Cheerleading Hair Style: The Poof

If you're like my squad then you "dress out" whenever there is a away game for football or basketball or even volleyball, tennis, and soccer. So how does the captains come up with a bunch of different hair styles for the week? Here's one very cool look!

 

1. Poof It Up

 

 

You can never go wrong with the traditional cheer poof whether you're dressing this with your uniform at a game or in some camp wear for an away game. Here's the simple steps to get these looks:

 

-Curl your hair, not bangs (I recommend using a wand)

-pull bangs back and bobby pin

-rearrange poof to get the right size

-pin bow over bobby pins

-*if you're going the pony tail pull curled hair in pony tail,

so you won't want to curl your hair up very high or

it might have a ratty look

 



High School or All Stars?

Deciding what type of cheerleading to do can be hard but by listing your pros and cons for both you can narrow down what's right for you.

 

 

All Star Cheerleading

 

 

-daily time commitment

-price ranges from $2,000-$4,500 a season

-more tumbling involved

-cropped uniforms

-traveling

-traveling expenses

-level teams

-bigger bows

-glitzy make up

 

High School Cheerleading

 

-late night games

-price ranges from $500-$1,500

-local competitions

-school year season

-freshman, JV, and varsity teams

-school spirit

 

 

These are just a few little facts about both high school and all star cheerleading. Whichever one you choose it will be fantastic. Both types of cheerleading are amazing! Have fun, and love cheer!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

 



Social Media Announcement

I'm so happy to announce the list of OURBLOODSWEATANDCHEERS blog's social media links. (click on each link to follow, or add "A Cheerleader")

 

Twitter: @CheerBlogger

 

Tumblr: @Ourbloodsweatandcheers

Ask.fm: http://ask.fm/ourbloodsweatandcheers

 

Thanks for everything fellow cheerleaders! Add & Follow me! I can't wait to tumble and tweet with you! 

 

 

 



How to Make Up Cheers

Making up a cheer is a process but first you have to start by gathering the lyrics before you put it to motions. Here's how to do it!

 

1. What Rhymes

 

Figure out what rhymes with your school's colors or mascots. For examples: White rhymes with fight. Green rhymes with mean. Lion rhymes with tryin')

 

2. What Goes with Winning?

 

Add something about standing up, cheering, clapping, stomp, yelling, you know whatever the crowd would do to get loud and cheer on their team in order to win.

(For example: Let's go blue and white, get on your feet and fight, fight, fight)

Picture Provided by Google

3.  Add A Move

You can add a stomp clap in a certain order so it sounds like a beat.
(For example: stomp, clap, stomp, stomp, clap)
You can do these in between lyrics after giving and order.

 

 

Cheer Examples:

 

 

Hey Hey it's time to fight
Everybody yell blue and white(or any colors)
BLUE AND WHITE!
Hey hey let's do it again
Everybody yell GO FIGHT WIN
Go, Fight, Win!
Go, Fight, Win!

 

 

 

Let's get fired up
Get rough, get tough, get mean
Let's get fired up
and roll right over that team!
(repeat 3 times)

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hope this helps and gets you inspired to create your own cheers for your team!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

Best Places To Buy Cheer Bows

Here are a few website links to the best places to buy cheerleading bows! By clicking on each title you're taken to the website. It's a quick and easy way to shop for your bows!
(This entry in NO way is sponsored these are just a few of my favorite bow shops and
I want to share them with you.)

-Campus Teamwear

 

-Team Cheer

 

-Bows By Samantha

 

-Cheerleading.com

 

-Power Bows

 

-Sparkle Bows

 

-Live to Cheer Bows

 

-The Ultimate Bow

 

-Cheer Bows Etc.

 

 

I love all of these websites! I myself love, love, love cheer bows they're like the cherry on top of a perfect cheer look so I try to gather as many as possible. Hope you add to your collections with some of these shops!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

 

Dealing with a Dropped Stunt

Stunting is difficult. You have a flyer flying through the air. A back spot catching the weight. Two bases being the stability of the stunt and with one minor tweek the stunt can come crashing down. How do you deal with a falling stunt not only in practice but during a performance? Coaches take these things to heart when a stunt falls and in most cases there's a consequence for a falling stunt or a flyer hitting the floor. Here're how to recover!

