How To Do Basic Cheerleading Motions Part 7

This is a general overview of some basic cheer motions with the focus on the position of the arms. You may perform them, or see them performed, slightly different. These motions can be used while a cheerleader is on the ground or up in a stunt, and the position of his or her feet will vary from being shoulder width apart to being together, depending on when and the motion is being used. You may also know some of these moves by different names, since cheerleading teams might refer to a move by a unique, regional name. Review our other cheer motion articles to get tips to you help you perfect all your motions and strengthen your arms! Scissors One arm should go straight up, into a Touchdown motion, while the other arm goes straight down into a Low Touchdown motion. (Review previous motions.) Your hands will be in fists with the thumb of your raised hand facing behind you and the thumb of your lowered hand facing outward and away from your body. Scissors can be done as a left or right motion (if the right arm is in the Touchdown motion, the move is Right Scissors). Corners One arm should go into a Half T motion, but you should pull your arm in so that your fist is under your chin. Your pinkies will be facing out and your thumbs will be facing your shoulders. Your other arm should go into a Dagger motion, but you should rotate your fist so that your pinkies are facing out. Corners can be done as a left or right motion; if the right arm is in the Half T motion, the move is Right Corners. (Review Half T here, and Daggers here.) High and Low Broken V For a Low Broken V, start in the Low V position. Then bend your elbows up and in, bringing your fists below your chin. Your pinkies should be facing out. Your elbows should point down and away from your body. For a High Broken V, start in the High V position. Then bend your elbows down and in, bringing your fists to rest just below your shoulders. Your pinkies should be facing out, and your elbows should continue to point out and away from your body. (Review the High and Low V motions here.) Check Extend one arm into a High V motion, keeping your thumbs facing out and your pinkies facing back. The other arm should go into a position similar to the Low Touchdown motion, but instead of pointing your fist down, you should bend your elbow so that your forearm is pointing away from your body at a 45 degree angle. Your fist should have fingers up, with your thumb facing back.