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All practices and tryouts will be held at Solomon Court (Cabot Gym)

Tryouts for the Football, Hockey and Basketball Cheerleading Squads

Anyone who is a student at Northeastern University can join the cheerleading team. Whether you are enrolled as an undergraduate, graduate or University College student, you may participate in Northeastern Cheerleading. At Northeastern, cheerleading is new under the athletics department. Northeastern University does not offer scholarships for cheerleading, therefore the cheerleaders are allowed to participate for more than four years. High school seniors who have been accepted to Northeastern University and plan on attending in the fall are encouraged to tryout for the upcoming football cheerleading squad.

Football & Basketball Tryout Requirements

All candidates, including students who’ve made a team in the past, must tryout for a spot on a cheerleading team. You also must tryout for each team separately (Only captains of the cheerleading teams are exempt from trying out). We highly encourage high school seniors to tryout in the spring for the football squad because the next tryouts are not until October. The typical cheerleading squad is a total of 20 members, 10 girls and 10 guys (subject to change). This is the largest that competition teams are allowed to be. There are no junior varsity cheerleading squads at Northeastern. We encourage interested cheerleaders to visit N.U. and attend a practice to watch the team, try stunting and meet the current NU cheerleaders. There are no weight or height limits to tryout for any cheerleading squad at Northeastern.

Tryouts are judged upon the following categories:

An Entrance/Appearance
A Dance (for Girls) / Fight Song (for Guys)
1 Cheer
1 Chant
A single toe-touch jump
Standing Back tuck (no exceptions)
A round-off back handspring back tuck
2 required stunts: extension, liberty-heel stretch full down
2 Advanced tumbling passes (layout or better) or 2 advanced stunts (1 thats tossed and 1 that doubles down)

Most skills will be taught through the first week and all skills are not mandatory, but will increase your chances

For more info on tryouts and clinics visit http://www.cheer.neu.edu 

 

Cheerleading is a sport that uses organized routines made from elements of tumbling, dance, and stunting to cheer on sports teams at games and matches, or to compete at cheerleading competitions. The athlete involved is called a cheerleader. It is most common in North America, but has quickly spread elsewhere.

Cheerleading first started at Princeton University in the late 1880s with the crowd chant as a way to encourage school spirit at football games. A few years later, Princeton graduate Thomas Peebles introduced the idea of organized crowd chanting to the University of Minnesota in 1894, but it was not until 1898 that University of Minnesota student Johnny Campbell stood in front of the crowd, and directed them in a chant, making Campbell the very first cheerleader. Soon after that, the University of Minnesota organized a “yell leader” squad of 6 male students. Although it is estimated that 97% of today’s cheerleading participants are female, cheerleading started out as an all-male activity. Females started to participate in cheerleading in the 1920s, due to limited availability of female collegiate sports. This is also when gymnastics and tumbling were incorporated into the cheers. The University of Minnesota was first to do this. By the 1940s, it was a largely female activity.

In 1948, Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer formed the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) as a way to hold cheerleading clinics. The National Cheerleaders Association held its first clinic in 1949 with 52 girls in attendance. The next year, the clinic had grown to 350 cheerleaders.[citation needed] By the 1950s, most American high schools had formed cheerleading squads.[citation needed] By the 1960s, cheerleading had grown to be a staple in American high school and collegiate sports. Organized cheerleading competitions began to crop up with the first ranking of the “Top Ten College Cheerleading Squads” and “Cheerleader All America” awards given out by the International Cheerleading Foundation (now the World Cheerleading Association or WCA) in 1967. In 1978, America was introduced to competitive cheerleading by the first broadcast of Collegiate Cheerleading Championships on CBS.

In the 1960s National Football League (NFL) teams began to organize professional cheerleading teams. It was the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders who gained the spotlight with their revealing outfits and sophisticated dance moves, which debuted in the 1972-1973 season, but were first seen widely in Super Bowl X (1976). This caused the image of cheerleaders to permanently change, with many other NFL teams emulating them. Most of the professional teams’ cheerleading squads would more accurately be described as dance teams by today’s standards; as they rarely, if ever, actively encourage crowd noise or perform modern cheerleading moves.

