Article: You’ll want to learn the language that your coach or teammates will be speaking so you can understand exactly what they mean. Search online or watch a few cheerleading videos to get an idea of the basics.  Tumbling refers to gymnastic moves performed on the floor, such as round-offs or back handsprings. Stunting refers to the way a team builds their tricks, such as in pyramids or basket tosses. The backspot and bases are the people holding up the flyer, who does tricks in the air. Jumps have different names depending on how to do them. A toe touch is a jump in which you jump up and spread your legs in the air, like a split, while touching your toes; a herkie is a jump in which one leg is stretched out in front of you while the other is bent at the knee and faces behind you. Stretching is a very important part of cheerleading. It loosens your muscles in preparation for jumps, tumbling, and stunts. Flexibility also plays a big part in which role you’ll have on the team; the more flexible you are, the more versatile you’ll be, allowing you to participate in tumbling, jumps, and stunts. Most cheers will be variations of the same movements. If you spend a bit of time learning the basics, such as a high V, low V, daggers, T, and broken T, you’ll have an edge when it comes time to try out. Remember to keep your motions stiff.  Make sure your arms are straight and your muscles are tense. Keep your joints (elbows, wrists) stiff and straight unless the motion requires them to be bent. For most motions, your arms should be slightly in front of you. Tighten your fists, and be sure to keep your thumbs on the outside of your fingers, not tucked in. Learn how to do a cartwheel and a roundoff so you can show the coach your skills. If you have mastered those moves, try a back walkover, back handspring, or back tuck. Be careful, and don’t try these moves alone if you have no experience. Tumbling is dangerous and you can easily hurt yourself if you don’t have the right form. It’s a great idea to learn a few basic jumps before tryouts. Try the toe touch and the herkie. Work on your form as well as the height of your jump. Find a dance or cheer routine online and practice it yourself. You will likely have to learn a dance as well as a few cheers at tryouts, so this will give you some experience. There are lots of tutorials online that will teach you how to do a routine step by step. Cheerleaders have to be both loud and clear. You’ll need to speak from your diaphragm rather than your throat. Practice shouting a cheer while also carefully enunciating your words. If you don’t know any cheers yet, just make one up. A great way to strengthen your voice is to lay on the floor on your stomach and grip your toes with your hands behind you. Try yelling or singing this way, and you’ll see the way it exercises your diaphragm!

What is a summary?
Learn the lingo. Stretch every day. Learn the basic movements. Try tumbling. Practice jumps. Learn a routine. Work on your vocals.