Picture from Google

1. Performance Fail

Your whole school is watching and suddenly the bases' hands slip, the flyer's leg isn't locked, the back spot didn't make the catch. There's that awkward silence until it's recovered. Just make sure to make sure everyone is okay and not hurt, then get up and wait until your cue for the next stunt which can be a sound in the music or simply by counting. If you're 1 of 3 stunts and yours is the only one that falls wait for the next stunt to come down before you try to go up.

2. Practice Fail

With these types of mess ups it's easy to recover. This is the best time to figure out where the stunt went wrong and make sure that this fumble doesn't happen during a performance.


Remember of course to always have a certified coach with you at all times when stunting. Hoped this helped in any way possible.

Love,
A Cheerleader

Designing Your Cheer Box

Designing your first cheer box can be a lot of fun, and it can also involve a lot of thought. You get to pick a design for one side of your box that includes your name and anything else you want! Once you paint it on it's there for all of football season so you want to make it good! Here's a few thoughts to consider when trying to figure out your perfect design.

1. Think Outside of the Box

You don't want a design like everyone else you know your name and a little cheerleader painted next to it. You want something original that you can look back on. If you want to put a sunflower on the side then maybe outline it in glitter, or if you want to put your name in block letters maybe put rhinestones inside the letters for an extra pop.

2. Unique and Meaningful

If you're like me, you want whatever is on your box to have a meaning not just some random duck painted on it. Say your family symbol is a cow because of whatever reason, you could put your name in blue (or any color that involves your school colors) and make the background a cow print.

Picture Provided by Google Image Search

3. Friendship Boxes

Maybe your best friend is on the squad and you want to match your boxes with hers. You can make half of a heart on one box and the other half on the other. That way when you put them together it makes a whole heart and your guy's names on the sides.

4. Progressing

I really love this idea because it's so unique and will be really cool if you stay on cheer for all 4 years, the 1st year you put a caterpillar the next year is a cocoon, your junior year is a breaking cocoon with one wing coming out and your senior year is a beautiful butterfly. If you take pictures of it each year and put them together it'll make a really cute collage.

5. Traditional

Since it is your first year you can always just go simple and paint your name in a cool font and maybe your mascot or school symbol next to it. Remember you hopefully have 3 more years after your 1st to step it up a notch!

Designing your box should be super fun not stressful. Most squads have a team bonding when doing this and you all come together at one house to make them, so if you're not the best drawer or painter you can ask a friend to maybe paint it for you. It still has the same thought and meaning but hey it may look nicer. I hope all of these tips helped you out. Always remember to think outside "the box."

Love,
A Cheerleader

How to Ask Your Parents If You Can Join Cheerleading

The sport of cheerleading can be expensive and when high school tryouts are usually around March-May the expenses can hit you hard. Then there's always those parents who believe everything they see in the movies and go by the cheerleading stereotype and refuse to allow their child to be a part of it. Here's a few tips on how to get your parents to allow you to join your school or gym's cheerleading squad!

Picture Provided by Google

1. Give Info

Gather all of the information needed, and answer their unanswered questions before hand. Call the cheer coach and ask things like the commitment level (which is always very high). Get the following questions, and answers and put them on a piece of paper or in a power point and show your parents.

-Cost
-Commitment
-Practice Times
-How many squad
-Tryout dates & times
-Game times
-Coaches email and phone number
-Summer practices
-Uniform Fittings
-Tryout requirements

2. Save A Little

If money is an issue then you should meet your parents half way. Do some work around your house or neighborhood or if you're old enough get a job and pay for the majority of the season.

3. Grades

Make sure to let them know that you'll keep up your grades the whole season and remain a student athlete. If your parents are worried cheer will get in the way of your school work then set up a G.P.A goal that you have to maintain. To be on a sport you have to have at least a 2.0 to get a Varsity School Athlete patch you need a 3.5.

4. Requirements

Make sure to meet all of the requirements. For more information on this visit the page Cheer FUNdaments.

Just remember that no one knows your parents like you do, and if you get involved in something you need to stick to it. Hope this helps with you following yours dreams!

Love,
A Cheerleader

Team Bonding Ideas

Getting to know your team is key especially since you just meant all of these people that you'll be spending a whole season with! Here's a few ideas on what to do with your squad this season!

