Male cheerleaders have been part of the sport since its beginnings at US colleges in the late 1800s, and today they play a central role on coed college teams, all star squads and many high school programs. Their most common jobs are partner stunting, basing and back spotting group stunts, tumbling and leading crowds. To get started, build upper body and leg strength, take tumbling classes, learn sharp motions and jumps, and look for coed or open teams at all star gyms, colleges and schools.
A short history of men in cheerleading
Organized cheerleading began as crowd leading at American college football games, and the earliest cheerleaders were men. Johnny Campbell, a student at the University of Minnesota, is often credited as one of the first organized cheerleaders after leading a crowd at a football game in 1898. For decades, cheer squads at many colleges were mostly or entirely male, and several well known public figures, including some US presidents, are often cited as having been cheerleaders in school.
Women joined in growing numbers during the 20th century, especially as many men left campuses during World War II, and cheerleading gradually became associated mainly with women. Men never disappeared from the sport, though, and the rise of competitive and coed cheer since the late 20th century has brought male athletes back into prominent roles.
Common roles for male cheerleaders
| Role | What it involves | Key skills |
|---|---|---|
| Partner stunt base | Lifting and holding a flyer alone in coed stunts | Upper body strength, balance, timing |
| Group base or back spot | Supporting group stunts, pyramids and tosses | Leg drive, catching, communication |
| Tumbler | Standing and running tumbling passes | Power, air awareness, technique |
| Crowd leader | Leading chants with signs, flags and megaphones | Voice, energy, crowd reading |
| Flyer (less common) | Performing in the air in some stunts | Body tightness, flexibility, balance |
Coed vs all male teams
Most male cheerleaders compete on coed teams, which combine men and women. Coed teams often feature partner stunts, where one base lifts a flyer alone, and elite coed divisions are known for high level tumbling and tosses. Some competitions also include all male or all boy divisions, and many all star gyms have open or coed levels. At the college level, coed squads are common at many universities, and some compete in national championships.
Skills to build
- Strength: upper body strength for pressing flyers overhead and leg strength for driving stunts and tosses.
- Tumbling: back handsprings, tucks and layouts, progressing to more advanced skills with coaching.
- Jumps and motions: sharp arms and clean technique, which judges score for everyone.
- Spotting and catching: quick reactions and good body positioning to keep flyers safe.
- Communication: clear counts and teamwork within stunt groups.
- Crowd leadership: a loud voice and confidence to lead chants.
How to get started step by step
- Research local options. Look for school squads, college teams and all star gyms with coed or open programs.
- Attend a class or clinic. Many gyms offer tumbling or stunt classes that are a good introduction.
- Build strength. Add a structured strength program focusing on legs, shoulders, arms and core.
- Take tumbling classes. Learn progressions with qualified coaches on proper mats.
- Learn partner stunting basics. Start with simple partner stunts under supervision before moving to overhead skills.
- Try out. Prepare for tryouts by practicing jumps, motions, tumbling and a cheer.
- Stay consistent. Regular training builds the strength and skill needed for higher levels.
Partner stunting basics
Partner stunting is one of the signature skills of coed cheer. A single base lifts a flyer, often from a load in front of the body, up to shoulder level and then overhead into an extension. Timing and technique matter more than raw strength. The base drives with the legs, keeps his core tight and presses straight up, while the flyer jumps and stays tight to make the lift efficient. Partner stunts should always be learned progressively, starting at lower levels with spotters, and only moved to overhead positions with a coach’s approval and in line with the rules for your level.
Training for male cheerleaders
| Area | Example exercises | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Legs | Squats, lunges, box jumps | Drive for stunts, tosses and tumbling |
| Upper body | Overhead presses, push-ups, pull-ups | Pressing and holding flyers |
| Core | Planks, hollow holds, rotational work | Stability under load |
| Wrists and shoulders | Mobility and light strengthening | Injury prevention in stunting and tumbling |
| Conditioning | Intervals, sprints, full routine run-throughs | Stamina for full routines |
Common mistakes for new male cheerleaders
- Relying on arm strength instead of leg drive in stunts.
- Rushing into overhead partner stunts without progressions.
- Neglecting jumps and motions because they seem less important.
- Skipping mobility and flexibility work.
- Training tumbling without qualified supervision.
- Letting stereotypes discourage them from trying the sport.
Health note
Health note: stunting and tumbling put heavy loads on the shoulders, wrists, back and knees. Build strength gradually, use proper lifting technique, warm up before every practice and stunt only under qualified supervision. Seek medical advice for ongoing joint pain or any head injury.
Why more men are joining cheer
Several factors have helped male participation grow in recent decades. Competitive and all star cheer have highlighted the athleticism of the sport, with difficult tumbling, partner stunts and tosses that appeal to athletes from gymnastics, football, wrestling and other sports. College coed squads offer a way to stay involved in athletics after high school, and some universities provide scholarships or support for cheer athletes. Social media and televised competitions have also made male cheerleaders more visible, helping challenge old stereotypes about who belongs in the sport.
Many male athletes also find that cheer builds skills that carry over to other sports and to life: strength, body control, teamwork, communication and confidence performing in front of large crowds.
Coming to cheer from other sports
Many male cheerleaders start in other sports. Gymnasts often bring strong tumbling and air awareness. Football players and wrestlers usually have the strength and toughness that basing requires, though they may need to learn the precise timing and finesse of stunting. Track athletes bring speed and power for tumbling passes and jumps. Whatever your background, expect to spend time learning cheer specific skills such as counts, motions and safe stunt progressions. Coaches generally value coachability and willingness to learn as much as prior athletic experience.
Team culture and belonging
For new male athletes, especially on teams with few other men, feeling welcome matters. Good coaches set clear expectations of respect, pair new athletes with experienced teammates and focus on each athlete’s role and progress. Male cheerleaders often become valued leaders on coed teams, both for their stunting and for the energy and support they bring to the squad.
Rules and levels
Rules on partner stunts, coed divisions and skills allowed at each level differ by governing body. School programs in many states follow the NFHS Spirit Rules, while all star programs follow USASF rules, and college events have their own standards. Check the current rulebook for your program before learning new stunts.
Frequently asked questions
Were the first cheerleaders men?
Yes. Organized cheerleading began at US colleges in the late 1800s, and early cheerleaders were men. Women became more involved during the 20th century.
What do male cheerleaders do?
They often base partner and group stunts, back spot, tumble and lead crowds, especially on coed college and all star teams.
Do you need tumbling to be a male cheerleader?
Not always to start, but tumbling is valuable, especially for competitive teams. Many athletes begin with stunting and strength while developing tumbling through classes.
