Nothing wows an audience like an expertly executed heel stretch, performed with smiling grace. Achieving that grace takes a lot of work. With practice, you’ll be able to make the heel stretch look as natural and effortless as breathing.

Obviously, this move requires a great deal of flexibility. Make sure you are fully warmed up and at your most limber before you practice.

1. Stand with all your weight on one leg, keeping it slightly bent for balance. Swing your “heel” leg back as if you’re preparing to kick a football.

2. Tilt your torso forward a little and kick the imaginary ball - but keep the trajectory going. Lift your leg as high as it will go. As a beginner, you will likely need to give your leg a hand, grabbing a hold of your heel and pulling your foot toward your face. Do not grab your toes or any other part of your foot. Use your left hand to grab your left heel, the right hand for the right heel.

3. Once you have the heel firmly in your grasp, keep pulling it toward you until your leg is parallel with your torso and forming a right angle to the ground.

4. Keep smiling, be graceful and don’t show the slightest sign of strain as you lift the arm not holding your leg straight up in the air. Hold this arm beside your head so that it is against your ear.

5. Now it’s time to wave. With your elbow locked in place, angle your arm slightly forward - then twist it while moving it away from your body. If you are lifting your left heel, you’ll move your left arm to the right of your body; the right arm swings to the left when you raise the right heel.

Tips: Keep the leg you’re standing on at a right angle to the ground. If you have long legs, keep your hand below the heel. If your legs are short, keep your hand above the heel. Under no circumstances should you grab your toes, as this could cause you to lose your balance.

Remember to always dress in the correct practice wear for comfort and safety. Campus TeamWear has Lycra tops and matching skirts with built in shorts, perfect for movement, stunting, and tumbling. Remember to wear the correct cheer shoes for practice. Asics have a great line of shoes with good support that are made for stunting, and for those who want a style that is a little more budget friendly, the Chasse cheerleading shoe line has perfect shoes for tumbling because of the support and the grip.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Cheer stunting can be both an exhilarating and terrifying experience. Executed properly, a stunt draws gasps of amazement and awe from a crowd. But if every movement and action isn’t performed properly, it can be both dangerous and frightening.

There are two components to a stunting team, the bases and the flyers. Both members must know and be comfortable with each step of the process. All stunts should be practiced and performed on an even surface with proper spotting.

Starting from the elevator position…

Bases:

The bases should stand in a shoulder to hip width stance, squarely facing each other (see step1). They should decide on a designated count series such as one, two, down, up to ensure synchronized timing. This is called the dip and pop (see steps 1 through 3). The dip and pop must be done using the muscles of the legs and not the arms or back. At the moment of the pop (see step 3), the bases should powerfully explode in an upward motion to the point where their toes almost leave the ground. This is not a jumping motion.

Simultaneously, the bases’ arms should extend straight upward in a locked position to propel the flyer. The bases’ eyes must remain fixed on the flyer at all times. As the flyer descends, the bases catch her in an absorbing motion. To do this, it is important to catch her at the highest point possible to decelerate her landing (see step 5). The bases’ knees should bend with the catch(see step 6). After a brief pause, the bases will gently pop the flyer back into a standing position so that she lands in front of them.

Flyers:

A flyer should be comfortable with her bases and familiar with the beginning count series. During the entire stunt, the flyer should stay tight, keeping all muscles squeezed. On the pop, the flyer should pull herself upwards as she is being released from the bases’ arms. Her body should lean backwards (see steps 3 and 4), never forwards, with her back arched and belly facing the ceiling. Arm positioning is up to the flyer but must always remain tight and locked. Never pike during the stunt.

At the top of the toss, as soon as she begins to descend, the flyer should shift into a V position (see step 5), bending at the hips with her legs straight out and toes pointed. The flyer should always keep her abdominals engaged to support her back. She should catch herself on her bases, allowing them to pop her off into a sharp, finished position.

Remember that it is important for cheerleading teams that are active in stunting to have the proper shoes for support and to reduce injury. When looking for cheer shoes, it’s important to have finger grips, heel grooves, smoother traction on the bottom (flyers, your bases will be thanking you later), and flexible support. A recommended stunting shoe is the Asics Gel-Comp 2. They offer all of these features and are a good investment because they are durable. If the budget is a little tighter, the next best choice would be the Asics Cheer 5. It’s a comfortable shoe at a comfortable price, while maintaining quality.

