The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Stunners All-Boys 2009 - The Review

They were the 2nd runner-ups for CHEER 2008 and this is one the teams that I highly anticipate during CHEER 2009. There has been a change of coaches last year which led to a different style of routine. However, the routine did not meet the standard which led the boys plunging to 12th place on CHEER 2009.

Initially, I find the routine entertaining but after scrutinizing their performance on YouTube, I realize that the routine was not tight and the stunts were poorly executed.

Execution of the routine aside, I personally love the dance. It's repetitive but it works and it's pleasantly memorable. Good selection of songs and I love the sound effects that accentuate the motions.

A few things to straighten out:

• No multiple tosses.
• Single basing stunts should be replaced with partner stunting instead of 2 supporters for the main base for the single base stunts. It does not look impressive. The number of people in the single stunt sets are 4 which is equivalent to a standard partner stunt.
• Centre front twist cradle at 1:00 is poorly executed. The position of that stunt is directly in front of the judges. It screams "look at my ugly twist cradle!". Shingz.
• There were no significant chants in the routine. Lame usage of placards.
• The toe pitches at the end of the routine is hidden behind the shoulder stands. No judges could see that and it is illegal because there were no back spots when it is extended.
• The pyramids in the routine did not give me a good impression. The top flyers were holding on to the bracing flyers for balance before being extended.

Stunts

• Basket toss X-Out
• 3 sets of show 360s + regrab to single base extensions + pop off
• 3 sets of round off to cradle + reload + single leg flatback to elevator + twist cradle
• Basket toss toe touch
• 2 sets of show 360s to single leg flatbacks + elevator + press up to liberty extension hitch + twist cradle

Pyramids

• Inside hitch elevator
• Wolf's Wall

The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Vulcanz All-Boys CHEER 2009 - The Review

The boys made their debut as the Best Newcomers of CHEER 2004. They were the 2nd runner-ups of CHEER 2005 and CHEER 2007. The first all-boys team in the Malaysian cheer scene; they definitely have grown a  pair of balls to compete in what others thought as a feminine sport. Highly inspirational.


Routine Choreography and Execution
An example of a handsome routine executed badly. The routine is comparable to a good looking chap who digs his nose and farts loudly all the time. You get the idea?

The occurrence of minor falls/bobbles in stunts, legs touching the floor on a cradle, head touching the floor on a backhandspring, and other bad cheer jujus may seem insidious but not if its repeated over and over again! The accumulation of this bad jujus all add up to an overall bad impression of the routine just like the good looking chap.

Now for the opening of the routine, I find it too subtle for my liking and the energy level just plunges down during the cheer section. Too much cheer, the pyramid took to long to mount and it's not very impressive. Thankfully, things get more stimulating after the cheer section.

Also, the recycle of the tagline "Guys Don't Cheer With Poms" has been getting stale in my opinion. Somebody please do a sexual revolution for pom-pons! I want to cheer with poms but thanks to these Vulcanz boys.

Lastly, I find the dance flashy, classy and well choreographed. The change of tempo is impressive. No complains! The synchronization could be better but boys can be such dance retards. The slow movement transition to the basket tosses is simply a classic!
  
Stunts

• 2 sets of basket toss toe touch + reload + 360 + elevators + press up to extensions and down to prep level + double twist cradles
• 1 set of show extent + sponge to elevator + press up to extension + sponge + straight extension + down to prep + cradle
  
• 2 sets of basket kick twists

Pyramids

• 2 sets of knee basket load + cupie + press up to + single base liberty interlinked with middle bracer
• 1 set of 180 load + elevator + twist cradle

Cheer Pyramid

•  2 sets of assisted hand toss to hands + press up to extension + down to shoulder stands
• Combination of thigh stands step up to prep + hitch inside to ground up thigh stand and transit to extensions + shoulder seat + shoulder stand pyramid

Vulcanz vs Pirates
Although the dance is all well, Pirates stole Vulcanz's limelight. Pirates had the X-factor that Vulcanz do not. Initially, I was with team Vulcanz and got really PMS-ey when Pirates scored higher than Vulcanz.

But after much investigation and debate, I'm in Pirates boat. Its a keelhaul to the Vulcanz boys. It is such a disappoinment because Vulcanz had a more difficult and a more technical routine.

Thank you for reading,
Eric xoxo

The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Pirates CHEER 2009 - The Review

They were the bestnewcomers of CHEER 2008. A budding team leaving their mark in the cheer scene.

