How Do We Remember Our Routines?
Tips and Secrets on How to Memorize it.
8 Counts
This is the most common technique among cheer teams everywhere. You count in your head (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 ) at a decided tempo and decide which motions will be done on each number that way when you reach that number you know where you should be and what you should be doing. Once you reach 8, you start back at one. (5,6,7,8,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). For example, jumps. The first one takes place on 1 and finishes on 4, then you do the next one. Jump sequences normally are 2 full 8 counts or 4 jumps.
Memorize Your Routine Music
Sometimes certain parts of the routine is hard to remember exactly. Learning the exact tempo to the song or even the words for that part of the routine, you can put the routine to parts of the song so when you hear those words you know you should be transitioning to pyramid or to tumble pass. This is also helpful for those who count too fast or too slow. If you learn the whole song, you put the parts of the routine to certain parts of the song so you can move in sync with the rest of the team. Facial expressions are very important when it comes to competitions too so by mouthing the words to the song, you kill 2 birds with one stone.
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition.
The easiest way to remember anything, not just cheer, is to do it over and over again. The more times you do your routine, the more muscle memory you will develop and the most natural the order of the routine will come to you. Some teams mark their routine in their free time too which means going though the motions but not actually do it. This is most typical for stunts, jumps, and tumbling and most often accompanied by snapping.