The easiest way to coach cheerleading is by taking it back to the basics. Drill your squad on basic moves to help them form a firm foundation for the harder ones they want to master. Be a stickler for perfect form in all basic moves until properly completing the basic moves comes naturally to your cheerleaders. Even after they have moved past the more basic skills, drill them to keep form a part of their natural habits.
Motion Drills
Cheerleading motions must be sharply executed and perfectly placed. A great way to improve your squad's motions is with motion drills. Create a series of eight motions, the Varsity website recommends. Teach the series very slowly, having your squad hold each motion and critiquing each girl until all motions are uniform. Have them perform the motions as you count through the eight counts. They should hit a motion on every odd count. Finally, have them complete the series to fast-paced cheerleading music. In each stage of drilling, make sure positions are perfect and clean.
Toe Touch Training
A toe touch is the quintessential cheerleading jump. Begin teaching a toe touch on the ground. Have your entire squad sit in a straddle position. Make sure all knees point up and all toes are pointed. Have your cheerleaders extend their arms out in a T position. Tell them to pull their abdominal muscles in toward their spines. Have them close their eyes and memorize the position they are in. Explain to them that this is the position they should hit in the air. Remind them they should never reach for their legs, but instead should always keep their arms parallel to the ground.
Round Off Coaching
The basis for power tumbling passes is typically a round off. Learning this skill can be challenging for cheerleaders who do not have a background in gymnastics. Start their training by focusing on handstands. Helping them master a good handstand position will improve their round off and help them achieve other skills, such as a back handspring, the Gymnastics Revolution website notes. Practice handstands against a wall. Have your cheerleaders stand with one foot forward, take a step and lunge forward, placing both hands on the ground a few inches from the wall. As they kick up into their handstand, their entire body should come in contact with the wall. Once in this position, coach them to hollow out their body by pulling their abdominal muscles in toward their spine. Remind them that their necks should be kept neutral with their eyes gazing at the wall across the room from them.
Elevator Basics
A steady and solid elevator will form the basis for many advanced stunts in your future. Do not allow even a small break in form. Practice elevator basics until each stunt group on your squad can perform a perfect elevator. The cheerleaders who form the bases need to be taught that the power for the stunt comes from their leg and butt muscles. Teach them to dip low and explode up through their legs before engaging their arms. The top person should be taught to control her own body. Pushing hard off the ground, landing gently in the bases' hands and shoving off their shoulders should all be drilled into the top person's head. Back bases need to respect the importance of their position as the protector of the top person. Train them to focus completely on the top person whenever the stunt is in motion.
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