Varsity Cheer
By the time an athlete reaches the Varsity level, she has most or all of the skills it takes to be an amazing all around cheerleader. Age does not guarantee spot on Varsity, but hard work, a positive attitude, and a relentless drive to improve does.
Every athlete is not perfect, but they are always relentlessly pursuing their goals, and striving to reach the next level. However, by the time they reach the Varsity level they have the confidence, maturity, and physical skill to make cheerleading-whether on the sidelines or on the competitive mat-look effortless.
Varsity cheerleading at Howell High School is not for the faint of heart; but if you have the desire, the relentless work ethic, the patience, and the persistent positive attitude it takes to be a successful cheerleader, you too can experience the amazing feeling of performing in front of supportive crowd.
Once on Varsity, an athlete’s spot is not guaranteed, so one must continue to push themselves if they want to come back season after season.
Varsity Requirements:
Positive Attitude
About the Team, Not the Individual
No “I can’t”s; no negative talk of any kind
Must be able to believe in yourself and your abilities
Exceptional Work Ethic
An unending desire to improve in every aspect of sideline and competitive cheer
Actively seek learn new skills (including tumbling) as well as perfect those you already have.
The ability to self-correct, and continually work on trouble areas without being told to do so.
Dedication & Maturity
The ability and willingness to give Cheer the time it demands.
The ability to accept constructive criticism from every member of the team and the coach, and give
constructive criticism to teammates.
Exceptional Motions, Voices, & Facial Expressions
Clean, Tight, Well-placed Motions
Correctly placed, hard claps
The willingness to learn and perfect material on their own time outside of practice.
A Varsity Cheerleader should possess most if not all of the following skills:
Jumps with exceptional technique and legs parallel to the ground or above (Toe touch, Pike, Rt. Herkie, Rt. Hurdler).
The ability to execute and hold a right heel stretch. The flexibility to do right and left splits (switch splits).
An unspotted Back walkover and Backhand spring and continual effort to acquire and perfect more advanced Tumbling skills including multiple backhand springs, standing back tucks, round-off-backhand spring-back tucks, aerial cartwheels, etc.
One must appear confident and excited about cheerleading in all performance situations. Varsity cheerleaders will be expected to perform individually in front of the coach and the team from time to time. One must strive to be a positive representative of our school and community.
Advanced Stunting skills including a quick aptitude for learning new stunts. The ability to stunt with the correct form and maintain appropriate stamina while stunting.
HHS Varsity Team Goals
I. Develop leadership skills and positive role model for the school and community.
a. This is accomplished by providing opportunities for cheerleaders to excel individually and as a team.
i. Buddy system
ii. Recognition for outstanding academic performance
iii. Scholarships – MHSAA Scholar Athlete, CCCAM
iv. End of Season team awards – MVP, Most Improved, Highlander Award, Green & Gold
v. Committee – Spirit, Public Relations, Team Unity
vi. Community Events – Parades, Balloon Festival, Melon Festival, HAJFL Cheer Coaching, Pep Assemblies, Elementary & Middle School Events, etc.
vii. Provide support for football teams, basketball teams, competitive cheer teams, JV team, and Freshman Team
II. Athleticism
a. Physical Conditioning
i. Anaerobic exercise – plyometrics, sprints, etc.
ii. Weight training
iii. Stunting
b. Mental Conditioning
i. Visualization
ii. Positive Coaching
iii. Goal setting – Team and individual
c. Tumbling
i. Proper progressions – rolls to advanced tumbling
ii. Emphasis on Round 3 skills – BHSP’s, B Tucks
iii. Tumble Daily
iv. Stress correct spotting techniques
v. Incorporate into crowdlines and competition material
d. Stunting
i. Review basics yearly, document what each stunt group can do and where they are at.
ii. Incorporate stunts into crowdlines
iii. Emphasis on one leg extensions with flairs, transitions, rotating flyers
iv. Dismounts – twist, d. twist, suspended roll, straight arch cradle
v. Basket toss
e. Jumps
i. Toetouch
ii. Pike
iii. Rt. Hurdler
iv. Rt. Herkie
III. Football Cheer
a. It has to be fun!
b. Incorporate stunts and tumbling into fun crowdlines
c. Use signs, props, poms, etc. to increase visibility
d. Weekly team dinners
e. Change material often so the crowd doesn’t get bored and you don’t either
f. Give aways – footballs, towels, megaphones, t-shirts
IV. Competitive Cheer
a. Word toward Conference, District, Regional, State Championships every year regardless
b. Compete 12 times or maximum allowed
c. Team time is important
d. Everyone counts – whether in a round or not!
Our overall goal is to develop friendships, pride in personal accomplishments and improvements and team success. Our team members must strive to be a positive representative of our school and community.
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