SMYO Cheer Elite
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: What are the age ranges for cheerleaders?
A: SMYO Cheer Elite ranges from 5 to 18-year-old.
Q: How long is the season? The season begins in July and last until the end of April.
A: Where will practice be held? In the summer time practice will be held outside at the SMYO field. Once the weather changes and it gets dark we will move indoors.
Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: The fee includes a uniform (that you keep), practice t-shirt and shorts, tumbling lessons, and three competitions.
Q: What is level 1 cheerleading?
A: Level 1 cheerleading requires cartwheels, round-offs, forward and backward rolls, front and back walkovers, knee or waist level single leg stunt, prep level stunts, straight cradles, and no basket tosses.
Q: What is level 2 cheerleading?
A: Level 2 cheerleading requires back handspring, front handspring, Level 1 tumbling connected to a handspring, prep level single leg stunts, extended two-footed stunts, half-twisting mounts, barrel rolls, begin basket tosses.
Q: What is level 3.1 cheerleading?
A: Level 3.1 cheerleading requires level one tumbling (see above) but level 3 stunting, which is Front Flip Twist, Single Leg Extended Stunts, Full Twisting transition to Prep Level or Below, Full Twisting transition at Prep Level, ½ Up to Extended 1 leg stunt, Release Move to Prep or below, Level Appropriate Tic Toc style transitions, Inversion to Extended 1 leg stunt, Downward Inversion below Prep Level, Straight Cradle from Extended 1 leg, ¼ twisting dismount from Extended 1 leg stunt, Full twisting dismounts from Prep/Extension.
Q: What is the requirement to join the team?
A: There are no requirements. Everyone is welcome. Cheerleading is a learning sport. Just bring a positive attitude and the coaching staff can teach the rest.
Q: Are there try-outs?
A: Everyone makes the team but we will have placement try-outs. Placement try-outs allow the cheerleader to be placed in a certain level of a cheer team.
Q: What additional attire will I need purchase?
A: It is mandatory that you purchase all white cheer athletics tennis shoes (Infinity, Chasse, Nike). Optional attire are cheer warm-ups and cheer jersey.
Q: Does my cheerleader need tumbling experience?
A: No, tumbling skills are not required
Practice Questions
Q: When will practice start?
A: Practice begins on 23 July.
Q: Where will indoor practices be held?
A: Indoor practices will be held at schools located in La Plata and Waldorf. More to come on exact locations.
Q: How long are practices?
A: Practices normally last for 2 hours. For the younger ages, those times may be adjusted.
Q: Are practices mostly held in the evening?
A: Yes, most practices are held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Q: Will we practice outside?
A: Yes, in the summer practice will be held outdoors at the SMYO field.
Q: Are parents allowed at indoor practices?
A: Parents allowed at indoor practices will be determined by the Principal’s at each indivdual school or location.
Q: What is the practice attire?
A: Cheerleaders can wear loose or spandex shorts, leggings, sweat pants, short sleeve shirts, no sleeveless shirts, no jewelry, no fake nails, and athletic shoes with shoelaces.
Competition Questions
Q: Where are the competitions located?
A: Most competitions will be held in Maryland (Upper Marlboro and Bel Air). If teams attend the Finale, there is a chance that the competition will be out of state (i.e. Poconos, PA, Tennessee, etc.).
Q: How many competitions will my cheerleader attend?
A: Three guaranteed competitions, with a possibility of attending more.
Q: Is out-of-state travel involved?
A: Yes. Most competitions are held in Maryland; however, larger competitions may be held out of state (East Coast). Parents are responsible for all travel expenses.