Ayrton Oneill
Basketball cheerleading is an activity that originated in the United States, where participants (called cheerleaders) cheer for their basketball team as a form of encouragement. Cheerleading routines can range from chanting slogans to intense physical activity, and they are performed to motivate sports teams, entertain the audience, or for competition. Cheerleading squads are present in the National Basketball Association (NBA), with nearly every team having a squad of dancers for cheerleading. These squads are usually involved in dancing, charity work, fundraisers, and modeling. The routines typically last between one to three minutes and contain components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cheerleading originated as an all-male activity in the United States |
| Popularity | There were 3.85 million participants in the US in 2017, and the sport has since gained traction in other countries like Australia, Canada, Mexico, China, and the UK |
| Purpose | Cheerleading squads primarily support their associated basketball players and entertain the audience, but some teams also compete in local or regional competitions |
| Routines | Routines can include chanting slogans, dancing, intense physical activity, tumbling, jumps, and stunting, and typically last 1-3 minutes |
| Safety | Organizations like the AACCA and NCSSE have implemented safety standards and training to reduce injuries and prevent dangerous stunts, especially during basketball games |
| Terminology | Cheerleaders use basketball-specific terminology in their routines, such as "basket" instead of "touchdown" and "court" instead of "field" |
| Timing | Cheerleading routines are performed during timeouts, halftime, and post-game, with specific guidelines dictating when to take the floor and when to return to the sideline |
| Formation | Cheerleaders may use formations like the 2-2-2, where they interact with the audience, distribute flyers, and hand out shakers |
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What You'll Learn
Cheerleading routines
Routine Structure and Timing
Routine Components
Synchronization and Transitions
Synchronization is crucial for a polished and professional routine. Ensure that all athletes hit their stunts and movements simultaneously, utilizing counts and breaking down sections for practice. Transitions between stunts and formations should be seamless and visually engaging. Creative and unexpected transitions can add a layer of sophistication to the routine.
Creativity and Signature Moves
Incorporating creative elements and unique transitions can make your routine stand out. Consider including a signature stunt or movement that defines your team and showcases their unique qualities, such as flexibility, strength, or speed.
Musical Cues and Choreography
Music plays a vital role in cheerleading routines. Choreographing to specific musical cues, such as key lyrics, sound effects, or beat drops, can create impactful moments that energize the audience. The choice of music can vary, including styles like Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop, or Kick.
Safety Considerations
When designing routines, it is essential to prioritize safety. Organizations like the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA) have implemented universal safety standards to prevent injuries and dangerous stunts. Ensure that coaches are well-informed about safety guidelines and are responsible for compliance with the rules.
Routine Difficulty and Progression
Routines should be tailored to the level of the cheer team. For beginners, keep the routines simple, focusing on basic techniques and motions. As the team progresses, you can introduce more advanced stunts, tumbling skills, and complex choreography.
Crafting cheerleading routines for basketball requires a combination of creativity, synchronization, and a strong understanding of the team's strengths. By incorporating these elements and continuously refining your routines, you can create dynamic and engaging performances that support your basketball team and captivate the audience.
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Safety standards
Basketball cheerleading is a physically demanding activity that involves cheering, chanting slogans, dancing, and intense physical activity to motivate sports teams, entertain audiences, or compete in competitions.
To ensure the safety of cheerleaders, several organizations have implemented safety standards and guidelines over the years. The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA), founded in 1987, was one of the first organizations to establish universal safety standards for cheerleading. The AACCA worked to reduce injuries and prevent dangerous stunts, pyramids, and tumbling passes from being included in cheer routines.
In 2003, the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE) was formed to provide safety training for youth, school, all-star, and college coaches. The NCSSE offers resources and education to help prevent injuries and promote safe practices within the sport.
Additionally, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has developed the NFHS Spirit Rules specifically for high school cheerleading. These rules are designed to minimize risks and ensure the safety of young athletes. USA Cheer recommends that elementary, junior high, and middle school cheerleaders follow the NFHS/USA Cheer Spirit Rules with additional restrictions on certain tosses.
For college cheer programs, USA Cheer publishes a separate set of rules and guidelines to address the more advanced skills and complexities of cheerleading at the collegiate level.
The USA Cheerleading Safety Manual, recognized as the standard of care for cheerleading safety since 1990, provides comprehensive guidance on safety practices. Edited by experts, the manual covers critical topics such as safety awareness philosophy, legal liability, medical responsibilities, environmental safety, safety equipment, spotting, and performer readiness.
To further emphasize safety, the NCAA has mandated that college cheer coaches successfully complete a nationally recognized safety training program. This requirement ensures that coaches are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create a safe environment for their cheerleaders.
