FAQ ~ Cheer Select's Frequently Asked Questions ...

Q: What is Cheer Select all about?
A: Please see the program description on the 'About Us' page of this website.  Cheer Select was created to provide our young athletes the opportunity to experience competitive cheer without the financial burden of the typical all star program.

Q: What age do you have to be to join Cheer Select?
A: We offer teams for age 5-18.

Q: Who does Cheer Select compete against?
A: Teams compete against other youth/rec cheer teams in matching [age] divisions and of similar levels.  Cheer Select does not compete against all star teams.

Q: What is the difference between all stars and youth/rec?
A: Cheer Select competes at the same competitions as all star leagues.  The main difference is our Cheer Select athletes have the opportunity to first participate in sideline cheer for Fall football; then spend their Winter/Spring competing. 

Q: How many competitions do you attend and are they local?
A: We typically attend six to seven competitions, one or two of which are optional overnight stays (Virginia Beach and/or Ocean City).  The remaining competitions are in the Northern Virginia and Maryland area and do not require an overnight stay.

Q: When is the competition season for 10/11?
A: The official competition season will begin mid to end-August.  The first competition will be in January 2011; and final competition being early May. 

Q: How often do teams practice and how long are practices?
A: All teams practice two days per week (see 'Practice' page of this website in the 'Members Only' section) with alternate Saturday practices. 

Q: Where do you practice?
A: Cheer Select holds all practices at our Cheer Select Gym in Chantilly, VA.

Q: I have only cheered/competed on a spring floor. Do your teams practice on a spring floor?
A: Cheer Select follows the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) rules and regulations for practices and competitions.  The NFHS mandates a standard cheer floor only.  High schools, by NFHS law are not permitted to practice on spring-floors.  Cheer Select owns and uses a full eleven-panel Flexi-Roll (Dollamur) 2" thick cheer floor for all practices.  Most competitions though do provide a spring-floor.

Q: How will I manage a standard cheer floor if I have only cheered and competed on a spring floor?
A: Cheer Select's focus and goal truly is to prepare our girls for high school cheer and give them the best opportunity and experiences possible.  We have found it does not benefit those who plan to continue cheering in high school and college to solely cheer/compete on a spring floor.  The transition to standard from spring is not always easy and should be done as early as possible prior to joining a high school cheer team.

Q: Who are the coaches?
A: All Cheer Select coaches have between four to eight years experience and are AACCA (cheer) Safety Certified (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators, www.AACCA.com) and most are also NCA (National Cheerleaders Association, www.Varsity.com) certified as well.

Q: How large are the cheer teams?
A: It varies but the minimum is 15 and the maximum is 36.

Q: What is required to join Cheer Select?
A: The only requirement to join Cheer Select is to first cheer for CYA Cheer's Fall football or any local youth league in Northern Virginia.  It is a requirement in the youth/rec competition industry that all youth/rec competitive cheerleaders must cheer for a sport in their Association.  CYA Cheer offers Fall football cheer only.  The Fall cheer season begins with practices in mid-August learning cheers and half-time routines.  Games typically begin mid-September and are held [one per] weekends lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.  The Fall season ends late-October to early-November. 

Q: Can I join CYA Cheer and Cheer Select if I have never cheered before?
A: Absolutely!  We will place you on teams/levels of your skill and will give you tools and instruction necessary to learn and progress.

Q: Who is Cheer Select affiliated with?
A: Cheer Select is affiliated with CYA (Chantilly Youth Association, www.ChantillyYouth.org) cheerleading.

Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please email CoachToni@CheerSelect.com

Q: Can I join the 'Members Only' section of this website?
A: The Members Only section is open to paid and registered members of the current Cheer Select season (2010/11).