High School Signs For Competition- What Makes Them Good?
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GForce
I recognize any state in a crowd
- Apr 27, 2011
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As for looks, I'm not 100% sure if there is an exact style UCA looks for. I would think clean, simple, easy to read. Personally I don't like circle signs but that's just me.
I've used various different signs, we had signs that spelled out the school initials (MFHS), spelled out the mascot, just plain signs with colors (so a plan black, white and burgundy). One time we even spelled out Menomonee.
Whatever the sign, just make sure the girls are sharp with them!
Official OWECheer
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1. BIG. This makes them easy to read from a long distance, which is important considering that the judges sit FAR back from the mat at Nationals.
2. LARGE LETTERS. Again, makes them easier to read. For color signs, you're best off ordering plain color signs (judges prefer signs to poms for a colors chant because hey are easier to read, but I recommend using both).
3. Held up sharply.
4. I agree with Gabrielle
), stick to rectangular signs. I have never like circular signs, they feel too unconventional.
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For the cheer:
1. Limit the amount of clapping you do, doesn't earn you any extra points.
2. Don't have too much going on, stick to clean and simple (but difficult) stunts and tumbling or else you risk pushing the audience out of participant mode and into spectator mode.
3. The rhythm of your cheer should be catchy. Think of it as advertising.
4. BE AS SHARP AS IS HUMANELY POSSIBLE.
5. BE LOUD AND YELL IN SYNC WITH ONE ANOTHER.
6. Avoid forced ad-libbing/chatter. Only shout things like "yell it!" or "come on!" if the crowd isn't being loud enough, and do it with authentic energy. Don't force it, it sounds disingenuous and makes your team look performance-naive.
Great examples of sign/overall prop use: NLMS, Ravenwood HS, Westlake HS, Sachem North HS, Upper Darby HS.
Not so great examples:
-Bishop McCort (their mascot chant was perfect, catchy and easy to follow; however, their color chant was entirely reliant on poms, which aren't as easy to easy from a distance as signs)
-Greenup (again, name chant was perfect, but color chant forces the brains of the spectators to do two things at once: process pom colors, and and read and process the words 'GREEN' and 'GOLD', the signs for which were identical in color and design. Aim to only make the crowd process one type of information at a time. Also notice that during transitions, the girls voices died out a lot).
-Oak Ridge (as you might have figured out, I am huge on color chants being perfect. OR's 'RIDGE' spellout was everything it needed to be, but the color chant left a lot to be desired. When you have that many girls on the floor, it helps to have more signs, with larger, clearer words.)
Color chants are the EASIEST things to use to rack up points, because humans are built to understand colors before we understand words. Just look at babies.
2. LARGE LETTERS. Again, makes them easier to read. For color signs, you're best off ordering plain color signs (judges prefer signs to poms for a colors chant because hey are easier to read, but I recommend using both).
3. Held up sharply.
4. I agree with Gabrielle
), stick to rectangular signs. I have never like circular signs, they feel too unconventional.----------
For the cheer:
1. Limit the amount of clapping you do, doesn't earn you any extra points.
2. Don't have too much going on, stick to clean and simple (but difficult) stunts and tumbling or else you risk pushing the audience out of participant mode and into spectator mode.
3. The rhythm of your cheer should be catchy. Think of it as advertising.
4. BE AS SHARP AS IS HUMANELY POSSIBLE.
5. BE LOUD AND YELL IN SYNC WITH ONE ANOTHER.
6. Avoid forced ad-libbing/chatter. Only shout things like "yell it!" or "come on!" if the crowd isn't being loud enough, and do it with authentic energy. Don't force it, it sounds disingenuous and makes your team look performance-naive.
Great examples of sign/overall prop use: NLMS, Ravenwood HS, Westlake HS, Sachem North HS, Upper Darby HS.
Not so great examples:
-Bishop McCort (their mascot chant was perfect, catchy and easy to follow; however, their color chant was entirely reliant on poms, which aren't as easy to easy from a distance as signs)
-Greenup (again, name chant was perfect, but color chant forces the brains of the spectators to do two things at once: process pom colors, and and read and process the words 'GREEN' and 'GOLD', the signs for which were identical in color and design. Aim to only make the crowd process one type of information at a time. Also notice that during transitions, the girls voices died out a lot).
-Oak Ridge (as you might have figured out, I am huge on color chants being perfect. OR's 'RIDGE' spellout was everything it needed to be, but the color chant left a lot to be desired. When you have that many girls on the floor, it helps to have more signs, with larger, clearer words.)
Color chants are the EASIEST things to use to rack up points, because humans are built to understand colors before we understand words. Just look at babies.
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GForce
I recognize any state in a crowd
- Apr 27, 2011
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- 2,508
Official OWECheer
Most likely to post anywhere
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Bahahaha! I saw the photo and was like "okay... Packers uniform... no need to look any longer, I know it's her."Not Hannahbut I forgive you!!!
LOL.
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There is no right answer, but there are some wrong ones! We have every type of sign there is; rectangles, squares, circles, flip open signs, switchable signs, word signs and plain color signs. I like circle signs if they make sense. Octagon ones kind of irk me, but thats a personal preference. We have never had a comment or score reflect the shape of the sign.
Dark signs don't score well. Make sure they are easy to see, easy to read. Contrast in colors. Gold/yellow for example doesn't show up on white. Having a buffer color or border can make difficult to see colors stand out more.
Big signs score well. Too big of signs get clumsy. Make sure the signs aren't so big that your kids look awkward using them.
Keep in mind that signs are important, but they cannot save a bad cheer or break a great cheer! To score well on the cheer, you really need to focus on how your girls cheer.
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oncecoolcoachnowmom
Bestest Newbie '14
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Question: Who had the signs that LIT UP one year? That was a bit much.
Official OWECheer
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Footage or it didn't happen! LMAO!
oncecoolcoachnowmom
Bestest Newbie '14
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I can't remember the year but it was at UCA. Centennial maybe? I can't find the video on Youtube but someone HAS to remember what I'm talking about.
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Official OWECheer
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I just asked on Twitter and someone from Sachem North confirmed that it was Centennial. I'm checking the Varsity archives right now.
Official OWECheer
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oncecoolcoachnowmom
Bestest Newbie '14
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^^^I knew I wasn't crazy!
Official OWECheer
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I am a SUCKER for good color signs. Those took the cake and the ice cream.
mamabear
Cheer Parent
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I know they had ones that actually spelt BLUE too. I remember seeing them at state way back when. Or maybe I'm crazy and they were just plain!
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