Smithfield Vikings Football: Cheerleading Fact & Info

      
Smithfield Vikings
Cheerleading
2009 
       
 

Welcome to the Vikings 2009 season!  We are looking forward to another fun and exciting season.  Please take a moment to review the following information so that you are aware of our rules and regulations. Each child is required to sell  a pair of raffle tickets.  The sale of these tickets is part of the entire league’s annual fundraiser.  It is mandatory that each child sells these tickets.  If you do not sell or return your tickets, you will be benched for the Round Robin game. Please feel free to contact your coach or the coordinator with any questions or concerns.  Although you are receiving a list of rules that should be followed, open communication is vital.  Please call and speak to your child’s head coach with any problems or concerns that may arise during the season.   

CHEERLEADERS & PARENTS:  The Smithfield Vikings Cheerleading staff would like to take a moment of your time to ask for your cooperation and understanding to some guidelines we have outlined to help make our time together well spent. 

  • Please make the commitment to the Vikings team to get to practices at the time specified.
  • Please arrange pick up times from practices and games 15 minutes earlier than dismissal time so that no one is waiting for a ride and to hear any announcements from your child’s coach.
  • If you’re not going to be staying at the field during practice, please give your child’s coach either a cell phone number or a number where you can be reached.
  • Please come and watch your cheerleader’s games and practices.  Most cheerleaders love an audience and you would be amazed at what they can do.
  • For insurance purposes, we ask that no socializing take place during practices and games.  Also, only cheerleaders, players and coaches are allowed on the practice and playing field.  Please do not bring outside siblings or others on the field either at practices or games.
  • Please feel free to talk to our coaches and staff before or after practices and/or games, not during.
  • If you can help the Vikings in any way, please let us know.  Our organization is always looking for team parents, assistants with concession stand, decorations, homecoming, organizing fundraisers, competition helpers etc.
  • Cheerleaders are encouraged to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE.  Cheerleading is like anything else, the more you do it, the better you’ll get and the more confidence and fun you’ll have.
  • DO NOT have cheerleaders practicing mounts or stunts at home.  These activities require spotters and adult supervision.  Cheerleaders can practice the words, claps, stomps and arm movements to cheers, which should be enough for them to learn before the next practice.  We encourage cheerleaders to look in mirrors if possible while practicing.  This helps determine where they need to improve.
  • The Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Varsity and Varsity squads go to competition at the end of the season.  Cheerleaders are judged at Sunday games and these scores are brought over to competition day.  Some of the things judges are looking for: Voice (loud and cheer), crisp movements, uniformity, appearance, enthusiasm (pep and smile) and originality.
  • Practice attire should consist of shorts, sweatpants (no swish pants or wind pants), tee shirts or tank tops, sweatshirts (no hoods), socks and sneakers. No jeans, sandals or any clothing with zippers, pockets or buttons will be allowed.
  • Game uniforms are to be neat and clean.  Uniforms should be washed in cold water and hung to dry.  Please iron if necessary prior to your game.  Your order form for the other required components should have been handed in or your child should have been sized for the additional cheer gear.  If you have not placed your order or you have questions please contact Christine Baccari.
  • Please dress cheerleaders appropriately as weather changes for practices and games.  Cheerleaders will only be allowed to wear cheer wear purchased through the Vikings for games so please make sure you have placed your order.  Cheerleaders should always keep their turtleneck, pants and jackets in their cheer bag for games. 
  • PLEASE NOTE:  ANY CHEERLEADER WITH PIERCED BODY PARTS MUST BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE JEWELRY PRIOR TO PRACTICES AND GAMES.  IF YOU CANNOT REMOVE THEM, YOUR CHILD CANNOT CHEER!
  • Please keep the following NO’s of cheerleading in mind at all times:
  •          NO jewelry (medical medals must be taped to the body)
  •          NO nail polish or imitation nails.  Nails need to be short and clean.
  •          NO face or hair paint
  •          NO make-up
  •          NO nylons or tights
  •          NO gum, food or beverages other than water during practices and games.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND ON BEAHLF OF THE VIKINGS ORGANIZATION,

“HAVE A GREAT SEASON!!” 

 

 


Saturday, July 18
         
 

What is Cheerleading?

 
     
 
Cheerleading is a sport that requires physical fitness, flexibility, coordination and hardwork, it uses organized routines made from elements of tumbling, dance, jumps and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games and matches and/or compete at cheerleading competitions. The athlete involved is called a cheerleader.
 