1. Sleepover

The most cliché and common team bonding. It's really fun though, hanging out with all of your teammates, watching movies, and working on cheer motions and dances with each. Just remember to never gossip as hard as it is. It just leads to so much trouble especially since you don't know who's friends with who. Just eat, have fun, and get to know each other.

Picture Provided by Google

2. Amusement Parks/Areas

Although expensive these places can be fun, but when I mean amusement parks I don't just mean Disneyland, Knott's, Six Flags, or Universal Studios, it could also be Mini Golf, or Laser Tag.

3. Mall

Go to the mall, and hang out. You can get something to eat and shop around. It's always fun just trying on cute dresses even if you don't have money. Instagram pictures are a must!

4. BBQ/Pot Luck

This is great during the summer, because you can have everyone bring a certain food and eat as a "family." It's best if you do it at a house with a pool so everyone can swim and be outside. Pool parties with BBQ's are fun and get the parents involved too!

5. Charity

Charity is great to do and even better to when you're with your squad. With more people the job gets done faster and you're doing a great thing together. Somethings you can volunteer for are Walks for a cause, toy donations like making stuffed animals together and donating them, or having a food drive.

6. Team Building

You don't have to spend a ton of money to get to know your team, just go to a shady park and do some team bonding games you can look up like the rope game where you make a bunch of squares in a rope and have to get through it without touching it, or play the human pretzel and hold hands and untangled.

These are a few team bonding events you can have with your squad, I hope you get to know your squad and start bonding and building friendships with them!

Love,
A Cheerleader

 

Answering Your Questions

So I recently added a Question box at the bottom right of the Home page and I got a few good questions I'd like to answer for you guys! (names and emails are not released; I respect my bloggers privacy, thanks for asking)

 

 

1. I'm going to be a cheerleader this upcoming school year when I'm a freshman and I'm nervous the older girls will be mean. will they? will they help me out or just make fun of me?

There's always gonna be those girls who think they're better than everyone else. Sometimes they're seniors and sometimes they're the same age as you. I'm sure there's gonna be at least one nice senior who is willing to help you out when you need help all you have to do is ask and have a good judgment of character. These girls are usually the captains.

2. im supeeerr forgetful and im scared im gonna loose a part of my uniform or the uniform itself! help!
Don't worry. Once you get your uniform you are protective over it as stupid as it sounds. You know that your parents paid a lot for it and you can't cheer without it, so trust me when I say you won't lose your uniform, as for your other camp wear, shoes or poms just make sure to keep track of your stuff by putting it away when you change.

3. I don't even know how I got hear but I love how you did a entry about boy cheerleaders. mad respect!

Not really a question, but okay! Thank you!

4. Cheerlebrity Chat is cute you should do it on Erica Englebert from CEA

I agree! Erica is great I'll try to get on that soon. I have a lot of entries I'd like to do, and Ill add that to my list.

5. I read disagreements with your coach and it is so right I have this girl who is always running her mouth and trying to change things, it's so annoying. Do you have a gurl like that

I think we all have a girl like that but yours sounds a little worse. If there's a problem ask your coach about it.

6. I've been reading your blog and it's really great it reminds me of the youtube channels people have. you really helped me decide cheerleading is for me even if im starting at 16
I love Youtube cheer channel especially cheeradvice4you and hdbug. I'm really touched that I helped you! Thanks for your support and good luck in cheer.

7. Don't waste your time with this shit no one cares, deuces

Well some people are mean...

8. im in love with Robert!

HE'S AWESOME!

Well thanks to all of you that sent these questions, I hope you recognize them and get the answer you were looking for. If you have a question you can use the Contact box on the home page! Thanks guys!

Love,
A Cheerleader

Cheer Practice Snacks

Going to practice in the morning can be tiring and that's usually why you skip breakfast and show up to practice hungry. Not good! Here's a few nutritious snacks you can take on the go to cheer practice.

 

So those are the drinks and snacks I recommend to you in order to stay healthy and keep it cool in those hot summer practices.

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

Uniform Fitting Tips

Uniform Fittings are usually around this time of the year. They're rushed orders for cheer camp and it's probably really crazy. How do fittings work? For my squad we go in the gym and there's tables with tons of skirts, shells, liners, jackets, camp wear, etc. all over. You just start changing into whatever you have to and have the VARSITY rep write down your sizes and then take your form. Here's a few tips when getting fitted!

1. Don't Be Shy

Sure you're undressing in front of people you barely know but it's just like P.E in middle school. Just do what you have to do and get out of there.