The 1980s saw the onset of modern cheerleading with more difficult stunts and gymnastics being incorporated into routines. Cheerleading organizations such as the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA) started applying safety guidelines and offering courses on safety training for coaches and sponsors. In 2003, the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE) was formed to offer safety training for youth, school, all star and college coaches. The NCAA requires college cheer coaches to successfully complete a nationally recognized safety training program. The NCSSE or AACCA certification programs are both recognized by the NCAA.

Today, cheerleading is most closely associated with American football, and to a lesser degree basketball. Sports such as soccer, ice hockey, volleyball, baseball, and wrestling sometimes sponsor cheerleading squads. The only Major League Baseball team with cheerleaders as of 2006 is the Florida Marlins.

According to latest statistics, there are nearly 3.5 million cheerleaders in the USA alone, and half as many dance team members and gymnasts, taking the total number of participants involved in cheerleading and allied activities in the USA to above 5 million. There are also tens of thousands of cheerleaders in Europe, Central America, Australia, and Asia.

 

In the 1980s, cheerleading teams not associated with schools or sports leagues, whose main objective was competition, began to emerge. All-star cheerleading involves a squad of anywhere between 5-50 females and/or males. The squad prepares year-round for many different competition appearances, but they only actually perform for up to 2½ minutes during their routines. The numbers of competitions a team participates in varies from team to team, but generally, most teams tend to participate in nine or ten competitions a year. During a competition routine, a squad performs carefully choreographed stunting, tumbling, jumping and dancing to their own custom music. Teams create their routines to an eight-count system and apply that to the music so the team members execute the elements being performed with precise timing and synchronization.

Judges at the competition watch for illegal moves from the group or any of its members. Here, an illegal move is something that is not allowed in that division due to difficulty and safety restrictions. More generally, judges look at the difficulty and execution of jumps, stunts and tumbling, synchronization, creativity, the sharpness of the motions, showmanship, and overall routine execution.

All-star cheerleaders are placed into divisions which are grouped based upon age, size of the team, gender of participants, and ability level. The age levels vary from under 4 year of age to 18 years and over. The divisions used by the USASF/IASF are currently Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior, Junior International, Senior, and Open International and Open.

Not only is competitive cheerleading popular throughout most of the United States, but in other nations as well. If a team places high enough at selected USASF/IASF sanctioned national competitions, they could be invited to the USASF Worlds and compete against teams from all over the world. Although, each different country and region of the US has its own generalities, the rules remain the same.

The foremost competition for all-star cheerleading is the annual USASF World Championships held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. Since its inception in 2004, teams must qualify for the event by finishing at or near the top at one of several qualifying competitions. US teams have won the vast majority of the medals, but an increasing number of strong teams from around the globe have come to compete in the event in recent years. This competition has grown in popularity and prestige since its beginning as a small competition in 2004. In 2007, over 100 teams from 15 different countries competed in the event.

Athletes involved

Bases
Cheerleaders that stay on the ground providing the primary support for the flyer during a stunt. Bases make eye contact with each other throughout the stunt but also look at your flyer. Bases can be male or female. The bases are usually 2 females or 1 male.

Flyer
Person that is up in a stunt in the air. This is the person that is commonly the main focus of the stunt. Flyers stay tight throughout the entire stunt. The flyer is usually female.

Spotters
The people in front and behind of the stunt whose primary job is to prevent injury, and help to catch the flyer. The spotters are usually the tallest members of the stunt group, so they can help to guide the stunt up and control it.

 Two leg stunts

Cupie
In single base stunting, the base holds both the flyer’s feet with one hand in an extended overhead position or in multi-base stunting, two bases hold flyer’s feet together at full extension level. The Cupie is almost identical to the Full Extension except that the flyers feet are together. A common variation is an Awesome.

Extension Prep
A Stunt in which flyer stands with each foot in the hands of a base at shoulder level. The two bases, facing each other, hold the feet of the upright flyer at collar-bone level, about shoulder-width apart. The backspot holds the calves or ankles of the flyer. A front spot is optional and may be used to secure the stunt by the shins of the flyer. An Extension Prep can serve as a stunt in itself, or as the transition point between other, more complicated, stunts. Also called a Prep or an Elevator in some regions.

Extension
“Second level” of an elevator. Flyer stands with each foot in the hands of a base withs arms are in an extended overhead position. The Extension is similar in form to the Extension Prep except that the bases arms are now fully extended upright and locked. The backspot can either hold the ankles of the flyer, or support the wrists of the bases.

