The Burlington Patriots, a Massachusetts Pop Warner Cheerleading Team (Junior Midgets), has won 11 national titles and want to win another one. Will they do it? Watch the movie and find out! 

Film makers Laura Molta and Al Ward follow the Patriots Cheerleading team over the months of preparing for their national cheerleading competitions. From the first practice of the season in August through the many long hours of grueling preparation to the final test of their skill and expertise at Nationals, this film will attract and hold your attention as you root for the home team. 

I highly recommend this riveting movie to anyone who is involved in cheerleading.  This means all cheerleaders, all cheer coaches, all cheer parents, and everyone in the cheer industry.  If you’re new to the spirit world, this is a perfect introduction to the reality of this exciting sport.  If you’re a veteran, you will appreciate the story of this team and its leaders as it moves towards its exciting finish. 

There is so much to like about this film that it is hard to know where to begin!  The cheerleaders themselves are superb athletes who dedicate countless hours perfecting their skills.  The coaches pull out all the stops to devote their time, energy and love to the girls in their quest for a title. 

If you think winning a title is just a matter of practice, then this film will be a revelation to you.  Sure, the physical and technical preparation and practice are important, but the mental preparation is what makes the difference between a championship team and a runner-up.  Co-directors Darlene Tierney and Carolyn Shannon and Coach Jennifer Currie know this well and their passion, wisdom and psychological astuteness help the team overcome setbacks and forge ahead.  Perhaps without their knowing it, these ladies are teaching valuable mental toughness skills to these girls. 

At one point, Carolyn says, “It’s a lesson in life…you don’t have power or control…” True!  One of the key principles in sport psychology is to recognize the things you can and cannot control and to devote your energy to those things you can control.  These women know this instinctively. 

Right before the National competition, one of the girls has to have an appendectomy and cannot perform. Then, the night before the big event, the team is told they have to change one of their moves.  One girl has the flu and another has a painful ovarian cyst.  What do they do?  They work fast and hard to change the routine and the girls pull it all together in a remarkable fashion. 

I found myself rooting for the Patriots, feeling the excitement and the tension as they competed.  (I even had tears in my eyes.) You can’t help but get involved in this story! 

In addition to the main story, there are special features that are like a mini-course in cheerleading.  These features include behind the scenes interviews with 10 of the top ranked Pop Warner Cheerleading teams in the country; more than 10 full length competition performances and live critiques of cheer routines by judges.  Surely the last feature alone makes this video worth buying.  Where else can you hear a judge assess a cheer team’s performance – in the moment?  

Do yourself a favor and go to www.Cheerleadingfilm.com to purchase your DVD of Blood, Sweat & Cheers!

The film “Bring it on – Fight to the Finish” will be available on Blu Ray and DVD on September 1st.  Here is a video clip from You Tube where some of the performers talk admiringly about cheerleaders!

Cheerleaders and cheer coaches have many opportunities to learn how to perfect motions, jumps, tumbling and stunts.  There are books, of course, many of which are excellent, and there are videos. 

The advantage of books is their portability and the fact that you don’t have to rely on technology to use them.  Videos require either a computer or a DVD player but since most people have one or the other, this usually doesn’t pose a problem. 

 I’ve taken some time recently to view several cheerleading videos and I’m happy to say I recommend them all!  Here’s the scoop: 

1. Coaching 101: Introduction to Motions and Progressions (with Shari Goodman) 

(This DVD and the 3 that follow are all produced by Cheer Coach & Advisor Magazine and can be found at http://www.ChampionshipProductions.com ) 

Coach Goodman expertly teaches 10 separate motions, ways to drill a squad while moving into basic motion sequences, and then demonstrates an intermediate level sequence that includes a cheer with the motions.  This is an easy-to-follow video that will make your learning a pleasure. 

1. Coaching 102: Beginner Cheer Formations and Transitions (with Alison Dytko) 

Alison Dytko begins with a review of how to set six different formations and then demonstrates six transitions. There is a demonstration of the full skill for each transition. Every move is broken down into simple steps to enhance your learning. 

1. Coaching 103: Introduction to Jump and Jump conditioning (with Mayra Brandt) 

Coach Brandt takes her squad through 3 basic stretching exercises (important!) and then moves into 3 jump approaches.  Brandt offers specific instructions and tips for 7 jumps.  She also provides conditioning exercises and other goodies! 

1. Coaching 104: Level 2 and Level 3 Tryouts (with Stephanie Scurrah) 

Getting ready for tryouts?  This DVD will definitely help! Coach Scurrah’s cheerleaders demonstrate tryout skills required for Level 2 such as running, and tumbling.  She also shows a simulation for Level 3. 

1. FlyGirl Elevation Series: Coaching Confidence in Cheerleading

Visit http://www.flygirl.ca for more information. 

Mandy Cheetham is President of FlyGirl.  She is a choreographer and coach who has worked with some of the best teams in the world. Mandy narrates this DVD which depicts 4 cheerleaders executing stunts. 

A thoughtful and patient teacher, Mandy puts her cheerleaders through several stunt routines as she describes each detail of how it’s done.  She also demonstrates several common mistakes stunters make and how to resolve them. 

The DVD covers double base elevators, cradles, full twist cradles, liberties, and more. 

1. For the Love of Tumbling by Debbie Love

Contact Debbie at Debbie@showtimespirit.com  or Marcandluv@aol.com 

Debbie Love is Tumbling Director at Showtime Spirit in Lexington, KY.  Debbie also consults to cheerleaders and coaches nationwide. 

This DVD comes with a manual that includes detailed instructions on how to do several tumbling moves, from basic skills such as a forward roll and a handstand to combination skills. 

Debbie narrates the video as several cheerleaders demonstrate the various moves. One thing that Debbie stresses over and over is the need for cheerleaders to develop a strong and conditioned body. Her manual offers detailed information on what exercises a cheerleader can do to get in excellent tumbling condition. For example, she has a pages on “tuck conditioning” and “jump conditioning” which include explanations for the suggested exercises.