What role do cheerleaders play in discouraging negative chants?
When negative chants flow from the stands at high school games, cheerleaders may get caught in the crossfire. They also can be part of the solution.
What's the best response to the worst-case scenario?
"If fans are booing the referee or getting on one individual player, cheerleaders need to start a positive cheer as soon as possible," said Jim Lord, executive director of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors. "The simple cheers are best at getting as many people as possible to join in, drowning out the negative chants."
Lord, a former collegiate cheerleader, said big problems can begin with small groups.
"It's usually only five to 10 fans causing a problem," Lord said.
Kathy Crowley, head cheerleading coach at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash., said chanting can be at its worst when cross-town rival Gig Harbor High comes to compete.
"It is hard to control the chants, but both schools' cheerleaders do the best they can," she said. "A lot of it has to do with the respect given to cheerleaders. There are many schools where cheerleaders are well respected and, in turn, are viewed as leaders. But then you have schools where cheerleaders are disrespected and not paid attention to at all, no matter what they do."
Crowley's cheerleaders remain ready to counter-chant "Seahawk Power!" anytime negative taunts sound. They'll sweeten the deal by tossing free school T-shirts and spirit towels into the crowd.
"We are basically redirecting our fans' attention," she said, "which for us has been successful."