Cheerleading is an enjoyable dynamic sport that allows girls and boys support their inner daredevil, performer, or Olympic performance in a team setting. Here are the important things to know about if your kid begins with their cheerleading Classes journey.
BEFORE ARRIVING
Take your child to the class dressed and prepared to participate. The dress is normally a t-shirt that is close fitting and shorts, the long hair should tied up in a high bun or ponytail for girls. Take with you a water bottle as well.
WHEN ARRIVING
When walking first into a gym, it could be exciting overwhelming. Classes will take place on the matted floor area. Some facilities usually have multiple floors. As a parent, you need to make yourself known to the coach or receptionist upon arrival. The receptionist or coach will introduce you to the waiting area and call the athletes onto the floor when the class is about to begin. Keep your child safe by not permitting them to play on equipments, tumble or jump on the floors prior to the beginning of class.
If the class you have selected to enrol in takes place inside a school gym, you might experience a different setup. For example, the mats could be replaced by a full spring floor. However, this does not mean the instruction provided to you will be better or worse compared to a gymnastics facility.
START OF CLASS
Athletes are requested to take the floor quickly when called and to leave their belongings including their water bottles in the designated area. Parents including siblings are requested to be seated in the viewing area for parent for the duration of the class other than the “Sparkles” classes for children ages 3 & 4 years old, parent oversight is needed for this type of class.
CLASS STRUCTURE
All classes usually begin with a warm-up for the team and stretch before they proceed with the fundamental skills in each of the interior areas:
* Stunting
* Tumbling
* Jumps
* Dance
Your kid’s team will function towards absorbing the skills they acquire in each core area in a practice for competitions and/or performances. The kind of skills taught could depend based on the experience and age of the child in the class. Older students normally are able to comprehend complex instruction compared to 2-4-year olds. The coach will tailor the instruction to the class type and age group.
HOW ABOUT THE POM POMS?
Cheerleading classes usually aims on developing stamina, strength, flexibility, teamwork and listening skills. Your child’s team will work to demonstrate and develop proficiency in stunts such as group lifts, jumps, tumbling and performance skills.
HOW ABOUT THE FLIPS?
Watching the cheerleaders fly through the air, spinning, twisting and flipping across the floor, all while under complete control, is extremely stunning. At the entry of the beginner level however, you can look forward to skills such as rolls, bridges, cartwheels, handstands as well as jumps.
If your child is desperate in learning how to do a flip, simply let them understand that the skills they are learning now will be the foundation to build up to perform that skill. Do not be disturbed if your child does not have the skills to do any tumbling immediately, the progress of coordination and strength is required first. In the first place, at the beginning of your kid’s journey, the goal of the instructor is to promote a love for the sport.
FUN WITH CHEERLEADING CLASSES
Cheerleading is quite fun from the start, filled with new experiences and new friends. Whilst there could be challenging moments as your kid progresses and the skills are becoming more difficult, it is difficult to top that feeling when you master something then learn something new. Take note that the fun usually does not stop at the gym, your child’s bed may be used as the perfect crash mat and walls filled with feet marks from handstands. Doing cartwheels in public places and around your house is a sure sign your son or daughter has loved to cheer.
AFTER THE CLASS.
Talk to the coach or the receptionist and let them know how you feel about the class. If you loved the class and would like to participate, let them know and they will assist you.
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