The world of cheerleading can be broken into two genres: competitive cheerleading and game day cheerleading. Although there are noticeable differences between the two, there are also areas where they coincide. Both require abundant amounts of ability and focus on portraying your talents, but where they start to deviate from one another is in the area of purpose and performance.
Game day cheerleading (referring to cheering for football, basketball, or any other sporting event) is all about crowd involvement. The purpose of getting the audience involved and helping to cheer the team on demands high levels of energy, and usually involves countless cheers and chants. Gaining and keeping the crowd’s attention is what makes great game day cheerleading. This can be accomplished through the use of signs, megaphones and pom poms, or even more effective means, like throwing back handsprings, tucks, stunts, and high flying pyramids. During the game, a balance has to be achieved so as to gain attention, without distracting from the players on the field. Half time, however, is an opportune time to show everyone the abilities of the squad.
Competitive cheerleading, on the other hand, is all about performance. A competition routine usually involves a choreographed dance or cheer, and a good amount of stunting. Cheerleading teams practice for months prior to be judged at the competition and hopefully win a trophy. Judges score your team based on many different criteria, including accuracy, spirit, how well you stick your motions, jumps, synchronization, stunting, and much more. Teams compete at different levels, based on team size and age and ability, to level the playing field a bit and to ensure fairness. Competitions are where your team can “show what it’s made of”.
Whether your cheering for a football game or at a competition, doing your best and having fun are always the top priorities. Skills will develop naturally if when you enjoy what you’re doing and work hard at it!
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