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Cheerleading/Questions Answered by Expert Chris
| Subject | Date Asked |
| I'm 17. Is it too late to learn flying? | 3/17/2012 |
| Q: I'm 17 and have been cheering for two years. I tried out as a sophomore not knowing anything ... A: Well unfortunately in cheerleading there is always such a time crunch that most coaches do tend to ... | |
| Tryouts | 2/12/2012 |
| Q: I will be trying out for JV but I will still be very happy if I make freshman I'm around five foot ... A: You are pretty small, but a lot of whether or not you will be a flier just depends on the other ... | |
| Dismount twisting | 1/12/2012 |
| Q: My daughter is the flyer in her cheerleading squad and is having trouble doing a full twist when she ... A: First I would like to apologize for how long it took me to answer. I've been fairly sick. Anyways, ... | |
| flying | 11/13/2011 |
| Q: I am 13 years old and need some help on flying. I have never flown before ,but I really want to. I ... A: Well if you already have a double full then you're about 35 million steps ahead of me and I've been ... | |
| can i still learn | 11/12/2011 |
| Q: i dont no my age level but im 17 and i just want to learn how to tumble so i can join cheer if its ... A: If you're planning on learning how to tumble you should go to a gymnastics or all-star gym and get ... | |
| basket toss | 11/6/2011 |
| Q: i really need to get ahead when it comes to my baskets, and i really want to learn how to do a ... A: You need to make sure you hit that straight ride position before doing anything else. Really stand ... | |
| Jumps | 11/6/2011 |
| Q: People tell me all the time to sit in jumps and I know what it looks like I just don't know how to ... A: You need to roll your hips. In order to do this you need to work on spreading your legs farther ... | |
| starting a cheer team | 10/30/2011 |
| Q: i was wanting to know how i can start a cheer team for the youth here in coolidge? i have 3 ... A: The easiest thing to do would be to find a nearby all-star gym. They almost always have teams that ... | |
| flying | 10/23/2011 |
| Q: I am a flyer and am 13 years old and cheer for a school squad. I need to practice my stunts ,but I ... A: First off, if you have them TOTALLY steady on the ground you shouldn't have a problem. For example, ... | |
| flying | 10/8/2011 |
| Q: What is a good weight for flying for 7th and 8th grade cheerleading? I will be an 8th grader trying ... A: You will most likely be a flier. There isn't a weight or height that is regularly a flier ... | |
| Training to Fly | 9/13/2011 |
| Q: My daughter is 14 1/2 and has just switched from gymnastics to cheering. She has strong tumbling ... A: There isn't really a cut off of "too heavy" because every base is different and has different ... | |
| Flyer Guilt? | 9/10/2011 |
| Q: I'm in high school and I'm a JV flyer. My group and I are really struggling with full downs, libs, ... A: First off, people watching a stunt almost always blame the flier because it's easier than trying to ... | |
| dismount | 9/4/2011 |
| Q: thanks A: In order to do a double in a stunt, you have to be very tight. If not you will not get all the way ... | |
| Stunting Safety | 8/20/2011 |
| Q: Should I wear a mouth guard when practicing stunts? Are cheerleading-related injuries common? I'm ... A: Cheerleading related injuries are no more common than injuries in any other sport. There is no need ... | |
| Please help! | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: Ok so we have a performance next week and one of my bases moved away last week. So I was given a new ... A: If you've hit the stunts individually it means you all have the physical ability to do them. Make ... | |
| Trying out College | 8/10/2011 |
| Q: I'm trying out for college cheer in Texas. I have up to a layout in tumbling and my jumps are great ... A: First off, great work on the scorpion, arabesque, and lib. You should also work on a scale, but if ... | |
| Fear of twist downs. | 8/10/2011 |
| Q: I finally made my high school cheer squad. I am small so I am a flyer. There is just one problem. I ... A: Okay, I BELIEVE I've answered something like this already. I'm heading up to bed right now so check ... | |
| Try-outs and tumbling. | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: Okay so. I am really wanting to try out for my eighth grade cheer squad. My coach has been ... A: Okay so let's tackle one concern at a time. Worrying about messing up is not important. Just ... | |
| Basing | 7/14/2011 |
| Q: The team I am on now, I'm one of the smaller girls. I am now a flier but I do base a little. But, ... A: This is tough. Girls can be mean, but you can't let them get to you. I know it's easier said than ... | |
| Stretches | 7/14/2011 |
| Q: My name is Valen and I'm 12 years old. I have been cheering for 2 years. I used to be able to do a ... A: Sorry for the delay answering. I haven't been feeling too well these past few days. The most ... | |
| twist downs | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: I am a high school cheer coach and would like some tips on how to practice twist downs. My girls ... A: Obviously the bases/backs do the same thing as a regular cradle. Just make sure they're throwing the ... | |
| Workouts for over the Summer? | 6/7/2011 |
| Q: I wanna make my cheerleading team for the winter. The only thing is I'm not in very good shape and ... A: As far as flexibility and stretching go the easiest thing to do is try out a few different stretches ... | |
| too tall/too late?? | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: i was wondering if i was too tall and if it was too late for me to fly?? i am 5'10 and i am going to ... A: Well, it's never too LATE to fly. You are fairly tall, but it's worth a shot. Give yourself a chance ... | |
