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CHAPTER 9: CHEER DANCE

Cheer dance

Also known as cheerleading, refers to a type of grouped dance that intends to give motivation
and support to sporting team, entertainment to audience, or competition. Most cheerdance group is
consists of 4-30 dancers, both male and female, executing different formations and acrobatics. Most
cheerdance are usually seen during team-sport events. Some of the cheer dancers were also called
“boosters” who leads the supporting crowd to make chants, yells, and simple but creative dance
movement to motivate their sporting teams. Commonly, a male cheer dancer performs the lifting while
a female cheer dancer performs the flies and designated to the top of the pyramids. Cheerdance
performance involves various movements that are typically precise, breath-taking which will be
discussed later in this chapter.

History

Cheerleading originated in the United States and started by all male participants in the early 1800’s. It all begun
with the organized crowd of male students who yell chants and cheers they created to support their football,
rugby and basketball teams in Princeton University (1877). However, it was in the year 1890 that the world’s first
cheerleaders were known.

November 2, 1898 was the official birthdate of organized cheerleading. The same date that Johnny Campbell
directed a crowd to cheer for the University of Minnesota’s football squad.

Female students were encouraged to participate in cheerleading since majority of the male students participated
in cheering teams and pep squad. During the 1920’s up to the World War II when most of the men were sent to
serve the army, the women begun to dominate this event.

Cheerdance in the Philippines

Cheerleading Philippines (CPF) is the national confederation of Cheerleading organizations and the
official governing body of Cheerleading and Cheer Dance in the Philippines. It is affiliated with the International
Federation for Cheerleading and the continental body, the Asian Federation of Cheerleading.

Events included are mixed cheer, all female, partner stunts and cheer dance, all of which are official
events of Cheerleading worldwide. It is under the umbrella of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, a full
member of the Federacion Internationale Gymnastique (FIG), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and
recognized by the Philippiones Sports Commission (PSC), the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and the
Department of Education (DepEd). The CPF is mandated to sponsor and sanction cheerleading and cheer dance
national and international competitions.

Elements of Cheerdance

A cheerdance performance is consists of different structured and organized movements which

are being scored when in competitions. The movements must be proper and efficient in order to earn
scores and avoid deductions. Here are the elements of cheer dance to consider in creating a routine:

• Yells/ Chants
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• Jumps
• Stunts
• Pyramids
• Tumble
• Dance

Yells/ Chants

Chants or yells are usually done by the performers with pride and confidence. This element
helps to encourage the supportive spectators to cheer along and bring the prideful message to the
competitors. The basic technique in yelling and chanting is the use of diaphragm instead of the throat. It
is done also while doing the other elements of cheer dancing.

Jumps

Basic types of Jumps

• X Jump/Spread eagle – Simply swing and jump with arms doing high “V” figure and legs apart.
Knees facing forward but not toward the sky. This jump is used as a progression to learn more
advance jumps.
• Tuck Jumps – Legs in front while knees tucked to the chest. Closed fist and arms spreading
forming “T” or “V” figure.
• Toe touch – One of the most common jumps used in cheerleading. Legs are straddled,
straight and parallel to the ground forming “V” figure. Knees face the sky, toes pointed, arms
form “T’ position, closed fist and must not touch the toes despite the name.
• Pike- Legs are straight, together, and parallel to the ground. Toes are pointed, arms are
straight reaching the front while hands are in closed fist.
• Hurdle- One leg is straight facing forward (front hurdle) or facing outward (side hurdle) with
arms forming “T” figure. The other leg is bent, knees facing the ground (front hurdle) or facing
forward (side hurdle)
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Jumping movement breakdown

Starting/Standing position: Feet together and arms by the side of the body.
Preparatory position: Hands are clasped, raised in high “V”position.
Dip: Bending of knees, swinging of the arms across the body and in front of the knees.
Jump execution: Power must generated by the leg muscles
Recovery/Landing position: Knees are slightly bent for weight absorption, with arms to the side of the
body.
After Jump: Return to starting/standing position.
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Stunts
Most stunts are done by the flyers (usually female) with bases (male lifters) and spotters. it is
essential to know the proper execution of the stunts to secure the safety of both flyers and lifters.

Bases
These are the athletes (usually male cheer dancers) that hold, lift, and toss a flyer up to the air
during stunts. Bases must be strong and alert at all times. They make sure that flyer will land safely and
secured. There is no gender requirement for a base.

Flyers
Flyers are the athletes being held, lifted, and tossed up to perform certain stunts in height or in
the air. Female cheer dancers are usually assigned to be the flyers. They are usually, but not always, the
smallest person in the group. They are flexible and balance efficient while being lifted up. Before
performing air stunts, flyers must learn first the proper techniques:

- From standing position, one foot is placed on one of the bases hands (prep or extension) or
thighs (stands or sits) as preparatory for the lift. Leg must partially tuck to the chest.
- Push off the shoulders of the bases to lessen the weight when being lifted up.
- Legs are locked; core should be tight to maintain balance.
- Shoulders must be stiff.
- In dismounting or pop down, legs must be tight and straight at the time that bases dip down
and release the hold on the feet of the flyer.
- Flyer places their arms in T position and let the bases catch them in a pike position
- Coordinated counting with the base.
- Good sense of balance and focus

Basic types of stunts

Basket toss- both hands of the bases are used and being
stepped on by the flyers. The hands of the bases hold each
others’ wrist forming interlocked position. A spotter is
needed in this stunt. The spotter’s hands are placed
beneath the basket base as an additional force in tossing.
Flyers are thrown way up high and lands in a cradle
position. Bases must absorb the weight of the flyer in order
to avoid excessive impact.
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Prep- The stunt which the flyers stand on the hands of the bases and lifted up in chin level. Prep is
commonly used during yells and chants which can be in the beginning, middle or end of the routine. A
dismount or pop down can be executed as the basic exit from the stunt.

Full or extenstion- This stunt is similar but higher in height

than prep. The flyer is risen up in above head level with the
bases’ arms fully extended. A dismount or a pop down is also
applicable for exit.

Thigh stand – the most simplest stunt in cheer dance.

The bases slightly lunge with their knees. The feet of
the bases must be touching or meeting each other. The
flyer holds the shoulders of the bases from behind and
jumps onto the pocket are of the bases’ thighs. The
outer hands of the bases will hold the flyer’s toe while
the inner hands hold the flyers thigh to secure balance.

Shoulder sit – this stunt basically getting the flyer sit on the
shoulders and wraps the legs around the waist of the base. The
most common way of entering the shoulder sit is the base
bends one knee to be stepped onto with one foot by the flyer
from behind, and other leg wraps the shoulder of the base. To
exit this stunt, the flyer must hold the hands of the base while
dipping down ready to be popped off the base’s shoulders. the
flyer will land on the ground behind the base.
Spotting – Spotters are also responsible in assuring that the
flyers will not touch the ground from a stunt at all cost to avoid
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serious injuries. Spotters are positioned in front, at the back, or side of the bases.

Tumble
Including tumbling skills in your cheer dance routine is an excellent way to add extreme, thrill
and excitement. Safety and security must be observe at all times to avoid injury especially tumble skills
involves gravity-defying and intense ground impact.

Types of tumbling skills

Standing – completing a tumble in a stationary position.

Running- completing a tumble from a running start.

Cartwheel – A type of tumble in which the body moves sideways imitating a wheel.

How to do:
- Start in a lunge
- Allow upper body to fall down, and put your hands on the ground.
- Lift the behind leg up to kick
- Kick foot over the head (the kicking foot should land first) Land in lunge

Round off- This tumble is similar to cartwheel but the difference is, landing must be on both feet
together.

How to do:
- Start in a lunge
- Allow upper body to fall down, and put your hands on the ground.
- Lift the behind leg up to kick
- Kick foot over the head,
- Push the ground, and feet intact again together
- Snap down and Land in lunge with both feet
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Backhand spring – This tumble involves full revolution of the body with the head lunging first from an
upright position into inverted vertical position. With hands pushing off from the floor, the body leaps
back to upright position.

How to do:
- From standing position, slightly bend knees to a sitting position with arms at the side ready
to swing back
- Bend torso backward along with the swing and jump in angular momentum forming an arch
- Put your hands on the ground
- Push off the hands from the ground to lift the body from the floor
- Tuck the legs towards the ground
- Stand with your arms raised up

Back tuck – The back tuck is also similar to backhand spring execution but it doesn’t require the hands to
touch the ground when executed. It is also known as the backward somersault.

