Entering the world of cheerleading is exactly as suggested – entering a whole new world. Compare it to travelling to a country that you have never been to before - the customs are different, the food is unique, ways of living vary, and probably the biggest of them all, a different language is spoken! Cheerleading is similar – upon entering the world we call "Cheer", whether you are an athlete or a parent, you are immersing yourself in the tumbling skills and stunting elements not seen in other sports (countries), you are seeing the importance of repetition, practice, and consistency (ways of life), and of course, as the analogy suggests, the language is completely different!
There are a variety of different words that mean something completely different when they are in the context of cheerleading, and to parents and athletes, whether they are new to cheer or have been there for years, clarification is always helpful! Below are a few words that have been "translated" for you in CF's first version of The Cheerleading Dictionary.
"HIT" – It is quite normal to hear cheerleaders yelling the word "HIT" during a practice or a cheerleading competition. Hitting a skill refers to an athlete executing a skill with great technique, no bobbles, and pure confidence. When a stunt hits, that means that the entire group did their job and completed all elements effortlessly. In jumps, the word hit is said by all teammates to allow the timing of jumps to be pristine. Every time a jump happens, the word "HIT" is shouted out loud. This has also been carried over to competitions where during a routine, it is typical to hear the audience yell "HIT" while a team is jumping.
"PULL" – Not each other's hair, not the fire alarm – but a tumbling skill! The word "pull" often refers to a tumbling skill performed in the routine, regardless of the level that the athlete is at. "Pulling" a skill, literally just means doing the skill. Quite often, "PULL" is always heard after the word "HIT" when doing jumps. In cheerleading it is common to see athletes jump, and do a skill right after it. For example, in All-Star Level 5, it is typical to see a full team do a jump like a Toe Touch, and follow it with a back tuck. When executing these two skills one after the other, you are highly likely to hear the audience, or even the athletes yell "HIT" for the jump, and then "PULL" for the skill.
"HIT ZERO" – Hitting zero is what teams strive for! It goes back to the idea of "HIT". In a routine, athletes are challenged with "hitting" their stunts, tumbling, jumps, dance, and performance. If a team does so successfully and is not given any deductions from the judging panel, then they have "HIT ZERO" – in other words, they have ZERO deductions. As a parent or an athlete, you definitely want your team to always "HIT ZERO". Some competitions have even started giving teams "HIT ZERO" pins to celebrate their accomplishment. How many pins could you collect this season?
"FULL-OUT" – When competition season is in full swing and choreography has been long completed, coaches will begin saying the two words that every athlete knows is coming – FULL OUT! Cheerleading has several components is it that are focused on individually – stunts, tumbling, jumping, dance, performance. In a full out, athletes put their entire routine together during practice, and focus on executing it. Full-outs are vital during cheerleading practices as it prepares athletes for what a performance on the competition floor will be like. The more confident and comfortable the athletes become in their full-outs the more successful they will be during competitions.
"FACIALS" – As much as we may adore this service at our neighbourhood spa, it takes a whole different meaning in cheerleading. Cheerleading is a performance sport – athletes are always encouraged to smile and perform the routine. Routines are meant to be entertaining, and the entertainment aspect does not come from just hitting a routine, but how much the athletes enjoy their routine and using their facial expressions. Facials go a long way, and while some may think it is only the flyer's job (athlete that gets lifted in stunts), it is everybody's job! Not to mention, performance adds to overall impression and is on the judging score sheets at competition – it absolutely matters!
"EXECUTION" – This is an incredibly important part of cheerleading. As coaches, it is heavily stressed that it is not enough to just have a skill. The execution of a skill is important, and is scored at competitions. For example, let's take a look at two Level 1 teams being scored at a competition. All the athletes on both teams have back walkovers. The difference is that team one executes their back walkovers with bent legs and arms far apart, whereas team two has back walkovers with straight legs, tight arms, and pointed toes. Team two will score noticeably higher than team one because they were able to execute the skill with perfection. It is important that in cheerleading athletes understand that getting a new skill is good, but working the skill until all the parts of it are executed flawlessly is even more important. There is absolutely no rush because in the end, execution matters and makes for a better cheerleader.
