Courtside Close Up

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If you’ve cheered for both basketball and football, then you know how different they are. One of the best things about basketball cheerleading is that you get to be so close to the crowd. During football season, you are several feet away from even the first row of fans and are usually separated by a fence or some sort of barrier. But during basketball games, you get to be up close and personal!

Being so close to the action on the court as well as the fans in the bleachers makes for an exciting game day atmosphere. Here are some things to remember when performing in this kind of intimate environment:

Pay Attention to the Game
Keep your eye on the ball – literally! It is important to watch the game and know who has the ball, so you can call the correct sidelines. Possession changes quickly, so be prepared to change from offense to defense in the middle of a chant. Also, you don’t want to start a sideline as a team is heading to shoot a free throw, so be mindful of timing.

During a basketball game, it’s not uncommon for the ball to go flying out of bounds, so focus on the game and save your conversations with teammates for later.

Keep Your Motions Tight
The fans at a basketball game are just steps away from the cheerleaders, so they get to see your every move up close. That means if you have sloppy motions or your timing is off, the crowd will notice. Make sure that every motion is executed sharply at the correct time, and work on your squad’s synchronization at practice. You can also practice in front of a mirror to check for broken wrists and motion placement.

Show off That Smile
It goes without saying that when you’re cheering you should always be smiling. It’s even more important during a basketball game because the crowd is so close. Even if you think that no one is looking, chances are that someone in the stands is watching (and don’t forget about your coach!). So keep up the enthusiasm and show them that you’re excited to be cheering on your team from the sideline!

Articulate Your Words
A lot of gymnasiums echo, so when your team is cheering your words might not always sound clear. Speak loudly and clearly with your head up, and don’t mumble your cheers or sidelines. Enunciate each syllable so that the crowd can follow along and cheer with you!

Use Props
Another way to get the fans to cheer with you is by using props. And because you’re so close, they can be more effective in leading the crowd. Use poms, flags, megaphones and, of course, signs to draw attention and get everyone involved. Be sure that your signs are easy to read and that they are held up sharply on the correct word. You can also toss out candy or t-shirts during timeouts to get fans on their feet!

Interact with the Crowd
Take advantage of the close proximity and interact with the crowd. Fans love it when the band plays and the cheerleaders go into the stands to dance with them. Hand your poms to a little kid to cheer with at a timeout or give your student section signs to hold up during the game. High five the fans as you walk on and off the court. Engaging your crowd will keep the energy up and the gymnasium loud, and your basketball team will love the support.

Show Them Your Skills
Now that you’re right in the middle of the action, it’s the perfect time to show off the skills you’ve been working so hard on all year. Use halftime and timeouts as an opportunity to perform your skills in front of an audience.

If basketball season overlaps with your competition season, use basketball games as an opportunity to practice your competition stunts and tumbling for others to see. Find out if you can roll out mats and perform your entire routine during halftime. It’s a fun way to get in some valuable extra practice and get the crowd excited at the same time!

Follow these tips and you’ll be ready for your close up on the basketball court. Plus, you will be sure to impress the crowd and get them cheering with you during games. Good luck to your and your squad this basketball season!

* As seen in American Cheerleader Magazine. 

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