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PE104 SECTION H, I, K, L 〉 LEARNING MATERIALS 〉 Lesson : Cheer Dance

Lesson : Cheer Dance

Cheer Dance

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the unit, the students should be able to:

a. Identify the basic skills in cheer dance

b. Differentiate the cheer dance and cheerleading

c. Apply the basic cheerleading motions, formations and safety in a routine

OVERVIEW

Cheerleading, team activity in which elements of dance and acrobatics are combined with shouted slogans in order to entertain spectators at
sporting events and to encourage louder and more enthusiastic cheering. Once exclusively a sideline activity geared toward supporting school
sports, cheerleading has gained recognition as a sport in its own right and often operates outside the school context altogether. Cheerleading
has long been considered an iconic American activity symbolizing school spirit, leadership and youthfulness.

CHEER DANCE

The word “cheer dance” is coined with the words “cheer” and “dance”. To cheer is to shout out words or phrases that may help motivate and
boost the morale of a playing team and perform better during a game. Dance, on the other hand, is a physical activity where one expresses
emotions or gestures while performing bodily movements usually in time with rhythm.

CHEERLEADING

Cheerleading is the performance of a routine, usually dominated by gymnastic skills such as jumps, tumbling skills, lifts and tosses combined
with shouting of cheers and yells to lead the crowd to cheer for a certain team during a game or sport, to entertain audience or for competition. It
can range from chanting slogans to intense physical activity

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHEER DANCE AND CHEERLEADING

· Cheer dancing is rooted from cheerleading.

· Cheerleading originally emerged in United Stated and Philippines developed Cheer dancing.

· Cheer dancing is also a dance portion in cheerleading.

· Cheerleading has more sharp, precise, and strict movements unlike cheer dancing.

· Cheer dancing is more graceful and free unlike cheerleading.

· Cheerleading has more diVcult aspects than cheer dancing.

· Cheerleading often comes with a chant, cheer, or shouted slogans.

· Cheer dancing often comes with a music or rhythm.

HISTORY OF CHEERDANCE

Before this well-known deYnition of cheerleading as a sport, cheerleading originated as a venue for promoting school spirit. This sport originally
emerged in the United States in 19th century before spreading into various parts of the globe. It was originally all male, until women were allowed
to come in starting in the 1920s.

Johnny Campbell, an undergraduate of University of Minnesota, encouraged the crowd to chant and yell to encourage their team. His famous
"Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-So-Tah!” made him the very Yrst cheerleader or “yell-leader”. Soon
after, yell-leader squad of six male students was organized, a practice that gained currency at numerous other universities in America.

In the 1920s, drums and noisemakers were used by the yell leaders. Moreover, for the Yrst few decades of its history, cheerleading was an all-
male activity, but by this time, women also became active. Nowadays more than 90% of America's cheerleading participants are female, though
guys still make up half of the yell squads at the college level. It was also during this time when cheerleaders began to incorporate gymnastics
and tumbling into their cheers and the Yrst cash-card cheering section was directed by Lindley Bothwell at Oregon State University.

In the 1930s, universities and high schools began performing pom-pon routines and using paper poms. In the early 1940's, when men went to
war, women not only went to work, but also on to cheerleading squads. Cheerleading then became more as a female sport. Women were
revitalizing the spirit when it was needed. When the men returned from war, new twists and turns were added. Gymnastics were always done by
men, while the girls danced. This gave rise to dance teams.

In 1948, Laurence "Hurkie" Hurkimer (founder of the spirit industry) formed the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) as a way to hold
cheerleading clinics) He organized the Yrst cheerleader camp, held in Huntsville, TX, which drew 52 girls and one boy. In the 1950s, as collegiate
sports grew in popularity, so did cheerleading. Cheerleaders were a common sight on the basketball court as well as the football Yeld.

In the 1960s, the cheerleaders began using pom poms, as its most widely recognized prop at present. Though early crepe pom poms were Yrst
introduced in the 1930s, it was in 1965 where the modern vinyl pom was invented by Fred Gastoff. In the 1970s, cheerleading was building up an
unstoppable momentum. In addition to cheering for the traditional football and basketball teams, cheerleaders began supporting all school
sports, sometimes selecting several different squads to cheer for wrestling, track and swimming. It was during this period when the Yrst nation-
wide television broadcast of the Collegiate Cheerleading Championships by the International Cheerleading Foundation was seen. In 1976, the
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders performed at Super Bowl X and started an evolution of "dancing cheerleaders." In addition to this, high school and
collegiate cheerleading competitions began during this period.

In the 1980s, cheerleading competitions, organized by the National Cheerleaders Association and other groups, started to grow in popularity. For
the Yrst time, teams got off the sidelines and took center stage, facing off against like-minded teams from all over the U.S.