| Uniform Question: Skirt or Pants? | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I'm an aspiring cheerleader, and since cheerleading is considered a "girl's sport," under Title IX, ... A: Yes, you'll still be taken seriously at competitions. I wouldn't worry about that. And as far as ... | |
| Uniform Question: Skirt or Pants? | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I'm an aspiring cheerleader, and since cheerleading is considered a "girl's sport," under Title IX, ... A: Wear the skirt then! One of the reasons I'm still cheering is because I think the uniform/skirt is ... | |
| Uniform Question: Skirt or Pants? | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I'm an aspiring cheerleader, and since cheerleading is considered a "girl's sport," under Title IX, ... A: If I were you I would wear pants. First of all, in my opinion, the skirts are pretty uncomfortable. ... | |
| mental blocks | 4/28/2011 |
| Q: hey i grew up with gymnastics and cheerleading and about 2 years ago i was throwing my full at a ... A: Right now I'm on vacation, but I've answered a question similar to this before. Subject: ... | |
| Am I going to be a flier?? | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: I'm really nervous and upset that I'm not going to be a flier on my upcoming level 2 team, because ... A: With your past experience and being one of the smaller girls you will probably fly. I haven't seen ... | |
| Base wants to fly | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: My daughter is 10 years old on a youth level 3 team. She has been cheering for 3 years. She is a ... A: First of all, this is one of the most common situations in cheerleading! I've been coaching for 6 ... | |
| Tumbling pass | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: My cheer tryouts are in a month and it is going to be very competitive (or so I've heard). I cheered ... A: First, by double back do you mean double toe touch tuck? I'm just checking because some people have ... | |
| cheer tryouts | 3/31/2011 |
| Q: My name is Jenelle, I've been a varsity cheerleader for two years, and this past year I was the head ... A: Sorry it's taken me so long to answer you. I'm out of town for my own cheerleading competition and I ... | |
| Question | 3/23/2011 |
| Q: I want to do this because there are a lot of girls that doesn't have anything to do after ... A: Well, if you want them to compete it's very difficult if you're not involved with a school, all-star ... | |
| flyers | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: I am a coach of a small high school cheer team. We have 7 girls. Two of them are very good flyers ... A: Well it sounds like you're handling everything very well. It's a tough position to be in. I have one ... | |
| flyers | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: I am a coach of a small high school cheer team. We have 7 girls. Two of them are very good flyers ... A: Honestly, I probably would tell her she won't be a flier. I'm sure you've already done this, but ... | |
| will i be a flyer? | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: ok so i have done 8th grade cheerleading this year and it was way fun and im a flyer.im going to ... A: If I was the coach my decision would be based on a few things. One, it depends on the bases/backs ... | |
| Tumbling...HELP please! :) | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: I have been a cheerleader basically all my life, i absolutely love it! This year I'm a senior and ... A: First of all, someone once told me we're not supposed to call it a "mental block" or call ourselves ... | |
| Backhandspring | 1/24/2011 |
| Q: Hey my name is meredith and im a junior and i cheer for my school and a compatition squad. I have my ... A: First of all, you're not going to fall because your body knows how to do the skill. The worst thing ... | |
| Scorpions | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: I have my scorpion, but I can't get into it very quickly at all. I'm pretty sure I'm not doing it ... A: There's two ways, one of which requires more flexibility but is much quicker. That way is done like ... | |
| Scorpions | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: I have my scorpion but it isn't very high and I can't get into it very fast- it takes me 5 seconds ... A: Awesome question... Start working on your splits. Whatever leg you stand on for your scorpion ... | |
| Height | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: I have been a dancer on my high school dance team for years. I really want to go into cheer leading ... A: First, this depends on whether or not your college team is all-girl or co-ed. If it's co-ed you'd ... | |
| try-outs | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: My best friend really wants to tryout for cheerleading but doesn't think shes good enough. I think ... A: Well as you already know she's the right size and is flexible enough to be a flier. Sometimes new ... | |
| flying | 10/22/2010 |
| Q: My daughter is a flyer for an all star cheer team, level 2. She is a strong tumbler, flexible, and ... A: Whenever she falls in any direction it's best to try and maneuver her body back to the center of her ... | |
| flying | 10/22/2010 |
| Q: My daughter is a flyer for an all star cheer team, level 2. She is a strong tumbler, flexible, and ... A: First of all, if she's only 8 even if we can't fix this for this season, don't be discouraged and ... | |
| flying | 10/22/2010 |
| Q: My daughter is a flyer for an all star cheer team, level 2. She is a strong tumbler, flexible, and ... A: Storm, I hate to prolong you getting the answer to this question, but I think I could help more if ... | |
| Adult flyer! | 10/1/2010 |
| Q: I started cheerleading on a mom and dad squad 2 months ago and have been really motivated ever ... A: First of all, don't feel guilty for injuring a base or someone holding you up. It's part of ... | |
| start a team | 9/30/2010 |
