I recently received an email from Julie in Colorado, and she is now a Freshman in High School and would like to get back into cheerleading and wanted some direction. If you are like Julie and need some ideas, here are a few for you too:
To begin cheerleading, the first thing I would do, if you feel that you need more experience before trying out for the JV cheerleading team at your high school, is the following:
1. Contact your local Parks and Recreation Department to get information about their city cheerleading programs or Pop Warner program. You could still possibly cheer there and learn a lot. Or, you can help the coach and learn from someone who has experience.
2. Contact your local cheer gym or gymnastic gym to see if they have classes. Also, maybe you can volunteer your time at these gyms in exchange for lesssons.
3. Contact the cheerleading coach at your high school to see if you could help her and ask her what you need to make the team.
4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE at home and with a friend who also wants to cheer. Work on your toe touch (see our videos), motions, and dance routines. Stunts are a must but you should only practice them with a qualified coach around.
I hope this helps and let us know what you decided to do.
Cheers to You!
