Keeping Competitions Cool

cheer competition nervesCheerleading competitions are an exciting event for cheerleaders. They put in a lot of effort to get to the top of their game. They spend endless hours practicing in the heat and in the cold. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that when they go into a competition, they be able to perform to the best of their ability. For many cheerleaders, this means that they need to be cool. It is up to the people hosting the competition to make this happen. Keeping competitions cool is a priority for everyone there, especially because the seating arrangements are kind of tight for spectators as well.

Before the Competition

excited cheerleadersPlanning a competition takes a lot of effort on behalf of the school or other venue that is hosting it. Most cheerleaders want to bring their families along and when you have a couple family members for each cheerleader on each team with sometimes 20+ teams competing at once, things get crowded quickly. Therefore, seating is a priority because no one will want to watch the entire competition while standing up. You also have to think about the temperature ahead of time since people in the stands will not want to be hot or cold. The people on the field will not enjoy it either if it is too hot. Bottles of water can help if you make them easily available to everyone, but one thing that many cheerleading competitions have are portable air conditioners like the Luma Comfort Evaporative Cooler, since these units can be put where they are needed the most.

A Successful Competition

cheer competition celebrationA successful competition can get exciting for everyone both in the stands and on the field. Most people want to have a great time while there. They want to know that the sound system is going to sound clear to the people who are there. They want to know that their music will be played when they step up to the judges and start to perform. Most are nervous about being judged, but all of them are determined to put their best effort forth. They also share a common goal of taking home the win for their teammates. They will all want to earn a trophy for their school and for their teammates and everyone in the stands can be certain that they will see the cheerleaders performing at their best.

Cleaning Up the Celebration

Although the stage is kept free of debris when the cheerleaders take to the field, there will still be a lot of mess to clean up at the competition end. Not everyone in the stands will throw away their trash and some schools drop confetti or balloons when the winner is announced and handed their trophy. This is also a great time for you to have access to a cooler air, even in an enclosed arena. Some of the cheerleaders may help you clean up and some parents may as well. It depends on how large the event is and how far the teams have to travel to get back to their home.

Bringing the Baby to Competitions

cheerleading competitionsFamilies are changing. Parents no longer have children close together and call it done. Often, parents will have a child or two when they are young and then later on, choose to have another one. Sometimes it is because of a separation from the older children’s parent, but it could be for numerous other reasons as well. It is a great thing, no matter what makes you choose to have a baby later in life, but at the same time, it can complicate an already busy life. For instance, bringing the baby to competitions where seating is often limited, can become quite interesting and frustrating.

Competition Complications

young cheerleadersWith most families having older children and younger ones, it does not come as a surprise that there are complications with all of the events that the older children may be a part of. There are soccer moms with a child on the field and one on their hip. There are cheerleader moms who have one cheerleader that they are proud of performing and one who not only requires their attention in the stands, but also requires nap times. Babies and toddlers are cumbersome. They require diaper bags and a place to lay their heads when the time comes. At these events, parents often discover that there is no room for their littlest family members and all that they are required to bring along for their comfort. It is made even worse when mommy and daddy have to hold a squirming toddler who is cranky and ready for a nap on their lap because of the limited seating options. Luckily, there are a few possible solutions to this problem.

Easy Options for Wiggly Toddlers

parents cheering for cheerleadersAt most cheer competitions and other events, you have the ability to get up and move around some. Toddlers though, may take it to the extreme and want to step on the toes of everyone nearby. For that reason, you should consider bringing a small toy for them to play with, but then you have to worry that it will make the diaper bag that much fuller. Instead, consider putting a few diapers in your purse along with a few baby wipes that are in a Ziploc. This will lessen the bulk of your diaper bag and make it possible for you to also take along a snack bag and a small toy. You may also want to consider checking out the hipseat baby carrier here since you can use it to hold your little wiggler while you keep up with the toys and have free hands to clap for your favorite athlete on the field. If you have a smaller baby, you can worry less about the snacks and toys, but an infant carrier will still give you free hands to do other things, and it will keep the pressure off your back.

Continue to Be Supportive

The days of moms and dads staying home with a new baby are over. Parents who have older children cannot have the luxury of staying home. To attempt to avoid competitions and stuff, your older child may think that you are no longer happy about their achievements. This is very bad. They need your attention from the stands as much as the new baby needs your attention in the stands. Do what you have to do to be there for them, even if it doesn’t mean you are comfortable at all times. They will love you for it.

Cheer Competition Pool Party Celebration

pool party balloonsCheer season can seem like a very long, tiresome time for many cheerleaders; even those that love it. It means that there are endless hours spent practicing, working out, and performing. It is tough for them and also tough for their parents since they are the ones who have to provide transportation and encouragement. This is why many cheerleading coaches try to give the group, as a whole, a way to relax at the end of a big event. One idea that is very popular is a cheer competition pool party celebration.

Pool Party Fun

cheerleaders pool partyPool parties are a great way to celebrate the end of a season or winning a big competition. They give everyone a chance to hang out with their friends and meet new people. Pools are a great way to cool off on hot summer days and feel wonderful after being on a bus with a group of people going and returning from a competition. They allow the group, and their parents, to kick back and relax, laugh, dance, and simply enjoy the fact that they succeeded. It is also something that every person seems to love doing as a group and even the parts of the group that do not get along, still enjoy the time together.

