3 THINGS EVERY CHEERLEADER SHOULD KNOW 1

You only have one body and it is important to take care of it While injuries may make it seem like your whole world is crashing down beside you, I can promise you that it is not and you’ll be back in no time An important part of knowing your own limits is listening to your body and the cues that it is giving you. While ‘no pain, no gain’ may be real, pushing yourself to the limit every day is not sustainable or healthy. It is also extremely common for cheerleaders to continue a sport without having fully recovered from an injury, which can be detrimental to their long-term health

On the mental side, knowing your limit can prevent some mental blocks Know how many reps are too many for your mind and body and TAKE BREAKS This can look like a walk around the gym, poking your head out the door for some fresh air, or simply sipping on water while you catch up with some teammates. 2

Cheerleading is all about confidence. Whether projecting that to your audience (and judges!) or reassuring yourself that a scary tumbling skill is going to be fine, confidence is the key to success

The common saying “fake it till you make it” actually applies quite well in the world of cheerleading. Of course, do not throw skills that have not yet been through proper progressions because that may lead to serious injuries. However, when it comes to confidence, even if you are doubting yourself, put on a smile and do the stunt with confidence and conviction

A lack of confidence (in my past experience) can actually hurt MORE because you may not be giving enough power for the stunt to hit or someone backs out, leaving the stunt group susceptible to falls and injuries. 3

Like any other sport, the work doesn’t just end after practice. If you want to stay at the top of your game, it could be beneficial to schedule some private lessons to work on tumbling or go to an open gym with your friends to stunt or tumble Specific exercises based on your position can be beneficial as well. For example as a flyer, stretching and conditioning outside of practice will help you become a better, together flyer. But as a base, weight training at the gym will help you out with your position more than stretching would Another thing to keep in mind is the energy that you bring to the team We understand that not everyone can be happy and energetic all the time, but it is important to keep a positive attitude and always be willing to try new things.

LASTLY, DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!