Transcript

Competitive cheerleading is when cheer squads compete against each other at a competition. Cheerleading routines are normally two and a half minutes long and include jumps, stunts, dance and tumbling. Cheerleading routines are judged by a panel of experts based on difficulty and execution.

Now, all cheerleading teams have the option to compete but not all school cheerleading teams are competitive. School teams perform a routine with a cheer in it that has poms, sidelines and megs to showcase their sideline skills. They also do an entertainment and music section. Winners of each division get a trophy and bragging rights.

On the other hand, all-star cheerleading, which is not affiliated with a school, solely exists to compete. Their routines will not have a cheer in it because, well, technically, they don't cheer for anyone, so their routines are just entertainment and music.

Either way, competing as a cheerleader is challenging, athletic and so much fun. If you want to know how to be a competitive cheerleader, find out if your school has a competitive cheerleading squad or contact a local all-star gym.