FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hi Jean,
My name is Sarah. I live in Tennessee. I want to start a Cheerleading School here. I was wondering if you could give me any advice. Will your cheer syllabus be acceptable here in the states? Any info would be appreciated.
Thank You
Sarah

Hi Sarah,

The Cheer Technique syllabus has 8 Sections of definitions and techniques that you need to be familiar with for cheerleading. They include general cheerleading terms, musical terms, a brief section on choreography, a decent coverage of anatomy, physiology and nutrition, and exercises for strength and flexibility. Then there's jumps, very basic dance steps, turns, leaps and kicks; cheer hand positions, arm motions, and body isolations; basic stunt terminology and then team formation terms. The book was written in the UK for people who have absolutely no concept of what cheerleading is, other than silly blondes on TV sitcoms!

We have had good responses from Americans (judges, and travelling coaches) as to the correctness of the technique and definitions. Many Americans involved in cheerleading never look at the very beginning basics. Most of them assume that everyone knows them.

The second half of the book is all sample dances, cheers, and chants. There are 'Rosettes' for ages 3 - 8 and then dances of increasing difficulty called Bronze, Silver and Gold. There are cheers, chants and even a list of terms to start writing your own. There is a brief section of stunting which is a starting point and safe for all ages.

In the UK, all walks of life are expected to have taken a Qualification Exam in their chosen field. Insurance companies require you to hold that piece of paper, no matter how long a list of experience you have. So in countries where we have CT trained examiners, you can apply for an examiner to come to you for the 1 hour 15 minute examination. It is one-to-one, and you will be expected to show some work and explain some training methods you use to coach your cheerleaders.

The cheerleading medals are given to cheerleaders for showing a short display of cheers, chants and dances. I have found that the parents are very impressed with the system of medal tests, working towards goals and getting personal assessments. The medals are quite nice, too.

There are a few Cheer Technique examiners in the US. Cheer Technique examiners travel regularly to Europe, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

I'd love to hear from you and see if you would like to start using the syllabus!

Jean Eve
Cheer Technique

Dear Jean,
I have just been elected as the new captain for my university cheerleading squad. The previous captain had only a little cheerleading knowledge, so to benefit the squad I would like to take a course to become appropriately trained to coach cheerleading. I have had previous experience as I was on a squad before.

What do you recommend, and when are the courses?

Thank you for your help,

Hannah

Hi Hannah,

Cheer Technique is a syllabus to follow while you become familiar with cheerleading. There is a book and a video to study. The book has sample cheers, chants and dances; and all the cheer motions and basic dance steps. There are also strength and flexibility exercises and definitions of all the jumps.

In order to become qualified, you need to put your ideas to practice, start using the exercises and the cheer terminology. The best way to get in some coaches coaching is to call IDTA (01273 685652) for your nearest examiner / cheer coach and plan a time when he / she can work through the book with you.

The exam is one-to-one at a venue of your choice, for 75 minutes. You will need to show some of your work and to explain how you coach. You will be asked about various aspects covered in the syllabus.

Cheer Technique are currently running courses through leisure centres and I will keep you posted when the next one is planned.

Jean Eve
Cheer Technique

Hi Jean

I am a youth worker and I have a group of 15 girls aged between 11 and 15 wanting to form a cheerleading group. I have been unable to find a trainer in our area so I am now looking at training. Could you please give me some idea about how to go about this? Any help would be wonderful, thank you.

Yours Sincerely

Susan
Youth Worker

Hi Susan,

Cheer Technique should give you plenty of samples and lots of ideas to get your cheerleaders off to a good start. Then you will want to think about getting qualified.

After you have spent some time coaching, practicing the technique and working with your cheerleaders you may wish to contact an IDTA cheer examiner to chat with, perhaps work together for a few hours. The best way to get in some coaches coaching is to call IDTA (01273 685652) for your nearest examiner / cheer coach and plan a time when he / she can work through the book with you.

When you are confident that you understand the technique it is time to send for an examiner. The exam is one-to-one at a venue of your choice, for 75 minutes. You will need to show some of your work and to explain how you coach. You will be asked about various aspects covered in the syllabus.

Cheer Technique are currently running courses through leisure centres and I will keep you posted when the next one is planned.

Jean Eve
Cheer Technique

Hello from Finland!

I am asking about those cheermix cd`s: Is it to possible for us to order those?

I am also asking about uniforms? We have to order new ones for our senior squad. Do you have a catalog?

PS. I am sorry my bad English.

Hi Evie,

We would be happy to supply you with cheer music. Please go to
Cheerleading Music.

We recommend First Cheer for uniforms. I have forwarded your email to them. Go to www.firstcheer.com.

Jean Eve
Cheer Technique

Hi. My name is Millie, 17 years old, and I have just recently taken over the local cheer team. I have been cheerleading for about 6 years and I have coached previously for about a year. I realised that I required qualifications so I bought the cheer technique syllabus. I have read through it but find it difficult to fully understand.
Could you recommend how to start using the syllabus??
Could you also tell me how the exams are arranged and what happens in them?? Thank you

Hi Millie,

The Cheer Technique syllabus was written as an organised reference of all the technical aspects of cheer and cheer dance. To make it easier to follow, we have now added a section titled 'How to use Cheer Technique to start your squad' in the second edition.

Briefly, the information in that section advises you to read through the 'TEACHING POINTS' to familiarize yourself with all the aspects involved in coaching and running your squad. Then, go to 'SECTION ONE - SESSION PLAN' to plan your training sessions and your goals.

If you wish to move into the progress awards / medal tests for cheerleaders, then call the IDTA (01273 685652) for an exam Request Form. I recommend you plan to enter younger cheerleaders in one or two Rosettes, and older cheerleaders should start with the Bronze exam. See the Medal Test progression and the content you must put into each level.

All exams, whether it is for cheerleader medals or for coaches qualifications are in your hall at your convenience. You book the venue and an examiner is found who can come to you at that time.

In order to become qualified, you need to ensure that you are familiar with all the terms for your level of exam. Seventeen year olds with sufficient coaching experience can go in at Associate / Full Coach level. Check through it and decide whether you fully understand the terms and how to use them in your coaching. If you would like some help, go to Coaching for Coaches.

Then call the IDTA to schedule an examiner. If you are a BCA member, you can request a BCA examiner.

I hope this helps. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Jean Eve
Cheer Technique