If you have a child that wants to get into competitive cheer and wants to do different programs for cheering, but has no experience, there are some things that you can consider. You want to first give them a base and teach them the basics before you throw them into a program where they have to learn several things at once. Here are some of the things to look into, and ways that it can benefit them on their journey to competing in a competitive cheer group:

Tumbling Classes

Tumbling classes will give your child the basic knowledge of the different gymnastics and tumbling moves that they will need to do while they are doing cheer routines. Here they will learn to do things like:

• Flips
• Tucks
• Handsprings

If your child wants to learn the moves necessary for cheering but doesn't want to learn things like the bars or beams, which you would use during a regular gymnastics class, this is great for them.

Dance Training

Cheering is like dancing, so it's important that your child learn to stay on tempo, to be choreographed with a group, and how to master moves. The dance training will be very beneficial if they want to be on a cheer team, and you want to look into dance studios that offer:

• Hip-hop
• Tap
• Theatrical dance

Any type of movement will be good, based on what your child is interested in, and what you think will keep their interest.

Intro to Cheer

If you have some type of community center or recreational program in your area, see if they have a basic introduction to cheer program for you. This way you can see if your child likes it, how good they do at the program, and to learn the basics before they try to get on a competitive team.

There are so many different things that you have to take into consideration when you think that your child is ready for a competitive cheer program, and you want to make sure that you don't send them to a tryout without any preparation. Look into these different programs, and get in touch with the competitive cheer team you want to try out for to see what classes and prerequisites they want your child to have, so you can find out all you need to know and your child in the right classes and prepared.