There’s more to being a cheerleader than you think

With the first frosts dusting The Downs in a wintery sparkle, this reminder of glitter can only mean one thing: cheer competitions are coming.

Contrary to popular belief, cheer comps aren’t just about prancing around with pompoms though. For Bristol Jets, this is the start of a sassy, tacky, gruelling and glittering time of year (and that’s just the socials!)

Both the Level 3 and Pom teams will soon be in action at the Winter Wonderland Competition at the end of November, so there’s no better time to run through what you need to know if you want to become one of the Jets.

The uniform

What would a cheerleader be without a uniform?

The pep, the sass and the smiles just aren’t enough if you haven’t got the right threads. Unlike those cheap fancy dress outfits, a proper cheer uniform looks classy, not trashy.

Nobody has time for crop tops and hotpants. They’re cheerleaders, not prostitutes.

The fake tan

Cheer comp is the only time of year when even Pale ‘n’ Proud girls can be seen round campus looking like they’ve rolled in a bag of Doritos.

Getting that hella cute sun-kissed Californian look is essential.

The hairy legs

If you want to be a flyer (the person flying through the air during a stunt, in case the name didn’t make it obvious), there is a universally accepted rule in the Cheer Constitution: Flyers, thou shalt not shave thy legs two days before comp.

After all, the others need to have something to grip onto don’t they?

The painkillers

Having a thousand paracetamol in your bag isn’t a requirement because you’re likely to get injured.

It’s because walking into a comp stadium is like walking into the club…all the clubs at once. The sound is deafening.

Who needs eardrums anyway?

The inspiration

“You are Beyonce.”

That’s an actual quote from training, and it works.

The physicality

Being a cheerleader isn’t easy, and people dismiss the physical demands of the role all too easily.

When’s the last time you had to dance, jump, tumble, throw a girl 3 metres into the air AND look freakin’ cute while you did it?

Training sessions include jump conditioning, splits conditioning, strength conditioning…pretty much every conditioning you can think of. If you want to win, you’ve got to put the work in.

The tumbles

Any cheerleading routine wouldn’t be complete without a jaw-dropping tumble sequence.

To all those who say cheerleading isn’t a sport, try doing a round off–double flick–back tuck. Flawlessly.

The glitter

Hella glitter. Bathe in it, shower in it, roll in it.

To a cheerleader, there’s no such thing as too much glitter.

Shine bright like a forehead guys ‘n’ gals – If you can’t beat the opposition, at least you’ll blind them.

The stunts

Pyramids, libs, 360s, cradles, extensions…the higher and more impressive the stunt, the better. When it comes to cheer stunts, even the sky isn’t the limit.

All that’s asked of you is this: Catch your flyer.

The sass and class

With only two and a half minutes to prove yourselves in front of the judges and all the other teams, comp day requires you bringing it all.

Cue the sass and fierce cheer facials – if you can mix together all the above and look like you’re having the time of your life on that mat, chances are you’re going to win big.

Think you could do all this, and be a cheerleader? Scrunchies and spankies at the ready, let the comps begin!