"WORLDS" – This term often gets thrown around by cheerleaders, especially those at an elite level in the sport. Worlds refers to The Cheerleading World Championships held every year at the end of April at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. In order to compete at The World Championships, athletes must be on a Worlds-level team. These teams are levels 5 or 6 at the Senior or Open Level. It is also necessary to be awarded a bid to this competition. At various competitions throughout the year, Worlds level teams compete for a chance to win a bid, or an invitation to this competition. Without it, they cannot go. Bids are usually awarded to teams with the highest scores at competitions. Being provided with the opportunity to compete at Worlds is an honour and a privilege – it is something that athletes strive for as their cheerleading careers progress. At CheerForce, we are truly grateful to send at least 3 of our teams to Worlds each year!
"SUMMIT" – The Summit is the name of another competition that happens the week after The Cheerleading World Championships, at the exact same place. The Summit is known to many as "The Worlds for Non-Worlds Athletes". The basis of the competition is similar – you must be awarded a bid to compete at The Summit with your team. The Summit offers a variety of different levels and divisions that do not include Worlds teams, providing younger athletes the opportunity to compete on an international level. Last year, CheerForce took The Summit for the first time, with 7 teams representing Canada!
]]>CHANGING THE GAME ON CONCUSSIONS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=121&v=EaI74qlJ_o8
Concussions are a serious concern in sport today. At CheerForce we mandate that all of our youth aged athletes and up participate in baseline concussion testing with the Oakville Optihealth clinic to ensure athlete safety and proper return to play protocols are taken in the event of an injury. Please take the time to watch the two links below to educate yourself regarding this topic heading into the competition season.
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmm7jbppxy8&t=4s
IMPORTANCE OF A BASELINE CONCUSSION TEST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB_o10OzSw0&t=5s
Oakville Optihealth Clinic is a proud Complete Concussion Management (CCM) Clinic
There are many different views on what constitutes a concussion but most experts agree that a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury.
Concussions may be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head and can even be caused by a blow to the body that results in the rapid movement of the head.
Important Facts:
All concussions need to be taken very serious.
Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
Recognition and proper response to concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.
It is alway better to error on the side of caution when it comes to dealing with concussions. All athletes should have pre-screen concussion assessments completed at the beginning of each season to ensure the best possible care for all athletes.
OAKVILLE OPTIHEALTH CLINIC
1060 South Service Road W, Oakville
https://www.optihealthclinic.com/
905-465-0202
Scott
drscott@optihealthclinic.com
Ryan - MSc. (Kin) Candidate, B.Cog.Sc. (Hons.)
ryan@optihealthclinic.com
The flyer on a team, also referred to as a top girl, is a role that holds great responsibility. Truth be told, being a flyer involves far more than just being the smallest on your team. In fact, being a flyer incorporates the ability to maintain body control in your stunts, perform at every single moment, and be responsible for your own flexibility. Being a flyer is a role that many dream about, but the reality is, not everyone realizes the responsibility associated with being the only one who isn’t ground-bound. It is not just enough to have a group of your teammates lift you in the air, it takes the courage to showcase the stunts, the performance to blow the judges away, and the consistency and drive to stretch air positions and strengthen core muscles at practice, but more importantly, OUTSIDE of practice.
While some are blessed with the flexibility that many dream about, it does not take away from the fact that it still requires a lot of work to maintain flexibility, hold the positions, and be strong when standing on one leg. Air positions are showcased during routines by the flyers – the harder the air position, the more impressive. Below is a list of air positions that are expected when competing as a flyer. For our flyers out there, be sure to read through each one to ensure you are pulling it properly, and to know what muscle groups you can work on to make you stronger at it.
Air Position Two: Heel Stretch
The heel stretch is a position that extends in front of the body, rather than behind. Just like the arabesque, maintaining your “toe-hip-shoulder” line is vital. Flyers should kick up to their heel stretch so that the leg remains straight at all times, down to a pointed toe. The biggest mistake that flyers make is rolling the hip out, causing the heel stretch to be on the side of the body, with the top of the foot facing the side. Instead, the heel stretch should be directly in front of the top, with the top of the foot facing the flyer. The standing leg should be completely locked out – if tops bend their knees while pulling a heel stretch, it is a sign that they need to improve their hamstring flexibility and hip-flexor strength.
