cheer 101
Your Journey Starts Here
Whether you're new to cheer or looking to sharpen your fundamentals, Cheer 101 is your go-to guide for building strong foundations. From technique and drills to mindset and mobility, this course breaks down everything you need to know to grow with confidence.
Created by a high-level athlete and coach with years of experience at the top of the sport, it's built to be clear, practical, and packed with value.
What’s Inside:
8 easy-to-follow modules
Jumps, tumbling, warm-ups, and more
Pro tips and training tools
Downloadable checklists and bonus content
Lifetime access — learn at your own pace
Designed for athletes, coaches, and parents who want better training, clear structure, and real results.
Let’s go!
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MODULE 0: Welcome & Orientation
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Welcome to Cheer 101
Start your Cheer 101 journey with a personal welcome from Coach Josh. Learn why this course was created, who it’s for, and what you can expect as you build a stronger foundation in cheerleading. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent — this is your invitation to learn, grow, and train smarter from the very beginning.
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How to Get the Most Out of Cheer 101
Learn how Cheer 101 is structured, how to move through the course at your own pace, and how to get the best results. This orientation covers mindset, organization, and the key habits that will set you up for real progress — from your very first lesson to your final review.
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MODULE 1: Where to Start — Build the Basics
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Ready, Set, Cheer
Get ready to lay the foundation for everything you’ll do in cheer. In this first section, we’ll introduce the day-one essentials: motions, shapes, and performance skills — the key building blocks that every great cheerleader needs. Strong basics lead to strong skills, and it all starts here.
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Essential Shapes: Building Strength, Control + Confidence
Master the fundamental body positions that power every skill in cheerleading. Essential shapes build the strength, stability, and body control needed for clean tumbling, strong stunting, and confident performance. This is where your real foundation begins.
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Motions Mastery: Building Precision & Power
Master the foundational motions that every cheerleader must know. Learn proper technique, placement, and performance principles that carry through to every section of a routine. Strong motions aren’t just basics — they’re the building blocks of elite-level cheer.
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Performance: Turning Motions into Magic
Take your skills from sharp to show-stopping. This lesson breaks down the essential elements of performance — from energy and expression to intentional movement and team connection. If you want to stand out, this is where it starts.
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MODULE 2: Proper Warm-Up and Stretch
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Go-To Full Body Warm-Up: 3 Easy Steps
Prepare your body the right way. This three-step warm-up routine is designed to boost circulation, activate key muscle groups, and improve mobility — setting you up for stronger, safer training every time you hit the mat.
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Step One
Start your warm-up with dynamic mobility drills designed to unlock your full range of motion, improve coordination, and prepare your joints for high-level cheer skills. Strong movement starts here.
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Step Two
Fire up your energy system with targeted cardio exercises that prepare your body for explosive cheer skills. Activate your endurance, speed, and coordination — all without burning out before you hit the mat.
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Step Three
Activate flexibility and prep your body for movement. Focus on hamstrings, hip flexors, shoulders, and back. Stretch lightly, hold for 10–15 seconds, and avoid forcing deeper stretches. Flexibility during warm-up should energize you — not exhaust you. Stretch smart, move better.
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MODULE 3: Jumps
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Jumps 101
Learn what it takes to master jumps at the elite level. This lesson covers the importance of timing, precision, connection, and technical execution.
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Jump Technique & Execution
Perfect jumps aren’t built by accident — they’re built from the ground up. This lesson breaks down every phase of the jump process so you can maximize height, precision, control, and performance from takeoff to landing.
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Jump Specific Breakdowns
Refine every detail. This lesson breaks down Toe Touch, Pike, and Hurdler jumps with elite-level technique — helping you correct common mistakes, train smarter, and perfect your visual execution.
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Drills & Conditioning for Jumps
Jump power comes from smart drills. In this lesson, we’ll strengthen your core, hips, and legs, and sharpen body coordination. Use these drills to build explosive lift, faster reaction, and cleaner jump form. Consistency = bigger, sharper, and stronger jumps.
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Flexibility & Strength: The Key to Higher Jumps
Jumping higher isn’t just about effort — it’s about smart training. In this lesson, you’ll learn how flexibility and strength work together to create explosive jumps with cleaner posture, better control, and maximum height.
