The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Shirtliff 2009 - The Review

The 5 times defending champions Shirtliff and the 1st runner-up of Cheer 2009. Perhaps the most anticipated, most influential, most revered and the most detested team in the Malaysian cheer scene. Shirtliff shows you how it's done over and over again with exciting choreography and standard-setting stunts. I don't just clap, I give them my standing O.

Routine Choreography
I find the overall routine visually stimulating with good use of props such as flags, banners and pom-poms to add visual impact. The highlight of the routine has to be the hip hop/tribal-influenced cheer dance, executed in an exciting pace to complement the music. No complains! Hands down with goosebumps all over.

Stunts

• 1 set basket toss kick twist
• 2 sets of basket pikes reload to liberty extensions + press up to extension scales + arabesque + twist cradle
• 1 set of basket pike reload to liberty extension bow & arrow + scorpion + scale + twist cradle
• 2 sets of 180 offsets step up to liberty extensions reload + straight extensions + double twist cradles
• 1 set of elevator reload to straight extension + double twist cradles
• 1 set of basket toss around the world
• 2 sets of liberty extension down to gut stand + press up to liberty extensions
• 1 set of show and go reload to elevator

The routine lacks pyramid; with outside liberties and inside elevator being the only pyramid. The ending stunts should be hitched in. However, I do like the rotating liberty sequences which looks impressive. The ratio of cheerleaders to stunts are lower compared to Blitzerz. Blitzerz have 4 sets of liberty extensions compared to 3.

What made the routine works?

• Good use of props
• Good use of music to complement routine
• Fast paced dance using half counts
• ENERGY and PERKINESS

p.s. The videoman for The Star needs to be sacked. This babe is doing some cool tumbling sequence and he focuses on the cartwheels. There's 3 stunt sets and he focuses on one set. What a dodo.