Football Cheers

Most Popular Football Cheers and Chants

While there are tons of traditional football chants and cheers and many news ones being created every year, there are some tried and true football cheers that any cheerleader will want to have in her spirit arsenal. Many of these cheers are very simple and easy to remember. Some have been handed down from mother to daughter for several generations and others are new, fresh and very hip. On any given night in September, you might find hundreds of cheerleaders using these same cheers to show their spirit. Here are just a couple of the favorites:

• D, D, D, Defense!
• T-A, K-E; Take that Ball Away!
• Push 'em back! Push 'em back! Way back!

You can find other popular football cheers at sites such as Cheerleading Coaches Corner and The Spirit Corner, a site that sorts cheers by offense and defense as well as by sport (football, basketball or competition).

Usually, the most popular cheers for a given team and squad are those the cheerleaders love. If the squad loves the cheer and puts emotion and passion into performing it, that excitement will become contagious, and the crowd will participate more. This will quickly make the cheer or chant a favorite at football games. You may even hear the crowd yell out things like, "Do that D-D-Defense cheer!" To make up your own cheer for your football team, think about what's special to your team. Inspiration can be found in squad's mascot, as well as where the team needs the most encouragement. Consider how you can pull it all together in a catchy little jingle that will be easy for the crowd to remember and repeat after the cheerleaders. Who knows, one night in a few years, cheerleaders all over the country may be chanting the cheer that you wrote!

Halftime Cheers

Halftime cheers offer cheerleaders the chance to show off their skills and stunts. The only problem is that when halftime hits, people get up, mill around, head for the snack stand and generally don't pay attention. Because of this, it's important to grab the crowd's attention at the halfway point in the football game. Remember, you are setting the spirit level of the crowd for the rest of the football game.

Sound like a lot of pressure? It shouldn't be because halftime cheers can be some of the most creative and fun-filled cheers of your career. There are opportunities to add in dance moves, stunts and pyramids. Although squads often come up with their own unique cheers for halftime, here are a few read-made cheers to get you started and give you some ideas.

• Ms. Pineapple has tons of cheers to get you started. You'll also find information on how to do stunts and jumps.

• YouTube is chock full of cheerleading half-time shows. Watch for inspiration in making up your own unique halftime cheer for your own team.

• Cheer Wiz offers tips and ideas for making your half-time show completely amazing. Not only will you find ideas for football cheers, you'll also find ideas for stunts and other amazing tricks that will bring the crowd to its feet.

Other Sites Offering Cheers to Use During Football Season

• Football Cheers
• Football Cheers and Sidelines
• Bulldogs Cheerleaders
• MIT Chants and Cheers
• Jacket Cheerleading

Remember that no matter which cheers you choose, or if you choose to create your own, that the main key is to have fun and be passionate about your cheering. The crowd will sense whether or not you are enjoying the cheer, and it will make all the difference in whether that cheer is a hit or a flop.