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Jump Chapter Recap
Mastering jumps takes more than reps — it takes smart training. You’ve built your foundation, learned key drills, and activated the right muscles. Keep applying these techniques to maximize height, control, and sharpness. Stay consistent and trust the process!
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MODULE 4: Tumbling
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Tumbling 101
Tumbling is one of the most athletic, technical, and exciting parts of cheerleading. In this lesson, you’ll learn how tumbling progression is built level-by-level — and why mastering foundations is the key to elite skills, power, and safety.
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Running Tumbling's Essential 5 Steps
The key to elite tumbling isn’t harder skills — it’s smarter, stronger foundations. This lesson teaches the five essential steps that every running tumbling pass must master for clean technique, stronger power, and higher success at every level.
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Proper Hand Placement
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Proper Feet Placement
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Organizing Running Tumbling Entry
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Rhythm, Speed & Sound in Tumbling
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Reaction Drills to Boost Your Speed, Reflexes & Explosiveness
Elite tumbling isn’t just about strength — it’s about reaction time. This lesson teaches you how to sharpen your reflexes, boost your explosiveness, and build the quick-fire response needed to land skills cleaner, higher, and safer.
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Engaged Body = Max Power
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Trampoline & Tumble Track: Your Secret Weapon
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Mobility & Conditioning for Longevity
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The Rubber Band Theory
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Chapter Recap
Tumbling success starts with strong basics. In this module, you learned how to refine technique, increase speed, and build smarter skills. Keep training with purpose and focus — every clean pass starts with a clean foundation!
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MODULE 5: Tumbling by Levels (Novice - 7 Skill Progressions)
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Intro
Learn how to build strong tumbling skills step-by-step, from Novice through Level 7. Inside this module, you’ll find clear techniques, drills, coaching insights, and proven progressions that create real, lasting results.
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Standing Bridge
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Bridge Kickover
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Backwalkover
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Frontwalkover
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Frontwalkover, Cartwheel, Backwalkover
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Valdez
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Handstand Forward Roll
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Connected Backwalkovers
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Standing Backhandspring
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Roundoff Backhandspring
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Backwalkover Backhandspring
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T-Jump Backhandspring
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Back Tuck
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Standing Multiple Backhandsprings
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Front Tuck
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Ariel
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Backhandspring Step-out
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Layouts
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Whips
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Level 4 Standing Tumbling
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Front Tuck Connections
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L4 Whip Connections & Advanced Combos
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MODULE 6: Train Smarter — Injury Prevention & Power Training
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Top 15 Cheerleading Injuries & How to Prevent Them
Learn how to train smarter and protect your body long-term. Injury prevention starts with strength, smart technique, and listening to your body.
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Core & Ab Workout
A strong core powers every skill. Use this simple but effective core circuit to boost control, stability, and confidence in all your skills.
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How To Train Like A Champion
Consistency, structure, and smart recovery separate champions from everyone else. Train with intention, and success will follow.
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Flexibility, Stretch, Recovery
Flexibility fuels skill progression and injury prevention. Stretch smart, recover intentionally, and keep your body competition-ready.
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Building Stamina For Full Outs
Condition like a pro. Build the stamina to hit full-out routines strong, clean, and confident — from the first count to the final pose.
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MODULE 7: The Extra 10% — Mindset & Long-Term Growth
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Mental Prep and Overcoming Nerves
Train your mind like you train your skills. Learn how to turn nerves into focus, stay calm under pressure, and perform at your best when it counts.
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Progressing to Higher Levels
Leveling up is about mastering the basics, building strength, and trusting the process. Smart training habits and mindset shifts will unlock your next breakthrough.
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Training Plans and Goal Setting
Success isn’t random — it’s planned. Learn how to set clear goals, structure your training, and track your progress for long-term growth.
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Speeding Up Your Progression & Avoid Plateaus
Feel stuck? Learn how to break plateaus by training smarter, fixing mistakes faster, and building real momentum toward your next big skill.
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What Coaches Actually Look For
Skill matters — but so do attitude, work ethic, and team spirit. Find out what coaches really look for when building winning teams.
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Using Social Media to Showcase Your Talents
Your skills deserve a spotlight. Learn how to use social media strategically to share your journey, grow your brand, and open new opportunities.
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MODULE 8: Community & Wrap-Up