Pool Party Must Haves

cheer pool partyOne of the most obvious things you need at a pool party is the pool. For that reason, we suggest that you check out the Intex pool reviews here if you do not already have a pool set up. Beyond that, you will need tables for snacks, chairs for relaxing, pool floats for lounging, a music player and some outdoor speakers, and perhaps even a few games that everyone can play. One idea is a volleyball net and ball or a basketball hoop. In some cases, you may even choose to get nets that attach to the pool or can be set up over the pool if you have an above ground pool. You will also want to make sure that there are snacks and drinks available for everyone to enjoy. If this is not something you can do on your own, most cheerleaders and their parents are willing to bring something for the party.

Plan the Party Now

If you have a competition coming up in the future for your group of cheerleaders, you should start planning your pool party celebration now. If you do not have a competition, you may want to plan for a time that you feel your team needs a break from the routines and a good time. Either one will work and no matter what the occasion, your team will be happy that you thought to put together a day of fun by the pool. Just make sure that you give them, and their parents, a little time to plan ahead for the day as well since no one will want to miss out on the fun that they will be able to have together. If the pool is large enough, you may also want to open it up so each person can bring another guest if they want to, one that may not be involved in cheering.

Preparing for Upcoming Travel Tournament

cheerleadersCheerleading is an enjoyable sport for many people. They are there to show their support for their school team and if they are good enough, may even be able to make it to competitions to showcase their abilities. These competitions open a lot of opportunities for cheerleaders, but they will have to put in some effort while preparing for upcoming travel tournament. It will require them to spend time practicing, packing, and more.

Preparing for Travels

cheer competitionCheerleaders spend a lot of time practicing. This does not change just because they are going to travel to a cheer competition. However, they must spend their time practicing and doing everything else that is required before they can travel. This includes making sure permission slips are signed, money is paid, uniforms are ready, and packing it all up before the big day. It is a great time for them that is filled with excitement about not only the competition, but the chance to spread their wings and be away from home with their friends. What many do not realize is that by traveling outside of their home area, these kids get to embark on adventures that they will not soon forget.

Adventure Awaits

cheerleaders on busWhen traveling from one town to the next, cheerleaders may not have many opportunities for exploration. However, competitions are different. In some cases, they may travel from one state to another and have the opportunity to see new things if they will be there a couple days. This provides them with a chance to see new sights and even learn about the places that they will soon be visiting. For instance, before going to the cheer comp. in Tennessee, the group may decide to get together and find some fun facts on Tennessee or the county that they will be in while there. These kids may not even really think about the fact that they are “studying” because they are simply trying to satisfy a curiosity. Perhaps they want to know the facts, or they want to find a place that they can visit while killing time between competitions and sightseeing.

Support Your Local Cheerleaders

Without the support of schools and the community, cheerleaders would not be able to head off on the adventures that are found at competitions. Therefore, if you see a cheerleader ran car wash, food drive, or anything else; you should show your support to them. They may be working to get the money that is required for them to be able to travel to a competition in some faraway place. If there are no donations being asked for; you can simply show up to a game and cheer along with them. This will push them harder to become the best that they can be. If you are a parent of a cheerleader, your support will be even more important. All kids, even the rebellious ones, need to know that their family is happy about the extra-curricular activities and sports that they love. Will you be there when your cheerleader asks about the opportunity to go to an upcoming travel tournament?

Get Loud Tour

cheerleadingCheerleading is a very popular activity for a lot of young men and women. Often cheerleaders begin cheering in elementary or middle school and if they are good enough, they may get into the professional competitions. There is some debate over whether it is a sport or not, but if you ask anyone who is involved with it; their answer will be a unanimous, “YES”. This is because it is a very physical activity that takes skills and endurance. However, most can also tell you that it is more than a sport, it is a way of life and a way to show your support for others.

The Challenge of Cheering

cheer competitionsIt may sound simple enough, but cheering is far from simple. It takes athletic ability, hours of practice, and a desire to constantly become better than you are. It is not something that just anyone is able to do. A lot of people who tryout for it are quick to discover that although they may get the words right or the steps somewhat right, they lack the spirt that is required to get people excited. They may not be able to hold their body firmly in the positions that make a good cheer move great. They may not be able to keep up with the beat or stay in unison with others. It is true that with enough practice, all of these things can be worked out; but not all of them. In general, you either have what it takes, or you are going to be happier cheering in the stands. The best of the best are rewarded with the chance to take part in competitions to prove that they are indeed the best at what they do.

Cheerleading Competitions

cheeringIn a competition, two teams of cheerleaders will go head to head to see who is the best. They are selected by their abilities and then they must put together a two-and-a-half-minute routine which will include music for them to dance to. Their routines must include stunts, tumbles, jumps, and more. They are judged on their abilities and the difficulty of the performance. Everything has to be executed as perfectly as they are able to do it.

Some cheering squads are not active in school or at games. They are built to perform in competitions only. Either way, it is challenging and if you are interested, you are encouraged to get to a gym in your area to see what options you have available.