Where it all began
Cheerleading began when Princeton University had developed an all-male pep club way back in
1880s, then a graduate of Princeton University, Thomas Peebles, introduced the Princeton cheers
to the University of Minnesota.
Cheerleading grew from there, it wasn't until 1923 that women were allowed to cheer for the first
time. During this decade, cheerleaders added tumbling and acrobatics to their routines, and also
the University of Oregon cheerleaders added used flashcards for the first time.
By the year 1960s, cheerleading could be found in every high school and grade school across the
country. In addition, all-star cheerleading started in the late '80s and grew rapidly through the
'90s
Cheerleading in the Philippines
The Cheerleading Philippines Federation (CPF) is the national governing body of cheerleading
and cheer dance in the country. It was formed in 1993 and was affiliated with the International
Federation of Cheerleading (IFC) in 2007. By early 2008, the CPF is represented 16 regional
centres in key cities and provinces in the Philippines. It includes affiliate members who are
nationals but residing outside the country including the first member societies representing
United States, Japan, Australia and Canada. The CPF had grown to include 49 national
cheerleading chapters, representing 3 inhabited sub regions (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) in
the Philippines.
Ultimate List of Cheer Stunts and Cheerleading Moves
Motions
Motions, simple arm movements, are the most basic cheerleading moves. Although there are
many cheer motions, the clasp, high-V, T-motion, touchdown and cone are most frequently used
in a routine. It is important to practice the correct technique of every motion and perform each
one sharply.
1. Clasp - The clasp is the way cheerleaders clap. Start with your arms by your side. Bend your
arms at the elbow, cup your hands together and clap.
2. High-V - To execute a high-V, lift your arms to resemble the letter “V”. Arms should be
straight and placed slightly in front of the rest of your body. Your hands should be in tight fists
with your fingers turned away from the body.
3. T-Motion - Start with your arms by your side. Lift your arms to resemble the letter “T”. Arms
should be straight and placed slightly in front of the rest of the body. Your hands should be in
tight fists with your fingers facing the floor.
4. Touchdown - To execute a touchdown motion, lift your arms until they are above your head.
Your arms should be straight and your biceps should be touching your ears. Your hands should
be in tight fists with your fingers facing each other.
5. Cone - While the cone motion is not performed frequently in a motion section, it is used in the
entry to cheerleading jumps. The cone is very similar to the touchdown motion, however, your
hands should be clasped at the top of the motion.
Jumps
Jumps are a fundamental part of cheerleading. Each team performs a jump section in their
routine, so it is crucial to learn proper jump technique and make sure you can execute jumps on
the right count.
1. Toe Touch Select - One of the jump entries to begin your toe touch. From the squat, jump and
lift both legs into a straddle position. Hit a sharp T-motion. Make sure your chest is up, legs are
straight and toes are pointed. Snap your legs down and bring your arms in tight by your side.
Complete the jump by landing with your feet together.
2. Hurdler (left and right) - Begin the jump with the cone-motion approach. From the squat,
jump and lift either the left or right leg straight in front of you. The goal is to bring your front leg
to your chest, but do not drop your chest to do so. Keep your chest up and eyes facing forwards.
3. Pike - Begin the jump with the cone-motion approach. From the squat, jump and lift both legs
straight in front of you into a pike position. In this jump, you are allowed to drop your chest to
meet your legs at the top of the jump.
Stunts
Stunting requires teamwork, as four cheerleaders must work together to put up a stunt. A stunt
group consists of a flyer, two side bases and a back spot. Adding a front spot is always preferred
but not required. Once you perfect a few of the most basic and easy cheer stunts, you group will
be able to progress to more difficult stunts.
1. Thigh-stand Side bases - Squat into a deep lunge, with the inside leg bent and the outside leg
straight. It is crucial for the bases to get close to one another to create a stable foundation for the
flyer to stand on. Ensure the bases’ legs are be lined up from the knee to the foot.
2. Prep or Half Side bases - Begin by facing each other. It is crucial for the bases to get close to
one another to create a stable foundation for the flyer to stand on. Bases will bend both legs into
a deep squat, keeping their chest up and core tight at all times. Arms should be bent at the elbow
with one hand placed over the other.
3. Extension - All positions of the stunt group will execute the same steps as the prep; however,
the bases and the back spot will straighten their arms, progressing the prep into a full extension.
Tumbling
Tumbling is one of the most exciting elements of cheerleading to watch but usually the hardest
for cheerleaders to learn. Although cheerleaders do not compete handstands in a routine, having
a perfect handstand is essential to being able to throw round-offs and back handsprings.
1. Handstand - Start by placing one leg in front of you. Your front leg should be in a lunge
position, while you back leg is straight. The leg you place in front can be determined by which
hand you write with, but ultimately, you must decide which feels the most comfortable leading
you into the handstand. Your arms should remain by your ears until completion of the skill.
2. Round-off - Before you begin, determine which way you will be turning your hands in the
round-off. If you start the round-off with your left leg in front, you will be turning your hands to
the left. You will turn your hands to the right if you begin with your right leg in front.
3. Back handspring - Begin the back handspring by bending your legs into a sitting position and
swinging your arms behind you. Be sure to keep your chest up during this step. As you stand up
from the squat, swing your arms up and jump backwards into the handspring.
