I am a great cheerleader and an awesome team member!  I make friends easily and can learn things fast.  I am trying out for my 7th grade cheerleading squad.  But I'm worried my weight though.  Im big but im not very much over weight, only about a pound or two.  Should I lose weight for tryouts?
123204
if you're good at cheering, you should make the squad.  the only girls that need to be little are the flyers.  learn to be a base and you're in.
346006
I know a lot about cheerleading, because i am a cheerleader and i was on an all-star team.\n\n You should ask the girls a grade ahead of you what are the requirements to be a cheerleader at your school, because that is very important.\n\n Every school is different some schools may let you in without a simple back handspring others might not.\n\n Some may let you in without your splits all the way to the ground, others might not.\n\n I think every school wants you to have at least one tumbling skill.\n\n You should look in your phone book and ask your parents to call a gymnastics gym or cheerleading number in your town, OR GO TO www.whitepages.com type in your town and what your looking for a (gymnastics or type in cheerleading.)\n\n If you have a friend that is flexible or is in gymnastics or cheerleading ask them for tips.\n\n I know that im trying out at the end of this year, and i almost have my back handspring on the ground and i have one of my splits like an inch above the ground, and the jumps i know are a toe-touch,side hurdler,front hurdler,double 9,pike,double p,hurkey,spread eagle.\n You also need to know your wieght limits try to lay off the junk food and eat healthy but dont stop eating!!!\n\n Do or try to do 10 push ups a day and 30 sit ups once you've mastered that pretty well you can move on to more. You need this so you can be energetic and strong, because if your a little bigger than the other girls your going to be a base, a base is a person that lifts other up into cradles and extensions etc.\n\n If your a little lighter than the others your going to be a flyer, that a person that gets lifted up in the hair into cradles and extensions etc. At cheerleading practice and the tryouts wear shorts and a t-shirt and your hair always in a pony tail.\n\n No dangaly jewelry or earrings only studs as earrings. Always be peppy with a great attitude or most likely you'll be kickedoff the squad cause hello it's CHEER leading not goth or emo leading. Dont wear too much make-up keep it simple as mascara clean face with moisturizer and lip gloss only light colored. \n\nStretch every day, every stretch hold for 30 seconds and practice your splits with your right and left leg both way splits middle and side ways.\n Once you get used to that, and you get it well you'll be a natural cheerleader.
345655
I coach a midget league cheer squad and applaud you for taking on this task.  \n\nFirst of all, you must get these little girls respect.  I do this by calling 3 to 4 practices per week with a 2-1/2 hour practice time frame.  With drink and restroom breaks, and the occassional talking etc, 2 -1/2 hours is not a very long time. Since we were cheering for the football team, our practices began August 1 and continued throughout the football season.  We practiced from 6:00pm-8:30pm until it began to get dark (then we moved it up one hour).  Another coach in our area does 5 days a week with 2 hours per practice.  Either way, the girls get about 10 hours of practice.\n\nRemember that respect is earned.  Don't expect these youngsters to do something that you aren't willing to do.  My girls and I begin our practice by running a complete lap of the football field and stopping to stretch.  Be sure to stretch the major muscle groups (like you did as a cheerleader).  After the stretch is complete, another lap....and that means everyone including the coach.\n\nAfter a quick drink, it will be time to learn and perfect the cheers and chants.  You didn't say whether these little ones had had any prior experience, and some may not have....so everyone should be patient while all of the girls catch on.\n\nBe sure that all of the girls know the basic cheer motions:  Hi-v, lo-v, T, half T, hi-touchdown, lo-touchdown, diagnals, candlesticks, buckets, etc.  I usually do these to Simon Says.  The girls love the game and it makes them learn to shap the movements sharply.\n\nthere are several sites that give cheers/chants etc.   But, we find it best to make them up on our own....or at least tailor the canned cheers to fit our team.\n\nAs for stunts, be sure that you are qualified to teach these little ones the proper methods for bases, flyers and spotters.  There are videos that you can buy that will teach you how to teach them how to do stunts correctly.\n\nJumps....this is an intrigal part of the cheer squad.  Work on Starting position and lift....we use a trampolline once a week to give the girls a little extra confidence.  Don't forget that most jumps rely on dexterity and muscle tone.  \n\nYou are the coach....you are not there to be miss goody two shoes.  If you see something that is not right, stop everyone and call attention to it.   Demand perfection....demand the best!  Let them know that you are being hard on them for their sake, and remember to praise them when they do well! You will not only get their best effort but their respect.\n\nWe end every practice with gymnastics.  We focus on cartwheels, roundoffs, back handsprings, and back- walkovers.  Again, be sure that you have the support you need to track these girls...and don't let them attempt something that they have not done.\n\nMost of all, have a good time....and good luck!