Split-lift
Two bases hold the flyers legs at the knee area. They then slowly walk apart until the flyer is in a mid-air split.

Liberty variations

Liberty
One or more bases holds up one of the flyer’s feet. The flyer’s other leg is bent with the foot positioned at about the knee level of the flyer. In the Liberty, one of the flyers feet is in the hands of the bases, and her other knee is bent, with the inner part of the foot nestled alongside the standing leg’s knee. The other knee is pointed forward, and the thigh parallel to the floor. Often shortened to ‘Lib’.

Scorpion
This is a liberty variation facing the side. One or more extends one of the feet of the flyer. The flyers other foot is held by the flyers opposite hand behind the her head while the other arm is pointed towards the crowd.

Scale
This is a liberty variation facing the side. One or more bases extend one of the flyer’s feet. The flyers other leg is held by the flyers hand to the side and the leg is fully extended. Called a Skate or Skater in some regions.

Torch
The stunt group faces a side (not forward) and the flyer performs a Liberty, with her body turned outward.

Heel Stretch
Variation of a liberty. It is a stunt in which the base/bases holds one foot of the flyer while she holds the other foot in an elevated stretch position with her same hand.

Arabesque
Variation of a liberty facing the side. It is a stunt in which the base/bases holds one foot of the flyer while she extends the other leg behind her, making a 90 degree angle with her standing leg, extending her leg as close to horizontal as possible while keeping her torso vertical as well.

Needle
Variation of liberty facing the side. The main difference in a regular scale and a needle is the flyers position in the air. Where in a normal scale the chest is either parallel or higher then the hip on the supporting leg, a needle scale the chest is down beside the main support leg. Also, the leg that was supported by hands in a regular scale is now “free” and is pointing to near as north or “12 oclock” as flexiblity allows the flyer to obtain. The flyer also maintains balance by holding onto the bases hands and her own ankle. Sometimes called a spike. It is called a scale in gymnastics.

Transitions and dismounts

Basket toss
A basket toss is an advanced stunt in which the bases propel the flyer upwards (10-30+ feet) from the loading position. It is a toss by a maximum of four bases of a top straight up in the air so the flyer can perform a trick (toe touch, ball-out, twist, tuck, kick double, pike, etc.) and then land back in a cradle position.

Cradle
Dismount from a stunt in which the base/bases toss the flyer straight up from a stationary stunt then catch the flyer in a seated position pike position.

Dismount
A way to return the flyer to the floor or complete a stunt.

Squish
Two bases will each hold a different foot of a flyer at their waist level. The flyer is squatted down so the flyer is not taller than the bases. This is how the flyer loads in to the stunt, before jumping and pushing off the bases shoulders, and the bases drive their arms upwards and extend the flyer. Also called a Sponge in some regions

Retake
When a stunt is extended in the air, and then goes back down into a load-in position placing both feet in the bases hands, if previously in a one-footed stunt, and being pushed back upwards into another stunt.

Show and go
Two bases will each hold a different foot of a flyer and bring it up to a full extension. The flyer only stays up for two counts and returns back into a squish position. Also known as ‘fake-outs’ or ‘flashes’.

Tick-Tock
When a flyer switches the foot being stood on in mid air after being popped by bases.

Full Twist Cradle
Variation on a pop cradle. It is a dismount from a stunt in which the base/bases toss the flyer straight up from a stationary stunt, the flyer does a 360 degree turn in the air, and then the bases catch her in a cradle position. Called a Single Down or Single in some Regions

Reload
A transition that connects two stunts when a flyer cradles out of the first stunt, and the bases dip and pop the flyer back into a load position. A similar stunt is a barrel role. Sometimes called a ‘cradle pop’.

360 up
A variation on the double take in which the flyer does a full turn in the air in between stunts while staying in contact with the bases. Also called a Full up is some regions.

A 2 1/2 high pyramid
A 2 1/2 high pyramid

21/2 people high is defined as 2.5 body-lengths, not the number of people stacked. An example of 2.5 high is one person held at extended level, and another held at waist level. The various 21/2 high stunts include but are not limited to:

* The A-Frame
* Swedish Fall
* 2-2-1
* 2-1-1
* Table Top
* Wolf Wall
* High Split
* High Chair (also high hands, lib, cupie, etc.)

