The 2000 hit movie, "Bring It On" is hands down the greatest cheer movie of all time. It is iconic and one of the most quotable movies around. It shows you the intense world of cheerleading, the great rivals between schools, the lifestyle cheerleaders live and the friendships that are made along the way. Although we want to think that it’s extremely accurate, it is not.
Being a high school cheerleader, I can compare this movie to my experience.1. Swearing in cheers is not allowed on the sideline, and is definitely not allowed in competition.
Trust me, sometimes we wish inappropriate words were okay in cheers, you’ve got to get the point across somehow.
2. The cheerleaders do not hold their own tryouts.
Throughout the movie, you’ll notice the team doesn’t have a coach at all. You’ll never see a cheer team, at any level, that does not have a coach.
3. Sorry to upset you all, but in high school competitive cheer there are no spirit fingers.
Some cheer teams will incorporate spirit fingers into their cheers depending on the league, but not all.
4. Unfortunately there are not “cheer offs” at football games.
Occasionally the opposing teams cheerleaders may come over for a friendly stunting competition but we do not hold cheer offs. What I can promise is that if you do steal cheers, you will be hated.
5. Spirit sticks don’t exist.
The idea of the spirit stick is interesting especially that it's bad luck if you drop it. In my years of cheerleading, I have yet to see a spirit stick but if teams do use them, I applaud you.
6. Ah, Sparky Polastri we meet again. I have said this a million times before and I will say it again. Dance and cheer are two completely different sports.
7. There are no boys in high school cheerleading
As much as they would make stunting and yelling easier, most high schools do not have boy cheerleaders.
8. Showing your stomach at football games and competitions is not permitted.
With the debates on what’s appropriate for school or not, I know this rule will definitely never change.
9. I promise you, our cheers are not this cheesy.
All of you real "Bring It On" fans probably cheered that along with her, I know I did.
10. There isn't a national competition.
Every state is different and has their own rules, but here in Michigan the state finals is the furthest you can go.
11. The former captain of your team usually isn't evil and trying to sabotage everything you do.
Usually your former cheerleaders are your support system and help you achieve the greater goals.
Don't you worry, "Bring It On" is and will always be one of my favorite movies. It's interesting to see how cheerleading is portrayed in movies and television shows.
