Q&A for How to Do Basic Cheerleading

Not usually, but it helps to have it, so you can make the team with higher ability.

Sometimes, but not always. You do not have to be small to be a flyer. The coaches will consider flexibility and the ability to pull body positions in the air.

It's not necessary. As long as your bow fits in your hair well, it is perfect.

Yes. There are many. There's a back walk over, an aerial, basket toss, cradle, etc.

It depends on the team, but they usually are. Try to lay down and pull yourself up. If you are going down, make sure you have your head up so you don't land on your head!

To be competitive, yes. Most moves and stunts require you to be flexible. If you are not flexible, practice stretching at least once a day.

This article can guide you: how to do a front handspring .

It's a stunt where you jump and kick your legs out as if straddling something and you get your hands close to your feet.

Stretch a lot. Paralysis is very unlikely.

There are no stunts you can do by yourself. Invite a friend and the two of you can do a thigh stand. The base goes in a lunge and the flyer steps onto the leg.

No, but it would be beneficial.

Watch YouTube videos. It would help if you did cardio and strength conditioning after any type of cheerleading.

Start out by learning at least one from each category; if you want to become an advanced cheerleader, you will need to learn more advanced moves.

Not all the time, but make sure to always have a second person with you if you're going to do a stunt.

The requirements will vary depending on what the expectations of the coaches are. Ask the coach for what you will need to perform during your tryout and then practice those moves.

Just keep practicing and improving. With hard work and a positive attitude, you can do anything!

You'll be placed on a lower team, but you could still cheer. However, your options for moves will be severely limited as most of them will involve the back in some way.

You can be any size, as long as you can do the dances and moves.

Motions. Make a cheer and put the motions in the routine in order and practice that. If you can’t do a handstand/cartwheel start by learning how to do that.

Probably not, but it's best to ask your coach just to make sure.

If there is a parent that did cheerleading while they were younger, that would be an amazing idea! They could be a coach, and you can have people join the squad.

Try using the restroom before doing splits, to prevent accidents. You could also try to not drink as many liquids before cheer practice.

Virtually all cheerleaders wear bows in their hair and use pom-poms. It's tradition. If you don't want to do these things, you might consider joining a competitive dance team or trying gymnastics instead of cheerleading.

Yes, because some cheers are just made from movements, jumps, and stunts. Tumbling is not always required, unless that is a specified requirement. You can check with the coach about this.

You can, but it is going to be hard. Practice a lot and your jumps will improve. Just remember, nobody is perfect at anything, but if you practice, you can get better.

Most likely you will do it on a spring gym floor. However, if it is summer, you may be outside and tumbling on the grass.

It depends on what your coach requires but jumps are common cheer elements.

You can start cheerleading any age, but it depends on the program. Some programs can allow 3-6 year olds, while others only accept 15-25 year olds. Check with your parents to find an age- appropriate cheer squad for you to join.

Just take lessons and work on it until you're ready to do it with the squad.

You have to be very good at doing a standing cartwheel first. Once you've got this skill down, you really just have to get the courage to run into it. It will take practice!