How to do:
- From standing position, slightly bend knees to a sitting position with arms at the side ready
to swing back
- Swing and reach arms overhead, at the same time, jump upward
- After a brief stretch in the air, pull knees upward tucking to the chest to rotate
- Land with both feet
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Pyramids

Cheer dance pyramid is a stunt where cheer dancers stack their selves up above to one another
forming a layers. It involves high-level of stunting skills, coordination, trust among the group and most
importantly, awareness for safety. Pyramids consists of different techniques in lifts, tosses, poses and
dismount that creates an
impressive visual effects. Counting
is also important to a coordinated
pyramids in cheer dance.

How to build a pyramid:

The transition or set-up:
dancers position their selves in a
formation for pyramid.
Loading: The flyers are
being lifted up to build the
pyramid.
Hit: This the time where
the flyer, bases, spotters execute
the final pose of the pyramid.
Dismount: Flyers jumps off the bases and lands on the ground safely.

Dance

In today’s cheer dancing, different themes (i.e anime, superheroes, animals, culture) inspire
most of the choreography of cheer dancing. Hip-hop, contemporary, and festival type of dances can be
applicable in creating a cheer dance routine. Synchronization is one of the most important factors to be
considered to create a precise and entertaining routine.
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Music
Cheer dances are typically accompanied either percussive resembles, pure music, or sometimes
both. Music created for cheer dancing usually has special sound effects that collaborates with the
specific stunts and movements performed by the cheer dancers.

Formations

Formations plays a vital role in cheer dance since most of the cheer dance competitions are
viewed from the top by the spectators. Formations may vary depending on the dances and stunts
choreographed. It is important to have creative formations that will create excellent visual effects to
enhance the dance routine. Synchronization must be always observed in making formations in cheer
dance.

Example of Basic Cheer dance formations

Bowling Pin Diamond Diagonals

Window Block

Basic hand movements in Cheer dance

Recommended picture

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Exercise methods in improving cheer dancing skills

As discussed in Chapter 10, cheer dance also involves a multi-joint and muscle coordination in
order to perform efficient movements. Proper training is necessary especially cheer dance requires a lot
of physical and mental capabilities. Strength, power, agility, precision, balance, flexibility, endurance and
coordination must be strictly practice to come up with a good cheer dance routine.

Strength Exercises
- Press
- Push-ups
- Planks
- Jump Squats
- Dead lifts
Agility exercises
- Sprints
- Change of directions
Balance Exercises
- One-legged balance
- Twist jumps
- Flamingo Leg balance
Endurance Exercises
- Jogging
- Dancing
- Interval running
Flexibility
- Sit and reach
- Splits
- Bendings
Coordination Exercises
- Markings (dancers perform the routine without executing completely the movements)
- Music and dance simulations

Health-optimizing benefits of Cheer dancing

The specific techniques that cheer dance require cause the body to develop in different systems
which can be healthy benefits to participants. Cheer dance is also a long-term physical activity wherein
the body needs to sustain enough energy to perform which causes the body to burn calories. Body
weight is strictly managed when in team so cheer dancers observe proper eating habits.

➢ Cardiovascular Stamina
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Repeatedly practicing and doing the routine for perfection builds cardiovascular stamina and endurance.
The choreographed routine lasting for two minutes or less but done repeatedly is an effective aerobic
workout.
➢ Strength Training
Stunt sequences, tumbling passes and jumps build powerful muscles in the lower body, shoulders and
core. Physical strength is an important element whether a base, a backspot or a flyer. They need balance
and control of their bodies during the stunt. Therefore, it is important for them to do strength training
and conditioning exercises to build the muscles needed.
➢ Coordination
The ability to move the body through a sequence of motions, is essential for timing and rhythm and this is
coordination. It helps ensure that each squad member hits her motion on the proper count in unity with
the team squad.
➢ Flexibility
Flexibility is necessary when performing high kicks, jumps, splits and stunt sequences. Proper stretching
and conditioning helps prevent muscle strains and other injuries involved with tumbling, jumping and
dancing.

