Cheerleading and Cheer Dance

• Cheer dancing and cheerleading are physical activities
• The activities feature a combination of dance, tumbling, jumps, cheers, yelling, and stunts via organized routines
• Cheer dancing and cheerleading are usually performed during sporting events like basketball and volleyball
• The purpose is to cheer on sports teams and entertain the audience.
• Cheer dance and cheerleading can be performed in stand-alone competitions
• Judges evaluate the routine based on set criteria during competitions
• Someone who performs in a cheer dance is called a cheer dancer
• Someone who performs cheerleading is called a cheerleader

Cheer Dance versus Cheerleading

• Cheer dance is more artistic
• Cheerleading is more technical
• Cheer dance focuses more on dance, different kinds of themes, and props
• Cheerleading is more of a sport
• Dance is just one of cheerleading's basic elements
• Other elements of cheerleading are stunts, pyramids, tumbling, and tosses

History of Cheer Dancing and Cheerleading

• Cheerleading began over a hundred years ago and was performed by males
• Thomas Peebles, a Princeton University graduate, introduced the idea of synchronized yelling at football games
• Women were finally allowed into cheerleading in 1923
• The Second World War caused college men to be drafted into the U.S. military
• Women were given more opportunities to participate in sporting events, including cheerleading
• Females have since dominated the sport
• Lawrence Herkimer stepped onto the scene in 1948
• He began the modern era of cheerleading, and is known as the father of modern cheer
• Lawrence Herkimer also invented the herkie, one of the most well-known cheerleading jumps

Health benefits of cheer dance

• Strength
• Flexibility
• Cardiovascular Health
• Support and Socialization

Cheer Dancing and Cheerleading in the Philippines

• The Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) started introducing the concept of cheerleading to the world in the 1980s
• The most recognizable and watched cheer dance/cheerleading competitions here in the Philippines include:
  • University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Cheer Dance Competition
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Cheerleading Competition
  • National Cheerleading Championship (NCC)
• Member-universities of the UAAP:
  • Adamson University (AdU)
  • Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU)
  • De La Salle University (DLSU)
  • Far Eastern University (FEU)
  • National University (NU)
  • University of the East (UE)
  • University of the Philippines (UP)
  • University of Santo Tomas (UST)
• Member-colleges of the NCAA:
  • Arellano University (AU)
  • Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL)
  • De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB)
  • Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC)
  • Jose Rizal University (JRU)
  • Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)
  • Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • San Beda College (SBC)
  • San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Manila (SSC-R)
  • University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD)
• The NCC is the first and only cheerleading competition in the Philippines that uses American cheerleading rules and regulations
• Since its conception in 2006, the NCC has become one of the biggest cheerleading events in the world
• More than 300 teams participate in the NCC every season

The Basics of Cheer Dance and Cheerleading

• Elements of cheer dancing and cheerleading:
  • Motions
  • Jumps
  • Tumbling
  • Stunting

Motions

• Motions are the most important aspect of both cheer dance and cheerleading
• Motions make a dance routine unique and uniform among squad members
• Motions make the performance look sharp and clean

Motions and Descriptions

• Touchdown: arms are raised vertically above the shoulders, parallel and straight reaching up
• Low touchdown: touchdown position except arms are placed vertically below the shoulders
• Table top: arms are down at the sides with elbows bent; hands are in front of the chest
• High V: shoulders are relaxed; arms are in the shape of a large V, straight up reaching diagonally over the shoulders
• Low V: shoulders are relaxed; arms are in the shape of a large V, straight down reaching diagonally under shoulders
• T: shoulders are relaxed; arms straight and horizontal to shoulders and parallel to the ground

Jumps

• Jumps are used in cheer dance routines and chants
• Jumps draw the spectators' attention
• When done correctly, jumps give the performance a certain appearance of difficulty

Jumps and their descriptions

• Tuck jump: knees are kept together and brought as close as possible to the chest; arms are in a high V position; chest is kept straight up and should not lean forward
• Spread eagle: the legs are put in a wide motion while the arms are in a high V position; the body should look like an "X" if done correctly
• Double hook: in this position, the legs must be pulled up and bent or hooked under the body
• Herkie: one leg is kicked up and kept straight with the knee facing upward

Tumbling

• Tumbling is one of the core skills in gymnastics
• Tumbling was adopted in cheer dancing for the purpose of further amazing the audience
• Tumbling is one of the hardest and most dangerous elements of cheer dance
• Tumbling should be learned in a safe environment with a trained and experienced trainer/instructor
• Tumbling should not be tried without a spot or spotter
• A spotter is a person who ensures the safety of a cheerleader when he or she performs dangerous stunts and routines

Types of Tumbling

• Standing tumbling: a cheerleader simply stands and uses the movement of his or her arms and the muscles in his or her legs to jump and tumble
• Running tumbling: cheerleaders run or take a couple of steps followed by a power step-up and then the tumble

Stunting

• Stunt sequences and pyramids are some of the most exciting feats to watch in cheer dancing
• Stunt sequences and pyramids are some of the most difficult elements to perform
• Some members of the cheer dance squad are raised above the ground during stunt sequences
• It is meant to capture the attention of spectators
• Stunting is the most dangerous aspect of cheer dance
• Stunting is the cause of most injuries during practices and actual performances
• Stunts should not be practiced without the presence of a spot and a trained coach

Usage and facilities for practice and performances

• Basketball gyms – stadiums or coliseums for more prestigious competitions
• Barangay courts or open-air courts for smaller competitions.

Gear and apparel:

• Fitted compression shirts
• Shorts
• Tights
• A pair of durable, flexible, and light rubber shoes

Personal safety protocols:

• Warming up

• Fluid replacement

• Cooling down

• Stretching

• Warming up is essential, as it prepares the body for a physical activity

• Fluid replacement helps cool the body

• Fluid replacement helps replace body fluids lost during the activity

  • Drink at least 2-3 glasses of fluid 2 hours before exercising
  • Drink another glass of fluid 15-30 minutes before you start
  • Sip about half a glass of fluid every 15-20 minutes while you exercise
  • Consume enough water after exercising to replace the body fluid lost

• Cooling down allows heart rate and breathing to gradually return to normal level

• Stretching helps improve flexibility

  • Stretch before and after exercise or physical activity
  • Stretch gently and slowly
  • Hold stretches for a minimum of 10 minutes
  • Breath slowly and easily

HOPE 3: ACTIVITY 1

• Design a warm-up routine with your classmates in preparation for cheer dancing
• Performance: March 24, 25, 26, 2025

HOPE 3: ACTIVITY 2

• Perform and take a picture of the basic moves of cheer dance and cheerleading
• Use any art materials for this assignment
• Deadline: March 24, 25, 26, 2025

HOPE 3: FINAL EXAM

• Prepare a simple cheer dance performance and observe the necessary safety protocols
• Groups are expected to perform with accuracy, creativity, and mastery
• Performance: April 14, 15, 16, 2025

Final Exam Criteria

• Accuracy: Synchronization, precision, and correct execution of movements
• Creativity: Uniqueness of choreography, formations, and transitions
• Mastery: Confidence, fluency, and ability to perform without mistakes.
• Energy & Expression: Enthusiasm, facial expressions, and engagement with the audience
• Safety & Discipline: Proper execution of stunts, teamwork, and adherence to safety protocols
• Costume & Presentation: Appropriateness, uniformity, and visual appeal of the costumes
• Overall Impact: Performance quality, entertainment value, and audience appeal