UNIT: 4
CHEERDANCE
What is
- aCheerdance?
performance that combines cheerleading
and dance. It includes energetic movements,
stunts, and tumbling.
- Cheerdance is coined from the words, cheer
and dance.
➢ cheer, to chant and cheer for motivation.
➢ dance, coordinated and rhythmic
movements.
History of
Cheerdance
- Used to be performed by all boys, originated from
Princeton University.
- Due to Filipinos’ love for dancing, they added more
dance routines to their cheers and came up with the
term cheerdance.
- In 1898, cheerleading as a dance was organized.
- Today, cheerdancing is identified as one of the most
spectacular events in one of the biggest collegiate
sports events in the country, the UAAP (University
Athletic Association of the Philippines).
ESSENTIALS OF CHEERDANCING
Arms/Hand Movements
• Beginning stance and cheer stance
• “T” and half “T” positions
• Clasp, Clap, Overhead clasp, Low clasp
• Touchdown, Low touchdown
• High “V” and Low “V”
• Tabletop and Punch, etc.
• “L” and diagonal positions
BEGINNING CHEER
STANCE STANCE
T MOTION HALF
T
CLAS CLA
P P
OVERHEAD LOW
CLASP CLASP
TOUCHDOW LOW
N TOUCHDOWN
HIGH LOW V
V
TABLETO PUNC
P H
L DIAGONAL
POSITION POSITION
ESSENTIALS OF CHEERDANCING
Legs/Feet Positions
• Feet together
• Feet Apart
• Dig (front and side)
• Hitch, Liberty, and Scale
• Lunge (front and side)
• Knees and Hips position
FEET TOGETHER AND
APART
DIG
SIDE
DIG
FRONT
HITCH LEFT AND
RIGHT
LIBERTY LEFT AND
RIGHT
SCALE LEFT AND
RIGHT
SIDE LUNGES
LEFT AND
RIGHT
FRONT
LUNGES
LEFT AND
KNEES AND HIP
POSITION
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Jumps
• Tuck Jump – knees are pulled toward the
chest while the arms are positioned in front or
above for balance. The back remains straight,
and the toes are pointed.
• Star Jump – The arms and legs spread
outward in a star-like shape while jumping. It
resembles a jumping jack but performed mid-
air.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Jumps
• Pike Jump – The legs are extended straight and
together in front of the body while reaching
toward them with outstretched arms. The upper
body slightly leans forward for proper form.
• Split Jump – The legs extend into a split position
mid-air, either forward-backward or side-to-side,
requiring flexibility and strong leg muscles.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Jumps
• Hurdle Jump (Hurkie) – One leg extends straight
while the other bends backward (similar to a
hurdler's motion).
• Toe Touch Jump – Both legs stretch outward to the
sides while reaching toward the toes with straight
arms. The back remains straight, and toes are
pointed. This is one of the most common and
visually striking cheer jumps.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Tumbling Skills
• Forward Roll and Backward Roll – A basic
tumbling skill where the body curls into a ball
and rolls forward or backward over the
shoulders. The chin is tucked in to prevent
injury.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Tumbling Skills
• Forward/Backward Handspring – A
powerful tumbling move where the body flips
forward or backward using the hands to push
off the floor, arching the back, and landing on
the feet. Requires upper body strength and
momentum.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Tumbling Skills
• Cartwheel – The body turns sideways while the
hands touch the ground one after the other,
followed by the legs in a split position before
landing.
• Aerial Cartwheel – A cartwheel performed without
using hands, requiring more strength, momentum,
and flexibility.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Tumbling Skills
• Headstand – The body is balanced upside down
with the head on the floor and hands supporting
the sides.
• Handstand – The body is held upright with
hands on the ground and legs extended straight
upward. Core and arm strength are essential for
stability.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Tumbling Skills
• Round-off – A variation of the cartwheel
where both feet land together, allowing for
better momentum for connected tumbling
passes, such as back handsprings.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Tumbling Skills
• Forward Salto – A full-body forward flip in
the air before landing on the feet.
• Backward Salto – A backflip where the body
rotates backward in the air before landing.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Pyramids
Composition:
• Flyer – the performer lifted into the air.
• Base – the individuals supporting the
flyer’s weight.
• Spotter – ensures safety by stabilizing
the flyer and assisting in lifts/dismounts.
Cheerdance Basics (Gymnastic
Side) Pyramids
Levels:
• One-and-a-half-high
• Two-high
• Two-and-a-half-high
ONE-AND-A-HALF-
HIGH
The flyer stands on the
base’s hands at chest
level.
TWO-
HIGH
The flyer
is fully
extended
above the
base’s
shoulders
TWO-AND-A-HALF-
HIGH
The flyer stands on
another flyer’s
hands, requiring
extreme balance and
strength.
Steps in Executing a
Pyramid
1. Setting up (Preparing to lift)
2. Load (Actual lift)
3. Hit (Striking for a final
pause)
4. Dismount (To move down by
the flyer)
Cheerdance Basics (Dance
Side) Elements of Dance
• Space - the area where movement occurs,
including direction, level, size, and pathways.
• Time - the rhythm, tempo, and duration of
movements.
• Energy - the force and quality of movement,
such as sharp, smooth, strong, or light.
Cheerdance Basics (Dance
Side) Hip Hop Basics
• Bounce (Downrock) – A low, rhythmic
movement in sync with the beat.
• Groove (Toprock) – Standing dance moves
that set the rhythm.
• Curl – Contracting the body before holding
still.
Cheerdance Basics (Dance
Side) Hip Hop Basics
Power Moves
• Pump – Repeated hip and shoulder
movements for energy.
• Lock – A quick freeze after fast moves.
• Point – Emphasizing a beat by pointing.
Cheerdance Basics (Dance
Side) Jazz/Classical Dance Basics
• Tendu – Stretching one foot forward.
• Plié – Slight knee bend.
• Grand Plié – Deep knee bend.
• Relevé – Rising on toes.
• Piqué – Lifting one knee.
Cheerdance Basics (Dance
Side) Jazz/Classical Dance Basics
• Battement – High kick.
• Ball Change – Quick weight shift.
• Chassé – Step where one foot chases the other.
• Pirouette – Spin on one foot.
• Chaîné – Quick, small turns.
Cheerdance Basics (Cheer
Side)
In cheerdance, cheering needs to be
strong, loud, and metered so that it
will be delivered in time with rhythm
or the music played.
Health Benefits of
Cheerdance
1. Flexibility – Improves muscle stretch.
2. Coordination – Enhances body control.
3. Strength Training – Builds muscles.
4. Cardiovascular Stamina – Increases
endurance.
Rubric Performance for
Cheerdance
Thank you
very much