These safety standards and guidelines are essential to protect cheerleaders from injuries and promote the safe enjoyment and practice of the sport. By adhering to these standards, cheerleading organizations, coaches, and athletes can minimize risks and foster a positive and secure environment for all participants.
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Cheerleading competitions
In the US, the National High School Cheerleading Competition has been broadcast nationwide by ESPN since 1983. The Pop Warner Association also hosts a national championship each December. At the college level, the UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship is held annually, with teams from the University of Central Florida, Purdue University, and the University of Tennessee having achieved notable success in recent years.
For elite-level cheerleaders, the Cheerleading Worlds is the highest level of competition. Teams that place high enough at selected USASF/IASF-sanctioned national competitions can earn a spot at this prestigious event, where they compete against the best teams from around the world and have the chance to win a world championship title.
Outside of the US, cheerleading gained traction in countries like Australia, Canada, Mexico, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The International Cheer Union (ICU) now has 116 member nations and 7.5 million participants worldwide, contributing to the growth of cheerleading competitions globally.
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Cheerleading squads
Cheerleading is an activity that originated in the United States, with an estimated 3.85 million participants in 2017. It is now practised in over 100 countries worldwide. Cheerleading squads are groups of cheerleaders who cheer for their team as a form of encouragement. They can perform chants, dances, jumps, stunts, and tumbling to motivate sports teams, entertain the audience, or compete in cheerleading competitions.
Overall, cheerleading squads for basketball teams play a vital role in supporting the players, engaging the audience, and creating an exciting atmosphere during the game and surrounding events.
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Cheerleading terminology
Cheerleading has developed its own terminology, which can be intimidating for newcomers to the sport. This is a guide to some of the most common terms used in cheerleading, with a focus on basketball cheerleading.
Competitions
Competitions are events where multiple cheerleading teams perform routines and are judged and scored by a panel. All-star cheerleading teams focus solely on competing and are not associated with a school or sports team.
Camp
An intensive practice where cheerleaders are taught skills by an outside instructor. Camps can be single or multi-day events.
Clinic
A shorter version of camp, usually lasting a few hours, that covers several areas or focuses on one specific area, such as a stunt clinic.
Captain
The captain is a member of the team chosen by the coach or their teammates to serve as a leader. Their responsibilities vary depending on the team.
Choreography
The set arrangement of dance steps and movements in a routine.
Coach
A person who instructs or teaches a cheerleading team.
Routine
A continuous performance by a squad, incorporating cheers, chants, and dance steps. Routines typically last between two and a half minutes and four minutes, depending on the competition's time limits.
Stunts
A general term for a variety of skills and positions in cheerleading, including mounts, pyramids, and partner stunts.
Mount
When one or more people are supported in the air.
Pyramid
Multiple mounts or a group of stunts performed next to one another.
Partner Stunts
These include the chair sit, where the flyer is in a liberty-style position while the base has one hand under their seat and the other supporting their lower ankle; and the cupie, where a singular base holds the flyer's feet in an extended position.
Base
The person who supports the flyer in a stunt.
Flyer
The person who is supported in the air by the base during a stunt.
Backspot/back base
The person at the back of the stunt group responsible for maintaining contact with the flyer's ankles and calling the counts for the stunt.
Motions
A set position of a cheerleader's arms. Motions include T-motion, L-motion, K-motion, hands on hips, diagonals, touchdown, daggers, High V, and Low V.
T-motion
The cheerleader's arms form a T shape, with the thumb side of the fists facing the crowd.
Toe Touch
A jump where the cheerleader brings both legs up to their outwardly extended hands (in a T-shape) and snaps their legs down with force.
Back Handspring
A tumbling skill where the performer jumps backward and passes through a handstand position before landing on their feet.
Back Tuck
A backflip with legs in a tucked position.
Arabesque
A position where one leg is straight and the other is behind the body at a ninety-degree angle.
Candlesticks
A motion where both arms are extended directly in front of the body, parallel to each other and the ground, with fists facing inward as if holding two candles.
Clasp
Bringing the hands together in a cupped position in front of the chest. This creates a louder sound than clapping.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheerleading in basketball is primarily to support the basketball players and entertain the audience. Cheerleaders do this by chanting slogans, dancing, and performing intense physical activities like tumbling, jumps, and stunting.
It is important to know your state's sports association's policy on how close cheerleaders can be to the court and when they can cheer. This ensures that your actions do not cause a penalty against your team.
Some examples of basketball cheers are "Get that ball Get Tough Cats X Get that Ball X" and "Take that Ball X Down that Court X Basket X Go Dragons".
Organizations like the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA) have implemented universal safety standards to decrease the number of injuries and prevent dangerous stunts. For example, the AACCA has banned specific upper-level skills during basketball games, allowing stunts like basket tosses and 2+1⁄2 high pyramids only during halftime and post-game on a matted surface.
