cheerleading, team activity in which elements of dance and acrobatics are combined
with shouted slogans in order to entertain spectators at sporting events and to
encourage louder and more enthusiastic cheering.
History of cheerleading
Although cheerleading is today predominantly associated with femininity, the original
cheerleaders were men. Cheerleading was connected to the emergence of gridiron
football at Ivy League colleges and universities in the United States in the mid-1800s,
and the growth and formalization of cheerleading paralleled that of football. Over the
latter half of the 19th century, as attendance at college games grew, large stadiums
were constructed, and spectators were distanced from the playing field. Cheerleaders—
or “yell leaders,” as they were then called—led cheers from the sidelines both to
encourage the spectators and to serve as a form of crowd control. By the 1920s
cheerleading had become a formal extracurricular activity for boys in high schools,
colleges, and communities across the country, related to but distinct from other spirit
programs such as marching bands, drum corps, and drill teams. As ambassadors for
their schools and communities, cheerleaders were associated with such character-
building traits as discipline, cooperation, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Women and people of colour were excluded from the private all-male schools
where collegiate sports and cheerleading first developed, but many state-supported
institutions began to admit women at the turn of the century, opening the way for their
participation in sporting events. Women began joining cheer squads during the 1920s
and ’30s as collegiate sports proliferated and men and women began socializing more
in public. A separate cheerleading tradition evolved within black educational institutions
during the same period, with a similar emphasis on character building and leadership.
Overall, however, cheerleading remained an overwhelmingly white enterprise, and
evidence suggests that it became even “whiter” after desegregation, because the total
number of black schools diminished and black students were rarely elected as
cheerleaders in the newly integrated, predominantly white schools. It was not until the
1960s and ’70s, well after scholastic athletic programs had diversified, that cheer
squads began to reflect the ethnic and racial composition of schools. That shift was in
part the result of protest activity on the part of black and Latino students.
The mobilization of college-age men during World War II opened up new opportunities
for women in cheerleading and ultimately led to the “feminization” of cheerleading in the
1960s and ’70s, when the proportion of female cheerleaders rose to roughly 95 percent.
Female involvement changed the nature of cheerleading, spurring greater emphasis on
physical attractiveness and sex appeal. That, in turn, may have led to the trivialization
and devaluation of cheerleading.
The cheerleading renaissance
The decline of cheerleading was short-lived, however, and it soon rebounded to
become more popular and more profitable than ever before. The reasons for its
recovery included the increasingly athletic nature of cheerleading and the adoption of
sportlike elements such as competitions, summer training camps, and rigorous practice
schedules. Most cheerleading squads no longer simply led cheers or danced on the
sidelines. They also performed jumps and stunts, built pyramids, and executed
elaborate tumbling passes, whether at sporting events or in cheerleading competitions.
Those changes served to make cheerleading more appealing for a generation of girls
and women who had more options for athletic involvement than past ones, and they led
to a resurgence of male participation, particularly at the college level. The introduction of
difficult acrobatics was not without drawbacks, however; studies in the first decade of
the 21st century showed that cheerleading had become the leading cause of
catastrophic sports injuries (meaning serious injuries to the brain or spine) to American
girls and women, ahead of gymnastics and track.
Contemporary cheerleading
Cheerleading remains “feminine” not only in terms of its supportive sideline function but
also in the performance and appearance demands placed on women: short skirts, hair
ribbons, and makeup and the expectation to smile constantly and express enthusiasm.
Competitive cheerleading is even more highly feminized than sideline cheerleading
insofar as there is a heightened emphasis on showmanship and performativity.
Although there are stylistic variations among the cheerleading companies that oversee
competitions, competition routines are typically loud, fast, and energetic. They exude
glitz, glamour, and glitter, particularly in the all-star context: bows are extra large,
makeup is extra sparkly, and dance moves are brash and sexy.
RECREATIONAL CHEERLEADING
Let’s start out with recreational cheerleading. As far as recreational goes, from my
experience, less emphasis is put on its importance than other sports. Normally, you
don’t need to tryout. You learn the basics such as motions, standard jumps, and chants.
When I first started coaching my team, it was difficult because the program was very
basic and they have never had a coach with real cheerleading experience. I built them
from just doing chants to doing full routines with stunts, tumbling, cheers, and dances.
By doing this, I gave them a taste of having the full cheer experience and in result,
parents want to re-register each season. Recreational cheerleading is great for
beginners.
GRADE SCHOOL CHEERLEADING
Then there’s grade school (middle/high), also known as sideline cheerleading. You must
tryout. Usually, middle school has one team and high school a JV & Varsity team; this
level of cheerleading is focused on cheering, with traditional uniforms, and chanting for
football and basketball games. Cheering for your school is a great way to meet friends
and get involved. Like the other athletes, you become recognized for performing at
games, pep-rallies, and other school-related events. Cheering for your school is not as
advanced as some of the other types of cheerleading that we will discuss, but includes
all the basic concepts of cheerleading and maybe even a competition or two.
ALL STAR CHEERLEADING
Next, there is All Star cheerleading, which for me is a favorite because I did that for
most of my cheerleading career. I would say All Star is the most advanced type of
cheerleading. You must tryout, but everyone pretty much makes a team based on skill
level and age. All practices are focused on preparing you for competitions. You have the
same routine all season, though advancing it as it goes along. Throughout the year, you
attend several competitions in many different places. Along with practices, most teams
offer tumbling classes as well. The really big teams even have their own gyms! The only
fault in All Star cheerleading is it costs a lot more money than any other type of
cheerleading. The best thing about All Star is that it’s all ages–at least ‘til age 18!
