Believe it or not, but cheerleaders were originally all male. Of course that was way back 150 years ago when the whole thing started. The idea was always the same. They wanted to make their team's support more voluble so they encouraged them to shout and yell in unison by making up slogans. This was much more effective than one person shouting for one player and another yelling something else. To start with there would be just one or two students at each match but gradually the idea grew and became an integral part of baseball, football, basketball and indeed any American sport. That is when cheerleading uniforms were introduced for girls.
Once the girls took over when the boys had to go to war, things started to change. The music and attitudes of the 1920s probably had a lot to do with it. Girls were determined to be seen and heard and get their vote, so the sport was another outlet for them to show they were as good if not better than their male counterparts. Now it is considered a sport in its own right and a growth industry too.
And it is no longer confined to the US. Since cheerleading became recognized as a sport with its own competitions and rules and regulations, it has traveled the world. It is popular in Canada, naturally, and all over Europe and was even to be seen recently at the IPL in India.
The main base however remains however in American schools and colleges where each season girls vie to be on the squad. It is almost as cutthroat as becoming President. Then it is a case of non-stop practice and the choosing and fitting of uniforms prior to the debut at the commencement of the appropriate season.
First thing is to decide the style of uniform if this is a new squad or a change is dictated possibly because earlier outfits were considered too revealing. Very short skirts and exposed midriffs are fine for university but maybe not for school girls. If they are to perform all year round, the weather must also be taken into consideration. Then the all important color or color combination has to be decided.
What goes underneath can be just as important though never seen. Girls must be made to understand that properly fitting underwear is essential if they are to perform properly. You never see an Olympic gymnast pulling at her bra strap after all. Everything should fit snugly but not too tight, give adequate support without restricting movement.
Ill fitting shoes can ruin the entire show. Even although they may be a little costly, it is sound advice to recommend really good footwear for all the team members. Lightweight shoes are best but they should have good cushioning inside and support too if the routines entail a lot of jumps, pyramids or tosses. White shoes are pretty much standard but can have appropriately colored insertions.
Cheerleading uniforms are not complete without pompoms. Where there are still co-ed squads the guys must have their megaphones too. What a marvelous gift America has given to the world.
Once the girls took over when the boys had to go to war, things started to change. The music and attitudes of the 1920s probably had a lot to do with it. Girls were determined to be seen and heard and get their vote, so the sport was another outlet for them to show they were as good if not better than their male counterparts. Now it is considered a sport in its own right and a growth industry too.
And it is no longer confined to the US. Since cheerleading became recognized as a sport with its own competitions and rules and regulations, it has traveled the world. It is popular in Canada, naturally, and all over Europe and was even to be seen recently at the IPL in India.
The main base however remains however in American schools and colleges where each season girls vie to be on the squad. It is almost as cutthroat as becoming President. Then it is a case of non-stop practice and the choosing and fitting of uniforms prior to the debut at the commencement of the appropriate season.
First thing is to decide the style of uniform if this is a new squad or a change is dictated possibly because earlier outfits were considered too revealing. Very short skirts and exposed midriffs are fine for university but maybe not for school girls. If they are to perform all year round, the weather must also be taken into consideration. Then the all important color or color combination has to be decided.
What goes underneath can be just as important though never seen. Girls must be made to understand that properly fitting underwear is essential if they are to perform properly. You never see an Olympic gymnast pulling at her bra strap after all. Everything should fit snugly but not too tight, give adequate support without restricting movement.
Ill fitting shoes can ruin the entire show. Even although they may be a little costly, it is sound advice to recommend really good footwear for all the team members. Lightweight shoes are best but they should have good cushioning inside and support too if the routines entail a lot of jumps, pyramids or tosses. White shoes are pretty much standard but can have appropriately colored insertions.
Cheerleading uniforms are not complete without pompoms. Where there are still co-ed squads the guys must have their megaphones too. What a marvelous gift America has given to the world.
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