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Cheer- is to shout out words or phrases that may help
motivate and boost the morale of a playing team and
perform better during a game.
Dance- physical activity where one expresses
emotions or gestures while performing bodily
movements usually in time with rhythm.
Cheerleading is an organized sports activity involving
short routines that combine dance, gymnastics, and
stunt elements to cheer on teams, most commonly
football.
HISTORY
1870s – The first pep club was established at Princeton
University.
1880s – The first organized yell was recorded at
Princeton University.
1898 - Megaphone was used on the day of
cheerleading.
1900s – Usage of the megaphone was becoming
popular.
1920s – Women became active in cheerleading.
- University of Minnesota cheerleaders began to
incorporate gymnastics and tumbling into their cheers.
1930s - Universities and high schools began performing
pompom routines and using paper pompoms.
1940s – The first cheerleading company was formed by
Lawrence R. Herkimer
-The first national organization for cheerleaders, the
American Cheerleaders Association was formed by Bill
Horan.
1950s – College cheerleaders began conducting
cheerleading workshop to teach cheerleading skills.
1960s – The vinyl pompom was invented by Fred Gasthoff
and introduced by the International Cheerleading
Foundation.
1975 – The birth of “cheerleading routine.”
1980s – National Cheerleading competitions for junior
and senior high school as well as collegiate squads took
place across the nation.
1982 – Jeff Webb places cheerleading on a new sports
television network called the “Entertainment Sports
Programming Network” or “ESPN” This begins 30 years
of highlighting cheerleading on television.
1987 – American Association of Cheerleading Coaches
and Administrators (AACCA) to teach as well as safety
test cheerleading coaches around the USA, and
eventually the world.
1988 – Universal Cheerleaders Association introduces
cheerleading in Japan.
1989 – Universal Cheerleaders Association introduces
parade cheerleading performances in the United
Kingdom.
1990s – Cheerdance began in the Philippines
1991 – European advancement of modern-day
cheerleading accelerates.
1994 – The University Athletic Association of the
Philippines (UAAP) held its first official Cheerdance
Competition.
DR. THOMAS C. PEEBLES
• He introduced the University of Minnesota to
the idea of chanting to a crowd of spectators.
JOHNNY CAMPBELL
• He led an organized cheer at a football game
between Minnesota and Princeton University.
Minnesota was having a tough season that year,
and it was thought that cheering the team on might
improve morale and affect the team's outcome.
LAWRENCE HERKIMER
• founded the National Cheerleaders
Association (NCA) which began to hold
cheer workshops.
• NCA was the first cheerleading organization
focused on cheer competitions.
CHEERDANCE EQUIPMENT
POM-POMS
• They come in metallic or
plastic varieties and are a
signature cheer accessory.
CHEERLEADING SHOES
• To avoid injuries and ankle
support.
MATS (SAFETY MATS)
• Cushioned floor surfaces used
during training or performances
to ensure safety during stunts,
tumbling, or high jumps.
MEGAPHONE
• A cone-shaped device used to
amplify the cheerleader’s voice
during cheers. More common in
traditional cheerleading.
SPEAKER/MUSIC PLAYER
• Used to play background music
during routines. Music is
essential for synchronization in
cheerdance.
ESSENTIALS OF CHEERDANCE
BEGINNING STANCE
• feet together, hands down by
the side in blades.
CHEER STANCE
• feet more than shoulder width
apart, hands down by the side
in blades.
CLASP
• Hands clasped, at the chin,
elbows in.
CLAP
• Hands in blades, at the chin,
elbows in.
HIGH V
• Arms extended up forming a
“V”, relax the shoulders.
LOW V
• Arms extended down forming a
“V”.
TOUCHDOWN
• Arms extended straight and
parallel to each other, fist facing
in.
TABLETOP
• Arms bent at elbow, fists in
front of shoulders.
PUNCH
• One arm extended straight up,
one arm on hip, in a fist.
T MOTION
• Both arms extended straight
out to the side and parallel to
the ground, relax the shoulders
HALF T MOTION
• Both arms parallel to
the ground and bent at
the elbows, fists into
shoulders.
SIDE LUNGE
• Lead leg bent with knee
over the ankle, back leg
straight, feet
perpendicular to each
other.
FRONT LUNGE
• Lead leg bent with the knee
over the ankle, back leg
straight, feet perpendicular to
each other.
LEGS/FEET POSITION
FEET TOGETHER AND
FEET APART
DIG FRONT
DIG SIDE
HITCH
LIBERTY
BASIC JUMPING
T JUMP
• great tool for learning the
counts for a jump and for
working on arm
placement and timing.
TUCK
• great tool to help build
core strength for tucks in
tumbling.
SPREAD EAGLE
• This jump requires excellent
flexibility and control to
achieve full extension and
symmetry in the air,
emphasizing both leg and core
strength.
TOE TOUCH - focus on achieving maximum height and splitting your legs evenly for a clean
execution.
HURDLER - Alternate between left and right hurdler jumps, focusing on height and
maintaining a pointed toe on the extended leg.
HERKIE - This jump emphasizes height, flexibility, and gracefulness, requiring precise timing
and coordination to execute smoothly.
PIKE
• Focus on keeping your legs
straight and toes pointed for
maximum extension.
STUNT GROUP POSITIONS
“A great teacher is like a cheerleader
—always pushing students to rise,
shine, and never give up.” - Unknown