2. Don't Wear A Thong

If you have to change in the open (like my squad) then you shouldn't have your cheeks exposed. If you wear thongs on a daily basis I'm sure skipping one day won't kill you. It might also make other people uncomfortable even if you're not.

3. Size It Right

Make sure to try EVERYTHING on! Even if you know your shorts and shirt size try it on any ways because it will really suck when it's time to wear your clothes and nothing fits. Don't be embarrassed then try it all on.

Picture Provided by Google


4. If the Shoe Fits
 
Try on all pairs of the shoes. If you have a new brand this year maybe the sizes are different so make sure you get the right size. What I like to do is do a toe touch or two to see if you're loose. I also walk around in them for a minute just to test them out.

 

 

What's usually included in your uniform?
It depends on your squad's supplier. My squad is supplied by Varsity like most here's what it usually covered in your cost.

-Shell (the top)
-Skirt
-Liner (the removable long sleeve part)
-bloomers (for under the skirt)
-Cheer Shoes (nike)
-Warm-Up Jacket
-Sweatpants
-3 Camp wear shirts
-2 Camp wear bottoms
-1 hair bow
-2 pom-poms

Hope all of these short tips help you with your fittings. Have a great season in your uniform!

Love,
A Cheerleader

How to Memorize So Many Cheers

This is just a tip I do when I need to memorize cheers. Since all football cheers are learned over the summer they're kind of rushed and you're not given a lot of time to learn them. Especially when there's like 30-40 cheers to learn.

So basically what I do is when I learn a new cheer I put it to words so I don't forget the motion.
Example: If the motion is to roll your hands then hit a K twice, you say "circle K, circle K" See it's really simple and if you put a whole cheer to words then the motions will come quickly. Just make sure not to forget the actual words to the cheer.

It's really stupid but you'll be surprised how much it helps. Another tip is to learn with friends. When you go over all the cheers with your friends odds are that they picked up something you didn't or maybe you picked up something they didn't. You guys can feed off each other and go back to practice progressing instead of forgetful.

So those were two little quick tips to help remember cheers. Hope it helps in any way possible.

Love,
A Cheerleader

What Not to Do At Cheer Camp!

Cheer camp is coming up fast and being at a camp with girls you don't know can be pretty drama-filled. That's why you should go in prepared with at least a few tips and advice.

1. Be Prepared

 

You don't want to be the girl who is always asking to borrow this or that. You look undependable and unorganized who a lot of people don't like. Don't get me wrong it's fine to ask for a few bobby pins or a dollar for snacks but when you're constantly asking for this and that and that and this it is not only a "turn off" from you teammates but it's annoying.

 

Picture Provided by Google

2. $hit T@lk

 

This is definitely the number one way for you to be hated by your teammates. You don't know anyone so how do you know the girl you're gossiping with isn't friends with the girl you're gossiping about. There are no secrets at cheer camp so zip the lip and throw away the key. These girls are your teammates and you'll be with them for a whole season, make friends and memories not enemies.

 

 

3. Wrong Side of the Mat

 

You do NOT want to get on anyone's bad side especially your captain and your coach. Be prompt and respectful to everyone around you. Your coach is walking your squad like a hawk, and you don't want to be the odd one out.

 

4. Sneak Out

 

This is pretty much a no brainer but you'll be surprised how far someone will go for a midnight snack. Just stay up in your room all night and skip the trouble you're most likely gonna cause.

 

5. Not Eat

 

This one will come back to bite you in the butt. You are constantly working at cheer camp whether it's tumbling, dancing, or stunting you're active and you need protein, so don't think that skipping breakfast will do you any good.

 

These are just a few basics but just remember to have fun and have a good attitude at all times. Cheer camp is basically a preview to your whole season and you want your season to be successful!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

Cheerlebrities Chat: Robert Scianna

What is a cheerlebrity? This term has been all over social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram.

 

Cheerlebrity

n.

a well-known or famous cheerleader

who is idolized as a celebrity

 

The definition is true there's millions of pictures online glamorizing cheerleaders as celebrities who "walk the mat." These athletes are usually WORLDS winners with many years of experience and are well-known flyers or tumbler.

