Think cheerleading is just pom-poms, "gimme an 'R, '" and pleated skirts? Not anymore. Take an exhilarating trip through the rough-and-tumble world of competitive college cheerleading....

College cheerleaders are extreme athletes who fly thirty feet in the air, build pyramids in which a single slip can send ten people crashing to the ground, and compete in National Championships that are won by hundredths of a point. "Cheer!" is a year-long odyssey into their universe, following three squads from tryouts to Nationals.

Meet the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack cheerleaders from Nacogdoches, Texas, whoseem destined to win their fifth National Championship in a row -- until they are shaken by the departure of their longtime coach. Fall in love with the Southern University Jaguars from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an African-American team hoping to raise the $17,000 needed to travel to Nationals and transform their near win several years ago into a Cinderella victory. Root for the University of Memphis All-Girl cheerleaders from Tennessee -- a team that continually struggles for the same respect Coed teams get -- when their quest for a national title is threatened by injuries and dropouts.

Along the way, meet unforgettable characters like Sierra, a cheerleading prodigy who has never lost a competition; Doug, who is in his eighth year as a college cheerleader; and Casi, one of the few female bases who can lift anothercheerleader on her own. These are people who risk horrifying injuries on a daily basis, battle demons like eating disorders and steroid use, and form intense bonds.

In the immersive tradition of "Friday Night Lights," "Cheer!" is a captivating, all-access journey into a deeply absorbing world.

These exercises help to strengthen the gymnasts legs so that she can land with control and decrease the chance of injury to the lower body upon these landings. Some exercises specifically concentrate on the landing technique while others help develop strength. Keep in mind, that these drills should be incorporated into a balanced training program, to include general and sport-specific conditioning, speed, endurance, flexibility, and of course, skills, combinations, and routines

Gymnastics Journal. Keeping a gymnastics journal is a great way to set goals and preserve memories. There are spaces for gymnastics competition scores, event goals, future goals, and much more! You should have enough space for more than one season of meets. In one journal you'll be able to track your progress and your goals from year to year. Written by a very experienced coach, she helped her gymnasts set goals, achieve them, and even surpass them often. Karen Goeller's gymnasts have been State Champions and National TOPS Team Athletes among many other successful gymnasts.

Gymnastics drills and conditioning for the Walkover, Limber, and Back Handspring. These drills were used to produce several successful gymnasts. The drills included in this book break down the skills into easy to understand body positions and movements. There are some drills that should help those gymnasts not yet confident enough to reach back to a bridge from standing, while other drills train the muscles necessary to perform these movements with ease. Many of the drills and exercises can be used for flexibility training with more advanced gymnasts.

Crowood Sports Guides provide sound, practical advice that will make you a better sportsperson, whether you are learning the basic skills, discovering more advanced techniques, or reviewing the fundamentals of your sport.