I need pointers on cheer competition?

Question

I am coaching a youth cheerleading squad that wants to go to competition this year. They are beginning and mid level girls. We don't have much tumbling, one shaky bulding group, limited flexibility and loose motions. but it's early in the season.

The girls want to go to competition and I think it would be a good experience for them but I don't want to take them so they can be made a fool of. Any ideas on good competitions for girls at this level? Pointers? Hints?

We are in Maryland near Baltimore.

Answer 1

Practice, practice, practice hard!! I would do a week of deep conditioning, and then work out the kinks. Make sure that they are squeezing all of their muscles at all times. It will make it look sharper and prettier. Tell them to also ALWAYS smile! It makes them look so cute! Don't go too far with stunting - make sure you're safe first. My coach uses the term "Perfection before progression". That means, don't let your girls move on and do the fun stuff until they've perfected whatever comes before that. Maybe type up a sheet that has all of the basic jumps, kicks, motions, and other cheer terms, plus what they mean/ how to do them, so they can practice at home. Also type up a sheet with all of the cheers and sidelines so they can practice those at home as well. One tip in competition: if you have girls doing more than one position in stunting, it will get you a lot of extra points. For example, if one girl is a flyer for one stunt, and then a base or a backspot for the next, cha-ching! Hope this helps, and good luck! Cheers!