Types of Cheers in Cheerleading

The main responsibility of a cheer squad is to energize the team and crowd during sport events. Cheering may look simple, but it takes practice, coordination and knowing which type of cheer to use during a given situation. Whether you are cheering out on the football field or on a basketball court, pump up the crowd with right cheer.

  1. Crowd Response Cheers

    • Crowd response cheers involve the fans sitting in the bleachers and stands. Crowd cheers require hours of coordination practice within the cheer squad, but the audience must be able to comprehend and follow along with the cheer in a matter of seconds. Repeating the same words or phrases in a cheer has become a staple for chants because the crowd can participate in the repetition. A classic example of a crowd response cheer:

      - "We say Eagles! You say go! Eagles! Go! Eagles! Go! Go Eagles!"

      - Repeat: "C'mon Eagles, Let's fight, fight, fight!"

      Prompt the audience to get involved by asking them what they should say or repeat a phrase so the audience can follow along.

    Team Pride Cheers

    • Team pride cheers are used before the game, throughout the game and after the game to celebrate a victory. It gives the team a boost of morale and adds energy in the stands. Cheers can be along the subject of praising a team's endurance, strength, power, persistency and any other element that will motivate the team. Use team pride cheers at any sporting event like football, basketball, wrestling, swimming and baseball. Common team pride cheers will spell out a school name, use the team colors, or boost how "We are the best!"

    Standing & Sitting Floor Cheers

    • Cheerleaders perform floor cheers while they are standing in front or sitting in front of the bleachers since they cannot occupy the field or court. While the game is going on, cheerleaders perform a series of claps, stomps and chants to pump up the crowd. They can use the bleachers or the floor to create an echo effect with their hands and feet throughout the facility. Most floor cheers last about 30 seconds and is up to the head cheerleader or instructor to cue the squad with a "Ready, Okay!" command. During sporting events when teams go on offense or play defense, cheerleaders respond by chanting defense or offensive cheers to help their teams score or get the ball back.