Picture Provided by Google

But Cheerlebrities in general are not the focus of this article today, it's about Robert Scianna, the upcoming cheerlebrity who is making a name for himself on Smoed's hit web series: Cheerleaders on the Youtube Channel: AwesomenessTV. So who is Robert? Not to go into too much detail but Robert came into the cheerlebrity lime light when he transferred from his all star cheer team Fame to California All Star's Smoed. (Being a base for cheerlebrity Gabi Bulter helps too!) So here's a few questions (that I ask and answer) for Cheerlebrity Chat. These are gonna be the same questions I answer with every Cheerlebrity Chat. 

Picture Provided by Pheed

1. What's your favorite "Robert" moment?

 

My favorite moment of Robert is when he was conditioning

and feeling a little overwhelmed so he said "I think I just

had a baby!" and just the look on his face was hilarious!

 

2. Is "Robert's" team your favorite?

 

YES! I love Smoed. I watch all of their performances

on Youtube and have fallen in love with their show:

Cheerleaders! I wait for a new one every week!

 

 

3.  If you could see "Robert" on any other team which would

it be?

 

No other team! Never! Smoed4Life! His stunt group is

perfect, he can never leave!

 

4. What would you do if you met "Robert" tomorrow.

 

I would freak out and ask to take a million pictures!

 

5. Do you consider "Robert" a cheerlebrity?

 

I think I consider him an upcoming cheerlebrity 

because he's not as big as Gabi Bulter, Madi Gardner,

or Whitney Love. He's definitely making name for

himself though!  

Check out Robert in Cheerleader's Extras in the video below!

 

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

You Love Them & You Hate Them: BACK HANDSPRINGS

So I am in the progress of learning my back handspring for THIRD TIME! Every time I get it I seem to loose it by the lack of practice. Mental blocks are easy to get over, just check out my other blog entry: Battling Mental Blocks. So from a beginner to a beginner here's a few things to know about back handsprings!

Picture Provided By Google

 

1. Don't Get Cozy

 

The worst part about learning a trampoline is that you get too cozy with the ropes and the thought of not getting hurt on this bouncy trampoline. It's always great to get the jist of the back handspring and then start getting spotted on the floor. Once you start on the floor you'll get comfortable with the floor which is good because when tumbling on the football field or basket ball court there's not gonna be a trampoline and ropes.

 

2. Ask for a Spotter

 

Spotters are awesome, they give you that sense of protection and extra help when you're not quit there yet, just remember that even if you're in a room with super experienced girls don't be embarrassed or scared to ask for a spotter.

 

3. Don't Over Throw

 

When you do an extra long arch it may get you over but you're not gonna land on your feet you'll end up catching yourself with your knees.

 

4. Power Over Load

 

If you're doing a round-off back handspring on a mat you have to go from one side of the room to another, over running can cause you to lose your balance and not going over in your bhs you'll just end up falling on your back and probably knock the wind out of yourself.

 

STEP-BY-STEP BACK HANDSPRING

 

1.  Bring your legs and feet together, your knees together and your arms in front of you.
2. Bend your knees toward a position like you are sitting in a chair, with your bottom approaching parallel to the floor, not letting your knees lean over your ankles!
3. Begin to rise quickly, bringing the arms forward and swinging them upward, going into a seal position as you lean backwards

4. Try not to undercut (this means don't arch your back too much) your back as you thrust back

5. Reach for the floor as you arch over

6. Keep your hands either straight-forward or turned in slightly

7. Continue by swinging your legs and feet over and snapping them down firmly toward the floor

8. Land with feet together.

 

Love,

A Cheerleader



When is Old Too Old in Cheerleading?

Lots of girls want to start cheerleading at an older age maybe it's because the cheer world is getting more and more popular because of social media or maybe because they just were never put in it as a child. Whatever the reason, it's a myth that you're "too old" to start cheer. Why else would they make a senior level 1? Why would they create a parent team?

Picture Provided by Tumblr

So how old is too old to cheer? Hmmm....that depends! Cheerleading is generally from ages 5-19, and there's of course open teams for highly skilled athletes and the parent team for cheerleader's parents. I say if you want to cheer, have no fear. Here's just a few things to consider:

1. High School or All Stars?

Find your type of cheer. If you want to do high school cheer that's usually where all girls start, and so you basically get 4 years of cheer experience. Then there's All Star and Pop Warner that start at age 5. The difference between the too is that high school is based around your h.s and is probably less expensive. All Star cheer can be thousands of dollars (about $4000 per season) and involves lots of traveling to competitions. So take price into consideration.

