If you’re interested in cheerleading but have never tried it before, you might be wondering where to start.
Do you need to know the moves already? Do you need to be flexible? How do cheerleaders remember routines? And what should a complete beginner practise first?
The good news is that everyone starts with the basics.
Learning cheerleading begins with a small number of fundamental skills: sharp arm motions, counting to the music, simple footwork, kicks, jumps and short combinations. Once these foundations start to feel natural, they can be combined into longer and more challenging routines.
At Phoenix Dance Academy, our cheerleading classes in Pontefract welcome complete beginners as well as dancers with previous experience. Students learn cheer and dance movements progressively, building technique and confidence before moving on to more advanced skills.
Here are the basics you need to know when learning cheerleading for the first time.
How Do You Learn Cheerleading as a Beginner?
The best way to learn cheerleading is to break it down into individual skills rather than trying to master an entire routine straight away.
Beginners typically start by learning:
- Basic cheer motions
- Rhythm and 8-counts
- Simple footwork
- Kicks
- Beginner jumps
- Turns and changes of direction
- Short choreography sequences
- Timing and synchronisation
These skills form the foundations of cheerleading choreography.
You don’t need to master everything immediately. Good technique develops through repetition, coaching and gradually combining individual movements into longer sequences.
Basic Cheerleading Moves Every Beginner Should Learn
1. High V
The High V is one of the most recognisable cheer motions.
Both arms extend upwards and outwards to create a V shape above the body.
The important part isn’t simply getting your arms into position. Cheer motions should look strong, deliberate and controlled.
Keep your posture tall and concentrate on hitting the position cleanly rather than allowing your arms to drift into place.
2. Low V
The Low V uses a similar shape, but the arms extend diagonally downwards instead.
Practising transitions between a High V and Low V is a simple way for beginners to work on:
- Arm placement
- Speed
- Control
- Posture
- Timing
As you improve, these movements can be incorporated into more complicated cheerleading routines.
3. T Motion
For a T motion, both arms extend directly out to either side of the body.
Although it sounds simple, getting the positioning consistent takes practice.
Strong cheerleading choreography depends on dancers hitting movements at the same time and in the same position.
If you want to develop this further, our guide to sharper and cleaner cheer dance motions explains how precision can make a big difference to a routine.
Learn to Count Cheerleading Routines in 8s
One of the most useful skills a beginner can learn is how to count choreography.
Cheer and dance routines are often taught using groups of eight counts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
A movement might happen on each count, or one movement might continue for several counts.
For example:
- Count 1: Step
- Count 2: High V
- Count 3: Step
- Count 4: T motion
- Count 5: Kick
- Count 6: Recover
- Count 7: Turn
- Count 8: Pose
Counting helps you understand when each movement happens rather than simply trying to remember what comes next.
It also becomes increasingly important when dancing as part of a group.
Beginner Cheerleading Kicks
Kicks are commonly incorporated into cheer and dance choreography.
For beginners, the goal should be control rather than trying to kick as high as possible.
Concentrate on:
- Maintaining good posture
- Keeping the movement controlled
- Engaging your core
- Returning the foot to the floor with control
- Staying in time with the choreography
As strength, flexibility and technique improve, the movement itself will normally become stronger.
Beginner Cheerleading Jumps
Jumps are another familiar part of cheerleading.
Two common examples are:
Toe Touch
A toe touch involves jumping while opening the legs outwards before returning to a controlled landing.
Herkie
A Herkie uses a different leg position, with one leg extended while the other bends.
For beginners, good preparation and controlled technique are more important than jump height.
Jumps are skills that should be developed progressively with appropriate coaching rather than rushing straight towards the biggest movement possible.
At Phoenix Dance Academy, jumps and kicks form part of the skills taught within our cheerleading classes according to the dancer’s age and experience.
Turns and Changes of Direction
Cheer choreography isn’t performed standing in one place.
Even beginner routines can include:
- Half turns
- Full turns
- Step turns
- Changes of direction
- Travelling movements
Learning how to move confidently from one position to another makes routines look much smoother.
Beginners should concentrate on maintaining posture and finishing one movement properly before rushing into the next.
Put the Moves Together: A Simple Beginner Cheer Routine
Once individual movements start becoming familiar, you can combine them into a short 8-count sequence.
For example:
Beginner 8-Count Cheer Combination
Count 1: Step to the side
Count 2: High V
Count 3: Step together
Count 4: T motion
Count 5: Controlled kick
Count 6: Return to position
Count 7: Half turn
Count 8: Strong finishing pose
It doesn’t need to be complicated.
