Beginner cheerleaders have much to learn. First you need to learn the difference between a chant and a cheer. Chants are performed on the sidelines during the game, are shorter and are repeated three to four times each. Cheers are longer and used between quarters or at halftime. They might include jumps, tumbling or a stunt. While a portion of a cheer might be repeated to lengthen it and allow for stunting, cheers typically are done only one time.
Cheerleading Notebook
It is a good idea for beginner cheerleaders to have a cheerleading notebook. In it you should have sections for motions, jumps, tumbling, stunts, chants and cheers. Keep detailed descriptions of each item you learn. Spend time outside of practice reviewing the information in your notebook. In your cheer section, write out your cheers with at least two blank lines between each line of words. Use the blank spaces to write in the motion names or even draw diagrams of the motions. A binder works best for this kind of notebook because you can move sheets around as needed.
Motions
In beginner cheers, the motions should be kept basic and slow. You should have no more than one motion per word in a beginner cheer. Motions needs to be sharply placed, hitting on the exact word they are choreographed. Exact levels are very important to your cheerleading motions. For example, a "T" should be perfectly parallel to the ground and a high or low "V" at exact 45-degree angles to your body. Finally, make sure that you perform all motions as if you are standing with your back against a wall. Do not allow your arms to touch the imaginary wall behind you.
Words
Keep the words of your cheers simple and brief. Cheers should be all-purpose, not related to offense or defense, as they will be performed during a break in the game. Use a cheer to encourage your crowd to yell for the team. Use your team colors or mascot name in your cheers. Words should be shouted out, not strung together and sung. Make sure the tempo of your cheers is such that the crowd can understand what you are saying.
Sample Cheer
One beginning cheer goes like this:
"Hey team let's Go! Go!
Hey team let's Fight! Fight!
Hey team let's win tonight!"
Start with your feet apart and hands on your hips. One girl starts the cheer by shouting, "Win tonight!" while executing two clasps with her hands just under her chin. On "Hey team," all cheerleaders join her with two clasps. Do a right punch, with your left fist on your hip, on the first "Go!" and then hit a "T" motion, with both arms extended straight out to the sides at shoulder level, on the second "Go!" Repeat this series of motions for the next line of words. For the final line of words, repeat the clasps, then hit a "T" motion on the word "win" and a high "V," with both arms extended overhead at a 45-degree angle to your head, on "tonight!"
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