Tips On Cheerleading For Ages 9 To 13

Focusing on the basics is a great way to approach cheerleading for ages 9 to 13. Drilling basic concepts in cheers, jumps, tumbling and stunting will help young cheerleaders form building blocks they will use as they progress in cheerleading. The most important tip for cheerleaders of any age is always practice under the supervision of a qualified cheer coach. This tip is especially essential to younger cheerleaders who are just starting out.

Motions

Drill basic motions at every practice. Set aside time for critiquing motion levels, placement and precision. Use hands-on correction as needed, lowering or raising a child's arm to the correct level, twisting her fist to face the proper direction or moving her arm slightly forward so it does not extend behind her. By perfecting each individual's motions, you will ensure squad uniformity in motion execution. The more you drill motions at practice, the better young cheerleaders will execute them during cheers.

Jumps

Again stick with the basics when doing jumps. Start by learning and drilling a proper jump preparation. Start up on the balls of your feet with your arms above your head in a high V motion. Swinging your arms down and crossing them in front of you, bend your knees deeply to get power for your jump. Next explode into the air. Start with basic jump positions such as a tuck jump, where you pull your bent knees up toward your chest. Forcefully swing your arms up to a high V motion for this jump. To drill a tuck jump, perform several jumps in a row without an extra bounce in between jumps.

Tumbling

Even at an early age, cheerleaders should learn basic tumbling skills. The form used in tumbling also will benefit cheerleaders in stunting and cheering. Basic tumbling skills a cheerleader age 9 to 13 should learn are forward rolls, cartwheels and round-offs. Achieve proper form and mastery before progressing in your tumbling. If you are struggling to do a cartwheel or round-off, practice proper handstand form against a wall because a handstand is the basis for both of these, and many other, tumbling skills.

Stunting

Stunting should be started, but kept simple, when cheerleaders are just 9 to 13. Again mastery of basic skills must be shown prior to any progression in stunting. Always start with mastery of a basic step-up drill, where one cheerleader steps up on to the thigh of another cheerleader who is in a lunge position, to instill proper stunting form and technique. Be aware that even if you advance quickly in the area of stunting, special safety guidelines apply to elementary, middle school and junior high cheerleaders. No basket tosses or twists greater than 1 1/4 rotations may be executed at this level per the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators.