The best cheers fit the rhythm of the sport. Football has breaks between plays that suit offense and defense chants and longer cheers at timeouts. Basketball moves fast, so short chants between possessions work best. Volleyball has quick pauses between rallies that call for punchy one liners about serves, blocks and kills. Competition cheers are different again: they are choreographed sections built to lead a crowd using signs, poms or megaphones, and they are scored on clarity, crowd appeal and execution. Below are ready to use cheers for each setting and tips for choosing the right one.
How cheers differ by sport
| Setting | Rhythm of play | Best cheer style |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Frequent breaks between plays, long timeouts and halftime | Offense and defense chants, full cheers at timeouts, stunts at breaks |
| Basketball | Fast continuous play, short timeouts | Quick chants during play, short cheers at timeouts |
| Volleyball | Short pauses between rallies | One or two line chants tied to serves, blocks and kills |
| Competition | Timed routine on a mat | Choreographed crowd leading section with signs, poms or megaphones |
Football cheers
Replace [Team] with your team or school name.
- First and ten, do it again!
- Hold that line, [Team], hold that line!
- Touchdown, [Team], take it all the way!
- Sack attack, push them back!
- Move that ball, down the field, [Team] offense will not yield!
- Defense, defense, hold them there, [Team] defense everywhere!
Football gives squads the most room to work. Between plays, a captain can watch which team has the ball and call an offense or defense chant. Timeouts and quarter breaks are good moments for full cheers with jumps or stunts, where surfaces and rules allow. After a touchdown, many squads use a short celebration chant, a jump sequence or a traditional routine such as push-ups for each point scored, if the school has that tradition.
Basketball cheers
- Two points, three points, give us more!
- Rebound, rebound, get that ball!
- D-fense, hands up, D-fense!
- Swish it, [Team], swish it!
- Steal it, take it, [Team] can make it!
- Fast break, fast break, [Team] let’s go!
Basketball games move quickly, so keep chants short and switch between offense and defense as possession changes. Because the crowd is close, rhythm and claps carry well. During free throws, follow your school’s or association’s sportsmanship expectations, and avoid distracting the opposing shooter where that is discouraged. Timeouts are short, so choose cheers that can start and finish quickly.
Volleyball cheers
- Ace it, [Team], ace it!
- Bump, set, spike, that’s right!
- Side out, [Team], side out!
- Block it, stop it, [Team] got it!
- Dig it, [Team], dig it!
- Serve it up, [Team], serve it up!
Volleyball has natural breaks after each rally, which are perfect for short, sharp chants. Match the chant to the moment: an ace chant before your server, a block chant when the opponent attacks, a side out chant when your team needs the serve back. Keep chants brief so they end before the next serve.
Cheers for other sports
Many squads also support soccer, wrestling, baseball, softball and other teams. The same principle applies: match the chant to the rhythm and etiquette of the sport. Soccer has few stoppages, so squads rely on short spirit chants and celebrate goals. Wrestling calls for very brief chants between whistles, tied to takedowns, escapes and pins, while staying quiet enough for coaches to be heard. Baseball and softball have natural pauses between pitches and innings, which suit short chants for hits, strikeouts and big defensive plays. Swimming and track meets often favor encouragement for individual athletes, such as shouting names during races, rather than long cheers.
Supporting a wider range of sports is also one of the best ways cheerleaders can promote school spirit. Athletes in less visible sports notice and appreciate when the squad shows up for them.
Writing your own sport specific cheers
To write a cheer for any sport, start by listing the key actions and terms fans recognize, such as spike, rebound, first down or pin. Pair one of these with your team name and a simple rhyme or repetition. Keep it to one or two lines so it fits quick breaks, and test it out loud at full volume. Add easy motions and a clap or stomp rhythm. Finally, have your coach review it to make sure it is positive and fits your school’s sportsmanship guidelines.
Competition cheer sections
In many competition routines, especially school divisions, teams perform a cheer section designed to show they can lead a crowd. Squads often use signs, poms, flags or megaphones, clear and loud voices, and simple motions that fans could follow. Judges typically look for crowd appeal, voice projection, clarity of words, use of props, synchronization and skills incorporated into the cheer, such as stunts or jumps. Exact scoring varies by event and organization.
- Include the crowd with signs, poms or megaphones.
- Use short, clear words that carry in a big arena.
- Build the cheer toward a strong finish with stunts or jumps where allowed.
- Keep motions sharp and synchronized.
- Project confidence and energy throughout.
Rulebook note: competition cheer requirements, such as time limits, prop rules and allowed skills, depend on the event and governing body. School programs often follow the NFHS Spirit Rules or state association rules, while all star teams follow USASF rules. Check the current rules and event packet before choreographing.
Indoor vs outdoor cheering
Venue affects how cheers land. Outdoors at football and soccer games, sound spreads and fades, so squads need bigger voices, larger motions and often signs or megaphones to be understood. Indoors, sound bounces around the gym, which helps volume but can make long words blur together, so crisp, short chants work best. In both settings, face the crowd, keep words simple and use rhythm to help fans follow.
How to choose the right cheer step by step
- Watch the game. Know which team has the ball and how much time there is before play resumes.
- Pick the category. Offense, defense, spirit or a moment specific chant such as ace or rebound.
- Check the length. Choose a short chant for quick breaks and a full cheer for timeouts.
- Call it clearly. A captain announces the cheer so the whole squad starts together.
- Face the crowd. Lead the fans, not the field or court.
- Finish and reset. End sharply and be ready for the next play.
Common mistakes
- Using football length cheers during fast basketball play.
- Chanting offense cheers when the other team has possession.
- Cheering during injuries or moments that call for quiet.
- Negative chants about opponents or officials.
- Weak voices or motions in large arenas.
- Ignoring prop and time rules in competition cheers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between football and basketball cheers?
Football cheers can be longer because of frequent breaks, while basketball cheers need to be short and quick to fit fast, continuous play.
What do judges look for in a competition cheer?
Usually crowd appeal, voice projection, clear words, effective use of signs or poms, synchronization and skills built into the cheer. Exact criteria vary by event.
Can the same chants be used for every sport?
Some spirit chants work anywhere, but the best squads adapt chants to each sport’s terms and rhythm, such as ace for volleyball or rebound for basketball.
