Cheerleading/Height

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Expert: - 11/15/2010


Question
I have been a dancer on my high school dance team for years. I
really want to go into cheer leading in college. The only
problem is I am 5'10". Would I be able to cheer or would I
have difficulty keeping up and stick out like a sore thumb on
the team?

Answer
First, this depends on whether or not your college team is all-girl or co-ed. If it's co-ed you'd have a hard time making it in the first place because it's rare that they take anyone over 5'4" since the girls are the fliers. If it's an all-girl team though, you would have  no problem. Being 5'10" isn't a problem at all. The taller girls are backspots, and the best backspot I ever had was 5'9" (she was in 8th grade though so she probably is taller now but she plays field hockey). For some reason a lot of cheerleaders tend to be short. I'm 5'5, my sister who cheers is 5'3.5". Both of us have been looked at to be backspots because we were some of the taller girls on the team. At the same time, other teams have girls like my old backspot who was 5'9". It all just depends on who else is on the team. Even if you are the tallest person it's not a problem. Backspots are really hard to come by because they have to be tall otherwise they can't reach the stunt.

Since you've been dancing and stuff you probably wouldn't have a problem with the dance/cheer aspects. Another issue would be tumbling requirements at the school if there are any. Aside from that, stunting is the only other thing, and it's already been established that you will be a backspot which is great. I wish I was a backspot, but I fly instead. I don't think I'm strong enough to hold anybody up!

I say go for it. What's the worst that could happen?

Cheerleading

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Chris

Expertise

I can answer questions on partner stunts, dismounts, basket tosses, choreography, pyramids, jumps, motions, chants, and formations. I can answer questions on tryouts, coaching, general cheerleading, etc. I cannot answer questions on co-ed stunts/pyramids or tumbling. Aside from these areas I can usually answer, or direct you to an answer, on any other topic.

Experience

I've been cheerleading for 10 years. My teams consistently competed at the national level, placing many times. I've coached for the past 5 years, and the team I coached most recently became National Champions. I've cheered at the Pop Warner, High School, and All-Star levels. I coach alongside my mother and sister who have coached at the all-star level as well. I've been watching cheerleading since I was 4, and I can create routines, give advice, and help teach kids how to deal with competitions. I have a knack for coaching and giving advice. I'm always the coach designated to give the pep talks to the kids before competitions.

Education/Credentials
I have been living with cheerleading coaches for 10+ years which teaches more than anyone can imagine. I was captain of my Varsity High School squad which came with the responsibility of picking music, writing a cheer, creating and teaching the routine, and making the formations. I have also coached nationally ranked teams for 5 years.

Awards and Honors
Two-time All-State Cheerleader nominee All-State Class M Cheerleader Varsity Cheer Captain

Past/Present Clients
The 32 young girls I just helped coach to a national championship! :) It wasn't easy, but they'll all say the work was worth it in the end.

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