Cheerleading, 3

 

Vocabulary

outfit	strength	run through
once	warm up	home game
crowd	perform	excitement
stretch	half-time	choreography
sync	break (2)	good luck
chew	spectator	bite/bit/bitten
chose	improve	hardly working
seek	combine	casting call
session	train (2)	grow/grew/grown
during	peak (2)	peak period
regular	challenge	appearance
fun	prepare	time consuming
coach	element	take off (3)
spare	wave (2)	go through
involve	pompom	spare time
intense	make up	consumer
routine	at least	work hard
thick	blow-dry	problematic
cheer	stunning

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Video one

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

The Alba Berlin Dance Team performs at least once a week before the home games of Berlin’s professional basketball club.

The girls cheer for the players and warm up the crowd with their stunning moves.

During the break at half-time, they quickly change outfits and prepare for their next number.

So what does the crowd think?

First Spectator: I like all the dances they do; and the new ones too. It adds excitement.

Second Spectator: Very good—a nice change.

Third Spectator: They’re not always in sync…sometimes they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.

The cheerleaders work hard to improve their performance, training several times a week.

All 33 cheerleaders were chosen at casting calls.

The girls are coached by Patrizia Berte. She’s been a cheerleader for six years.

“We’ve grown a lot…but I must say we’ve done a lot to get there.”

They do lots of training too: at least three sessions a week; five times during peak periods of the basketball season.

And then there are the regular appearances at Alba’s home games.

It’s a time consuming hobby. Practices are intense, involving strength training, stretching and learning new routines.

“It’s really hard work. It’s not just waving pompoms as people often think. When they ask ‘What do you do in your spare time?’, I say I’m a cheerleader, they say, ‘Oh the ones with the pompoms.’ But it’s hard work.”

Cheerleading first took off in Germany in the 1980s with the arrival of the first American football teams.

The sport combines elements from ballet, gymnastics and dance. Many of the cheerleaders have been involved in other kinds of sports, and are seeking a new challenge.

They like putting on a new show too.

Their next show is at the O2 Arena for thousands of spectators.

Three hours before the game, the cheerleaders do a quick run-through. They go through the choreography one last time, under the watchful eye of their coach.

Once practice is over, the girls head for the changing rooms. There’s just an hour left to put on costumes, makeup and style their hair.

Patrizia is getting ready too.

“The makeup goes pretty quickly. The hair’s problematic; it’s thick and hard to blow-dry.
So a half-hour for makeup and another half-hour for my hair.”

“I wish you much success, and most of all—fun!”

“Good Luck!”

The cheerleaders make their way to the basketball court. In a few minutes all eyes will be on them.

Eight o’clock: time for the big performance.

The basketball players from Alba win the game.

And the cheerleaders perform well too.

 

 Questions

1. What is the Alba Berlin Dance Team? What do they do? What is their purpose?

2. How do the spectators feel about the Alba Cheerleaders?

3. Anyone can join the Alba Cheerleaders. Anyone can become an Alba Cheerleader. Is this true or false?

4. Does their performance come easily and naturally?

5. The cheerleading combines different elements. Is this correct or wrong?

6. Do the cheerleaders care about their looks on the basketball court?
 
 
A. Is there cheerleading in your city? Is it popular?

B. Would you, your sister, daughter want to become a cheerleader?

C. Are there many dance clubs, troupes, organizations?

D. Are dance and talent shows and performances popular?

E. What will happen in the future?
 
 

Video two

 
 

Video three