Cheerleading is an athletic activity that requires plenty of physical fitness. The skills a cheerleader must execute require cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, a high degree of flexibility, a strong sense of balance and coordination. Learning information about cheerleading's different aspects can help you understand what is needed to be a cheerleader.
Cheers
One of the most basic things cheerleaders do is cheer. The shouting of words while executing motions may seem easy, but it requires coordination and concentration. Words should be cheered loudly and clearly. If the crowd cannot understand what you are cheering, they will have difficulty cheering along. Motions should be executed sharply and precisely. Practice your motions in a mirror to ensure correct movement. Work on endurance activities -- like running or rollerblading -- that prepare you to cheer while executing motions without appearing short of breath.
Jumps
Jumps -- which add excitement to cheerleading performances -- can be incorporated into cheers used in an entrance onto the court or performed during the game. Each jump should start with a powerful jump preparation. Place your arms above your head in the shape of a V, then swing your arms down, crossing them in front of you and bending your legs to prepare to jump. Learn several jumps, mastering easier ones first. Finish all of your jumps cleanly, landing with your feet together and pausing before popping your feet out to shoulder-width apart. To train for better jumps, work on plyometric exercises where you do several jumps in a row to improve your power and height. In addition, practice flexibility exercises.
Stunts
One or more cheerleaders lift or toss another cheerleader during stunting -- an impressive but potentially dangerous category of the sport. Stunting should only be done under supervision of a qualified cheer coach familiar with safety regulations. Safe coaches will ensure stunts are learned in progression from basic to advanced capabilities and will ensure that illegal stunts are not attempted. Training for stunting should include strength training for bases and balance training for the top person. A top person will also need to increase her flexibility.
Tumbling
Flips and twists grab the crowd's intention. However, a cheerleader should never attempt to teach herself tumbling skills. While your coach may have some knowledge in this area, find a local gym that offers cheerleading gymnastics classes. You will learn tumbling from a cheerleading point of view in these classes. To better prepare for success in the class, work on all areas of your fitness endurance, strength, flexibility and balance.
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