The main part of cheerleading is obviously cheers. In order to do them correctly one needs to know the proper placement of the arms and fists to make the cheer look the best. However, often times you incorporate lunges into these cheers. Below I have included pictures of a few of the basic motions. I have also given a written description of what is correct. I have also contributed some instructions of how to do lunges. However there are guidelines that apply to all motions.
1. Stiffness-you need to hold your motions as tight as possible, and not move!
2. V's,diagonals, and T's should be visible when looking straight ahead.
3. Make sure that your wrists are not bent in any way! A broken wrist is a definite don't! There are two types of wrists. The first is the large doughnut. This is where the thumb and pointer sides of the wrist face the crowd. This is the most common type of fist. The second, which is used in the GO motions use the small doughnut. This is where the pinky part of the fist sticks out.
4. An important tip for improvement is to play Simon says or to create motion drills. If you create motion drills treat it almost like a dance, get some music and then go through motions that flow from one to another. Incorporate lunges and claps into the drills.
5. Lunges are also an important part of motions. When doing a front or back lunge make sure that the knee does not go over the toes when looking at the feet.
6. A right Lunge is when the right leg is bent, and the left leg is straight, the knee on the left leg is facing forward, and the right knee is turned to the right. Also, make sure the knee does not extend over the toes
This is the starting motion for most cheers and chants, and the position that one should be when ever standing on the sidelines. Hands are in fists and positioned on the hips. THIS IS A MOTION, MAKE IT STIFF!
LUNGE This if the basic left lunge. As you can see the left leg is bent, knee facing to the left, and keep the right leg straight, knee facing forward. Remember to make sure your knee does not extend over the toes.
DAGGERS or TABLETOPS. This motion is held by bending the arms at the elbows, making the arms parallel to the ground. Keep the arms only shoulder width apart.
This motion is called the HIGH V. To do this motion arms are extended diagonally up from the body. The thumb and pointer part of the wrist is facing the crowd.
This motion the LOW V is basically the same as the above, except the arms go down.
This motion is called the GO. Notice that the right arm is right against her ear, and the left hand is placed correctly on the hip.
The BROKEN T motion is formed by both arms being bent at the elbows and remaining parallel to the ground.
This is an extension of the broken T. Both arms are extended from the body and parallel to the ground forming what looks like the letter "T"
This motion is the RIGHT L. The left arm is positioned against the ear and the right arm is parallel to the ground. This forming what looks like the letter "L"
This is the other L motion. The only difference between this motion and the above is the arms are switched have switched, and form a LEFT L
This motion is the LEFT K. In this motion the right arm extends over the body and the left arm is in the V position
This motion is the opposite of the above motion. In the RIGHT K, the left arm extends over the body and the right arm is the the V position
The BOW AND ARROW is done by placing the one arm in the T position and the other arm in the BROKEN T position.
This motion is often called a TOUCHDOWN or a DOUBLE FIGHT. Both arm extend up, next to the ears, and are only shoulder width apart.
This is a LOW TOUCHDOWN motion. The arms are shoulder width apart and directly down. This is the reverse of the above motion.
This motion is called a LEFT DIAGONAL. In this motion the left arm extends up, like in a high V, and the right arm goes down like in a low V. The thumb and pointer sides of the fist are facing the crowd.
This motion is the RIGHT DIAGONAL. It is the opposite of the left.
This motion can be done in many different ways. You can incorporate lunges along with the motions. Make sure one arm is in the GO position and the other arm is in 1/2 LOW V position.
The LIBERTY motion is where one leg is in a back lunge and the opposite arm is in the fight position
The images on this page were created by Brianne Peterson
