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FOR MY FAMILY
MY BIGGEST
CHEERLEADERS!
S.R.H.
A special thank you to Josette Scheer, University of Wisconsin Spirit
Director, for her enthusiasm and willingness to review the book prior to
publication. Special thanks also to kelsey Hunt (my co-captain), Phoebe
Gilbert (cheer bows), and the AHS cheerleaders for their inspiration.
This book provides general information on cheerleading. It is not intended to serve
as a step-by-step guide to specific cheerleading moves or to replace the instruction
provided by a coach. Please use caution and common sense when attempting any
cheerleading moves. Consult with a doctor or other health professional before
beginning any exercise program. See the safety tips on page 14 for more information.
Text copyright 2013 by Sara R. Hunt
Illustrations copyright 2013 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the
prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of
brief quotations in an acknowledged review.
Milbrook Press
A division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
241 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A.
Website address: www.lernerbooks.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hunt, Sara R.
Youve got spirit! : cheers, chants, tips, and tricks every cheerleader needs to
know / by Sara R. Hunt.
p. cm.
ISBN 9780761386346 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper)
ISBN 9781467710626 (pdf ISBN)
ISBN 9781467759915 (Audisee ISBN)
1. CheerleadingJuvenile literature. I. Title.
LB3635.H86 2013
791.64dc23 2012020916
Manufactured in the United States of America
1 DP 12/31/12
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Introduction
The Sport of
C HEERLEADING
TWO, FOUR, SiX, EiGHT,
CHEERLEADiNG iS REALLY GREAT
Cheerleading has come a long way since it first began more than one
hundred years ago. While it started as an activity meant to boost school
spirit, its now a competitive sport popular with girls and boys of all ages.
Cheerleaders need to have strength, athleticism and, of course, lots of
spirit! Today cheerleading is popular in many countries all around the world.
This book will tell you what a cheerleader needs to know about
everything from stunts and jumps to cheers and chants. Whether you love
to cheer or love to watch, youll learn what it takes to be a great cheerleader.
Plus, get tips about tryouts; cheer gear; healthy snacks; and all-star nail,
skin, and hair care.
Lets jump right into the sport of cheerleading!
How It All Began
The first cheerleaders were male pep club
members who organized chants at college football
games in the 1800s. Women did not become
members of college cheerleading squads until the
1920s. High school cheerleading became popular
during the 1950s. Then, during the 1970s,
DID YOU KNOW?
THERE ARE
ABOUT 3 MILLION
CHEERLEADERS IN
THE UNITED STATES!
1958
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more difficult skills such as tumbling
and stunting were included along
with the chants. In the 1980s and
the 1990s, cheerleading expanded to
include a wide range of age and skill
levels. Today cheerleaders are athletes,
just like members of a soccer, track,
tennis, or football team.
Why Cheer?
Cheerleading is a lot of fun, but thats just the
beginning of the benefits! Cheerleaders learn
a lot of important skills that will help them
throughout their lives. They learn to be good
sports and confident role models. They also learn
how to manage their time, cooperate as part of a
team, and work hard for something they believe
in. Building friendships with their teammates is
another bonus!
Some people who dont know
a lot about cheerleading have the
wrong impression of cheerleaders.
They think cheerleadering is not very
hard and that cheerleaders are not
very smart. This is mainly because
of the way cheerleaders have been
shown in the movies and on TV. The
truth is that cheerleaders get good
grades and spend hours every week at
practice. Many of them also participate
in other sports, and a lot of them are
really involved in their schools and
communities.
1924
Today
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Cheerleading is more hard work and dedication than glitter and glamour.
Cheerleading squads put in a lot of time and effort to practice, practice, practice until
their performance shines!
Competition vs. Sideline
There are two main types of cheerleading. When you first think of cheerleading, you
might picture the sideline cheerleaders you see at sporting events.