COLLEGE CHEERLEADING
Another type of cheerleading is college cheerleading. Like grade school, it’s a great way
to become more involved in school. It’s similar to grade school, but more advanced
being that the cheerleaders are adults. Like the others, you have to tryout and they
choose based on needs, skills, and sportsmanship. College cheerleaders usually have
several uniforms, a lot more cheers, dance counts, and advanced stunts. They also
have a competition or two, games, pep-rallies, and parades.
PROFESSIONAL CHEERLEADING
Lastly, there is professional cheerleading. Professional cheerleading is unlike the rest;
they do a lot more dancing than other cheerleaders. What they do share with the other
types is the performance aspect. They have high energy, great facial expressions, great
physiques, and a well-put together appearance. Most teams do not stunt, but some do
tumble. They perform dance routines at games during half time and on the sidelines.
They also do charity events, openings, calendar shoots, and more. A great benefit of
cheering professionally is that it’s a job, meaning that you get paid to live out your
passion! Many dancers stay on the team for years and as a result, it becomes like a
pro-cheerleading family.
Cheerleading Base- the one who will see at the bottom of a pyramid or stunt, lifting the
flyer up and holding him or her while they are performing their stunts.
Base are usually taller, bigger and stronger than other positions since they need
to lift, throw and support the flyer. Base should get their power from their legs and allow
it to travel up to their arms so they can avoid any back or neck injury form straining
themselves.
Base should have a great timing to avoid any slips or drops and should always
make sure their feet are properly placed and spaced. Most importantly, a base should
never drop a flyer.
Types of Base:
1. Main Base
2. Secondary Base/Side base
Backspot Position- a very important position that includes many different roles within a
cheer routine. Back spots are typically in stature and placed in front of or behind the
stunt.
Throughout the stunt, they are working to help the flyer keep their balance and
should be the first to catch the flyer if they fall. The spotter should always know how to
properly catch the l=flyer so they do not injure their head or neck during the fall, since
safety should always be their concern. The back spot will also call things out during a
stunt or keep the count so each cheerleader can stay on rhythm. While this position is
not in the face of the routine, they are absolutely vital to each stunt.
Types:
1. Front Spot
2. Back Spot
3. Additional Spot
Flyer Position-position of flyer in cheerleading goes by many names, including mounter,
top, climber or floater. Regardless of what you call it, this position refers to the person
who gets lifted or thrown into the air. It is probably the most sought-after position in
cheerleading in that it offers the thrill and exhilaration of gracefully flying through the air
and becoming the center of attention.
But cheerleading is a team sport and each position on a squad has its importance. No
flyer can go up or come down safely without bases or spotters. And although weight and
height might play a part in what role you fill on a team, it is your ability and skill that
should ultimately determine your position.
Fun facts of Cheerleading
Four Presidents Were Cheerleaders
Franklin D. Roosevelt (Harvard College), Dwight D. Eisenhower (West
Point), Ronald Reagan (Eureka College) and George W. Bush (Phillips
Academy) were former cheerleaders at their schools who worked their way
to the White House. Their cheering spanned from the 1900s to the 1960s.
Men Started Cheerleading
While cheerleading got its start in the U.S. in 1884 when the male pep club
at Princeton started cheering for their football players, cheerleading dates
back to the 1860s in Great Britain. In the beginning of the sport, from first
cheerleaders Thomas Peebles and Johnny Campbell, this was a male-
dominated field. In fact, the first cheerleading fraternity, Gamma Sigma,
was all male. Women didn't even begin to join cheerleading until almost
40 years later.
Largest Cheerleading Cheer in China
On December 23, 2018, the largest cheerleading cheer was done by over
2,102 people in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It was recorded by
the Guinness Book of World Records.
Largest Cheer Pyramid Had 60 People
Holding another current entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, the
largest cheer pyramid had 60 girls creating one giant pyramid. It was
recorded in August 2017 in New Zealand.
Three Million U.S. Cheerleaders
According to statistics from Statista.com, there are more than 3.82 million
cheerleaders in 2017 in the U.S. alone. Of those cheerleaders, 83 percent
keep a B average and 70 percent play a second sport.
Pom-Poms Were Actually a Decoration
In their beginnings, pom-poms were used as a decoration for cheerleaders
and made of paper. However, usable pom-poms were designed and
manufactured with a hidden handle by Lawrence Herkimer (Herkie) in
1953. These pom-poms were then improved upon by Fred Gastoff in 1965.
Creation of National Cheerleaders Association
The NCA was founded in 1948 by Herkie, who would go on to make pom-
poms. This cheerleading leader also created the first uniform company.
First Women Cheerleaders
The University of Minnesota allowed women to join their cheerleading
squad in 1923. They were practically the only one that allowed women
until the 1940s. It is hard to imagine since the field is dominated by
powerful women today.
NFL Without Cheerleaders
The NFL didn't have cheerleaders until the 1960s. The first team to have
an official squad was the Baltimore Colts. However, cheerleading in the
NFL didn't really take off until the Dallas Cowboys introduced more
choreographed dance routines for the 1972-1973 season.
Attempted Murder
Texas is often associated with cheerleading, but sometimes, it's not in a
good way. There was a mother in Texas who tried to hire a hitman to kill a
rival cheerleader's mom so her daughter could be on the squad.
