Cheerleading has evolved into much more than just chanting on the sidelines. Today, it’s a high-energy sport that combines dance, gymnastics, stunts, and teamwork. Many dream of becoming cheerleaders because it offers not only fitness benefits but also leadership opportunities, confidence building, and the excitement of performing in front of crowds.
Whether your goal is to cheer for your high school, college, or even professionally, the path to becoming a cheerleader involves dedication, training, and preparation. Here’s everything you need to know.
Step 1: Understand What Cheerleading Involves
Before you commit, it’s important to know what the role entails:
- Sideline Cheerleading: Focuses on chants, dances, and crowd engagement during games.
- Competitive Cheerleading: Involves complex routines with stunts, tumbling, and choreography, performed in competitions.
- Professional Cheerleading: Typically linked to sports teams (NFL, NBA, etc.), requiring advanced performance skills.
Ask yourself: do you want to perform, compete, or both?
Step 2: Build Physical Fitness
Cheerleading is physically demanding. You’ll need:
- Strength – to hold stunts, tumble, and jump safely.
- Flexibility – splits, toe touches, and jumps require limber muscles.
- Endurance – routines can last several minutes and demand high stamina.
Tip: Incorporate cardio (running, HIIT), strength training (core and leg workouts), and stretching (yoga or daily flexibility exercises) into your routine.
Step 3: Learn the Basics
Cheerleading has a language of its own. Master the fundamentals:
- Cheer Jumps: Toe touch, herkie, pike, and hurdler.
- Motions: High V, low V, T, daggers, and broken T.
- Cheer Chants: Learn proper voice projection and rhythm.
- Tumbling: Cartwheels, back handsprings, and eventually flips if you pursue competitive cheer.
If you’re new, consider taking cheer or gymnastics classes at a local gym.
Step 4: Develop Performance Skills
Cheerleading is as much about presence as it is about athleticism. Work on:
- Smiling and projecting energy while performing.
- Sharp, precise motions that look clean and synchronized.
- Confidence in front of crowds.
Practicing in front of mirrors, filming your routines, or performing for friends/family can help build stage presence.
Step 5: Join a Training Program or Cheer Camp
Most schools and colleges offer tryout prep workshops. Attending cheer camps or joining all-star gyms can give you professional training in stunts, tumbling, and routines. This also helps you network with coaches and peers, increasing your chances of being noticed.
Step 6: Prepare for Tryouts
Tryouts are competitive, but preparation is key. Here’s what to expect:
- Warm-Up Routine: Stretching, jumps, and tumbling to showcase flexibility and strength.
- Cheer or Chant Performance: Demonstrating crowd-leading skills.
- Dance Routine: Often taught on the spot to test how quickly you can learn choreography.
- Stunts & Tumbling: Depending on your skill level and the team’s needs.
- Interview Portion (sometimes): Judges may ask about your motivation, leadership, and ability to represent the team.
Tips for Tryouts:
- Wear fitted athletic clothes and cheer shoes.
- Keep your hair neat and out of your face.
- Show energy, positivity, and teamwork throughout.
- Smile—coaches want performers who engage the audience.
Step 7: Be a Great Teammate
Cheerleading is built on trust and collaboration. Bases, flyers, and spotters must work seamlessly in stunts. To succeed:
- Communicate clearly with teammates.
- Always prioritize safety.
- Be reliable, on time, and committed to practices.
- Encourage others—positive energy is contagious.
Step 8: Continue Improving
Even after making a team, the best cheerleaders continue to grow:
- Take dance, gymnastics, or fitness classes to stay sharp.
- Watch professional cheer routines for inspiration.
- Learn leadership skills—many cheerleaders go on to captain their squads or coach younger teams.
Step 9: Explore Higher Levels
If you’re passionate, there are opportunities beyond school cheer:
- All-Star Cheerleading Teams: Private clubs that compete nationally.
- College Cheer Squads: Offer scholarships at some universities.
- Professional Cheerleading: Teams like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders or NBA dance squads recruit top-tier performers.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a cheerleader takes hard work, discipline, and passion, but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences. From the thrill of performing in front of thousands to the lifelong friendships formed within squads, cheerleading offers skills and memories that last a lifetime.
If you love dance, teamwork, performance, and athletic challenges, then cheerleading may be your perfect fit.
