Lutie Cheerleading
Responsibilities of a Cheerleading Team
"The five main responsibilities of a cheerleader: Crowd Leader, Spirit Raiser, Ambassador, Athlete and Entertainer.
As Crowd Leaders, the cheerleading team is the connection between the fans and the athletic team. The energy and enthusiasm produced by the crowd can rally a sports team to play better and boost overall morale. It is the cheerleading team’s task to unify the crowd in its efforts.
As crowd leaders, cheerleaders should know the sports they are cheering for and understand how to choose an appropriate sideline chant. As a group, they should begin sideline chants and also make organic chants from the crowd stronger by yelling the words in unison with fans. Cheerleaders preserve school traditions and come up with new ways to improve fan involvement.
As Spirit Raisers, cheerleaders promote and spread school pride throughout the year. Leading up to game day, cheerleaders can plan and execute pep rallies, decorate hallways with banners and support the sports team playing that week. They should encourage fellow students to show their spirit by setting a good example of school pride themselves. On game day, their responsibility as spirit raisers should be more emphatic. When a touchdown is scored or a basket is made, they display their enthusiasm by waving poms, yelling and celebrating. If spirit is low, cheerleaders should use tactics to increase excitement, including starting a sideline chant, and executing stunts, jumps, tumbling or pyramids.
As Ambassadors, cheerleaders should be model students, both in and out of the classroom. Minimum GPA standards emphasize the importance of classroom performance. Many cheerleaders are involved in other sports, various activity programs and leadership positions. In fact, according to a study conducted by Varsity Spirit, 60 percent of all cheerleaders hold a leadership role at school, and one-third of all cheerleaders are members of the Student Council. With service projects and community appearances, cheerleaders become the recognizable faces of their school. As ambassadors, they should spread school spirit and share positive experiences of being leaders at their school.
As Athletes, cheerleaders use their strength, endurance and skills to be excellent crowd leaders, spirit raisers and entertainers. Like other student-athletes, cheerleaders should practice and train in order to be in top physical shape to perform stunts, jumps, tumbling and pyramids. Cheerleaders use their strength to lift other team members into the air, enabling them to use signs and poms more effectively. Endurance is imperative for game day as cheerleaders should lead the crowd until the end of the game.
As Entertainers, the cheerleading team should create pep rally, pregame, time-out, halftime and post-game performances. These performances boost the overall excitement of the game, reviving the stadium’s energy and keeping fans in their seats. Performances can include cheers, band chant dances, sideline chants, stunt sequences and cheer routines to music. Fun, engaging performances that involve the student fan zone, alumni and parents spread school spirit and rev fans up for the next game."