         


       
  Jumps    
    X Jump/Spread Eagle   
      You simply prep, swing, and jump with your arms in a high V and your legs spread apart. Just jump off the ground and it will look like an X. This jump is generally used to practice group timing and snapping legs down from a jump.  
    Pencil/T Jump   
      This jump is probably the most simple jump. It involves jumping completely straight with your arms in T-motion or in a point above your head. This jump is usually the first you would learn. Mainly used for correcting the body position for the main jumps.  
    Toe-Touch   
      In this jump, the legs are straddled and straight, parallel to the ground, toes pointed, knees are back, and the arms in a T motion. Despite its name, you do not touch your toes during a toe touch, you reach out farther in front of your legs. keep your back straight and bring your legs up to you. This is the most common jump.  
    Tuck     
      A jump in which the cheerleader uses stomach muscles to pull the legs up with thighs as close to the chest as possible, knees facing upward as if in a tucked position.  
    Hurdler   
      The straight leg is either forward (a front hurdler) with arms in a touchdown, or out to the side (a side hurdler) with arms in a T. The bent knee faces the crowd in a side hurdler and the ground in a front hurdler.  
    Pike     
      This jump is among the most difficult of jumps. Both legs are straight out, knees locked. Arms are in a touchdown motion out in front to create a folded position in the air, this motion is also called "candlesticks". This is often performed at a ninety-degree angle to the audience in order to show off the air position.  
    Around the World   
      The Around the World, or the pike-out, is a jump where the performer hits a pike and then whips his or her legs quickly back around into a toe touch. This jump is regarded as difficult to accomplish, because two positions must be reached in the very short time while the jumper is in the air. Not commonly used.  
    Herkie   
      Named for Lawrence R. Herkimer, the founder of the National Cheerleader's Association, this jump is similar to a side-hurdler, except that instead of both arms being in a "T" motion, both arms are opposite of what the leg beneath them is doing. Example of this would be the straight arm would be on the side of the bent leg, and the bent arm is on the side of the straight leg. One other variation of this includes the bent leg is pointing straight down, instead of out like the side-hurdler. The jump is speculated to have been invented because Herkie wasn't able to do an actual side-hurdler.  
    Double Nine   
      A jump similar to a pike except one leg and one arm are bent in to form two "nines".  
    Double Hook   
      A jump where the legs are in the "cheer sit" position.  
    Double Jump   
      This is the name for when one performs any jump twice in a row.  
    Power Jump   
      A jump where there is no swinging of the arms in preparation for the jump. All the power for the jump comes from the legs. This jump is also known as a "Dip Jump."  
 


     
  Stunts (Base Terms)  
       Bases   
      Cheerleaders that stay on the ground providing the primary support for the flyer during a stunt. Bases make eye contact with each other throughout the stunt but also look at the flyer. Bases can be male or female. The bases are usually two females or one male.  
          Main Base   
      The term main base only applies when doing a one-legged stunt. This base has the majority of the flyer's foot, and the majority of her weight.  
    Side Base   
      The term side base only applies when doing a one-legged stunt. The side bases help the main base lift the flyer up into the air. In a one leg extension stunt, the side provides extra support by holding the foot abound the middle.  
    Flyer     
      This is the person that is in the air during a stunt. This is the person that is commonly the main focus of the stunt. Flyers stay tight throughout the entire stunt. The flyer must control their own weight by squeezing everything from their thighs to their shoulders. If they don't stay tight, there is a greater risk of them falling. They must keep a steady focus on what they are doing. A strong core and good sense of balance are key qualities to possess when stunting.  
    Back Spot (Back Base or Back in some regions)   
      This is the person standing behind the stunt. They help dip or jump the flyer into the bases hands. They do so by using their hands to support the flyer's butt, and then push it up into the air. Once in the air, they will hold the flyer's ankles, providing support. When the flyer cradles, they catch her under her arms. If the flyer falls backwards, it the the back spot's job to catch her.  
    Front Spot (Front in some regions)   
      This is the person standing in front of the flyer who will catch her ankles and prevent her from falling forward. The front spot often provides extra support to ankles and wrists in higher stunts such as extensions. The front spot has somewhat the same job of the back spot.  
    Additional (hands-off) Spotter   
      This person does not actually touch the stunt unless something goes wrong. The free standing spot can stand behind, in front, or beside the stunt. Arms are up in the air and eyes stay on the stunt at all times even though the stunt is not touched. This position is sometimes called a general spot.  
     


