Greeting cheers welcome the visiting team, their cheerleaders and their fans before a game. The best ones are short, upbeat and clearly friendly, with the visiting school’s name dropped in so the welcome feels personal. They set a sportsmanlike tone for the whole event, which is why many schools and conferences encourage or require them. Below you will find ready to use greeting cheers, tips for performing them well, a simple plan for building your own and the etiquette that makes them land.
What a greeting cheer is for
A greeting cheer, sometimes called a welcome cheer or hello cheer, is usually performed facing the visiting stands shortly before the game starts. Its job is simple: show respect for the other team and set a positive atmosphere. It is not the time for rivalry chants or clever put downs. A good greeting cheer makes visiting fans feel welcome, reflects well on your school, and shows judges and administrators that your squad understands sportsmanship.
At many schools, the visiting squad responds with a greeting cheer of their own, creating a friendly back and forth between the two sides before the game begins.
Greeting cheers you can use
Replace [Visitors] with the visiting team’s name and [Team] with your own.
- Hello [Visitors], how do you do? [Team] says welcome to you!
- Welcome to our home, we’re glad you came, now let’s get ready for a great game!
- H-E-L-L-O, [Visitors], hello!
- From our side to yours, we say hi, let’s play a game that’s fair and high!
- We’re [Team], proud and true, and we’d like to say hello to you!
- Hey [Visitors], nice to meet ya, good luck tonight, great to see ya!
- Welcome, welcome, one and all, let’s have fun and play some ball!
- Our house, your seats, glad you’re here, now let’s all cheer!
- Wave hello, give a shout, sportsmanship is what it’s all about!
- [Visitors], we’re glad you came, good luck in tonight’s game!
- Hi there, [Visitors], welcome in, may the best team come out and win!
- Clap your hands and stomp your feet, [Visitors], we’re glad to meet!
Choosing the right greeting cheer
| Situation | Best style | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Football under the lights | Big, loud and rhythmic | Welcome, welcome, one and all, let’s have fun and play some ball! |
| Indoor basketball or volleyball | Short and punchy, quick claps | H-E-L-L-O, [Visitors], hello! |
| Longtime rival | Respectful and classy | [Visitors], we’re glad you came, good luck in tonight’s game! |
| Youth or middle school game | Simple and fun | Clap your hands and stomp your feet, [Visitors], we’re glad to meet! |
| Homecoming or senior night | Warm and welcoming | Welcome to our home, we’re glad you came, now let’s get ready for a great game! |
How to perform a greeting cheer step by step
- Learn the visiting team’s name. Check the correct school name or mascot before the game and practice saying it.
- Face the visitors. Line up facing the visiting stands, not your own crowd.
- Start together. Have a captain call the cheer so everyone begins on the same count.
- Use clean motions. Simple motions such as waves, high Vs and clasps work best.
- Project your voice. Speak from the diaphragm so the words carry across the field or gym.
- Smile and make eye contact. Your expressions should match the friendly message.
- Finish sharply. End with a clear motion, then wave or applaud the visiting side.
Why sportsmanship cheers matter
Cheerleaders are among the most visible representatives of a school at any game. Fans, officials, visiting families and administrators all notice how a squad behaves. Many state high school associations and conferences run sportsmanship programs and expect spirit groups to help set a positive tone, and some recognize schools for outstanding sportsmanship. A well delivered greeting cheer is one of the easiest ways a squad can support those goals.
Greeting cheers also influence the crowd. When cheerleaders welcome the other side warmly, home fans are more likely to follow that lead. That can reduce hostile chants from the stands and make the game a better experience for players, officials and families on both sides.
Adding motions and crowd involvement
Keep motions simple so the words stay clear. Waves, high Vs, clasps and claps on the beat work well. A short wave toward the visiting stands at the end of the cheer is a nice finishing touch. Some squads invite home fans to join in on the last line, such as a group wave or a shout of welcome, which turns the greeting into a whole crowd gesture.
If your squad uses signs, a simple WELCOME sign held toward the visiting side during the cheer can help the message land, especially in loud stadiums where words may be hard to hear. Keep any sign positive and approved by your coach.
How to write your own greeting cheer
Many squads like having a signature greeting cheer. Writing one is straightforward if you follow a few principles.
- Keep it short. Two to four lines is ideal, so it is easy to learn and easy for visitors to understand.
- Include both names. Mention the visiting team and your own school.
- Use simple rhymes. Rhyming lines such as came and game or you and true are easy to remember.
- Keep it positive. Avoid anything that could be read as sarcastic, even as a joke.
- Test it out loud. Say it at full volume to check the rhythm and make sure every word is clear.
- Add motions last. Once the words are set, add simple, sharp motions that match the beats.
Greeting cheer etiquette
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Use the visiting team’s correct name | Mispronounce or mock the name or mascot |
| Keep the tone warm and friendly | Slip in rivalry chants or taunts |
| Face the visiting stands | Turn your back on visitors mid cheer |
| Respond politely to their greeting | Talk over the visiting squad’s cheer |
| Follow school and conference rules | Use signs or props with negative messages |
Greeting the visiting squad in person
Beyond the cheer itself, many squads walk over to greet the visiting cheerleaders before the game. A few words of welcome, pointing out where restrooms and water are, and sharing where each squad will sit or stand can go a long way. Some programs exchange small spirit items, such as ribbons or cards. These gestures build friendly relationships between programs and model good sportsmanship for fans.
Common greeting cheer mistakes
- Getting the visiting team’s name or mascot wrong.
- Using a cheer that sounds sarcastic or competitive.
- Performing it too quietly for the visitors to hear.
- Starting at different times because no one called the cheer.
- Rushing through the words so they are hard to understand.
- Forgetting to acknowledge the visiting squad’s response.
Frequently asked questions
When should cheerleaders do a greeting cheer?
Usually before the game starts, often after both squads are in place and before the national anthem or opening introductions. Follow your school’s event schedule.
Do cheerleaders have to do greeting cheers?
It depends on the school or conference. Many encourage or require them as part of sportsmanship expectations, and they are considered good practice even where they are optional.
How long should a greeting cheer be?
Short. Most greeting cheers are two to four lines, sometimes repeated once, so visitors can hear and understand every word.