Routine Choreography
A good use of masquerade to hide the obvious incompetency in stunts and other technical aspects of a cheerleading routine. The dance however, is as catchy as a pop chorus married with a clever selection of outstanding songs.

But there's one thing that irritates me in this routine. Being a natural loud vocalist, I can't help but to point out that the routine is pirated. No pun intended. This routine has Shirtliff, Extreme All-Stars Malaysia and Vulcanz All-Boys written all over.

This sneaky choreographer probably thinks no one would notice but not to my trained (gorgeous) eyes. While it is healthy to recycle for the environment, the same could not be applied to cheerleading routines. Please do not re-use, reduce and recycle or otherwise you know..


Stunts
Pirates have one of the easiest stunts of earth. The sport houses in Sek Sri KDU has attempted more difficult stunts. But since it's all masqueraded with the music, hype and glory, so let's just pretend the stunts are great.

• 2 sets of show extensions
• 1 set of (weird) basket toss kick
• 1 set of basket toss pike
• 2 sets show kicks + sponge + liberty prep level + press up + extension liberty (hideous) scales
• 1 set of basket toss toe touch + reload + liberty extension (hideous) heel stretch

Pyramids

• 2 sets of offsets + step up to extension + hitch to inside elevator
• 1 set of offset + step up to extension + down to prep + twist cradle
• 2 sets shoulder stands + 1 set of single base extension
  

What could be improved

• Arm motions need to be sharper, straight with precise angles.
  
• Timing of jumps could be better.
• Execution of skills need to be cleaner.

On a positive note

• I felt that the Pirates have the presence and confidence to execute the routine. They definitely deserved the Best Showmanship award.
  
• The routine was entertaining and memorable.

Thank you for reading.
Cheers,
Eric xoxo

The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Dynamitez 2009 - The Review

One of the top teams and trendsetters in the cheer scene. The originator of the manly voice and the throwing of pom-poms to simulate fireworks. The Dynamitez have the reputation for being squeaky clean and cut throat sharp.

Routine Choreography
Predictable. The usual opening pom-pom dance and the throwing of pom-poms are getting stale and out of trend. I reckon the discarding of pom-poms gently on the floor to be the in thing already! Just spare me this rude treatment of poms.

The thing is, Dynamitez are good and skilled but their choreography sucks. The choreographer needs to be murdered. Why would you want to have the basket toss toe touch and basket toss kick twists to go up simultaneously?

The focus would've be on the basket toss toe touch as it takes the centre position and that would leave the basket toss kick twists go unnoticed. The basket toe touch should go first followed by the kick twists or vice versa.

The dance leaves much to be desired. It is a change from their usual style where they get down all dirty and ghetto. I'm not impressed and it's just awkward looking. Too slow-paced and lacking visual dynamics.

The pyramid sequence is boring and depressing. Did you see how boring it is when they do their "pyramid" in the cheer section? These flyers go up to an arabesque and  then followed by a liberty to a hitch and then she libs again! I just don't understand why the need to lib so much?

The flyers need to hold the hitch longer; not just brushing the hitch on the prep flyer. The single basing stunt sets look laboured. A basic elevator instead would be better.

Now.. the ending pyramid. Forget it, it speaks for itself.

Stunts
2 sets of (deformed) basket kick twist + reload + elevator + double twist cradle
1 set of basket toe touch + reload + elevator + double twist cradle
1 set of straight extension + cradle
2 sets of extension liberty arabesques + liberty + hitch on elevator + liberty + cradle
2 sets of single base elevators + press up to extensions + down to prep level + cradle
2 sets of basket toss double vertical

Pyramid
Bracers: 2 sets of front handspring to load to elevators
Braced: Tuck to liberty extension + cradle + elevator

On the positive note:
Great jump sequence! Triple toe touch + pike + vertical jump
 

The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Titans 2009 - The Review

They were the serial winners of the Best Dressed award for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 but their uniforms of late are leaning towards the Lady Gaga direction. Champions of CHEER 2006 they have shed off their Best Dressed image and had become one of the icons of the cheer scene.

Routine Choreography
I expected an entertaining routine but instead I had a mindblowing one! It was more than I expected and the routine was awesome.

Strongly Thai-influenced with the typical maniacal Thai dance, this routine delivers like a spicy tom yum and the stunts made an impact as hard as a bitch slap. Good energy, commands attention, and FIERCE!

