The Poof.

It's one of the icons of all cheerleaders. You'd know someone is a cheerleader as soon as you saw them with this, you can't miss it. We work so hard for it, and give it so much effort. It's the cheer poof.

If you're a cheerleader you'd know what I'm talking about as soon as you read the title. These are just a few of the pictures I found when I typed in cheer poofs, but there are so many variations it's hard to focus on only one.

I remember the one time we had to wear a poof for our homecoming game, I got up about half an hour earlier than I normally would just so I could get the poof right. It defines cheerleaders that simple buldge of hair on top of your head that seems to stay perfectly in place. Trust me, it takes alot of work to make that all come together.

There is probably over a can of hairspray invested into making sure that poof does not come. Generally, it's mostly for competitions and you need to see what you're doing when throwing a tumbling pass or putting up a stunt. Your cheer hair has to stay in place.

The perfect poof is one of the most difficult things to achieve as a cheerleader. The bottom of it has to be teased and hairsprayed to get the correct amount of volume so it's noticeable. However the top has to be slicked back with every last strand of hair in its place. Then the whole thing has to be hairsprayed over and over again until it's as hard as a rock.

Even though alot goes into making the perfect poof, it gives you and your squad alot of bonus points. Looks are also being judged on the mat. If you present yourself in the perfect cheer mannar it only adds to your score. Being a cheerleader isn't only about the skill and drive, but it's about looking good while being crazy athletic. We do our sport, and look good doing it :)