* Paula Abdul, Los Angeles Lakers, Van Nuys High School
* Christina Aguilera
* Klaudija Alasauskaite
* Kirstie Alley
* Jessica Asillo
* Ann-Margret
* John Curly Barrett
* Toni Basil
* Kim Basinger
* Halle Berry
* Sandra Bullock
* Ellen Burstyn
* George W. Bush, Phillips Academy
* Dyan Cannon
* Belinda Carlisle
* Charisma Carpenter, San Diego Chargers
* Dick Cavett
* Marilyn Chambers
* Cheer, Dorothy, Cheer!
* Thad Cochran
* Jennifer Nichole Connor, Tulane University
* Rita Coolidge
* Katie Couric
* Sheryl Crow
* Jamie Lee Curtis
* Miley Cyrus
* Kim Deal
* Cameron Diaz
* Nina Diva
* Debbie Sugar
* Kirk Douglas
* Faye Dunaway
* Michael Dunn
* Debbe Dunning
* Kirsten Dunst
* Stacy Ferguson
* Sally Field
* Calista Flockhart
* Ashley Force, Esperanza High School in Yorba Linda, CA
* Vivica A. Fox
* Jennie Garth
* Tina Gayle
* Cynthia Gibb
* Leeza Gibbons
* Debbie Gibson
* Kathie Lee Gifford
* Ruth Bader Ginsburg
* Lynda Goodfriend
* Eydie Gorme
* Lisa Guerrero, Los Angeles Rams
* Mariette Hartley
* Teri Hatcher
* Jennifer Hawkins, Newcastle Knights
* Patty Hearst
* Krazy George Henderson
* Catherine Hicks
* Faith Hill
* Lauryn Hill
* Lauren Holly
* Stacy Keibler, Baltimore Ravens
* Clare Kramer
* Cheryl Ladd
* A.J. Langer
* Christine Lavin
* Vicki Lawrence
* Brenda Lee
* Jack Lemmon
* Jerry Lewis
* Lindsay Lohan
* Eva Longoria
* Trent Lott
* Susan Lucci
* Shirley MacLaine
* Madonna, Rochester Adams High School #69
* Steve Martin
* Lila McCann
* Jenny McCarthy
* Kimberly McCullough
* Karen McDougal[2]
* Beverly Mitchell
* Mandy Moore
* Bill Moyers
* Kelly Packard
* Nia Peeples
* Kristie Phillips
* William Powell Central High School, Class of 1911
* Gilda Radner
* Ronald Reagan, Eureka College in Illinois
* Denise Richards, El Camino High School
* Kelly Ripa
* Lela Rochon
* Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harvard
* Susan Sarandon
* Cybill Shepherd
* Brooke Shields
* Dinah Shore
* Alicia Silverstone, San Mateo High School
* Carly Simon
* Jessica Simpson, Richardson North Junior HS [3]
* Dick Smothers
* Jamie Lynn Spears
* Meryl Streep
* Flag of Canada Dylan St. John, Ross Sheppard High School
* Sally Struthers
* Krissy and Niki Taylor
* Cheryl Tiegs
* Charlene Tilton, Hollywood High School
* Lily Tomlin
* Carrie Underwood
* Jennifer Walcott
* Raquel Welch
* Tina Weymouth
* Reese Witherspoon
* Renée Zellweger, Katy High School

Cheerleading’s increasing popularity in recent decades has made it a prominent feature in high-school themed movies and television shows. The 2000 film Bring It On, about a San Diego high school cheerleading squad, was a surprise hit, earned nearly $70 million and spawned two sequels. It was followed in 2001 by another teen cheerleading comedy, Sugar & Spice. In 1993, The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom was an acclaimed TV movie which told the true story of Wanda Holloway, the Texas mother whose obsession with her daughter’s cheerleading career hit news headlines.

Many prominent people have been cheerleaders, including: Madonna, Paula Abdul, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock etc.

Nintendo has released a pair of video games in Japan for the Nintendo DS, Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and its sequel Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii that star teams of male cheer squads, or “Ouendan” that practice a form of cheerleading unique to Japanese culture. Each of the games’ most difficult modes replace the male characters with female cheer squads that dress in western cheerleading uniforms. The games task the cheer squads with assisting people in desperate need of help by cheering them on, giving them the motivation to succeed.

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