2. Time

Measure your time. If you have a jam packed schedule maybe cheer isn't the best fit for you considering it's a very time consuming sport for both high school and all stars.

3. Commit

This is pretty important and usually overlooked. You have to be willing to take a step back and look at what you need to progress in for tryouts. You need to be dedicated to stretching daily, and practicing jumps. Then once you make the team you need to be committed to going to practice on time every day required.

4. Age is But A Number

Remember that whether you're 14 and a freshman in high school or you're 17 and have no tumbling skills, it does not matter. You will be on a team and have a fantastic season. Age is just a number that's not really a deciding factor in what you're capable of.

5. Love

This is the biggest ingredient to making a good cheerleader. You need to love what you're doing. Cheerleading is a super fun sport and comes with experience and lots of friendships.

Love,

A Cheerleader

Disagreements with Your Coach -_____-

This is always a tricky one because although you might be write and your statement might be a bit more logical just remember your coach is more experienced and wise. But that doesn't mean you have to agree with everything she says, as long as you make your statement clear and get her on your side.

 

Picture Provided by Tumblr

 

Coaches can be a little hard headed especially when they have about 30 cheerleaders making different suggestions. Their head soon just starts to spin, but remember if you have a problem or suggestion of your own be sure to say it but don't do it at the wrong time. Here are a few things cheerleaders want to say or suggest but they're too nervous/scared or just don't have the right timing.

 

1. Do We Have to Go Full Out?

 

This usually gets your coach upset because she thinks your squad is being lazy and don't want to put in the effort. The more you go full out the better it will be in the long run.

 

2. Can I Be a Flyer?

 

Just know that the Coach knows what's best and if they didn't put you as a flyer when it started they probably had a good reason. Long legs, or long torso is always a consideration when coaches are deciding flyers because the longer the legs the longer the stunt and the longer the cradle. It's much simpler with a small flyer. Just think who would I be replacing? Would I fit with the old flyer's stunt group? You can always approach your coach and ask for a try but don't be hurt if they say it's not gonna work out.

 

3. What If We Do This....?

 

Making changes can always be helpful and benefit the dance or cheer just make sure you know what you're talking about. Go home and practice the routine and add your change, if it fits with your coaches counts and isn't too difficult of course present it to her!

 

 

Talking to your coach can be scary but just make sure you do it at the right time, and you have a good reason. Changes and suggestions are always helpful so don't be afraid to put in your input!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

Battling Mental Blocks

 

Mental blocks are the worst! They come in all shapes and sizes. They sneak up on you when you least expect it. They pull you away from your goals. They can be overcome. Mental blocks may seem back but they can always be beaten with determination!

 

1. Tumbling Mental Blocks

 

This is the most common mental block. The feeling of flying backwards with little control is always scary but the feeling of landing on that mat and mastering the skill is way bigger than that fear ever was. The trick to getting on a tumbling mental block and to be confident. Knowing how to do the skill without physically doing is always great. Run through exactly what you have to do in order to get confidence. You can also think positive and not focus on the fear. Just know that falling isn't failing it's progressing. With every fumble you're closer to being able to tumble.

Photo Provided by Tumblr

2. Stunting Mental Blocks

Regardless of your stunting position it can always being scary. Just like the picture above says remember that you've worked way too hard to let a stunt fall. You have to trust your teammates in knowing that whatever happens if the stunt falls it will never hit the ground.

3. Before the Mat Mental Blocks

Stepping onto the mat is so exciting and maybe nerve wrecking. This is a big block too, and is easy to get over. Just know that you have all of your sisters, teammates, and friends all there ready to rock that 2:30 on the floor.

Mental Blocks suck but hey a door can always be opened even if it's lock. A wall can always be broken no matter how tall or thick. A mental block can be knocked to the ground with just a little cheer.

Love,
A Cheerleader

What to Bring to Cheer Camp?

Off to Cheer Camp! That magical land where hundreds of cheerleaders come together to learn new skills and come back a whole new squad. But what do you bring? Do you over or under pack? How do you fit all you need in one suitcase? Who do I bunk with? It's all simple and very fun, and after coming back and reading this you'll probably think "what was I so nervous for?" So here's a general packing list that probably applies to you and your squad!

