If you are interested in the Illinois State competitive cheer team, please come to Festival ISU in the Quad THIS THURSDAY (August 30th)! Stop by our table any time from 10am-4pm.

Here are 6 ways to make you a better cheerleader:

1.) Practice - There are so many aspects to cheerleading and it takes time to learn in all.  From working on your motions in a mirror, practicing your jumps in the backyard, or balancing yourself on a chair,…it all takes time and practice.

2.) Stretch – For safety and execution reasons you need to stretch.  Be able to hit that toe touch by your ears OR pull a scorpion in a stunt will make you stand out.

3.) Workout - Cheerleading is a sport and you need to be healthy and athletic.  Take advantage of your extra time and do a couple of pushups or run around the block a couple of times.

4.) Have a positive outlook – Be outgoing and friendly, believe me it has it’s returns.  You will have more of a positive influence on the people around you whether you realize it or not.

5.) Understand – Know what you are trying to accomplish. Whether it be getting the crowd up and understanding how they react, Or looking at a stunt and see what is going wrong.  Try to understand what’s going on instead of just going with the flow!

6.) Respect – From your parents, to your coach, and to your friends. Your parents are raising you, your coach is trying to make your team the best that it can be, and your friends are there for you so respect everyone in your life and you will be a better cheerleader for doing so.

Here are 3 steps to help you get started for Tryouts:

1.) Evaluate what you need to make the team - Talk to the coach and/or watch the team perform to figure out what skills they have and try to attain them OR do better.

2.) Know your weaknesses - Evaluate your own skills to see what you need to work on.

3.) Train - Stretch, take lessons, practice on your own, etc. to get your skills up to par with the team.

Take these steps seriously and create a training program for your self up until tryouts. Here is an example of what one may look like:

Welcome to our NEW site.  Please provide feedback by clicking on this article and adding your comments below!  Thanks!

A cleaner jump will make you stand out! It will also get you a better score at tryouts and put you up front in the routines. Here are some ways to clean up your jumps.

1.) Presentation – Start with your feet together, your hands on hips, chest and head up.

2.) Straight your legs – Keep them straight from the beginning after your jump off the ground and into the jump (unless the jump requires your leg to be bent). Don’t bend them on the way down when trying to hit your landing. Just keep them straight throughout the jump.

3.) Point your toes – An added touch that will distinguish a good jump from bad.

4.) Watch your motion – It needs to be sharp and should not touch your legs/feet/toes at any time.

5.) Watch your jump placement – This includes motion placement, leg placement, hip placement, etc. concentrate on your technique as much as possible.

6.) Keep your chest up – It will make your jumps look higher.

7.) Keep your head up – It will help you keep your chest up, and it shows you have confidence in your jump.

8.) Watch your wrists – Straight NOT bent.

9.) Land with your feet together – For a perfect finish.

10.) Squeeze your landing – Don’t jump out of your jump. Squeeze and hold your landing to show everyone that you definitely landed it perfectly.

Tips from Cheerwiz.com

Here are 9 tips to help a scared flier:

1.) Let her watch someone else.

2.) Let her try it on the ground.

3.) Have extra spotters (with hands up).

4.) Have her stunt on smaller/sturdy base(s).

5.) Baby steps: Start low at a prep. Then try it at extension.

6.) You can have an extra elevator or 2 on the sides of the stunt to give the flier extra stability. Just make sure that the elevators are secure and have the proper spotters.

7.) Education: explain that if she jumps out of the stunt or shakes that it makes the stunt less sturdy and that staying tight is the safest way.

8.) Manipulate the stunt. If you or someone on the squad is skilled enough to manipulate the stunt and make it do what you want then the flier will get more comfortable.

9.) Have an extra brace on her ankle or leg if they can reach that high.

Tips from Cheerwiz.com

Here are a few tips to make you a better flyer for both All-Girl and COED cheerleading squads:

1.)Confidence – Hit your stunt as though it’s going to hit. If you doubt it for a second, then you will be more likely to drop it.

2.) Strong ankle – You need to have a strong ankle when it comes to stunting and pyramids. A strong ankle helps the base(s) to control the stunt and possibly save it if need be. NOTE; roll your toes underneath. This will help you keep your ankle tight.

3.) Posture (body position) – Hit the stunt and or pyramid with the correct body positioning. Here are a few examples:

a. chin up

b. legs straight (not bent)

c. squeeze your buttocks

d. squeeze your abs

e. lift your chest/shoulders up

f. toes pointed and motions tight (when applies)

4.) Control – When you stunt and work on pyramids there is a lot of movement involved for the flyer. You need to be able to transition from one body position to the next. Have control of the skill be squeezing your muscles all over your body. You will begin to save more and more skills as you get more experience.

5.) Intelligence – Understand what is being asked from you. If you are doing a stunt and you do not know completely what is going on, then ask. By knowing and practicing it on the ground OR in your head, you will avoid possibly hurting anyone on the team including yourself.

Tips from Cheerwiz.com

If you are interested in our program,…come to our OPEN Gyms FREE and check us out!

Information: