YoYo ElastiCheer All-Star Tryouts

YoYo Elastic Cheer is having their 2014-2015 All Star Cheerleading Tryouts. Time: 6:30PM to 8:30PM Location: 14720 Oxnard St. Van Nuys, Ca 91411 The try out process is very casual and fun! The athletes demonstrate jumps, tumbling, skills and stunts. They also meet the staff and make friends. We evaluate the athletes in groups and encourage each person to do their best! Everyone is placed on a team no matter what. Open to boys and girls ages 6 to 18. After tryouts, the staff will pick teams based on their discretion. To learn more and to register please visit www.YoYoElastiCheer.com or call 818-572-3091. YoYo ElastiCheer ~Where Cheerleaders are Elastic and Fantastic!~

Ways to create a Sucessful Routine

Ways to create a Successful Routine (Choreography) Pick a up to beat song that your teams enjoys and that you enjoy. Listen to the song a few time to brainstorm-let the music speak to you. Lets Begin: 1st 8th Count: First you want to start with a bloom-start off strong to get the audience attention. Start in your beginning formation#1. 2nd 8th count complements the 1st 8th count. You may focus on arms during this 8th count. 3rd 8th count you can choose an element you want to focus on for example (incorporate a kick, turn, jump and so on. 4th 8th count complements the 3rd and also used as transition 8th count. Make sure when you transition it is done unnoticed and flawless. Choose a formation that’s unique and different from the 1st formation. For example you may start out in two lines, dancers are in windows and facing the same direction and when you transfer to formation #2 you can have ½ of the dancers facing one direction in the others facing the other direction-be creative. 5th 8th count lets use Group Ripples. We will have 3 Groups A, B and C. The sequence is 12, 34, 5, 6, 7, 8. Group A does 12, 34, 5, 6, 7, 8. While Group B is doing 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 34. While Group C is doing is 7, 8, 12, 34, 5, 6.6th 8th count complements the 5th , dance join to together as whole and also used to transition to new formation (#3). You may focus on isolation in this 8th count. 6th 8th count complement 5th dances come back together and you transition (use all of the floor) 7th 8th count you can use levels. Have some dancers dance in a standing position, have some middle and some low (use the floor) 8th 8th count complement 7th 8th count. Almost at the end you can either make this a show stopper 8th make it very technique or very easy it is up to you. But at least one or more 8th you must show you have skills, technique and you born to dance. This is a transition 8th as well have only a few dancers transition. 9th complements the 8th and 10th count. Give a little attitude and spirit in this 8th count. 10th 8th complement similar to 1st 8th count end in a bloom. You can end in ripples as ending posing. For example Group A goes 1 hold 2/3 , Group B hold 1, Go 2, Hold 3 and Group C holds 1 & 2 goes 3 and all hold 4. Each group is doing the exact choreography and come back together as a whole 5,6, 7, 8. Pose 8. As a choreographer, dancer and perform you want to keep you audience in engage. We are moving to 2014. This generation is fast pace generation and their attention span is very short. Chorography is like listening to music-if you like the song and if it is interesting you will continue to listen, but if there is a constant sound and not interest you press next. This is why is very important how you choose your music and how you chorography your routine. Keep the routine alive and interest. Create a pattern for example if you notice I always transfer on even numbers either at the beginner of the 8th count or at the end-this will help dancers learn the choreography faster and gives the audience a chance to try to figure out the pattern. Try to use music that is a mix of different songs and that is happy. Entertain your audience try your best not to bore them-think outside of the box. This only 10 8th count routine. I just wanted to give you an idea. There so much that goes into choreography it is very hard to put into words. I gave you just baby bite of a baby bite of the pie-there so much more. Thank you for reading. Coach Yolanda YoYo ElastiCheer www.YoYoElastiCheer.com