         
  Stunts (Two-Legged)  
    Prep or Extension Prep  
      A Stunt in which flyer stands with each foot in the hands of a base at shoulder level. The two bases, facing each other, hold the feet of the upright flyer at collar-bone level, so the flyer is standing about shoulder-width apart. The flyer controls every stunt, and can bring the bases closer together or push them farther apart, if desired, by simply moving his or her legs. The backspot holds the calves or ankles of the flyer. A front spot is optional and may be used to secure the stunt by the shins of the flyer.  
    Cupie, or Awesome  
      The Cupie (called an "Awesome" in some regions) is almost identical to the Full Extension except that the flyer's feet are together, in one hand of a single base or with one foot in the hands of two bases. In a partner stunt the differnce between a cupie and an awesome has to do with what the male is doing with his free hand. If the free hand is on the hip then it is a cupie, if the free hand is in a high V then it's an awesome.  
    Extension  
      Flyer stands with each foot in the hands of a base withs arms are in an extended overhead position. The backspot can either hold the ankles of the flyer, or support the wrists of the bases. In a single based stunt, the base will hold both of the flyer's feet above his/her head, with arms locked.  
    Split-lift   
      Two bases hold the flyer's legs at the knee area. They then slowly walk apart until the flyer is in a mid-air split.  
    Thigh stand  
      (beginner level): A Thigh Stand is one of the simplist stunts. The bases kneel on one leg and have their feet touching each other by the sides of their shoes. The back spot will hold the flyer at the waist. She will dip and jump onto the bases thighs.  
    Liberty   
      One or more bases holds up the flyer by the foot and the flyer balances weight on one that straight leg. The flyer's other leg is bent with the foot positioned at about the knee level of the flyer nestling it alongside the standing leg's knee. The name of this stunt is often shortened to 'Lib'.  
    Scorpion   
      This is a liberty variation facing the side. One or more bases holds up the flyer by the foot and the flyer balances weight on one that straight leg. The flyer then grabs the loose foot and bends that leg upward behind the body until the toes are close to the back of the head, a position resembling a scorpion's tail. The foot is secured in place by the opposite hand. A more advanced variation of the scorpion is the "Chin-chin," where the flyer tucks her foot underneath her own chin.  
    Scale     
      This is a liberty variation facing the side. One or more bases extend one of the flyer's feet. The flyer's other leg is held by the flyer's hand to the side and the leg is fully extended. Called a Skate or Skater in some regions.  
    Crazy Eight   
      Similar to a scale, but the ankle is supported by the flyer's wrist while her hands clasp to form a circle above her head. The resulting pose is resembles an Eight, due to the two circles, one formed by her arms, and the other by her leg and side.  
    Torch     
      The base group faces forward holding the foot as a side base would. While the flyer is holding a one-legged extended stunt while facing 90 degrees sideways from the base.  
    Heel Stretch   
      Variation of a liberty. It is a stunt in which the base/bases holds one foot of the flyer while she holds the other foot in an elevated stretch position with her same hand.  
    Bow and Arrow  
      Variation of a heel stretch. The flyer grabs her foot with the opposite hand. Then she pulls her arm thought and puts it in front of her leg, holding it straight. Or if flyer is not flexible enough to have her hand in front of her leg she can keep it behind, but that's known as an "overstretch"  
    Needle   
      Variation of liberty facing the side. The main difference in a regular scale and a needle is the flyer's position in the air. Where in a normal scale the chest is either parallel or higher then the hip on the supporting leg, a needle scale the chest is down beside the main support leg. Also, the leg that was supported by hands in a regular scale is now "free" and is pointing to near as north or "12 o'clock" as flexibility allows the flyer to obtain. The flyer also maintains balance by holding onto the bases hands and her own ankle. Sometimes called a spike.  
    Hitch     
      A hitch is a variation of the prep or extension. One of the side bases turn to face forward and lifts the flyer's foot in an extension; or high enough so that the flyer's knee is bent at a 90 degree angle. So this doesn't leave all of the weight on the other base, the back swiftly moves her hand so that both of her hands are supporting the non-bent leg.  
     