Popularity: 38% [?]

There is no doubt that finding an enjoyable extra curricular activity for a child is important in developing their athletic, social, and cooperation skills. Competition is important, but even more significant is the exercise and discipline a child gains through cheerleading and teamwork. It is helpful to ask a series of questions directed at coaches and your child to find a program that is well suited for the individual.

What Program is right for your daughter or son?
The first step in selecting a cheer squad and coach is to consult your son or daughter regarding where their interest lies and what they hope to gain from such a program. School sponsored cheer programs are the most popular, and through these programs, your child will be active all year around providing support for the various seasonal sports teams. Youth leagues (such as those found at the YMCA and Pop Warner Leagues) that are not affiliated with a school are another option, and this is appealing because your child will be in contact with a different set of kids. For those that are experienced in cheer or athletics, an All-Star program provides an opportunity that may involve travel.

How safe is the program?
It is critically important to address this question for the safety of your son or daughter. When looking to select a squad and coach, find out what type of certification (first aid, CPR, etc.) the coaches possess. Ask questions regarding the age and reliability of all equipment that will be used, and determine the skill level of all instructors with respect to the skills they will be teaching. Make sure that prudent steps to ensure safety have been implemented, such as the use of spotters and whether or not jewelry and sharp hair accessories are allowed.

How is the program conducted?
Learning the ins and outs of how a program is conducted will help make for a positive cheerleading experience for your child. Determine if the tryout procedure is fair and thoroughly explained, and make sure that all practices fit into everyone’s schedule. Discipline for negative behavior can be dealt with in many ways, so be sure it is in line with your personal philosophy. Finally, determining the finances of a program when you select a squad or coach will ensure that your child does not suffer because of inappropriate handling of funds. Do they supply cheerleading uniforms and travel costs? Do they participate in fund raising or are the funds privately handled?

What more can be done?
Be sure and talk to anyone you can, from coaches to parents to current squad members, and determine their level of satisfaction. Attend a few practices and talk to your child about their expectations and commitment level.

Once you and your child have selected a cheerleading team, remember that it is important to prep them before joining. Before tryouts, it may be necessary to enroll them into tumbling and dance classes. You might also want to invest in practice cheer gear. A good pair of cheerleading shoes are a must and will help prevent injury. Trusted brands that offer great support and longevity are Nike, Asics, Power, Keapa, and Chasse. Chasse also offers great practice wear like their Lycra skirts with built in shorts and matching tops. They also offer cute tees and cheer shorts that show cheer spirit.

Once you and your child have been prepped, and you have taken the analytical approach when you select a squad and coach, you can ensure that your child gets the most out of the experience. Good luck!

Popularity: 11% [?]

When you’re trying out for cheerleading, it’s important to know how you should look, act, and perform. These tips will prepare you for your cheerleading audition from the night before to the very end of tryouts.

The night before your tryout, make sure you get in plenty of restful sleep. Staying up late can break your concentration. Make sure you’re eating a well-rounded diet with plenty of protein, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid dieting to lose weight, as you’ll quickly become lethargic. The day of your tryout it’s important to look your best. Wear your hair in a pony tail or pinned securely in a bun. If your hair is too short for this, slick it back with a secure elastic headband that won’t fall off during your routine. Remember that hair ribbons and headbands with your school colors show school spirit!

Also, wear clothes that fit you well and are easy to move in. Avoid baggy pants and oversized tee shirts as they move around too much and can obstruct the judges’ view of your motions. Practice shorts and a fitted t-shirt are good choices. As listed in our previous article, Soffe shorts are great for tryouts because they come in a variety colors. If you really want to look the part, Chasse makes cute lycra cheer skirts that come with built in shorts-perfect for stunting, jumping, and kicking. Remember to wear light weight tennis shoes that offer support. Some good basic cheer shoes to have in your arsenal of practice gear are Nike’s Sideline Cheer, and for those on a budget, Chasse Rocket’s are the perfect fit. Also keep in mind that this is not the time to be thinking about being over-the-top stylish or piling on the glamour. Stay away from jewelry, glitter, excess makeup, and long fingernails.