Styles of Teaching & Coaching

Styles of Teaching is a way to organize and present the learning experience to an athlete. Here is a list oof teaching styles as appropriate. 1. Command Style: the most common form of gymnastics instruction. Great for athletes who have little to no experience and is used with direct supervision. Effective when presenting a new skill to a group of athletes, for demonstrating and showing the correct form and technique of the skill. Very effective for larger classes and team sizes. 2. Problem Solving Style (movement exploration): A problem is poses by teacher or instructor and the athlete or student try to solve the problem and during this stage it involves direct supervision. This approach is very creative, is highly supervised in the beginning stage and causes the athlete to use critical thinking. This style involved indirect after the student has attempted to solve the problem , but direct while the problem is posed and explained. Great to use this approach for creativity, thinking and freedom. 3. Practice Style: is somewhat similar to the command style. A demonstration is given and the student are allowed to practice the skill that was demonstrated. The instructor watches and gives feedback and corrections. This is style is great for teaching a new skills and focusing on key elements of the certain skills. 4. Task Style: involves learning different skills at the same time. The instructor selects a few skills, they observe the students and provide feedback. This gives students the opportunity to make decisions of the skills that is demonstrated and to work on their own pace. This style is a mix of indirect and direct. This is style is great when athletes are practicing specific skills or leads up. 5. Reciprocal Style: athlete work in pairs or small groups, they provide feedback and instruction to one another, there is a lot of interaction, emphasize creativity and this style lies between indirect and direct supervision. This is style is great for when athletes understand the skills and can provide feedback to other athletes. As a coach and instructor I use all the styles, sometime in one session. For example (gymnastics) if I am teaching a newer classes-a class of students who are new to the class and skill I will use the command style. During the command style I teach the basics of the skills, the name of the skill and the proper position and the why you do this way. You want to create muscle memory and use the terms will help you in future instead of demonstration you will then start to call the skills names out and the students will know what to do. During floor drills I use a mix of command style and practice style. Floor drills I demonstrated a skill, the student observe and then they perform the skill. As they perform the skill I provide them with feedback. I use the Command, Practice, and Task Style during the obstacle course. I demonstrate each skill at each station (some time I will use a student to demonstrate the skill ), the students observe, before they start I ask the student to tell me what each station skill is because this this reminds them what they need to do, to test if they are paying attention, to keep the classes active, to make sure everyone know what they are doing and to keep a ongoing flow (you want the students to be moving and learning as much as possible. The reciprocal style I like to use when there’s a not a lot of stations so I double the students up, they work together, they spot and students give each other feedback. I also like to use this style during condition and handstand drills. This is just for a beginners class for advance, cheer, acrobatics and or dance I use the styles in different ways. Once you know your students –the style will come to you after a way it will become second nature. Some times it is a just a preference. Thanks for reading: YEC ~ www.YoYoElastiCheer.com ~ Where Cheerleaders are Elastic & Fantastic!

Free Cheerleading Class! Hello my name is Yolanda with YoYo ElastiCheer an All Star Cheerleading program and I would like to invited all interest Cheerleaders and students to join YEC this Saturday 12-14-2013 for a Free Cheerleading Trial Class! Students will learn tumbling, flexibility and stretching techniques, jumps, stunting skills and short dance. Free Trial Class is scheduled from 10:00AM to 11:30AM in Sherman Oaks, CA. If you attend the FREE trial class, you will get your 20% off Registration upon enrollment in the All Star Prep Cheerleading program! YoYo ElastiCheer is an All Star Cheerleading program that helps each athlete reach their highest potential. We educated athletes on the essential of All Star Cheerleading, Cheer Fundamentals, Tumbling, and Gymnastics. YEC is based in Sherman Oaks California and open to boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 18. Educating and Developing our youth is the commitment of YoYo ElasitCheer All Stars. All Levels are Welcome. Would really appreciate you sharing this info to all the students and parents. To register: online at http://www.yoyoelasticheer.com/#!upcoming-events/c1fda or by calling 818-582-3091 and/or by e-mail info@YoYoElastiCheer.com. You can also visit us online at www.YoYoElastiCheer.com for more infomation. You must register in order to attend the invite. Thanks Ms. Yolanda YoYo ElastiCheer Sherman Oaks, Ca 91423 818-582-3091 info@YoYoElastiCheer.com

