Youth cheer equipment checklist

Before you buy anything

Most teams and programs have required items, sometimes ordered through the team in matching styles. Ask what is required, what is optional and what the program supplies. Many athletes start in ordinary athletic clothes while the team sorts out uniforms. Buying early often means buying twice.

Cheer shoes

Shoes are the most important item. Cheer shoes are usually lightweight and flexible, designed for jumping, tumbling and standing on a partner's hands during stunts.

• Choose shoes designed for cheer rather than running shoes, which are heavier and can be less suited to stunting. Ask your coach what the team prefers.
• Check the fit with the socks your child will wear. Shoes should be snug without pinching, with room for toes and no heel slipping.
• Re-check fit regularly. Growing feet and worn soles both matter.
• Keep stunt shoes clean and use them for practice and performance, not for everyday wear outside.

Practice wear

• Fitted, stretchy athletic clothing that moves with the body and does not catch on others, such as shorts or leggings and a snug top.
• Avoid loose or hanging fabric, and clothing with zippers, hooks or hard decorations that could scratch a teammate.
• Many programs have a standard practice outfit. Ask before shopping.

Competition uniform

Uniforms are usually ordered through the program. Fit is critical: athletes need to move freely in jumps, tumbling and stunts. Ask about sizing, alterations and any rules about undergarments or shorts. Be aware that growth spurts can change fit, so ask when sizes are final and whether alterations are possible.

Hair, jewelry and personal items

• Hair: pulled back and secured so it stays out of the face and does not tangle with partners. Teams often specify a style, plus a bow.
• Jewelry: most programs ask athletes to remove all jewelry for practice and performance, including earrings, necklaces and rings, to avoid injuries. Ask your coach about medical or religious items.
• Nails: keep them short and clean, as long or sharp nails can scratch teammates.
• Gum and candy: usually not allowed during practice for choking safety.

What to pack

• Water bottle, labeled with your child's name.
• Snack for after practice, following any team guidance.
• Hair ties, bobby pins and a spare bow.
• Any medication your child needs, with coach and program informed. Ask your doctor about what is right for your child.
• Clean socks and a change of clothes.

Practice space and surfaces

Equipment includes the space. Programs that teach stunting and tumbling generally use mats or sprung floors designed for the purpose. At home, do not set up stunts or tumbling on grass, concrete or an ordinary living-room floor, and do not practice skills without qualified supervision. If you are ever unsure whether a space is safe, ask the coach.

Care and replacement

• Check shoes and clothing before each season for worn soles, loose stitching or anything that no longer fits well.
• Wash practice wear regularly, and let shoes air out between practices.
• Label everything with your child's name, since many athletes wear similar items and gyms get crowded.
• Ask whether the program has a used-uniform or gear swap, which can save money and hassle.

A quick fit check

Before the first practice, have your child jump, squat, reach overhead and bend in the clothes and shoes they plan to wear. If anything rides up, slips, pinches or distracts them, fix it first. A distracted athlete is more likely to make mistakes, and a poorly fitting item is an easy thing to prevent.

Optional extras

• Wrist or ankle supports, only if a doctor or coach recommends them for your child.
• A team bag, if the program sells one.
• Warm layers for cold gyms and outdoor events.

For more on how the sport works, see cheer rules for beginners, and for a season plan, read how to prepare for cheer season.