Key Takeaways
- Cheerleading spans multiple levels, from recreational and grade school to All-Star, college, and professional, each offering different levels of competition, commitment, and performance.
- Recreational and school cheerleading focus on building foundational skills and school spirit, while All-Star and college teams emphasize advanced routines, stunts, tumbling, and competitive success.
- Professional cheerleading prioritizes performance and dance, often with less emphasis on stunting and more on energy, appearance, and public engagements.
- There’s a place for every skill level and passion, making cheerleading accessible to beginners and advanced athletes alike, whether they’re looking for competitive or professional opportunities.
As we know, there are many different types of cheerleading out there today. Non-cheerleaders may not realize or understand the differences between them. Although they all share some of the same concepts–such as stunts, tumbling, cheers, and motions–they also differ.
Recreational Cheerleading
Let’s start out with recreational cheerleading. As far as recreational sports go, from my experience, less emphasis is put on their importance than on other sports. Normally, you don’t need to try out. You learn the basics, such as motions, standard jumps, and chants. When I first started coaching my team, it was difficult because the program was very basic and they had never had a coach with real cheerleading experience. I built them from just doing chants to doing full routines with stunts, tumbling, cheers, and dances. By doing this, I gave them a taste of having the full cheer experience, and as a result, parents want to re-register each season. Recreational cheerleading is great for beginners.
Grade School Cheerleading
Then there’s grade school (middle/high), also known as sideline cheerleading. You must try out. Usually, middle school has one team and high school has a JV and Varsity team; this level of cheerleading is focused on cheering, with traditional uniforms and chanting for football and basketball games. Cheering for your school is a great way to meet friends and get involved. Like the other athletes, you become recognized for performing at games, pep rallies, and other school-related events. Cheering for your school is not as advanced as some of the other types of cheerleading that we will discuss, but it includes all the basic concepts of cheerleading and maybe even a competition or two.
All-Star Cheerleading
Next, there is All-Star cheerleading, which, for me, is a favorite because I did that for most of my cheerleading career. I would say All-Star is the most advanced type of cheerleading. You must try out, but everyone pretty much makes a team based on skill level and age. All practices are focused on preparing you for competitions. You have the same routine all season, though advancing it as it goes along. Throughout the year, you attend several competitions in many different places. Along with practices, most teams offer tumbling classes as well. The really big teams even have their own gyms! The only fault in All-Star cheerleading is that it costs a lot more money than any other type of cheerleading. The best thing about All Star is that it’s all ages, at least ‘til age 18!
College Cheerleading
Another type of cheerleading is college cheerleading. Like grade school, it’s a great way to become more involved in school. It’s similar to grade school, but more advanced, being that the cheerleaders are adults. Like the others, you have to try out, and they choose based on needs, skills, and sportsmanship. College cheerleaders usually have several uniforms, a lot more cheers, dance counts, and advanced stunts. They also have a competition or two, games, pep rallies, and parades.
Professional Cheerleading
Lastly, there is professional cheerleading. Professional cheerleading is unlike the rest; they do a lot more dancing than other cheerleaders. What they do share with the other types is the performance aspect. They have high energy, great facial expressions, great physiques, and a well-put-together appearance. Most teams do not stunt, but some do tumble. They perform dance routines at games during halftime and on the sidelines. They also do charity events, openings, calendar shoots, and more. A great benefit of cheering professionally is that it’s a job, meaning that you get paid to live out your passion! Many dancers stay on the team for years, and as a result, it becomes like a pro-cheerleading family.
Find Your Fit
No matter what type of cheerleading is best for you, there is something to fit everyone! Just go for it.
