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FOR COMPETING SQUADS |
JUDGES
TOP TIPS
THERE
ARE NOW FOUR PAGES POSTED OF HINTS AND TIPS IN THIS SERIES
Scotcheer have asked a few top American Cheerleading Judges, Trainers and Coaches to give us their tips on how you could improve your squads competition routines, performances and also to tell us what they look for in Championship winning teams.
Over the next few months (up until Nationals in May) we will be adding frequently to this page, and as we pass on the information we have gained from them, we hope that it will help coaches get the best from their squad, or you to be the best cheerleader you can be. You may find that many of the judges will have the same ideas on what they lookout for, and this should help you realise just how important these points are. You may already know many of these points but there might be something in there even for the more experienced coaches to learn.
| The first lot of tips come from Ginger Lowery, a judge who needs no introduction as I am sure most of you already know of her. She has been the head judge at the Scottish Nationals and WCA European Classic since it began four years ago, and has seen first hand the steady growth and dramatic improvement in both Scottish and British Cheerleading. She has also judged Regional and National competitions for Americheer, Cheerltd, Cheersport, COA, CTC, USACF, WCA and internationaly at both the Scottish Nationals and BCA. |
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Ginger Lowery's
25 Top Tips for Competition (plus two extras)
1. Review a video from the previous year(s) competition to see the level of
competition.
2. Use video taping of your squad's practices for critiquing the routine.
3. Keep formations tight, don't spread way out, keep best people in the
front, use inside and back for weaker members.
4. Change formations often.
5. Make sure the routine flows smoothly, isn't choppy.
6. Use a variety of squad movements i.e. ripples, level changes,
transitional stunts- make it visually stimulating.
7. Incorporate signs, poms and other props effectively, don't use them to just
to be using them.
8. Walk through the entire routine during warm-ups prior to performance, do a
"visual" walk through as well.
9. Have cleaned, pressed uniforms, matching bows, socks, shoes, etc. -add
sleeves, no bare arms.
10. Have NATURAL smiles and expressions- look like you are having fun and
enjoying the routine--no winks, kisses, mouths hanging open, tongues out, heads
nodding, etc.
11. Avoid high-pitched screechy voices- don't sing words.
12. Only do material that is perfected and can be done with confidence.
13. Prepare your team for losing, as well as, for winning. Remember there will
only be one winner, but many runner-ups.
14. Practice the way you will perform.
15. Have a very strong opening and solid ending.
16. Use a variety of music-use sound affects appropriately.
17. Have well-planned practices not longer than two hours each time.
18. Use a high quality tape or a professionally mixed CD-"burned" CD
will not work on all machines.
19. Work on synchronization-everyone should be doing the same thing at the same
time.
20. Have sharp cheer execution- watch for flying arms and poor levels.
21. Choreograph the dance to fit the music or vice versa- make sure moves go
with the music.
22. Perfection is more important than difficulty- you can't get points for
something that doesn't hit.
23. Have an experienced, calm person to run the music--have extras in the event
one tape/CD doesn't work, have tapes "cued" at each music
start.
24. Gear the routine to get the maximum points out of each category on the score
sheet.
25. Know the
competition rules thoroughly and follow them- don't risk a
penalty!
EXTRA: Plan ahead, get all registration forms and fees in on time, have all
required forms ready for on- site registration, make sure parents and
friends are aware of any necessary information (admission, seating, rules, etc.)
EXTRA EXTRA: BE AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUR TEAM AND FANS- GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP BEGINS
WITH YOU!!