Over time, the stunts and tricks that make up the cheerleading repertoire have grown increasingly elaborate and adventuresome, leading many to
worry that the sport has become too dangerous. Hence, universal standards were set and safety guidelines outlawed many dangerous tumbling
moves and pyramids. At present, the sport has spread from the U.S. to many other countries, making its way to our country, the Philippines.

CHEERLEADING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Cheerleading in the Philippines oVcially emerged in 1993 when the Cheerleading Philippines Federation (CPF) was oVcially founded. The CPF is
the “is the national confederation of Cheerleading organizations. It is the national governing body of Cheerleading and Cheer Dance in the
country. Its primary activities are organized through standing Commissions that are each responsible for some aspect of the sport's
development in the country. The CPF is mandated to sponsor and sanction cheerleading & cheer dance competitions and a variety of national
and international cheerleading competitions, including the Cheerleading World Championships, the Asia Cup and the IFC World Cup.”

Cheerleading in the Philippines has three major competitions. These three competitions are the University Athletic Association of the Philippines
(UAAP), Cheerdance Competition, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Cheerleading Competition and the National Cheerleading
Championships (NCC).

The UAAP Cheer dance Competition, founded in 1994, is an annual one-day event of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for
cheerleading, usually held at the Araneta Coliseum. The participating schools of this competition are 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) and
University of the Philippines (UP).

The NCAA Cheerleading Competition, previously known as NCAA Cheerdance Competition is an annual one-day event of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association for cheerleading, which was recently founded in 2004. The event was sanctioned by Cheerleading Philippines Federation
(CPF) and thus adopted the oVcial scoring criteria used in international cheerleading. The participating schools of this competition are 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), Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), San Beda College (SBC), San Sebastian College - Recoletos (SSC-R) and University of
Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD).

The National Cheerleading Championship (NCC) was recently founded in 2006. The competition Yrst started small, with 10 teams and divisions:
high school and college. By 2008, 29 teams participated in the NCC, which featured squads from around the country; thus making NCC the Yrst
and only true National Cheerleading Organization in the Philippines. Just like the NCAA, the NCC uses the oVcial scoring criteria used in
international cheerleading.

CHEERLEADING MOTIONS

Motions are the absolute foundation of cheerleading. If you strip away the cashy props, the stunts, the tumbling, the music and get down to it, the
most important role of a cheerleader is to lead cheers. You can’t have cheers without motions.

The Very Basics

1. Fist

The hands will be in a Yst for a majority of cheerleading motions. A good cheer Yst has the Yngers tucked in tight with the thumb wrapped closely
around the Yngers. It should continue in a straight line from the arm without any breaks at the wrist. Depending on the motion, different parts of
the Yst may face the crowd.

2. Clasp

A clasp should be just below the chin with hands cupped. The clasp is used during chants and cheers to create sound. Keep the elbows tucked
closely into the sides at all times and never open the hands wider than the shoulders. The tighter, the better!

The clasp can also be performed in an overhead or low variation by extending the arms straight up or down.

3. Clap

A clap is very similar to the clasp, however, this time the hands are in blades. Claps are not very loud and should be used more for stylistic
purposes rather than for sound. Claps can also be performed in an overhead variation.

The Core Motions

These motions can be manipulated by “breaking” them (bending the elbows in half) or by switching the direction of the motion either high/low or
right/left.

1. Hips

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Hands should be in proper Ysts sitting right on the hip bone. Make sure the wrists do not bend forward or
backward.

2. Clean

A clean is the position when a cheerleader is standing with both feet together and arms squeezed tightly to their side.

3. High V

For the High V, both arms extend up at about a 45 degree angle. Hands should be in tight Ysts, wrists straight, with big circles facing the front.
The motion should be slightly in front of the body, so that the hands can be seen from the corner of the eyes.

4. Low V

For the Low V, both arms extend down at about a 45 degree angle. Hands should be in tight Ysts, wrists straight, with big circles facing the front.
The motion should be slightly in front of the body.

The Low V can also be performed in a “broken” variation by bending the elbows so that the Ysts are almost touching the armpits.

5. Punch

In a punch, one arm extends straight up, while the other sits on the hip. Both hands should be in Ysts. The arm in the air should stay close to the
ear, little circle facing forward, with Yst cat across the top. The arm in the air determines whether it is a “right” or “left” punch. This is sometimes
called a “Go” motion.

6. T

In a T, both arms extend straight out to the sides parallel to the ground. Big circles should face the front and the arms should be slightly in front.

7. Broken T

Take the T and simply bend the elbows all the way in. Fists should hit right in front of the armpits with little circles facing out.

