.
There are many different types of transitions, but let’s start with some examples:
- The L-shape (where two groups of cheerleaders face each other, creating an “L” shape)
- The V-shape (where two groups of cheerleaders form a “V” shape)
- Circle formations (where all members stand in a circle facing outward)
- The pyramid (where cheerleaders form a pyramid by standing on each other’s shoulders)
- The cheerleader toss (where a cheerleader is tossed into the air by another cheerleader)
- The basket toss (where two cheerleaders throw each other into a basket)
- The human tunnel (where all cheerleaders form a human tunnel and run through it)
- The weave (where cheerleaders run through each other, weaving in and out of each others’ hands)
Perfect Your Perfect Twist
You can incorporate the Perfect Twist into any cheerleading routine. It is a crowd-pleasing skill. It’s standard to use the Perfect Twist at the end of a cheer, so your team comes together around you in a circle, and you can give them all a high five or fist bump.
However, if you’re still having trouble with this skill or have had issues with it, don’t worry! We have tips on perfecting this move, so it looks as great as possible every time.
It’s important to note that the Perfect Twist is that there are two ways to do it: one-handed and two-handed. One-handed twists are easier than two-handed ones because they require less balance and flexibility; however, two-handed twists look more impressive.
For both types of twists: make sure that when your partner does their part of the twist. Ensure that they provide enough force to complete yours without falling over. Practice makes perfect!
Create Specialized Dance Routines
Dance routines are a great way to show off your team’s strengths and help differentiate your program from other teams. These can be more creative, fun and engaging for spectators. Dance routines should incorporate the school’s mascot, colours and school pride. You could also use props like pom poms or flags to help convey these messages throughout the routine.
Incorporating dance into a cheerleading routine is an excellent way to show off the athleticism of your athletes!
Learn New Techniques, such as Partner Stunts and Pyramid Building for your cheerleading routines
Partner stunts are a must for any competitive squad. Partner stunts are when you and another cheerleader perform a stunt together, like this example:
- The first cheerleader holds their hand out in front of them, palm facing down, with fingers spread apart.
- The second cheerleader places their hands on top of theirs. They then extend their arms so that now they have created an “X” shape with their bodies.
- The second cheerleader places their hands on top of theirs. They then extend their arms so that now they have created an “X” shape with their bodies.
The most common partner stunts are pyramids, hand-to-hand, and human flags. They’re easy to learn, and they look great! If you’re new to cheerleading or want to try out some new tricks, these stunts are perfect for beginners.
The fun part about partner stunts is that it’s a team effort. You have to communicate with each other to ensure you both do the stunt correctly! It’s also great for building trust between cheerleaders because they’re putting their safety in each other’s hands.
Work on Conditioning and Endurance to improve your cheerleading skills
You can do many exercises to improve your conditioning, endurance, and strength. Here are some examples:
- Cardio – Running laps around the gym or field.
- Stretching – Stretching before and after practice will prevent injuries and help you perform better in games. Stretching for at least 15 minutes each day before practice is important. This is essential to warm your body up and be ready to go!
- Strength Training – Strength training is important for cheerleaders because it helps build muscle and improve strength. Which can help prevent injuries and help you complete more difficult skills. You should do strength training at least three times per week.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you’re doing the same routine over and over. Don’t be afraid to try new things! Don’t be scared to ask for help or ask your coach what they think is missing from your routine. When you fail, it means that you failed at something. Like anything else, failure is just part of the process. And mistakes are lessons learned along the way towards success – don’t let them stop you from trying again! You’ll never grow as an athlete if you don’t push yourself outside of your comfort zone and try something new!
If you’d like a professional review of your cheerleading routine and skills, submit a Critiq request to Whitleigh Cook. Whitleigh will review a short video of your routine and provide personalized feedback to show you where you may be falling short and what you can do to improve.
Featured Expert
Whitleigh Cook
Dance Studio Owner and Director | Former NFL Cheerleader