The aim is to practise moving from one skill into another while maintaining timing and control.
Once an 8-count feels comfortable, another eight counts can be added.
That’s how longer cheer routines begin to take shape.
How to Make a Beginner Cheer Routine Look Better
Learning the sequence is only one part of cheerleading.
Two dancers can perform the same choreography and make it look completely different depending on the quality of their technique.
Beginners should pay attention to:
Sharp Motions
Try to hit arm positions cleanly rather than letting them slowly drift into place.
Posture
Standing tall can immediately make movements look stronger and more confident.
Timing
Learn which count each movement happens on.
Finishing Each Movement
Avoid rushing from one position into the next.
Facial Expression and Energy
Cheerleading is a performance style. Confidence and energy can transform even simple choreography.
Synchronisation
When performing as part of a group, everyone needs to work towards hitting movements together.
Our guide to the importance of synchronisation in cheer routines explores why timing becomes so important as dancers progress.
Beginner Cheerleading Tips
If you’re learning cheerleading for the first time, these habits can make the process much easier.
Practise Little and Often
Repeating a short combination several times can help movements become more familiar.
You don’t necessarily need to practise an entire routine every time.
Learn the Counts
If you’re struggling to remember choreography, learn the counts alongside the movements.
Knowing that a kick happens on five and a turn happens on seven gives your brain another way to remember the sequence.
Focus on Technique Before Speed
It can be tempting to rush through choreography.
Slow the movement down first.
Once the positioning feels comfortable, gradually bring it back up to speed.
Watch Your Arm Positions
Small differences in hand or arm placement can make a routine look less precise, particularly when dancing in a group.
Build Strength and Control
Cheerleading uses the whole body.
Core control, leg strength, coordination and balance all contribute to cleaner movement.
Don’t Worry About Making Mistakes
Every cheerleader has had to learn their first routine.
Mistakes are part of learning choreography and often highlight exactly what needs more practice.
For dancers wanting to sharpen their technique further, these cheer dance drills to improve precision are a useful next step.
What Happens in a Beginner Cheerleading Class?
Knowing what to expect can make joining your first class feel much easier.
At Phoenix Dance Academy, cheerleading sessions can include:
- A warm-up
- Stretching
- Jumps and kicks
- Basic cheer movements
- Street dance movements
- Choreography
- Technique work
- Improvisation
- A cool-down
Complete beginners are welcome.
Newer dancers start with basic movements and simple choreography before progressing towards more challenging skills as their experience develops.
Phoenix currently has groups for:
- Ages 4–6
- Ages 7–13
- Ages 14–17
with beginner, intermediate and advanced levels available.
Do You Need Experience to Start Cheerleading?
No.
You don’t need to arrive already knowing cheerleading routines.
That’s what classes are for.
A beginner class allows you to learn the basic movements, understand how choreography is counted and practise alongside other dancers at an appropriate level.
The important thing is being willing to learn.
What Should You Bring to a Beginner Cheer Class?
For your first session, keep things simple.
Bring:
- Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely
- Suitable footwear for the class
- A water bottle
- Hair tied back where appropriate
If you’re unsure about clothing or footwear, ask your instructor before attending.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Cheerleading?
There isn’t one answer because everyone learns at a different pace.
Some movements may click immediately. Others might take several classes before they feel natural.
The important progression is usually:
Learn the movement → practise the movement → combine it with other skills → perform it confidently within a routine.
Consistency matters much more than getting everything perfect in your first lesson.
Can Children Start Cheerleading as Complete Beginners?
Yes.
Phoenix Dance Academy welcomes complete beginners from age four, with groups organised around age and experience.
Younger or newer dancers can begin with basic cheer and dance movements before gradually developing their coordination, choreography and technique.
Learn Cheerleading at Phoenix Dance Academy in Pontefract
Watching routines online can help you understand what cheerleading looks like, but learning in a structured class gives you something a video can’t: feedback.
An instructor can help you understand your positioning, timing and technique while introducing new skills at an appropriate pace.
Phoenix Dance Academy offers cheerleading classes in Pontefract for children and teenagers aged 4–17, from complete beginners through to more experienced dancers.
Classes take place at:
Phoenix Dance Academy
20b Ropergate
Pontefract
WF8 1LY
A free taster session is available so your child can meet Miss Goodman, experience the class and find the group most suited to their age and experience.
Ready to get started? Enquire about a free cheerleading taster session and take the first step towards learning your first routine.