Cheerleaders have fun at football games, but they also have numerous tasks to perform. As a cheerleader, you have jobs that go beyond cheering for your team and getting the crowd to cheer along. You are an ambassador for your school. You should exemplify sportsmanship by being polite and respectful of people and things. Always do your job at the game prior to having fun.
Pre-game
Besides warming up, cheerleaders have several pre-game responsibilities. If the visiting team brings cheerleaders, it is your job to welcome them. Send your captains or choose two different cheerleaders for each game to be the welcoming committee. As game time approaches, gather on the track for player introductions. Some squads make breakthrough signs for the players to charge through when announced. Hold the sign firmly and make a tunnel of cheerleaders from the sign toward the crowd. Never have a cheerleader in a stunt hold the sign. Finally, stand at attention without fidgeting or looking around during the national anthem. It is a good idea to have a set stance, feet apart or together, one hand over your heart and eyes on the flag.
Sidelines
Cheerleaders should perform sideline chants on the track during the football game. Make sure to start appropriate chants: First and Ten when it is third down, Block that Kick on an extra point or field goal attempt, and Sack that Quarterback when your team is on defense. Start a chant early enough to finish before the play actually starts so the crowd can watch the play in motion. At times, stunts can be built on the track during the game, but make sure you are not blocking the game's action and that you finish your stunt before a play begins. In between chants, do not chat, fix your hair or adjust your uniform. Stand at attention or face the crowd, encouraging them to cheer.
Timeouts, Quarters and Halftime
Timeouts are a great time to perform crowd involvement chants, getting your crowd to yell for your team. Use chants that require the crowd to yell something back to you. Incorporate signs so the crowd knows what to yell. During quarters, you can perform your longer cheers with stunts choreographed into them. With about one minute left on the clock, mentally prepare yourself for the cheer you are going to do. The second the buzzer sounds, get to your spot for the cheer. Halftime is usually the time your school's pom squad performs. Do not leave the track until the end of its performance. Sit respectfully and support the squad members as they dance. After their performance, make sure to go to the bathroom, fix your hair or have a snack before socializing with your friends, and always get back to the track several minutes before the second half begins.
Post Game
Whether your team won or lost, cheer encouragingly at game's end. Be a good sport walking over to the other cheerleaders to congratulate them for a good game. Help clean up all signs, poms, flags and other accessories used for that game. Clean up your own things, ensuring nothing is left behind for your coach to care for. Double-check with your coach prior to leaving the track. See if she needs anything else from you.
Member Comments