Pep Rally Activities

Most cheerleading squads bear the responsibility for running pep rally activities during the event. Pep rallies are often organized around a big school wide event such as homecoming, a championship game or honoring graduating senior athletes. Well planned activities can make a pep rally great and one that students will remember for years to come.

To begin planning activities for your pep rally, you'll need to make a schedule. It's best to schedule in fifteen minute increments so that you know exactly how much time something is supposed to take. A sample schedule might look something like the one below.

As you're reviewing your schedule, make adjustments as necessary to ensure that the time you have allotted for each activity is realistic. You don't want to run over the time you're allowed by your administration, but you don't want to run under either.

While your creativity is generally the only limit to what you can do, there are often a few things that generally occur at a pep rally.

Go ahead and wow the crowd with your best routine. There are numerous advantages, and while the crowd will likely enjoy watching their favorite squad strut their stuff, the benefits are really for you. A pep rally is a perfect place to practice and perfect your moves as a squad. You'd much rather work out all the kinks in front of your school than in front of judges at a competition. The crowd will just enjoy being privy to your best stunts and tumbling.

A pep rally is the perfect time to introduce the homecoming or prom courts. Many schools also have winter dances or spring dances that involve electing a "snow court" or "flower court". Whatever your school does, introducing the court at a pep rally lets everyone see who was nominated. It also affords some opportunity for some humorous games!

Consider taking some time during your pep rally to honor that one teacher who makes learning come to life, or that one secretary that's always quick with a smile and a helpful answer. Honoring popular faculty or staff with some type of student award is a great way to bond around a common theme. Awards could include: "Most Helpful", "Most Humorous" or a "Student's Choice Award". Let those special faculty members know how much you appreciate them!

It is customary to do something for the coaches that were involved in the season. A traditional gift would include a plaque or trophy. However, some schools have active booster clubs that offer gift certificates or other gifts of appreciation.

Honoring senior athletes at the end of the season is standard during a pep rally. This is the opportunity for the school to recognize athletes that have given back to their school and community. Note high school career highlights, but also make sure to note extra curricular achievements. If the rally is in the spring, you can also note where the players are going to college if applicable.

Don't forget to honor other leaders in your school! If your school has more than a couple pep rallies a year, honor those students who were actively involved in school, excelled in academics or had otherwise notable qualities. (You'll often find that many of these students are also athletes.)

No pep rally is complete without a few class competitions or games. Games should always be in good taste, and they should offer opportunity for as many people as possible to participate. One easy way to get classes involved is to have them judge by their applause. The loudest applause of course, helps win the prize.

1. Remember to stay within your time limits. One quick way to get your opportunities to have pep rallies reduced is to not plan your time well and run over or significantly under your time.
2. Make sure that games and activities are appropriate.
3. Try to break up the activities between those that require a little rowdiness, and those that require listening.
4. Plan in advance!

• Cute Hello Cheers
• Freshman Cheers for a Pep Rally
• School Cheers
• Cheerleading Quiz

• Words for Cheerleading Cheers
• Popular Cheers for Cheerleading
• Cheerleading Chants
• Football Cheers Chants
• Cheerleading Routines

• Ideas for School Spirit Day
• Spirit Week Opposite Dress Day
• Cheerleader Ideas
• Pep Rally Ideas
• Pep Rally Cheers