Rules Unique to Upward Cheerleading
- Before every game the referee will lead both basketball teams and cheerleading squads in prayer at center court.
- All cheers learned will be used to encourage both teams that are playing. There will be no negative cheers. If you choose to make up your own cheers during the season, refrain from using such language as “beat”, “kill”, “fight”, “defeat”, etc.
- Each squad will not have a specific team that it cheers for every Saturday. Cheers will encourage all players (“Go Upward”, “Make the Basket”, “Go red and black”, etc).
- All cheerleading squads will have the same uniforms.
- Tumbling and stunting are not taught or trained as part of the Upward Cheerleading program. Use your discretion when determining whether or not to include this in your program.
- Squad divisions are broken down by age. In most cases, like age groups will be cheering together.
Game Day
The following are things you will need to know for game day:
- Cheerleaders should be instructed to arrive at the gym early on game day to stretch and practice before cheering.
- Include your cheerleading squad in the prayer huddle with the players, coaches and referees before the game begins.
- Incorporate your cheerleaders into halftime! Each game will consist of two 18-minute halves with an eight minute halftime period.
- The clock stops every six minutes for substitutions. This can be a great time for cheerleaders to do a quick chant!
- Encourage your cheerleaders to watch the game so that they can cheer for each team when points are scored.
- Encourage your cheerleaders to pay attention to the game so that they are not caught off guard by a stray ball or out of control player.
- It may be hard for your cheerleaders to stand up the entire game. You may have them sit (cross legged) on the sideline and do chants using arms only.
- Another option is to provide chairs if they will fit in the area designated for your cheerleaders.