Precautions of Cheerleading

According to American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, high rates of
catastrophic injuries commonly occurs in cheerleading/cheerdancing. Around 66% of the catastrophic injuries are
usually seen in female cheerleaders. In a study conducted by Shields (2009), 60% of injuries were stunt-related
such as tossing, pyramids and tumbles. Around 84% injuries occur during practices which is a contrast in other
sports where injuries occurs mostly during games.

The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors suggested the following tips on
preventing catastrophic injuries in cheer dancing:

1. Cheerleading/Cheerdance must be designated as a sports to all state.

2. Athletes should have a physical examination and must be assessed by conditioning trainers
before allowing to join cheering squads.
3. Cheering squad must be supervised by qualified coaches who are certified in proper spotting for
stunts, safety and basic prevention of injuries.
4. Athletes especially the bases and spotters must have adequate body strength, core stability and
balance
5. Practicing of the technical skills of the stunts such as pyramids, tossing, and tumbles must be
done in a spring/foam or grass/turf floor to lessen too much contact.
6. Coaches, athletes and parents must have access emergency plans. Conditioning coaches and
physician must be also present during trainings, if possible.
7. Athletes who have a history in injury must be strictly assessed by physicians first before letting
him/her join the cheering squad.
8. Coaches, parents, and athletes must have a written agreement signed by all parties indicating
the knowledge regarding risks, tendencies, and benefits in joining to a cheering squad.

Do‘s and Don’ts in Cheerleading

• Do eat the right kinds of food and try various physical activities.
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• Don’t take practice for granted.

• Do sign up for training camps
• Don’t push yourself too much. If you’re hurt or injured, don’t push yourself to attend practice.
• Do wear appropriate attire. Use the right clothes and right shoes during cheerleading practice and
competition.

REMINDER

“Prevention of Injury is better than Cure:

1. Warm-up should be performed prior to all sessions of strenuous exercise. It should consist of
general activities raising the body temperature to a light sweat.
2. Stretching:
a. Before and after exercise/physical activity
b. Stretch gently and slowly
c. Hold stretches for a minimum of 10 seconds
d. Breathe slow and easy
3. Warm down (Cool down). Consist of a gradual reduction in activity levels for 5-10 minutes, e.g.
a slow/easy walk followed by stretching.

Note: Do not forget to always keep yourself hydrated during physical activities.

EXERCISE 9: Cheer Dance

Activity 1
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Identification

Write the correct answer on blank before the number corresponding to the questions below.

___________1. These are the athletes who are commonly tossed, lifted and dismounted to perform
acrobatics.

___________2. These are the athletes designated to perform the lifting, tossing and dismounting skills
in a cheer dance routine.

___________3. What do you call the skills in cheer dancing that involves tosses, lifts, spotting and other
acrobats?

___________4. An element of cheer dancing wherein the athlete performs jumping off from the floor
and executing rotational bodily movement while in the air.

___________5. The most common technique used in tossing.

___________6. These are the athletes who place their selves beside, behind or in front of the bases as
additional to support in performing a stunt.

___________7. This element involves vocals to bring prideful message to competitors.

___________8. An element in cheer dancing wherein athletes displays visual effect by stepping on the
bases shoulders or thighs, forming a layer by stacking up to one another.

___________9-10. Give at least 2 examples of a tumble skills.

Activity 2

Cheer making Contest

Divide the class into groups. Instruct the class also to name their respective groups. Compose a
chant/yell with execution of the basic elements of cheer dancing. Maximum of 1 minute routine only.

Adrienne Weeks (2011). “The health benefits of Cheerleading”. Livestrong.com

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American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Policy statement. Cheerleading
injuries: epidemiology and recommendations for prevention. Pediatrics 2012;DOI 10.1542/peds.2012-2480 (online
ahead of print)(accessed October 22, 2012).

Peters, Craig. "Chapter 2: A Brief History of Cheerleading." Competitive Cheerleading (2003): 12.
MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Nov. 2013

The Basics of Cheerleading Stunts". Retrieved 2015-09-28.

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Marar M, McIlvain NM, Fields SK, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of Concussions Among United States High School
Athletes in 20 Sports. Am J Sports Med 2012;40(4):747-755.

Shields BJ, Fernandez SA, Smith GA. Epidemiology of cheerleaders' stunt-related injuries in the United States. J Athl
Tr. 2009;4:586-94.