How many people can make up a Elementary School cheerleading squad? ?

Question

My wife is going to coach an elementary school cheerleading squad and it is a small school. She's needing to know about how many would be enough to have a squad. They will just be cheering at ballgames. Thanks.

Answer 1

If possible, I would suggest making an elementary school cheer squad open to anyone who wants to join.  Cheerleading is so competitive at the middle school and high school level - only a few girls can make the squad, and it's so devastating for the majority who don't make it.  For many girls, cheering in elementary school will be the only chance they'll ever have to be a cheerleader!

If having an open squad would result in too many girls for your wife to handle, perhaps she could limit it to just the 5th or 6th graders (whichever is the highest grade at her school).  If that's still too many, the cheerleaders could take turns cheering at alternate games; or some could cheer during the first half of the game, and some could cheer during the second half.  Either way, it would be a wonderful experience for the girls to be able to cheer without having to deal with the anxiety of a tryout.  They'll have plenty of time for that when they're older!  

Answer 2

I would say probably 6 at the very minimum. It's best to have an even number. Since it's only elementary school, and since you say it's a small school, it might not even hurt to just let everybody who tries out join. Probably 14 or 16 at the very most though. Oh, and just a pointer, I would suggest going to the head of the High School cheer coach, and ask if they can cheer at one of their games with the high school girls. Maybe she could even give your wife some tips. Hope this helps! Cheers!