 

1. Uniform

Make sure to pack your WHOLE uniform. Don't forget your bloomers or your liner. Most cheer camps have the final performance and that's usually when teams wear their uniform.

 

2. Camp Wear

Most teams also have camp wear which is 2-3 outfits that the captains choose. This is so you guys look all together and as one squad. It's also easy for your coach to keep track of all of you.

 

3. Cheer Shoes

You will be using these puppies 24/7 at cheer camp so make sure you don't forget them at home!

 

4. Bows

Make sure you have all of the needed bows to top off your look.

 

5. Essentials

 

- Shampoo

- Conditioner

- Body soap

- Deodorant

- Toothbrush

- Toothpaste

- Floss

- Contacts & solution

- Glasses

- Make-up

-Underwear

 -Socks

 -Swimwear

 -Pajamas

 -Sports bra and bras

 -flip flops

 -bug spray

 -hot glue gun (if a bow breaks)

- Hair ties

- Hair spray or gel

- Tampons

- Shaving cream

- Razors

- Face wash

- Moisturizer (with an SPF!)

6. Room Necessities

Although you're not in your room much you never know how late you and your roomies might want to stay up. Make sure you bring some cash if the hotel you stay at has a gift shop with food. You should also bring some snacks like fruit snacks, candy, chips, and energy bars for on the go snacks or just small snacks before bed. You can also bring a camera for funny pictures. What I like to do is bring a game like cards or maybe some whip cream for pranks.

 

Have fun at cheer camp. It's the greatest time of year that only comes once a year!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader



To Fly or Not to Fly?

A flyer. *sigh* Basically the dream job of every cheerleader who ever walked the mat. The flyer is the cheerleader on top doing the various skills. But lots of cheerleaders wonder how they become one or if their body type is capable of being a flyer. So what makes a flyer?

1. Height

Yes, it's true flyers are generally small and anywhere from 4'8'' to 5'4'." It really depends on how tall your bases and back spot are. You can't be a flyer who is 5'9'' and towering over your 5'2'' bases. So even if you're on the taller side don't let this statement discourage you from being a flyer! There are plenty of tall flyers such as Maddie Gardner who was a 5'7'' flyer and you can also check out these hilarious tweets at TallFlyerProblems on Twitter.

Picture Provided By Google

2. Weight

Now this is a tricky one. No one should ever tell you how you should look or how much you should weigh, not even if you're striving to be a flyer. Flyers are generally light weight because you have to be lifted. To be honest it's hard to get a stunt up with a heavy flyer. This is not fact and never ever meant to hurt anyone's feelings but flyer's weight is generally from 85 to 110 pounds.

3. Body Control

This is basically what makes or breaks a flyer. If you have good body control you're set. You have to be able lock out and stay tight during any stunt. Also with some dismounts you need skilled body control when twisting or flipping.

4. Flexibility

Being flexible isn't a must but it also helps especially when your squad likes to pull advanced skills such as a scorpion. Here's a few positions that involve flexibility.

 

Good Luck & Fly High!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader

 

No Boys Allowed....Right?

So of course people don't think about male cheerleaders right when they think of the word "cheerleaders" but that doesn't mean that they don't exist. I have a male cheerleader on my squad and it's never a problem. In fact I am inspired by male cheerleaders because they're doing what they love regardless of what everyone else thinks. Who says that you can't follow your dreams because of your gender?

                                                        (Picture Provided by Google)

To me it seems like male cheerleaders are more spirited at games. They generally want to be there not just because the uniform or popularity like some (but very few) cheerleaders. They love what they're doing, and I love them for it.

Love,
A Cheerleader

First Day of Practice

The new cheer season is on it's way. Try outs are over, school is out, and the newbies are coming. But is you're one of these newbies you must be excited...and nervous. But it's all good! Just listen carefully and your first day of practice will be a breeze!

1. Get All the Info

Find out when your practice is. If there's more than one squad at your school the times for each squad might be a little different. Make sure you have the right time, and make sure to show up about 10 minutes early. Also find out where your practice is. Some cheer teams don't have a nice indoor gym to practice in. There gym is called the grass or maybe even the ground. Find out your location. For my school it's on the ground or grass depending on what we're doing that day. Since it's in the morning I also bring a towel so I'm not on the hard ground stretching or on the wet grass.