Before the tryout beings, prevent injuries by making sure you warm up thoroughly. Even if you’re feeling nervous and stressed out, put on a positive, self-confident attitude before you walk through the door. Remember that cheerleading is a team sport, and tell each girl good luck. Avoid a catty or competitive attitude. Be enthusiastic and smile, but remember to keep it real and natural. A fake smile and overacting is easily detected by everyone. As you’re trying out, make sure you speak with a loud, clear voice and say each word clearly - pronounce each T and R, and don’t slur. Use plenty of vigor and expression- nobody wants to listen to a robot! If you’re asked to do something you aren’t sure about, feel free to ask the judges for clarification. If you happen to make a mistake, keep on smiling and performing as though nothing had happened. By continuing your routine, often the judges won’t even pick up on what happened. If you happen to flub a certain movement, ask for a retry-not all judges will allow this, but it never hurts to ask. Once you’ve finished, make sure you thank the judges and coach, and then leave with a smile on your face.

While nothing can guarantee you a spot on the cheer squad other than the judges and coach, these tips should help you out. No matter what the result, remember you did your best and be proud of your efforts!

Stay tuned for our next article on making sure you accomplish your cheer goals by learning how to choose a cheerleading squad and coach that is a perfect fit for you.

Popularity: 12% [?]

How to Prep for Cheer Tryouts
Many people dream of being part of a cheer squad. To make that dream a reality, though, you have to be prepared for the amount of time, and energy, that the hours of practicing, performing, competing, and fundraising will consume. You have to be able to handle the expenses of cheerleading uniforms, cheer shoes, travel costs, food on the road - expenses that can add up to a significant amount. Cheerleaders happily make the choice to take on these demands because they want to be part of a team. Not to stand out themselves, but to make their squad’s performance and their school spirit as strong and excellent as it can be.

Every school has their own standards for cheerleaders, and the cheer coach or school administrators will be glad to let you know what you need to do in terms of paperwork. Make sure you take your time to fill it all out completely, and be aware of requirements that need to be accomplished before a deadline, such as medical exams.

That’s the easy part, though. Preparing for the cheerleader tryouts is a much more physical process. Cheerleaders have to have the strength of a gymnast, the flexibility of a dancer, and the stamina of a long-distance runner to be able to shout cheers, do stunts, and keep their spirit strong all the way through a game or competition. Taking lessons in any of those disciplines is a good idea, but you’ll get the most valuable information from present or previous cheerleaders who know what it takes. They may be able to teach you previous routines, and certainly will have suggestions about how to get in shape for your tryout.

Don’t stop there, though - remember, while you are trying to become part of a team, you want to stand out from the rest of the candidates. Do research on sites such as YouTube to learn how other squads do the motions, and practice in front of a mirror. Are your arms fully extended? Does your leg need to kick higher? How about your facial expressions- just because you’re doing hard work doesn’t mean you should look like it!

Make sure you also dress accordingly. You not only need to act the part, but like the part as well. Soffe cheer shorts are always a fan favorite as they come in a variety of colors that are sure to match your school and are perfect for cheerleaders on a budget. Chasse makes cute lycra cheer skirts that have built in shorts and also come in basic school colors. They have matching racer-back tank tops with support.

Once you’ve got the basics down, ask friends and family to watch you, to help you fine-tune your performance. Your job is to motivate - so make eye contact, smile, get them excited. Do that, and you’ll be ready for the judges’ table.

Come back next week for our feature article about how to perform in front of the judges’ tables plus tips on how to stand out once you’re in front of the judges.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Campus Team Wear, your leading supplier of cheerleading uniforms and apparel, is holding a sale on printed cheerleading t-shirts that ends on Tuesday, May 19th. The printed cheer tees were originally $10.95 and have been reduced to $8.95. Here are some of my favorite printed cheerleading t-shirts

1) Eco Cheerleading Tee: Show your love for the Earth and Cheerleading with this planet-friendly tee.

2) Love To Cheer Heart Tee: A super cute “Love to Cheer” slogan is featured across this white jersey t-shirt.

3) Cheerleader Flair Tee: This white jersey tee features an adorable “button” design. Now no one can ask you where your flair is!

4) Multi Cheer Leader Tee: A black jersey fitted tee with the word “cheer” in multiple different types.

To learn more about our cheerleading shirt sale and to purchase some sale tees, go to our Twitter page.

Popularity: 41% [?]

