Cheerleading practice can be intense, especially for cheerleading squads that compete in tournaments. While cheerleading can often be perceived as waving pom poms and screaming out cute phrases, there’s much more to the sport. Most squads require athletes to learn jumps, stunts, tumbling, cheers and choreography. This puts a lot of pressure on the body and the mind. Consider some of these fun games to change up the practice routine:

Warm-up Games

The warming up period of cheerleading practice can feel repetitive. It’s the part of practice that is focused on keeping athletes safe while they transition into building their skills. A game like “Simon Says, Cheerleader Edition” can make warming up more fun. If Simon says to do squats, high knees, arm circles and other warm up exercises, the class must follow. And if Simon didn’t say, it can add some humor to part of the class that’s typically not the most exciting.

Team-building Games

Squad members must build trust and learn to work as a team to thrive. They also need to learn how best to communicate with one another. A “Human Knot” game can help cheerleaders build all of these important skills while sharing some laughs. Have groups of 8-10 get in a tight circle and join hands to create a human knot. The ultimate goal is to untie the knot without anyone letting go of anyone else’s hand, thereby ending up in a regular circle.

Competitive Games

Most athletes have a competitive spirit, and cheerleaders are no exception. A competitive game that can also help with skill development is a “Cheer Off Challenge.” Have your cheerleaders form small groups, and task each group with coming up with their own cheer. Once everyone has established and practiced their individual cheers, allow them to demonstrate. May the best cheer win!

Cool Down Activities

With any type of exercise, cooling down is as important as warming up. However, cooling down can feel similarly dull compared to the rest of practice. The momentum from moving around during class may make concentrating on a cool down difficult. To make cooling down more engaging, consider incorporating a yoga flow. The cheerleaders will focus on their breathing and form, and the squad will feel better prepared to take on the rest of the day.

However you get your cheerleading squad engaged in practice, one important step is making sure they have the right equipment. From poms and megaphones to footwear and accessories, Star Line Baton has what your cheerleaders need to succeed. Learn more by calling us 931-528-7829.

Posted: 2/16/2024