Sportsmanship vs Showmanship

“Spirit starts with you!” Sportsmanship: means losing gracefully, playing fairly, and treating others with respect, especially the opposing team. Teasing or being rude to other teams isn’t classy. Give your school a good name. Showmanship: describes your performance style. Do you enjoy being in front of the crowd? Does your face show excitement and happiness? If you enjoy yourself while performing, the crowd is likely to enjoy watching you. A Cheerleader must have sportsmanship and showmanship. Lead the crowd in a positive way and respect everyone around you. Spirit starts with you-smile more and enjoy life. Cheers! YoYo ElastiCheer www.YoYoElasticheer.com info@YoYoElasticheer.com

Getting Started-Cheerleading

If you dream of being a cheerleader, you’re in good company. Christina Aguilera, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, and Madonna were all cheerleaders. Luke Perry was the mascot at his high school. Even President George W. Bush participated in college cheerleading.

 HISTORY    

When most people think of cheerleading, they picture teenagers in school outfits cheering for their teams. 

The history of cheerleading is more interesting that that. In fact, cheerleading didn’t start in the United States. It began way back in the year 776 B.C., in ancient Greece. During the first Olympic games, people cheered for their favorite runners.

In the United States, organized cheerleading began in 1898 at the University of Minnesota. Johnny Campbell, decided to test the idea that crowd on to victory. He had six male students lead the crowd in cheers. Campbell called them the Yell Captains. His idea worked. Made the games more fun. 

All Cheerleader  were males until the 1920s. That was when cheerleaders began to add stunts and gymnastics to their routines. Because women were easier to lift than men, women were welcomed onto cheerleading squads.

YoYo ElastiCheer

www.YoYoElastiCheer.com

info@YoYoElastiCheer.com

How to do a Back handspring

Get a spotter. Make sure that when you try to do a back handspring for the first time, you have a qualified spotter, coach or gymnastic teacher to spot you. This will prevent you from hurting yourself and will give you the confidence you need to successfully do the back handspring. The spotter stands on your left side, places right hand on your lower back and left hand under your left thigh or thighs to assist you with flip they also help with proper position of the body. Stand next to the spotter in a straight position  with arms in front of you- other words stand with your feet together and knees.

  *If this your first time using your spotter-you should do a trust fall. This help you feel more confident and to check to make sure your spotter can hold you weight.

 * How to do a trust fall? Simple: spotter hold arms out in candlesticks with palms (similar to cradle catch). You fall back in their arms. You can do a trust two ways: both are facing  same direction  you fall back with arms in T, spotter catches under your arm form daggers or  spotter turns sideways and you fall backwards. After you feel comfortable try jump back.

Warm Up & Stretch. It's important that you warm-up and stretch before you do a back handspring or you are putting yourself in serious risk for getting an injury. The most important parts of your body that you should stretch are your back and your wrists. To stretch your back start with bridges and then do a feel backbends. After each backbend-sit down on the floor, tuck your knees into your chest and roll back and forward without letting go of knees. You can also do the seal stretch-lay on tummy and push up with your arms  and look at the ceiling. Stretch your wrist out: interlock finger and roll your hands, knee on floor and push wrist on the floor, palms up, palms down, finger facing out and rock side to side. Roll wrist clockwise and counterclockwise. These are only a few ways.

Things to keep in mind when you learning your back handspring: make sure your arms are glued to your ear, your hands are under your shoulder, you need to need to jump back and slight up, squeeze your thighs  point your toes, don't get into the habit of throwing your head back (it's hard to break that, try no to look over your shoulders (think wall in front, ceiling, wall in back), if you point your toes and reach long this will help you have a long and beautiful back handspring with straight legs, pointed toes and perfect position. Remember back handspring don't come over night-practice and set goals for yourself.

Thanks

Yolanda

YoYo ElastiCheer.com

info@YoYoElastiCheer.com