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Cheer

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Cheer Programs

As a Hudson Youth Cheerleader, athletes will cheer for home games for our youth tackle football teams as well as exhibit or compete in cheer competitions.

Benefits of cheer:

Discipline
Cheer requires time, preparation and focus. Cheer training can help you learn discipline in a supportive, encouraging environment and will help you appreciate the correlation between preparation and success.

Teamwork
The ability to be a team player is valuable in every stage of life. Cheer offers a great model to learn the basics of collaboration, cooperation and compromise. 

Physical & Mental Strength
Cheer involves a balance of cardio, resistance, flexibility and endurance training. The mental strength learned through cheerleading lasts a lifetime, as mental toughness can be applied to everyday situations. 

Confidence & Self-Esteem
Standing on a stage or in front of a full stadium is no easy feat. From performing for a crowd, to serving as ambassadors at community events, to working a skill over and over to get it right, cheerleaders build confidence and self-esteem that will carry them through life.

Cheerleading
6U (Ages 4-6)

The cheerleading program focuses on introducing cheerleaders to the fundamentals while developing skills in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. They support the football players by cheering at games and compete in both a fun and local competition as a squad.

  • Squad make-up is based on age
  • Cheer uniforms provided by the association
  • Season begins late July and runs through October
  • Practices are 1 hour, 2 nights per week
  • 1 - 2 mandatory choreography sessions
  • Sideline cheering for home games only is ~2 hours
  • Squads compete in 2 competitions (fun & local)

Cheerleading
8-12U (Ages 8-12)

The cheerleading program is designed to introduce participants to the basic skills of cheerleading but require a little more commitment. Cheerleaders encourage and energize the football team during games, and they also perform together as a squad in both a friendly and a local competition.

  • Squad make-up is based on age
  • Professional choreography for competition routines
  • Cheer uniforms provided by the association
  • Season begins in late July and runs through October
  • Playoff immediately follow the regular season
  • Practices are 2 hours, 2 nights per week (additional practices may be add near competitions that will be mandatory)
  • 1 - 2 mandatory choreography sessions
  • Sideline cheering for home games only is ~2 hours
  • Squads compete in 2 competitions (fun & local)
  • Squads may advance to compete at states, regionals and nations in Florida

Frequently Asked
Questions

Cheer squads consist of combined ages;

  • D6 (ages 4-6)
  • D8 (ages 7-8)
  • D10 (ages 7-10)
  • D12 (ages 9-12)
  • D14 (ages 11-14)

In 2026, the HYFC is anticipating having a squad at each level, registration dependent. Final team placement is confirmed in late July.

  • Pre-Season Jamboree Game (Sideline Cheer)

  • Regular Season Games (Sideline Cheer)

  • Football Playoffs (Record Dependent, Sideline Cheer)

  • 2-5 Competitions (placement dependent)

  • Equipment: Uniform, Pompoms

Cheerleaders must provide their own cheer sneakers (a link will be sent) and socks.

Additional items needed that will be ordered by HYFC at the cost of the families:

  • Jackets

  • Hair bows

  • White liners

Mandatory Attendance:
Cheerleading is a team sport, and attendance at every practices and every game is mandatory. Each cheerleader is expected to be at the onset of practice and remain throughout the entire practice, and from the time designated by the coach pre-game throughout the entire game. 

Choreography & 3 Practices before Competitions: 
Attendance at choreography is mandatory due to the nature of the sport and the need for team cohesion and safety. Missing practices, especially during choreography or close to competitions, can lead to consequences.  It is mandatory to attend the 3 practices before a completions. Not having a full team 

Consequences for Unexcused Absences:
Unexcused absences can lead to penalties, such as being pulled from routines, being pulled from sideline cheer , or even removal from the team. 

Notification Procedures:
Cheerleaders are expected to notify coaches of planned or unexpected absences. For planned absences you are required to let your coach know at the first week of the season. For unexpected absences please let you coach know 1 hour before practice. All communication is done through SportsEngine Only; email and text will not be allowed or accepted. 

  • Excused Absences:
    Excused absences are typically limited to situations like illness, family emergencies, or death in the family.

Volunteering:
Volunteer as needed throughout the season  (Ex: Game Day Needs, Events)

Equipment:
In-season care & cleaning, prompt return of equipment post season

Paperwork:
Cheerleader packet, payment, original birth certificate,  report card and 2025 physical required to receive equipment. They will not be able to start until all paper work is received.

Practices are 90-120 minutes, two times per week; duration, days and time are determined by the coaching staff and will be announced prior to the start of the season.

Practices locations will defer depending on your division. Locations will be determined by HYFC and will be announced prior to the start of the season

The season runs from beginning of August through December.

Each squad will cheer on the sidelines for games which are 90 (flex) to 120 (tackle) minutes.

We only cheer for home games and for playoff home games.

Game locations are subject to field availability.  Schedule is posted in late August.

All cheerleaders must be at games 30 minutes prior to the start for warm-ups.

Concessions and restrooms are generally available at each field.

All HYFC squads are competitive squads. All squad’s and will compete at fun & locals. D8, D10, D12 will have the opportunity to compete at States, Regionals, and Nationals, depending on how far they advance.

2026 Competition Schedule TBD.