8. Touchdown

Just like the hand signal referees do when there is a score, a touch down motion consists of both arms extending straight overhead parallel to
each other. Fists should be cat on the top with little circles facing the front, and the arms should stay tucked in close to the ears. Take care to not
shrug the shoulders too high.

9. Low Touchdown

The opposite of a touchdown motion is the low touchdown. A low TD motion consists of both arms extending straight down parallel to each
other. Big circles face the front, and the arms should squeeze in together.

10. Daggers/Tabletop

This motion is essentially a broken low touchdown. Though daggers is probably the more common name, I generally do refer to it as table top
when teaching younger cheerleaders. Make sure the elbows stay in tight to avoid it becoming a broken low V, and that the top of the Ysts stay
cat.

11. Buckets

For buckets, both arms punch straight out in front, parallel to both each other and the ground. Fists should face downward as if holding buckets
of water. Don’t let the wrists bend – these buckets aren’t that heavy!

12. Candlesticks

Candlesticks is the same as buckets, except for the hands. This time, the hands should rotate so that big circles are to the sky as if you were
holding lit candles and don’t want to drip wax on the coor.

13. Punch Across

For this motion, one hand stays on the hip or clean to the side while the other crosses in front of the body. The motion can also be performed in a
high variation and a low variation.

Building the Other Motions

From here, many of the other cheer motions can be built by mixing, matching and adjusting the core motions above. For example:

· One arm in a T and one arm in a broken T creates the bow and arrow motion.

· One arm in a high V and one in a low V creates the diagonal.

· One arm in a high V and the other in a low punch across creates the K motion.

· One high touchdown and one T creates an L.

· Conversely, one low touchdown arm and one T create a low L

CHEERLEADING FORMATIONS

Here are some examples of a variety of formations:

1. Bowling Pins: This formation is also called a Triangle or Pinball formation.

2. Reverse Bowling Pins: Also called a Backwards Triangle.

3. Windows / Staggered Lines: This formation is made up of lines where each cheerleader has her own "window" where she can be seen.

4. Diamond

5. Diagonals

6. Partners: Partners can be positioned side by side or one in front of the other.

Side By Side Partners:

Partners in front of each other:

7. Block

SAFETY RULES FOR CHEERLEADING

Safety First! is the latest of a number of safety initiatives that Cheerleading's governing bodies have implemented in past years.

The results show, among other things, that cheer's total catastrophic injuries were cut in half from 2005 to 2006*, and that cheerleading's injuries
per 100,000 participants is only 2.0, signiYcantly less than the Ygures for popular women's sports such as gymnastics.

Below are some tips compiled by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association that help reduce cheerleader injuries at all levels:

· Proper Conditioning: Physically prepare and maintain your body’s strength, cexibility, and stamina for stunting and tumbling. Strengthen your
core muscles (abdominal and lower back muscles) along with the upper and lower body and include aerobic (running, jogging, cycling,
swimming) and anaerobic (wind sprints, circuit training) activities.

· Exercise Reminders: Warm up, stretch and cool down for every practice or competition and be sure to rest.

· Proper Equipment: Practice on mats or padded cooring until your routines are perfected. Make sure the mats are adequately sized and
suVcient for the activities you’re performing.

· Spotting: Have trained spotters present and engaged at all times.

· Knowledgeable Coaches: Make sure your coaches are certiYed in safety, Yrst aid, CPR and AED use.

· No Horseplay: Focus at all times during stunting and tumbling activities.

· Communication: Request that your coaches review safety precautions, rules and regulations with the squad on a regular basis, and that they
establish and implement an emergency action plan.

· Read Safety Guidelines: Ask your coaches to be familiar with the latest Pop Warner Rules Book, YCADA (Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance)
safety guidelines and participate in the ASEP (American Sport Education Program) Coaches Online Education Training for basics in cheerleading
principles;

· Know Your Limits: Be aware of your ability level and do not attempt advanced level gymnastic or stunting skills before mastering less advanced
skills. Always have a supervisor present.

· Treatment of Injuries: Promptly attend to any injuries you sustain. Your school or organization’s athletic trainer can assist in the proper
treatment and prevention of such injuries. He or she can also offer an injury prevention education seminar and assist in creating the conditioning
routine.

Injury Prevention & Control: Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally
works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.

Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their
effects can be serious.

Healthy Cheerleading

Cheerleading is a great group activity and an excellent way to stay Yt. But just as with gymnastics, dancing, and ice skating, there's lots of
pressure to stay thin. This puts cheerleaders at risk for eating disorders. Eating disorders can lead to serious health problems.

Coaches and parents should promote healthy eating and know the warning signs of eating disorders. When an eating disorder is caught early, a
person has a better chance of recovery.

Cheer Dance

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