It’s basketball season and for most cheer teams, it requires a shift in the complexity of stunts and dance routines. The adjustments from sideline football games to courtside offers simplistic benefits for cheerleaders making the switch to this fast-paced environment.
 
So what’s the big deal? What makes it so appealing? For starters, one nice benefit to cheering basketball is the proximity cheerleaders have with the general audience. The game moves very quickly from offense to defense so it requires a quick-eye to know when to call a defensive or offensive chant. For cheerleaders, this means having a limited time to start/end a full cheer---which means lots more chants. Since the game is so close to the stands, fans can’t escape the motivating urge to participate. With more chanting going on it’s a bit easier for the audience to engage which make for a very FAN-filled game.  It’s also easier for the audience to see a dance routine thus, the audience appreciation level goes up another notch on the cheer-o-meter. Yay! And one additional benefit is that for moms and dads, who had to squint to see you from the football stands, will find it easier to see you courtside. Add in the usage of call signs in combination with partner stunts, and your team has just enhanced the overall fan experience. The up-close and personal nature of the game in many ways is a cheerleader’s dream as audiences are drawn into not only rooting for the team, but actually chanting along with the cheerleaders to root for their team.  So let’s here it for basketball!
 
Here are a few things reminders to help you get your mental game on and take advantage of all these benefits.  
·        Arrive a little early to stretch and warm-up your routines and stunts ahead of time.
·        Prep courtside by setting out your megaphones, signs and pom-poms out early.
·        Practice using your equipment and signs with your chants and stunts so that you can test out the timing and amount of room needed.
·        When possible, practice your dance routine on the court in advance and make sure music is working properly.
·        Invite your family to watch early…. these are excellent times for pictures.
 
Now you’re ready….. Go for it!  Have a great season!