The F word

Hey all!! =)

We all know that an entertaining and well-put-together, winning cheerleading routine requires lots (and LOTS, literally) of hardwork, tears, blood (hopefully not, safety first please! heheh!) and sweat!

So, besides those awesome gravity-defying stunts, razor-sharp motions and powerful jumps... what really MAKES a routine, is one of the littlest things of all...

... so little that when team members neglect it in the midst of trying to achieve the "more important" stuff...

...it makes the (usually perfectionist) team captain/coach/choreographer want to scream out the F word...

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.YES! You guessed right!

FACIALS!!! :D

It's the smallest thing that one can do to light up the whole routine!=) Facial expressions are important cos cheerleaders are supposed to connect with the crowd! And a smile is always inviting and helps welcome the crowd to join in and have fun watching the cheerleaders do their "thang" ;)

Moreover, frowning is tiring and sulking isn't pretty hehehe.. *blonde moment* here :D

But then again, cheerleaders are usually associated as bimbos in their eagerness to express themselves! (OH.. MY.. GAWDD!! REALLY??) Haha.. Get my point? :P

And usually it is the excessive head nodding and over-expressive wide-eyed smile that gives the impression that cheerleaders are silly and retarded!

Which we are not laaa... REALLY! =)

Leading a crowd is tough...

...especially with the "co-operative" Msian spectators =p

We cheerleaders are just trying to do our job to lead the crowd and put on a darn good show :)

Anyways, let's not digress...

The question is, what's the "just right" smile?=)

Well, i'm not trying to dictate what is the RIGHT smile, but maybe, for your entertainment (the things I do for my dear readers!=p), let me give you a few examples on what's too much or too little in a facial expression! =)

The Absolute No-No Expression: Bored

Now tell me, how are you supposed to get the crowd interested in what you are gonna cheer about when you aren't even interested yourself??

The Not-Enough Expression: Unconvincing

You will drive your captain/coach/choreographer NUTS if you say, "Aiya, i got smile A BIT wat!!"

Half smile = half hearted.

(Gosh, it's almost a sarcarstic-looking smile) Okay.. i think i overdid it a little hehe... I look like the grinch hahaha!! So the point is.. To be convincing! If you can't convince yourself, you can't convince anyone what you're doing is fun!

The Forced and Tensed Expression: Fake

Okay, some might get away with this during a performance.. But IMHO, it's not gonna make the crowd believe that you are sincere. Despite the wide smile, expressionless eyes will not help communicate with the crowd!

The No-Can-Do Expression: Weak

Weak smiles tend to show a lack of confidence. The audience can sense the lack of confidence and be quite critical about the performance. External Criticism + Internal Lack of confidence = Emotional Breakdown in the Middle of the Field. Not Pretty..... Hehehe..

The OH-EMM-GEE Expression: Over The Top

Over-The-Top facial expressions can be downright hilarious (I know you're laughing at this pic!=p) and definitely too overwhelming! And if it's not silly-looking, it's plain SCARY. You wanna lead the crowd, not make them run the other way. So relax a little.. CHILL-LEKS! =)

The Just Nice Expression: Nothing more, Nothing less

Okay, i did a few takes for this teehee.. =) *blush*

Facial expressions are just like any other skill in cheerleading. Even though it's just one of those littlest things, but practice makes perfect!! Here's a few tips on how to do it right =)

• Practice in front of a mirror. (not like just standing and smiling in front of it all day laa..=p) Practice smiling while doing your dance or cheers! =)
  
• Take a deep breath. It helps relax the facial muscles.. You gotta breathe, people! =p
  
• Cheer with your chin up. It helps in voice projection and shows confidence! =)
  
• Practice by yourself and then in front of someone. (Team mate, sibling, friend etc. Hint: Siblings are the harshest yet most honest of the lot. I'm sure they would be more than happy to have the license to laugh at us! :P)
• Maintain good eye contact with the crowd. But no staring please! =)
  
• Project a spirited personality. Don't overdo the enthusiasm or it'll be "fake". Just a good show of spirit will help lift the mood! =)
  
• Know why you wanna be a cheerleader. If your goals are to help raise the spirit and pride of the school, it will show in the way you present yourself.. =)
  

Most importantly, have fun cheering and it will rub off on the people you are performing to :)

til next,

The cheer addict.