     
  Stunts (Transitions, Tosses, and Dismounts)  
    Toe Touch Basket Toss  
      During the basket toss, when the flyer is thrown into the air she stays in the "pencil" position. once starting to fall, she does the toetouch jump, quickly pops back into pencil, and then into the cradle.  
    Pretty Girl/Show off Basket Toss  
      When in the air, the flyer will do her legs like in a liberty and put one hand on her waist and one behind her head, laying down.  
    Kick Twist Basket Toss  
      When starting to fall, the flyer will kick one leg up then twist her body into a cradle. The flyer may twist how ever many times she wishes, the more the more advanced.  
    Tuck Basket Toss  
      While in the air the flyer will perform a tuck (front or back) then pop into cradle.  
    X-out basket toss -  
      Same as tuck basket toss, but while upside down in the tuck the flyer will perform the jump "spread eagle" which will make the body look like a X.  
    Pike basket toss  
      Same as toetouch basket toss but the flyer will perform a pike.  
    Star basket toss  
      In the air, once starting to fall, the flyer with put a leg up like in a scale, and the other will be straight facing diagonally downward. the hands will be in a high V, then she'll pop back into pencil. In some variations, the flyer will spin while in the Star jump.  
    Launch  
      Almost like a basket toss except hands are in formation of a prep or extension.  
    Pop Cradle or Cradle Out  
      Dismount from a stunt in which the base/bases toss the flyer straight up from a stationary stunt then catch the flyer in a seated position pike position.  
    Teddy Sit  
      The bases have the flyer in a prep. They dip (the flyer sits, or bends her body in half, and ends up in a straddle position) and with one hand catch the flyer's thigh. With the other hand they catch the flyer's foot. The back uses the same motions she would in a sponge.  
    Dismount   
      A way to return the flyer to the floor or complete a stunt.  
    Squish/Sponge  
      Two bases will each hold a different foot of a flyer at their waist level. The flyer is squatted down so the flyer is not taller than the bases. This is how the flyer loads in to the stunt, before jumping and pushing off the bases shoulders, and the bases drive their arms upwards and extend the flyer. Also called a Sponge or Scrunch in some regions  
    Retake or DoubleTake  
      When a stunt is extended in the air, and then goes back down into a load-in position placing both feet in the bases hands, if previously in a one-footed stunt, and being pushed back upwards into another stunt.  
    Show and Go  
      Two bases will each hold a different foot of a flyer and bring it up to a full extension. The flyer only stays up for two counts and returns back into a squish position. Also known as 'fake-outs' or 'flashes'. Depending on the stunt, the flyer can throw any number of tricks in a show and go. If loading in with both feet, most times the flyer will "show" a cupie, and after reloading, come back up to a cupie in either a prep or extension level. Another variation is the one-legged show and go, where a flyer starts as if in a one-legged stunt, and "shows" one leg kicked up to the heel stretch position (without grabbing the ankle or instep). As this variation is brought back down, the flyer brings in her leg from the flash and reloads in either a two or one legged sponge, "going" back up to prep or extension level.  
    Tick-Tock  
      When a flyer switches the foot being stood on in mid air after being popped by bases.  
    Full Down (Twist Cradle)   
      Variation on a pop cradle. It is a dismount from a stunt in which the base/bases toss the flyer straight up from a stationary stunt, the flyer does a 360 degree turn in the air, and then the bases catch her in a cradle position. Called a Single Down, Single, or Full Down in some Regions.  
    Double Twist Cradle   
      Variation on a pop cradle. The same as a full twist cradle, but two 360 degree turns are completed before cradling. There are also increasing numbers of twist downs possible, often as many as five, witnessed especially when four males are basing a basket toss.  
    Leap Frog or Popcorn  
      Usually a transition where the bases "hop" top person over the backspots head and catch her in either a smush or cradle  
    Reload   
      A transition that connects two stunts when a flyer cradles out of the first stunt, and the bases dip and pop the flyer back into a load position. A similar stunt is a barrel role. Sometimes called a 'cradle pop'.  
    Barrel Role   
      Seated in a pike position, ( as if she had just cradled out ) the bases toss the flyer, she lays flat and does a 360 degree spin in the air.  
    360 up   
      A variation on the double take in which the flyer does a full turn in the air in between stunts while staying in contact with the bases. Also called a Full up in some regions.  
    Deadman   
      When the flyer falls backwards or forwards out of a stunt where 3 or 4 people catch the flyer and could possbly push the flyer back up to the bases hands. [11]  
    Swedish Falls/Fish   
      Center bases face each other, legs shoulder width apart, arms straight and hands on each other's shoulders, a flyer stands behind each base, facing the bases' backs. Flyers place hands on bases' shoulders, each flyer has a second base. These bases squat in between the other base and the flyer. They hold the flyers' waists, third base holds the flyers upstage leg--one hand on her thigh and the other on her ankle, On 1, 2, down, up, the flyer bends her knees and jumps. The second and third bases lift the flyer up, fully extending their arms. The flyer's arms are also fully extended. The center bases have the flyers' weight on their shoulders. They support each other to maintain balance.Both flyers lift their downstage leg (the base is only holding the upstage leg). Dismount: The second and third bases lower the flyer.
     Sweep
      Dismount from a full or half- when the flyer falls immediately into the bases' and back's hands. The flyer's legs are forced into a pike position. This is done by the back grabbing hold of the flyer's ankles and pushing foward with all of her strength. Simultaneously, the two bases whip their hands sideways (the opposite direction of the back), causing the flyer's feat to go that direction.