Stunts (note that the stunts on the 2nd day is different to keep by the rules)

• 3 sets of basket toe touch + reload + liberty extension heel stretches + down to prep level + press up to liberty extension scales + twist cradles + backwalk
• 3 sets of front handspring to load + elevators + press up to liberty extension arabesques + peel down
• 1 set of basket toss scissors kick
• 1 set of basket toss single vertical
• 1 set of liberty extension chin-chin
  

Pyramid Sequence 1 - 2 structured

• Bracers: 3 sets of shoulder stands
• Braced: 180 to elevator + press up to extension + sponge to load + front tuck + reload + flatback + press up to extension heel stretches

Pyramid Sequence 2 - 2 structured

• 2 sets of basket around the world + reload to flatback interlink with middle bracer + reload to liberty extension hitch on inside elevator + tick tock + liberty extension hitch on outside shoulder seats (HOLY SHIT!)
• 1 set of show and go + sponge + elevator
  

Cheer Stunt Sequence

•  Combination of straight extensions, press up extensions, elevator double takes + front tuck dismount

.What made this routine works

• BREAK THE RULES 

Note: Flyers need to ride more on the opening basket toss toe touch. Keep tight on the liberties and stretch please! My heel stretch is better than all of you. Synchronization could be better.  But otherwise..

The Zipzapdingdongfupaks of Calyx 2009 - The Review

I didn't really pay much attention to Calyx when the debuted in CHEER 2004. One of the underdog teams until CHEER 2006, when they gained some regconition on their clear cut improvement.They finally made it in the top 3 at CHEER 2009.


Routine Choreography
Simple but visually pleasing with sufficient transitions. Each section of the routine is segued neatly. However, I find the routine subtle and lacking in ferocity. I would like to see more variety because after awhile, the routine has an auto-pilot feel.

Stunts

• 3 sets of basket toss kick twists
• 1 set of show peel down
• 3 show peel downs + reload + liberty extension scorpions + liberty + twist cradle
• 2 sets of elevator + twist cradles
• 3 sets of shoulder seats
• 1 set of basket toe touch

Pyramid Sequence

• Bracers: 2 sets of show 360s + sponge + elevators + shift to prep liberties + press up to extension hitch + twist cradle
• Braced: 1 set of liberty extension + tick tock to liberty extension + sponge + kick toss to single leg flatback + press up to elevator + double twist cradle

Pyramids Executed

• Inside liberty outside elevators
• Inside elevator outside hitch

What made the routine works

• Cleanliness and synchronization
  
• Perfection of routine
• Smooth transitions
• Simple, safe routine
  

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.

The zipzapdingdongfupaks of Blitzerz 2009 - The Review

                                     

Ever since they started out in Cheer 2004, Blitzerz have always been the "chipsmore" team to me. Their neither here or there. Basic at best is how I would describe them. Cheer 2009 changed all that perception of course.

In fundamentals, Blitzerz has what it takes to be the national champions but only with the shortcomings of other rival teams e.g. Shirtliff and Titans. The latter teams would've been in a favourable position to win the national champion title if Shirtliff were to hit a perfect routine and the Titans followed by the rules.

Routine Choreography
Bland and safe. Feels like something Dynamitez would choreograph. However, the music is in sync with the routine and it adds drama to the basket tosses. The dance is not outstanding and needs more transitions. Love the chants where they go "attack Blitzerz attack!". The low voice paired with liberty extensions made a strong impression.
 
Stunts
I noticed that Blitzerz has the best stats for stunts. Tiny flyers, big bases and tall spotters. This definitely made stunting easier.

• 4 sets of liberty extension arabesques down to heel stretches at prep level + twist cradle
• 3 sets of basket toss toe touches
• 3 sets of basket toss single verticals + show and go
• 3 sets of hand toss to teddy bear + single leg faltbacks + twist cradle + straight extensions down to prep + double twist cradles
• Outside hitch inside shoulder sit pyramid
• Basket toss kick
  
• (an ugly) Basket toss kick twist
• Basket toss X-Out
• Pyramid sequence to Outside off-sets inside heel stretch 

What made the routine works?

• Perfection of routine is the rule of thumb.
• Spam your basket tosses. The crowd loves them albeit its not the hardest stunt.
• Firm stunt sets.
• Perfect stats of cheerleaders. Not neccessary but it helps.