Hooray, Let's Cheer!

Along with being adorable, cheerleaders help rally the fans, motivate sports teams, and much like other team sports, cheerleading involves athleticism and dedication.

For many of us moms swaddled in blankets at freezing football stadiums, it is easy to forget that we are supposed to be having fun.

When the score is 21-0, with the opposing team set to score another, you can hear a pin drop in the stadium. The only noises to be heard, are a die-hard group of bubbly cheerleaders, reminding us that the team still has a chance.

Cheerleaders lift our spirits with their chants, twirls, and choreographed routines. Their positive energy permeates the crowd, and can sometimes serve as a diversion to the pounding our sons are enduring on the fields.

Cheerleading has other benefits as well including:

Cardiovascular Stamina- Tumbling and performing choreographed routines involves endurance. Although most routines last two minutes or less, practicing those two minutes repeatedly is an effective aerobic workout.

Strength Training- Physical strength is an important element of cheerleading. Having muscle strength provides cheerleaders the ability to control their bodies during stunts or tumbling passes. Many squads perform strength training and conditioning exercises to build their muscles.

Coordination-Like dancing, cheerleading teaches coordination through cheers, dancing and stunt sequences. Timing and rhythm is important for cheerleaders to perform their motions at the same count.

Flexibility- Cheerleaders are well-known for their flexibility, a necessity when performing high kicks, jumps, splits and stunt sequences. Stretching and contitioning are key elements that build flexibility in the limbs.

Performance-Cheerleading helps build confidence by performing in front of large crowds. Hitting marks, stunts, and putting forth their best effort is a challenge in front of family and peers. Cheerleaders can also continue through strenuous competitions at higher levels, testing their ability to succeed with additional pressure.

Cheering is not limited to football games, there are squads at basketball games, softball, or even cricket tournaments. If there's a team which demands the support, there's a set of colorful cheers to provide it.

There are many camps and good coaching for guiding cheerleading.

Give cheering a try, hooray!