Football games are long, loud and full of momentum swings, which gives cheerleaders plenty of chances to lead the crowd. The key is matching the chant to the situation on the field. Use short chants during play and save longer cheers with stunts for timeouts, quarter breaks, pregame and halftime. Swap in your team name, mascot and colors.
Offense chants
- “First and ten, do it again, Team, go and win!”
- “Push it up the field, Team will never yield!”
- “Hey, hey, all the way, touchdown Team today!”
- “Move that ball, move it on, Team is running strong!”
- “Pass it, run it, score it too, Team, we’re counting on you!”
- “Break that line, break it through, Team knows what to do!”
- “Big play, big play, make it happen right away!”
Defense chants
- “Hold that line! (stomp) Hold that line!”
- “Push ’em back, push ’em back, way back!”
- “Get that ball, get that ball, Team, let’s take it all!”
- “D! (clap, clap) Fense! (clap, clap)”
- “Sack that QB, one, two, three, Team defense, can’t you see!”
- “Stop ’em cold, make ’em fold, Team defense, brave and bold!”
- “Fourth down, hold them now, Team defense, show them how!”
Kickoffs and special teams
- “Kick it high, kick it far, Team, show them who you are!”
- “Ready, set, here we go, Team is gonna steal the show!”
- “Block that kick, block it now, Team, show them how!”
Touchdown and extra-point chants
- “Six points up, we’re on the board, Team, show them what’s in store!”
- “Add one more, kick it through, Team, that’s what we do!”
- “Touchdown, touchdown, hear us shout, Team is how we roll out!”
Timeout, pregame and halftime cheers
“We Are the Team”
“We are the Team, the mighty, mighty Team / We’re strong and loud, we’re a winning machine / So get on your feet and scream it with pride / Team is here, nowhere to hide!”
“Color Call” (split the stands)
Point to one side of the stands to shout your first color and the other side to shout the second, alternating faster and faster, then everyone yells your team name together.
“Stand Up”
“Everybody up, get on your feet / Team fans can’t be beat / Clap your hands and stomp the ground / Team is taking over town!”
Momentum chants
- After a turnover: “Turn it over, our ball now, Team, let’s show them how!”
- When behind: “Never quit, never stop, Team is rising to the top!”
- Protecting a lead late: “Clock is ticking, time is near, Team‘s victory is here!”
Tips for leading football cheers
- Track downs and possession. Switch from offense to defense chants the moment the ball changes hands.
- Use megaphones, signs and poms. Outdoor stadiums swallow sound.
- Coordinate with the band so you are not competing with the fight song.
- Stay out of the team box and restricted area, and adjust stunts for wet or uneven surfaces.
- Keep cheers positive. Chants aimed at the other team or officials reflect poorly on your school.
Choosing the right chant for each moment
| Game moment | Best choice | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pregame and warm-ups | Longer cheers with jumps or stunts, where allowed | Build crowd energy before kickoff |
| Your offense on the field | Short offense chants | Stop when your quarterback calls signals |
| Opponent on offense | Loud defense chants | Keep them positive and about your team |
| After a big play | Quick celebration chant or crowd call-and-response | Start immediately while the crowd is loud |
| Timeouts and quarter breaks | Full cheers with motions | Finish before play restarts |
Getting the crowd involved
- Teach the crowd one simple response line, such as a team name or a two-word reply, and repeat it all season.
- Face the stands, not the field, and use signs or megaphones so words carry outdoors.
- Keep chants short; outdoor crowds lose rhythm on long verses.
- Assign one captain to call chants so the squad starts together.
Staying safe on the sideline
Football sidelines are busy and players can run out of bounds at full speed. Stand in the area your school or league assigns, keep a clear lane between the squad and the field, and watch the ball at all times. Check your state’s spirit rules for limits on stunts and pyramids at outdoor games, and never stunt on wet or uneven ground.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Chanting “defence” chants while your team has the ball, which confuses fans.
- Leading loud chants when your own offence is calling signals near your stands, since noise can make it hard for players to hear.
- Turning your back on the field when the ball is live, which can be dangerous near the sideline.
- Using the same two chants all game until the crowd stops responding.
- Staying silent when an injured player from either team gets up and walks off. Applauding them is part of good sportsmanship.
A season chant list for football
| Category | How many to prepare | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Offence chants | 5 to 6 | Between plays when your team has the ball |
| Defence chants | 5 to 6 | Between plays when the opponent has the ball |
| Kickoff chants | 2 to 3 | Just before kickoffs and punts |
| Score celebrations | 2 to 3 | After touchdowns, field goals and extra points |
| Long cheers | 3 to 4 | Timeouts, quarter breaks and halftime |
Game-day preparation steps
- Review the chant list and assign a captain to call chants.
- Walk the sideline before kickoff to check for hazards and confirm where the squad is allowed to stand.
- Agree with the band or announcer on when music will play.
- Warm up and stretch fully before any stunts or jumps.
- Bring water, layers for cold weather and a first-aid plan.
Cheering in bad weather and long games
Football season often runs into cold, wet or very hot weather. In the cold, wear approved warm layers under the uniform, keep moving between plays, and skip stunts on slippery surfaces. In the heat, drink water often, take turns resting in the shade, and watch teammates for signs of heat illness such as dizziness or confusion. Coaches should adjust the plan to the conditions, and squads should follow their school or league safety rules on stunting outdoors.
Keeping energy up for four quarters
A football game can last close to three hours. Plan your energy by saving the biggest cheers for key moments, rotating who leads chants, and using short, simple chants in the middle of quarters. Eat a light snack before the game and bring water so the squad can stay sharp until the final whistle.
Frequently asked questions
When do cheerleaders do cheers vs. chants at football games?
Chants happen during live play from the sideline. Longer cheers with stunts happen during timeouts, quarter breaks, pregame and halftime.
What should cheerleaders cheer after a touchdown?
A short, high-energy touchdown chant, followed by an extra-point chant as the kicking unit lines up.
How do you get the crowd involved?
Use call-and-response cheers, signs with the words, and split-the-stands cheers that make fans compete.
