How to Cheer

You don't have to be built like an Olympic-level gymnast to cheer your home sports team in front of the television or raise a ruckus at the stadium. Some team spirit and some friends are all you need to cheer loud and proud. Getting into the game and shouting for your favorite players is part of what makes spectator sports entertaining. If you want to take a leadership role and lead the cheering charge at your high school or college, signing up for dance and getting in shape can take your chanting efforts to competitive levels.

Instructions

  1. Basic Cheering

    • 1

      Keep up with the sports team you want to cheer on. This advice from "Seventeen" magazine applies whether you want to shoot for professional-level cheering or sit in the stands as a novice. Your shouts will sound more authentic when you track your team's progress and care whether they make it to the season finals or playoffs.

    • 2

      Gather a group of enthusiastic friends to cheer with you. It's easier to shout loud and proud when everyone around you is doing it, too. If you can't make it to the stadium to soak up the game day spirit, have friends over to your house for a food-fueled cheer fest.

    • 3

      Dress the part of a super fan. Wear your favorite player's jersey and paint your face with team colors on game day, even if you're just watching from home. Put your team's logo on your car or decorate your workplace cubicle with team memorabilia so everyone knows where your allegiance lies.

    • 4

      Learn historic cheers for your team, if applicable. For example, the University of Notre Dame has a traditional victory march that was penned in the early 1900s. Memorize these traditional chants and you'll be better equipped to join in the raucousness of pep rally and game day festivities.

    Taking It to the Next Level

    • 5

      Work on your cheer voice, which needs to be loud and crystal clear for you to make the squad. According to the website KidzWorld, lying on your stomach and belting out your cheers can help you learn to take deep breaths when shouting. Practice your cheers while dancing to make sure that you don't miss a beat when it comes to both your words and your moves.

    • 6

      Develop your stamina -- your ability to withstand demanding cardiovascular exercise. Jogging, swimming and dancing are all activities that can help you get your heart and lungs in tip-top shape.

    • 7

      Do weight training to improve your strength. You need to focus on both your arms and your legs, since both are important for tumbling exercises and lifts. Squats and lunges can help you develop the powerful leg muscles you need, while push-ups, free weights and weight machine work tone and strengthen your back, shoulders and biceps.

    • 8

      Practice tight clapping. According to KidzWorld, your hands should not extend beyond your shoulders when you pull them apart after clapping. Position your hands in front of your face, about nose height.

    • 9

      Put a smile on your face. Focus on maintaining that happy expression, even when your legs hurt from dancing or you're getting tossed in the air.

    • 10

      Take hip-hop or cheer-focused dance lessons so you learn the moves you need to ace your audition.