2. What to Wear?

You want to look like you know what you're doing of course! If you know someone who has been on the team for a year or more, call and ask them what they usually wear to practice. You don't want to show up in your spandex, sports, bra, and glitziest cheer bow if what everyone else wears is some soffee shorts, a tee shirt, and their hair thrown up. The usually attire would probably be:

-old tee shirt
-sports bra underneath
-soffee or athletic shorts (or yoga pants if it's morning and cold)
-cheer shoes (ALWAYS)
-Hair up or out of your face
-little to no make up
-no fake nails (EVER)

3. Finding Your Group

If you know all the girls on your team the hardest part for you will be all of you guys showing up at the same time so you can sit together. If you're coming from a middle school where you know no one this might seem like a challenge. But don't worry because there's always going be at least that one girl who insists on welcoming everyone. She's the perfect person to get to know. She'll introduce you to her friends, and soon you'll know everyone's name. If you don't have that girl then be traditionally and find your squad. Introduce yourself and start talking and making conversation. It's your first day there's probably going be at least one person in your same situation.

4. What to Bring

It depends on your environment, weather, and time of practice what here's the usually:

-Water
-Light Jacket (depends on weather/time)
-forms that your coaches need turned in (this could be for cheer camp, or waivers always make sure to turn these in on time)
-Cell phone
-Towel (at least that what I do)
-Cheer Shoes
-wallet (in case you and some friends go get a snack, some coaches give breaks)
-bobby pins
-hair ties
-ipod and headphones (same teams condition and run for a while and it's good to get pumped up)
-a good attitude (this is a big one)

5. Get to Know Your Coach

Go up to her/him and make a conversation. Get yourself known and make a good impression. After all you'll be with this person for the whole season and hopefully a few years.

6. Follow Instruction

If your coach says to stretch. STRETCH. If they say run, RUN. If they say jump, you say "Double or Triple?" You definitely do NOT want to get on the coach's bad side on the first day. Pay attention and don't goof off no matter how excited you are.

That's easy, right? If you stick with these tips, the first day will be simple.

Love,
A Cheerleader

Can I Be A Cheerleader?

This is a question asked a lot. Cheerleaders are known as the perky, beautiful, and blonde girls with short skirts that are waving around their pom-poms during a football game. But this stereotype of course isn't true. To be a cheerleader there's no height or weight limit. There's no "look."

To be a cheerleader you must have time. Time is essentially to this sport, because of all the extra activities and events you have to take part in. If you have a tight fitting schedule during school and even the summer you might have to tone it down to get cheer practice and events to fit. You also have all of those fun games like football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, and sometimes even water polo to attend and show your school spirit during. You definitely don't want to miss those!

To be a cheerleader you should be outgoing. You should be able to socialize with football players, basketball players, ASB, teachers, office staff, etc. Cheerleaders are in charge of the pep rallies, and decorating of the stadiums so you want to make sure that everything is just right and that might mean having to chat with lots of people. You also should be outgoing because it really shows when you're doing each dance and cheer. Outgoing people usually know how to keep a smile.

To be a cheerleader you need to SMILE :)

To be a cheerleader you should be a student athlete. Student always comes before athlete and if you don't have the grades to remain on the squad it could cause some trouble. You have a big squad full of people who can help you with studying and homework, but of course don't resort to copying!

To be a cheerleader you should love the sport. Don't join because of the uniform or the popularity. Join because it makes you happy and because you enjoy being there. Cheerleader isn't just a pass time it's a way of life and it needs to be taken seriously.

To be a cheerleader you should be friendly. Making friends with your WHOLE squad is a huge part, because you don't want any conflict with teammates during the season.

To be a cheerleader you should be committed to it once you join. It really sucks when you want to stunt or make a formation and people are missing. It not only sets you as an individual back but the whole squad. Before joining take the massive schedule into consideration.

To be a cheerleader you should be a role model to not only your peers but to all of those little girls and boys in the stands admiring you and watching every move and cheer you do. A cheerleader is the face of the school, so whatever you do it reflects on your school. Don't live up to the cheerleader stereotype of being a whore and a bully. Be yourself and find your true colors and that's when you'll truly know.

You see? Being a cheerleader isn't about the superficial stuff it's about what's inside as cheesy as that sounds. So if you have a dream even if it's not about cheerleading most of these apply. Take all of this into consideration and go for it!

Love,
A Cheerleader