336127
If you really want to play and you're willing to dedicate yourself to it, then yes you should try out. Don't worry about your size (at least not at this point). Get yourself into shape before tryouts/summer practice. Obviously strength training is important, but you need to work on your stamina and agility. Work on both distance running (a mile or two a day, work your way up to it if you need to) and short and mid-length sprints. For sprints, you want to run about 100 yards with about 30 seconds in between sprints, and a total of about 8 - 10. Running up and down bleachers is also a great way to get your legs into shape. As far as agility, work on running backwards while making sure to keep your balance and not shifting your weight back. Other than that, the best thing I can suggest is to talk to one of the coaches. The vast majority of teams have a "voluntary" off-season training program. If you can get into the program, the coaches will be able to help show you what you need to work on. It's also good to get involved so your face gets seen and the coaches start to know you. Of course, that can work against you if you slack off and don't work hard while you're there. Good luck, work hard, and have fun.
449925
If you eat healthy and stay active that is great!  I am about 5'8 and I look pretty good at that weight!  Don't compare your weight to your shorter friends bc us tall girls weight more anyway.  Remember to feel good about yourself and be healthy and you will be beautiful.
466405
I will give you some personal experience. When I was in 10th grade, I used to weigh around 140 lbs and my height was 4' 11 (yes im short lol).  anyways, i was a bit chubby for my age and height so I entered the tennis team in my school.  Although it was difficult for me since I am not used to play sports, i was able to come through.  at the end of the school year, i weighed about 110 lbs.  dont go into crash diets cause that wont work.  what really works are active sports that keeps your heart running.  try something fun maybe football or something similar.  believe me, it was fun to play tennis and i didnt even have to go into a diet.\n\ngood luck with that.
496488
Go for it!!!  That would be pretty cool!  You may be small, but that does not mean that you are weak!
189088
I have answered 1 of your questions b 4 n once again I can completely relate. The thing is that no matter how much I eat it just seems to be that I don't gain weight, so I don't know much about gettin fat, but people always say if I keep eatin the way I do I will be. When it gets to that point, or even close try to eat a little healthier and better. Also like you I eat comfort food whenever I'm feeling a little down. The thing is not to overdo it. Fat, skinny, big or little, that is not healthy. But once again just feel good and confident about how you look. In your eyes you should be the best looking thing on this Earth. Overall I jus hope that you don't feel to bad about your appearance. Plus get your prom dress altered a little if you do put on a pound or 2. But once again don't overdo it. Hope this helps, and good luck at the prom :)
480019
I have been a cheerleader for 8 years and plan to be for 3 more.\nFor me, Cheerleading is not hard just challenging...\nIf you have a good team it is really easy to do hard stunts\nBut if your team doesnt get along it is hard to do hard things that require teamwork.\nI am a flyer usually but i am working to become a base because I want to be able to be useful in stunts as I get older and younger girls come on the teams.
