While currently being in my 10th year of cheerleading, I have come to realize that there are so many things that only cheerleaders will understand.
1. The “f-word.”
The “f-word” isn’t the same in the cheerleading world... it’s worse. Hearing your coach say “full-out” makes you cringe every time, especially after you’ve already done five full-outs within the past hour.
2. “One more time” will literally never mean one more time.
Even when your coach says, “I promise this is the last time!” Chances are, it’s not going to be the last time.
3. “So, can you do a backflip?”
Yes, I can, and no, I won’t do one in the middle of the hallway for you.
4. “Cheerleading isn’t a sport…"
I can’t even try to explain how infuriated we become when someone tries to question the legitimacy of our sport. I don’t care what you say, no argument can ever prove that cheerleading is not a sport. It is.
5. The feeling you get when your bow is just right and your eyeliner is on point.
Getting cheer hair absolutely perfect is a science. And perfecting winged eyeliner is a struggle every girl has. So when your ponytail is perfectly teased so that your bow sits up straight and your wings are equal on both sides, it’s an amazing feeling.
6. Hearing your competition routine music for the first time.
Honestly, it’s almost like Christmas.
7. Choreography.
Whether it’s two days, back to back from nine to four, or one 12 hour day, choreography is just plain miserable. No one wants to try new stunts for three hours and exhaust your body, then spend the next five hours memorizing counts and motions, then use your sore body to re-try those new stunts. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting.
8. Nailing your first full-out.
Nothing really compares to the feeling when your team hits your routine full-out for the first time. You muscled every stunt up and you didn’t eat mat in your tumbling. It was painful, but you made it out alive, and you did it with your team.
9. The feeling in the pit of your stomach right before you take the mat to compete.
Another feeling that nothing can compare to is the one you get right before you’re about to compete. When you’re standing behind the stage trying to ignore the sound of the team performing before you, your stomach is in knots. It’s a combination of pure excitement and utter fear. You know this routine like the back of your hand, but you’re still worried you’ll mess up or forget.
10. The feeling you get when you’re about to compete and your music starts.
The fear disappears. You’re in your element. This is your time to be the fiercest, sassiest piece of work you’ve ever been.
11. The band shell.
Every cheerleader dreams of performing on the band shell at nationals. It’s like an actress getting to sing on Broadway. Okay, maybe it’s not that intense. But you spend your whole season working for one thing: the band shell. And when you finally make it there, your life is changed.
12. The bruises.
Yes, other athletes get bruises too. But I’m talking about the bruise near your shoulder that will never go away because your flyer hits you with her elbow in the same exact spot when you catch her, every single time. I’m also talking about the bruise that doesn’t actually show up on your forehead, but you know is there from when you got kicked in the face when you had no choice but to throw your own body under your flyer’s so she didn’t get hurt.
13. Watching an entire human body falling on top of you and knowing there is nothing you can do about it.
Honestly, not much is more terrifying than watching a person fall towards you, not knowing what part of your body she is going to destroy with her elbows. Sure, she might land on top of your neck and you’re going to get a knee to the chest when you catch her, but you literally have no choice but to stand there with your arms up so your flyer doesn’t fall to her death, just waiting for the pain.
14. Having all of your drawers full of Nike pros, sports bras, and practice t-shirts.
No, our drawers aren’t full of Lululemon leggings and Victoria's Secret yoga pants. Sure, we have some. But the majority of our clothes include sports bras, different colored and patterned Nike pros, and team t-shirts from camp and competitions (including the youth large from your first team in fourth grade).
15. Facials.
No one but cheerleaders (okay, probably dancers too) will understand just how important it is to make the sassiest, fiercest faces possible while competing. Facials aren’t just important, they’re vital. Without them, you can’t sell the routine you’ve been busting your butt working on to the judges. Make that duck face. Mouth the lyrics. Look ridiculous. You have to.
16. Trying new skills for the first time and crying on the inside out of fear.
So you’re about to throw a standing tuck for the first time without a spot and you’re terrified, but why wouldn’t you be? You have to trust yourself to flip your body over and then not land on your face…
17. No matter how long our practices are, how badly we injure ourselves, or how tiring new routines can be, we love every painful, tiring minute of it.
We wouldn’t be who we are today if we didn’t have cheerleading in our lives.