| Q: I would like to start a cheerleading team at my daughters elementary school. I do not have much ... A: I'm not sure how you would go about starting a team as far as the insurance and things like that ... | |
| Flips for cheerleaiding? | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering what type of flips do cheerleaders usually have to know to tryout for a college ... A: This of course depends on how competitive the college's squad is. Nearly all schools require at ... | |
| foldovers | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: we have to have foldovers in our new routine and im not sure what one is? also what shall i do as a ... A: As a back spot foldovers are very simple. The flier is up in an extension/cupie and then folds over ... | |
| new flyer | 7/17/2010 |
| Q: i'm on a jv cheer team. this is my first time cheering ever. i'm 5'3 and 100 lbs. and the lightest ... A: First of all, this is going to sound dumb, but I hate extensions also. A lot of fliers I know ... | |
| flying | 7/6/2010 |
| Q: I'm 13, 4'10ish and weigh 80 lbs. I have been considering joining a cheer squad to try it and ... A: Well, the reason you only have the split on one side is because one side is just naturally more ... | |
| Pulled Hamstring | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: I pulled my hamstring in March or April while doing a toe touch at cheer practice. I stretched as ... A: Well, for a pulled muscle 3 or so months isn't enough time for it to completely heel. You should go ... | |
| flying | 6/25/2010 |
| Q: I'm 13, 4'10ish and weigh 80 lbs. I have been considering joining a cheer squad to try it and ... A: Hannah, Just because there's girl younger than you on your squad doesn't mean you can't fly. You're ... | |
| flyer | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: i weigh 89 lbs. and im on the cheer team at my school. Im 5'1 and we have cheer camp in two days ... A: Raven, I was about your size when I was your age, and I was a flier. I'd been flying since I was 8 ... | |
| jumps | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I'm a cheerleader for my middle school and i have very low jumps how can i get my jumps higher ... A: The best advice I can give is to do hip flexers and work on your ab muscles. One quick and easy ... | |
| Tumbling is not my strong point.. | 6/10/2010 |
| Q: Hey, I have this TERRIBLE mental block. I never have been a strong tumbler, and the best I could do ... A: First of all, are you living my life? That's exactly what happened to me! I used to have a round-off ... | |
| Cheering in College | 6/1/2010 |
| Q: I am just completing my junior year in high school and I am starting to look for colleges to attend. ... A: I don't know much about college cheerleading, but since nobody has answered this yet I'll give it a ... | |
| Mental Block | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a serious mental block and i don't know how to get over it. I'm trying really hard to keep ... A: I'm going to start by saying I'm sorry because I know it's frustrating. Thinking about not ... | |
| is it to late? | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: hey, i'm 18 and ive always wanted to be a cheerleader but never persued it. i was only a cheerleader ... A: I'm not familiar with rec teams-maybe they're just called something different in my area. But most ... | |
| College Cheer | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: hey i'm gonna be a freshman in college this fall & i wanna try out for the cheerleading squad but ... A: Julie, every school is different, so I can't promise anything. But if you have a full you're ... | |
| Cheerleading with no tumbling on a college level | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: Is there a college that offers cheerleading with no tumbling? If so where and what? I have been ... A: I definitely understand the tumbling dilemma. It's the hardest thing I ever have to do and after an ... | |
| Mental blocks | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: ) I'm a first year cheerleader, and a flyer. I LOVE it, and I haven't missed a practice. I try as ... A: Wow, I've had this EXACT same problem! It wasn't when I first started cheering, but it was when I ... | |
| my toe touch | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: ok i sort of got my toe touch. but i need to work on getting it higher. got any tips on what i can ... A: I am SO sorry I took so long to answer. I really apologize for that. I must have missed this ... | |
| Tumbling | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: I have been cheerleading for 4 years and I started working on tucks when I was on a junior team.I ... A: I don't know much about how to tumble, but the mental/scared aspect is something I'm exremely ... | |
| cheerleading tryouts | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: how to make the jv cheerleading team with no experience and im in ninth grade and i can do a ... A: First of all, is it a competitive squad, or do they only cheer at games? Are there any requirements ... | |
| Questions | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: Madam,Sir: Hello! I am Dina Regina Asuncion, a 3rd year Mass Communication student from Far Eastern ... A: 1. It's no more dangerous than any other sport. There are more injuries, but it is very often a ... | |
| tryouts | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: Kiki, I was wondering like what kind of diet you could be on if you are a little overweight and ... A: Unfortunately I don't have much information on diet suggestions other than things I'm sure you've ... | |
| Pom dances. | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: Hey, I'm auditioning for my national squad who compete in worlds every year. The 3 categories of ... A: Pom dances should be flashy and showcase motions/moves that will highlight the fact that you have ... | |
Chris
Top Expert on this page
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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