HCHS Cheerleading - Improvement of Skills

     With being new to cheerleading this year, there were some skills that I had to learn. I was on my school's Junior Varsity squad and I enjoyed every moment of it! Over the course of this year, I had to learn how to fly and do a "half" stunt, which is "a stunt in which flyer stands on two bases hands and is risen up to chin length height. The 'flyer' may put her arms up." (Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cheerleading_stunts) Eventually, I had to transition into a "full" or "extension" stunt, where a "flyer stands with each foot in the hands of a base while her arms are in an extended overhead position. The back can either hold the ankles of the flyer, or support the wrists of the bases if it's legal by your state's rules. In a single based stunt, the base will hold both of the flyer's feet above his/her head, with arms locked." With being without any previous flying experience, flying was a bit difficult for me at first, but I have grown to love it after continually trying. In the past, I have fallen several times but I have luckily had my fantastic "bases" (the girls who hold the "flyer" in the air) there to catch me. In the summer, we went to an abundance of practices and constantly focused on flying. We even went to a National Cheerleaders Association camp in the summer to work on our sharpening up our moves when doing cheers and our flying skills. 
     While at practice and at camp, I learned so many techniques to help my flying and cheering skills. They taught me to start standing up in my stunt when my stunt group lifts me three-fourths of the way up into a full. I also learned to keep my fists and fingers tight and close together to ensure that my moves are stronger. Finally, I learned to smile more and just to have a good time! I also have improved my flexibility by stretching at home and at Tae Kwon Do and cardio kickboxing practice. This has helped me be able to do a better, higher heel-stretch, where one holds one of their feet in an elevation position with one hand. Stretching has also helped me get a lower, almost complete split.
     Furthermore, I finally performed my "full" with my stunt group at a football game in October and I didn't fall! We also have improved our cheers, making our cheers louder, and our moves stronger, sharper, and more precise than ever before. I plan to continue practicing on my skills. Now, I wish to focus more on my jumping skills so that I can have a better toe-touch for next year's cheerleading season. In the future, I need to work on more advanced flying skills to help me prepare to tryout for the cheerleading team when I'm at college. I also plan on trying out for my school's Varsity squad. I have such a fun time cheering and I love to do it so much. I have also gotten so close with the girls on my squad and we have an unbreakable bond. As a final point, I cannot wait for next year's cheerleading season and for tryouts to start!