Air Position Three: Bow and Arrow
The bow and arrow is an air position that also extends in front of the body, and requires a strong heel stretch as a prerequisite. To pull a bow and arrow, the flyer must pull her heel stretch with both hands, pulling it closer in to the side of her head. The left hand lets go of the foot while the right hand continues to hold on, and pulls the leg as far behind the head as possible. The left arm is placed between the pulled leg, and hits a broken “T” position. The bow and arrow requires strength in shoulders in order to hold the air position confidently.
Air Position Four: Scale
The scale requires leg and hip-flexor flexibility. To pull a scale, flyers stand facing the side and raise their outside leg (usually the left) behind them. Flyers should be grabbing their leg just above the ankle, with their fingers on their shin and their thumb on their calf. Grabbing too low or too high on the leg with result in the scale not being full extended, or the leg not being straight. In full extended position, a scale should be arm’s length away from the flyer’s body, with a locked out standing leg. A scale should not create a 90-degree angled shape. Scales requires straight legs with no bent knees.
Air Position Five: Scorpion
The scorpion is considered one of the most popular air positions in cheerleading, and requires patience and practice. Flyers are encouraged to focus on stretching their shoulders, and working shoulder flexibility to pull a scorpion. Just like every air position, flyers must maintain their THS line (Toe-Hip-Shoulder Line). If the shoulders fall too far forward or back, the position can not be held. To pull a scorpion, flyers grab their foot behind them with an open hand, thumb facing away, palm to the sky. Then they pull their foot up towards the head, grab with the other hand, and extend the arms to lock the elbows out. When a flyer is advanced and can pull a full extended scorpion with ease, they may also work on kicking up the the position.
Ah - the needle, also known as the coach’s dream. Think of this air position as the fully flexible version of the scorpion. The difference between a scorpion and a needle is the way that the air position is held, and the amount of flexibility needed to pull it. Getting a needle is difficult, but if flyers are determined and put the work in outside of practice it is completely doable. For a needle, flyers take their hands from their foot, and place it on their shins, bending the back and extending the leg so that the knee becomes completely locked out, unlike the scorpion. The ultimate needle calls for a bendy back so that the back and the leg touch. Remember not to ruin a pretty needle by always pointing your toe, maintaining your THS line, and locking out your standing leg.
All air positions are completely possible. The main difference comes from the work that is put in by the flyers. Like mentioned before, the more air positions a flyer has, the more impressive and experienced they are as flyers. The best way to work on air positions is to stretch daily, ensure you are always keeping locked knees, and to join topping classes with experienced coaches if they are available.
HAPPY STRETCHING!
Interested in learning more?
Join us for our SUMMER TOPPING INTENSIVES available for all athletes interested in learning topping fundamentals, working on strength and flexibility of air positions and most importantly SHOWMANSHIP!
REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR TOPPING INTENSIVES
Are you ready?
We sure are, and we cannot wait to enter another season with you as a part of our family.
Welcome to CheerForce!
The Cheerleading World Championship 2018
Small Senior 5 - CheerForce Reign
International Open 5 - CheerForce Golden Girls
International Open 6 - CheerForce Platinum
The Summit AllStar Cheerleading Championship 2018
Small Youth 1 - CheerForce Divine
Small Youth 3 - CheerForce Legacy
Medium Junior 1 - CheerForce Craze
International Junior 2 - CheerForce Synergy
International Junior 3 - CheerForce Impact
International Senior 3 - CheerForce Envy
International Senior 4 - CheerForce Intensity
What a fantastic showing for the entire CF family at Battle at the Beach. We are incredibly proud of every single athlete who left their heart on the floor in Myrtle Beach. With 13 ZERO DEDUCTION RUNS the results speak for themselves! Congratulations everyone on a fun filled competition weekend.
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Mini 2 - CHAMPIONS
Youth 1 - 4th Place
Youth 2 - CHAMPIONS
Youth 3 - 2nd Place
Junior 1 - 3rd Place
Junior 2 - 5th Place
Junior 3 - 2nd Place
Senior 2 - 3rd Place
Senior 3 - 8th Place
Senior 4 - 6th Place
Senior 5 - 2nd Place