WHAT IS A RHYTHM TABLE? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The rhythmic tables are dance routines and aerobic exercises such as those made to encourage football games and basketball, among other sports. They are usually performed by cheerleaders or entertainers (also known by the English word cheerleaders).

It should be noted that rhythmic tables are not only made to animate matches, but can be executed as an independent discipline, so much so that cheerleading (as it is also known) is considered an extreme sport in some countries, such as the United States, Canada, Finland, Colombia and Ecuador.

In fact, there are many associations that are in charge of regulating the formation of teams of entertainers and that create competencies to promote the improvement of the young people who are part of these groups.

The most important characteristics of the rhythmic tables are the synchronization in the movements of all the dancers, the cleanliness in the execution of each of the movements, the technique, the harmony between the music and the dance, the teamwork.

Likewise, rhythmic tables are characterized by the execution of gymnastic movements, some of which even have special names, such as pyramids, backward jumps, throws, among others.

Rhythmic tables: dance and physical education

Rhythmic tables are routines that combine two disciplines: dance and physical education. Dance is one of the oldest arts in the world, which allows the performer to express feelings, release tension, among others.

For its part, physical education is a discipline that includes the execution of various activities in order to improve physical condition, recreate, promote a sense of competence; in short, favor integral development.

In this sense, the rhythmic tables take elements from both disciplines: the expression of feelings, the release of tension, healthy competition and recreation.

How to prepare a rhythm table?

As already explained, rhythmic tables are dance routines and aerobic exercises performed by animators. Despite what many people think, the entertainers are not only on one side of the play area waving pompoms and singing songs alluding to a group.

In reality, the members of these groups perform complex choreographies that require physical skills and that combine dance with acrobatics and songs.

To prepare an efficient rhythm chart, the group must know its strengths and weaknesses, so that it can show its skills and hide its flaws.

Another important element in the preparation of rhythmic tables is music. It is best to choose songs that are not very popular, without many special effects, so as not to distract the audience.

Similarly, the song should have a punchy, catchy beat, so that both dancers and spectators can engage.

It is recommended to make a list of the movements that you want to include (jumps, pyramids, throws, turns, among others) and analyze how these are complemented with the music.

In the event that the routine includes words intended to animate a team, it should also be studied when they will be said.

Subsequently, it must be determined what role each dancer will play and the position in which they will find themselves. Finally, the animators should practice the rhythm chart hard and polish the routine and then present it.

National and international competitions of rhythmic tables

There are national and international rhythmic board competitions, also known as cheerleading competitions. In the United States, some of the most relevant competencies are:

1. USASF Cheer and Dance Worlds. This is one of the most important competitions, which is broadcast on ESPN, the sports channel. The USASF takes place every April in Orlando, Florida.
2. Atlantic Cheer and Dance. This competition takes place on the Atlantic Coast of the United States.
3. Cheer Ltd. This company sponsors competitions for cheerleading groups of educational institutions.
4. United Spirit Association. This company creates camps and competitions for entertainers and dance groups. The competitions are held in the western United States, primarily in California.

For its part, The Cheerleading Worlds is a worldwide cheer competition, in which hundreds of groups compete to obtain the title of the best cheerleader in the world.

Members of a group of entertainers

When rhythm tables are played, each of the members has a role to play. According to the role, the animators can be classified into:

Flying (flyer)

He is the person destined to be thrown to perform aerobatics. This member is characterized by its flexibility and balance.

Base

It is the member of the group that is responsible for launching and catching the flyer. For each flyer, there is a maximum of five bases. Some flyers only require a base.

Caregiver (spotter)

It is the member who is responsible for ensuring the safety of the flyer. In the event that the integrity of a flyer is compromised, the spotter can intervene.

Central

They are the members of the group who are responsible for executing the dance or the central routine.

Duration and elements

The rhythmic tables do not usually last more than five minutes, there are even some competitions that establish that the routines must last 2: 30 minutes.

According to the skills of the animators, the rhythm chart will include more or less difficult elements. All tables must include the following four elements: animation, stunts, jumps and spins.

The elements of animation are spelling with the arms, transition dances and songs.

Stunts include pyramids, ascents (placing another member on the shoulders), lifts, and throws. Spins include cartwheels with both hands on the ground or no hands.

Among the jumps, the folded jumps stand out, raising the knees to the chest or extending the legs towards the sides of the body.

Examples of rhythm tables

The following are examples of rhythm chart routines:

1. American cheerleading group at the 2017 World Championships

1. American cheerleading group at the 2016 World Championships

References

1. Easy Cheerleading Routines. Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from cheerleading.lovetoknow.com
2. Free cheerliading routines. Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from cheerleading.lovetoknow.com
3. Cheerleading Routines for beginners. Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from livestrong
4. How to make a competitive cheerleading routine. Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from livestrong.com
5. Cheer Rules. Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from
6. What is a competitive cheerleading? Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from varsity.com
7. Cheerleading. Retrieved on July 4, 2017, from en.wikipedia.org