Campus Team Wear is now offering exclusive deal and sales on Twitter! Check our Twitter page daily and you can see ongoing sales and great prices on cheerleading uniforms, cheer shoes, cheer socks, camp wear, cheerleading shorts and skirts.

Just go to our twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/omnicheer. With great deals every week on our cheerleading apparel, you can’t miss with Campus Team Wear.

Twitter is the newest micro-blogging tool that allows you to keep track of the latest cheerleading uniforms and apparel promotions.

Popularity: 94% [?]

Your team’s cheerleading uniforms are a reflection of of your squad’s cheerleading style and spirit. Updating your cheerleading look is important so that your performances are always top notch, your uniforms are always comfortable and current and your style is always modern.

From simple lines to interesting patterns, new fabrics and sequins, the popular cheerleading uniforms of 2009 are both fun and diverse.

Here are the winners for the best cheerleading uniforms of the 2009-2010 cheer year based on best patters, best new matierial and best embellishments:

Best Pattern: Double Knit Diamond Cheerleader Shell Top for $17.95.

This fashionable double knit cheer uniform top by Chassé has an attractive diamond pattern that is very flattering. It features a side zipper and straight bottom.

Best New Fabric: Nylon Stretch Sequin Cheerleader Uniform Top for $29.95.

The brand new Ultra-lite 12.5 oz. Nylon/Spandex stretch cheer unitop features a silver sequin design V-neck. This amazing material allows for extreme mobility when performing stunts. Chassé has scored again with this cutting-edge new look!

Best Embellishment: Nylon Stretch A-Line Cheerleading Skirt for $24.95

Check out this cute cheerleading uniform skirt. Made with the same Nylon Stretch material as the top that I mentioned, this a-line cheer skirt features a stunning embellishment: a silver sequin stripe on the hem. The skirt also  with front V-notch and side vents. Made by Chassé.

Best Skirt Style: Double Knit Star A-Line Cheer Skirt for $19.95

My favorite skirt of the season is this adorable Double-Knit Polyester cheer skirt with a white star side panel. The skirt is extremely comfortable for performing and has a zipper back.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Cheerleading shorts are essential for cheerleading practice and cheerleading camp. There are many cute styles that are perfect for cheerleading, and here a few of my favorite shorts styles:

1) Soffe Novelty Print Cheer Shorts - These adorable camouflage shorts are available in classic green and in pink (for a cute twist on the original camo)  These jersey knit cheerleading shorts are made by Soffe and feature the same classic cheerleader cut with a v-notch and elastic waistband, but now with a fun novelty print. Available now for $8.95

2) Bermuda Cheer Shorts with 2 Imprints - These comfy jersey knit shorts feature the word “cheerleader” with two White Glitter Imprints on the legs and a drawstring waistband. Available now for only $8.95.

3) V-Band Cheer Shorts - These cheer shorts are perfect to pair with your printed cheerleading t-shirts and cheerleading shoes.

Rather wear a skirt when you are practicing? Check out the Lycra Cheerleading Skirt With Built In Short.

And don’t forget to look for the newest styles of cheerleading uniforms for your squad!

Popularity: 83% [?]

In a past blog I discussed raising money for your cheerleading uniforms, warm-ups, camp wear and accessories with the amazing fundraising program using the FUN”D” 2 RAISE Cards. These cheerleading fundraising cards help to make fundraising fun! 

In this post I am going to explore ways that you can leverage the FUN”D” 2 RAISE Cards to raise money for your cheerleading squad so that you are able to purchase new cheerleading uniforms, warm ups, accessories and camp wear with only the five dollar investment in the fundraising cards!

The first step is to purchase the amount of fundraising cards that you will need. For example, if you buy 15 cards at  $5.00 a piece, your investment would be $75.00 and your income would be $3750, which means your profit would be $3675 - a 98% profit!!!! Those cheerleading uniforms seem much more attainable now, don’t they?

So what is the best way to find sponsors to scratch off the amounts? Use your network of cheerleading supporters, friends and family. The best place to start is with the families, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Next, talk to your neighbors, parents friends, your friends - tell them about everything your cheer squad brings to the community. Explain to people you meet that your cheerleading squad is hoping to receive support so that you team can reach it’s goals.  And finally, thank them for the contributions and let them know you greatly appreciate their help!

To learn more about cheerleading uniforms go to Campus Team Wear.

Popularity: 38% [?]