192913
I have answered 1 of your questions b 4 n once again I can completely relate. The thing is that no matter how much I eat it just seems to be that I don't gain weight, so I don't know much about gettin fat. Also like you I eat comfort food whenever I'm feeling a little down. The thing is not to overdo it. Fat, skinny, big or little, that is not healthy. But once again just feel good and confident about how you look. In your eyes you should be the best looking thing on this Earth. Overall I jus hope that you don't feel to bad about your appearance. Plus get your prom dress altered a little if you do put on a pound or 2. But once again don't overdo it. Big is beautiful, but not when it is just all out there and nasty lookin. Hope this helps, and good luck at the prom :)
424772
Depends on what aspect of cheerleading.  As for sideline cheerleading, I would say no.  Yes, you practice, but there is no competition.  As a sideline cheerleader, I can tell you that even doing the occassional stunt, it isn't THAT exhausting.  If anything, you are exhausted from yelling.  Now, if it is competitive cheerleading where you are competing against other squads (like stunting), then I would say yes.  You aren't really doing the 'cheer' aspect, but stunting over and over again is exhausting.  It is a fine line because I think cheerleading kind of falls in between of being a sport/not being a sport.\n\nAnd if cheerleading is a sport, then dancing is a sport.  And if dancing is a sport, than Colorguard (tossing flags and rifles) is a sport because like dance, Colorguard involved practice, competition, dancing, and physical stamina.  Many schools still do not recognize cheerleading, dance, and Colorguard as 'sports,' even though technically, I think they all should be.
361832
people who are overweight can have major differences in body composition (the amounts of muscle, fat, and bone they have). An athlete might be considered overweight because of extra muscle, while a less fit person of the same height and weight might have less muscle but be overweight because of too much body fat....so i guess what im saying is that you need more than a scale. people these days believe that 50 pounds is the way to go..seriously..i know this may sound cliche but seriously don't just follow the crowd! if you think you're about right weight, then thats good. i think you're pretty good if you stay at where you're at but if you really think you've gained too much weight, let your doctor help you decide whether you have a weight problem. Your doctor has measured your height and weight over time and knows whether or not you're growing normally.  i personally don't think you weight too much but if you're really concered...try watching what you eat...you know, writing it down and really making sure what you eat is appropriate. and also get more exercise. don't go on an all out crazy exercise thing...just try to increase your physical activity a bit more each day...well we all should be doing that but still...you'll see major results..i promise!! \n:)
416582
our cheerleading tryouts are in 4 days! I am trying out for the first time!. Usually tryouts are in the summer for the first quarter (for football).  There are also tryouts in the fall too for basketball.  Thats how it is here. It may vary depending on your school and where you live.  Hope i helped!
195374
I'm a cheerleader too, I know how you feel..I live in a small southern town where football is life and all the girls love to be cheerleaders. We have over 200 girls tryout every year and we also only take 12-15. But the best thing I can tell you to do is smile non-stop, show tons of spirit, practice what they teach you, and most importantly be a confident in yourself and you should do great!! good luck
270584
no you shouldnt your only 14 wait until your 16-18 and you know your overweight 5'4" and 118 is not overweight and if your going off of a Body Mass Index chart then that is BS also because according to a BMI my ideal weight is 200 lbs at 6'2" but I am 260 lbs I work out 4 days a week and run 6 days a week so im not overweight. What you could do now though is start running nothing wrong with that but dont worry about losing weight it will just happen naturally while running.
470391
you could run like a mile a day, do palaties, situps, push-ups, and just practice softball and it will help you get you better and lose weigh. Remember, even if you don't lose alot of weight before softball, who cares, just try your best and have fun with it lol.\n\nP.S. ill be rooting for you!!!
494274
well first of all i dont think that 130 for 13 is over weight. Alot of my friends are 12 and they weigh about 120+. But then again what do i know. i weigh 100. well im sure that alot of your weight must be muscle, but if you honestly want to lose weight then i suggest joining a school sport with your friends. That way you will be playing a sport (which is super fun) and you will be with ur friends. If that doesnt work then how about layin off all fattening foods for about a week. If you could get into the habit that would be best. If you can, try out for the swim team...if you have it, and that way you will be gaining muscle. right now my goal is to get flat abs. If you really put your mind to it then you can REALLY do it!! OK this sounds rreeeaaallllyyyy dorky, BUT IT WORKS....On a saturday or sunday when you have absoulutly NOTHING to do, put on some sweats and turn on the tv and go to the fitness channel or a channel that has one of those workout videos, and just follow those leaders. well i hope my advise helps you. Good Luck!!!!!