SKILLS

MOTIONS

Motions are one of the foundational skills of cheerleading!

Click on the video below to learn the basics!

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THESE BASIC MOTIONS:

High V
Low V
T
Broken T

Goalpost
Daggers
Clap
Clasp

Some additional tips:

High/Low V: Hands are in fists with arms in a "V" position

Hold arms slightly in front of your body, not directly to your side
Turn your wrists so that your index fingers face forward
Extend your wrists to be a straight line, no broken or flexed wrists

T/Broken T: Hands are in fists with arms to the sides

Hold arms slightly in front of your body, not directly to the side (same as high/low V)
Your arms should make a straight line across
Extend your wrists to be a straight, no broken or flexed wrists (same as high/low V)

Goalpost: Hands in fists with arms against your ears

Make sure your arms are straight
Arms should be right next to your ears
Turns your wrists to that your pinkies face forward

Daggers: Hands in fists with arms bent in front of you

Be sure to make a 90˚ angle with your elbows
Turns your wrists to that your pinkies face forward (same as goalpost)

Clap/Clasps: Hands in dagger position and touch together

Be sure to make a 90˚ angle with your elbows (same as daggers)
Clap - hands are flat with fingers and thumb tight together
Clasp - hands interlock (regular clapping position)

Be sharp and clean when executing all motions!

TUMBLING

It is a crucial aspect of Competitive teams, and Sideline teams may include tumbling, but usually is not as intense.
Difficulty required varies heavily on the type of team. Typically, All Star teams are intense on tumbling skills, High School teams are moderate, and Recreation teams are low on intensity.

Click on the video below to see some beginner through intermediate skills!

STUNTING

It is a crucial aspect of Competitive teams, and Sideline teams usually stunt, too.
Difficulty varies heavily on the type of team. Typically, All Star teams have the most difficult stunts, High School teams have moderate stunts, and Recreation teams have easier stunts.

Below are descriptions of each position, as well as some basic stunts (only to show, do not try on your own!)

Flyer: person in the air of a stunt

Has body control and core strength to stabilize themselves in the air
Leg and back flexibility for future stunts

Bases: two people who hold the flyer's feet

There is a main base (right side), and side base (left side)
They are the foundation of the stunt, holding the flyer's feet
Requires leg and arm strength to hold the flyer up

Back: person who supports the flyer from the back

They are the backbone of the stunt, supporting the flyer
Typically taller people to reach the flyer with high strength

Front: person who supports the flyer from the front

Not used in All Star, but Recreational and some High School teams have fronts
Supports the bases by holding their wrists

HALF (PREP)

Bases: hold flyer's foot at chest level
Flyer: has straight legs, activates core, and squeezes butt
Backspot: pulls up on flyer's ankles/calves
Frontspot: supports flyer's shins

EXTENSION

Bases: hold flyer's foot at extended level with straight arms
Flyer: has straight legs, activates core, and squeezes butt
Backspot: pulls up on flyer's calves
Frontspot: supports bases front wrists

LIBERTY (LIB)

Bases: both hold flyer's one foot
Flyer: has straight supporting leg, activates core, and squeezes butt
Backspot: pulls up on flyer's calves
Frontspot: supports bases front wrists

BASKET (TOE BASKET)

Bases: grip each other's wrists and throw flyer straight up, catches in cradle
Flyer: quickly straightens legs and stays tight, many different positions are done in a basket (or just a straight ride), in this case it's a toe touch
Backspot: throws flyer's ankles or throws from under bases hands, catches flyer's back
Frontspot: throws from under bases hands, catches flyer's legs

HEEL STRETCH

ARABESQUE

SCALE

BOW AND ARROW

FLYER BODY POSITIONS

Just like how different positions can be done in baskets, the same can be done in libs!
These are often seen on higher levels such as High School and All Star
Flyers can stretch these positions at home and improve their flexibility

JUMPS

Usually done in both Competitive and Sideline cheer!
Preparation into the jump varies with team.
Jumps may be connected together and/or to a tumbling skill to become a jump sequence!

Click below to learn the basic jumps, and tips for practicing!

Toe Touch

Hold ams in a strong T position
Keep your chest up (bring your legs to you, not your chest to your legs)
Rotate hips under towards the front

Pike

Hold arms straight by your ears
Look down at your legs
Focus on lifting your legs up, not dropping your chest to your legs (this comes with flexibility)

Herkie

Hold arms straight by your ears
Look at your front leg
Focus on lifting your back leg too, not just your front leg

Hurdler

Hold arms straight by your ears
Jump facing the front (not sideways like a herkie)
Keep hips square to the front, like a split

Focus on arm placement and pointing your toes for all jumps! Work on flexibility if necessary, and always be smiling!

DANCE

This is the fun part of the routine at the very end after all the stunts and tumbling!
Having sharp and clean motions are very important!
Have fun with the dance, smile and give facials!

Below are videos of dance from the NVOT 2023 Fall Varsity Team, and 2024 Competition Varsity Team

Fall Varsity Dance

Winter Varsity Dance

CHEERS

Cheers and chants are a main aspect on Sideline teams for both Recreational and High School.
Some divisons of High School teams may have a small cheer section within their routine.
Must be loud and have sharp, clean motions!