2015 WSSU Cheerleaders Rams Lets Turn Up
[Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina]
****Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - May 22, 2026
This is Part I of a three part pancocojams series on stomp & shake cheerleader squads' upstomp (high step) motions.
This pancocojams post presents online definitions of and YouTube comments about one of stomp & shake cheerleaders' signature motions that was an called "upstomps" and is now (in referred to as "high steps").
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/pre-2013-videos-of-stomp-shake.html for Part III of this series. That post showcases videos of pre-2013 stomp & shake posts that don't include any "high steps" ("upstomp") motions in their cheer routines or have cheer routines that may be early examples of "high steps" (upstomps).
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are featured in these embedded YouTube videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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This 2026 pancocojams post is a repeat of this subject that has been showcased in previous pancocojams posts.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/06/stomp-and-shake-cheerleading-double.html for a 2023 pancocojams post entitled "Stomp And Shake Cheerleading Motions: "High Step" And "Double Shakes" (Descriptions & Video Examples)".
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DEFINITIONS FOR STOMP & SHAKE CHEERLEADING'S SIGNATURE MOTION THAT IS KNOWN AS "UPSTOMPS" (also known as "HIGH STEPS")Pancocojams Editor's Note: "Upstomps" is an older term for what is now referred to as "high steps"
2. AI Overview
"In stomp and shake cheerleading, an "upstomp" (or "high
step") is a fundamental marching motion. It involves forcefully driving a
bent knee up toward the chest while keeping the toe pointed downward and the
opposite leg straight, combined with sharp, rhythmic stomping and syncopated
arm movements.
Breaking Down the Upstomp
(High Step)The Leg Action: You rapidly raise one knee to a
high angle (often parallel with the hips) while keeping the leg tightly
squeezed and the toe pointed. The supporting leg remains straight.
The Rhythmic Stomp: The elevated foot is then stamped firmly
back onto the ground on a strong musical or vocal beat, immediately followed by
switching to the opposite leg.
The Arm Movements: While executing the high steps,
cheerleaders perform synchronized, high-energy arm motions, such as high Vs,
daggers, or the iconic "shake".
The Energy and Focus: Unlike traditional cheerleading where movements often involve a wide smile, upstomps are typically performed with a highly synchronized, serious, and aggressive crowd-engaging intensity.”…
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COMMENTS ABOUT UPSTOMPS (HIGH STEPS")
1. "With the upstomp, leg placement (the leg coming up) should be close to a 90 degree as possible with the upstomp foot POINTING downwards and beside the opposite knee as if you are in a (lib)"....Former Winston Salem State University coach CheerPhi93 (from his 2022 comment in the discussion thread for the YouTube video entitled "Southern University "Code Blue" Stomp & Shake Cheer Team" | 2020, Marvin Price, March 7, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu5VNhE493U
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CheerPhi93 identified himself as a coach for Winston-Salem State University cheerleading coach in this comment that he posted in the discussion thread of another YouTube video:
"I Coached in 2003 and remember when the cheer was made up...It has been revised..and never never ever ever...Did it say Cowboys...lol...it's When you are messing with the Rams you are bound to get Krushed...
Great Job Cheer Phi
WSSU ALUM
CHEER PHI 93 (POPPA-RA)"
-@CheerPhi93, 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyRaRAge3PE "WSSU CHEERLEADERS GETTIN CRUNK", published by ORIGINALCHEERPHI,
Feb 22, 2008
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"Cheer Phi" was (or is still?) one of the name for WSSU's cheerleading squads.
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2. *upstompjunkie" is a name of a male who is a former Winston Salem State University (WSSU) stomp and shake cheerleader. I "met" upstompjunkie when he posted comments to this article that I wrote in 2011: https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/07/21/race-and-the-changing-shape-of-cheerleading/ Race And The Changing Shape Of Cheerleading, July 21, 2011
Here's a comment I received from @upstompjunkie about another signature stomp & shake move called "jigga-pops" ("double shakes''):
"Jigga-pop" or some call a "double shake" is a little hard to put into words. It's where you throw your hip over so hard it "whips back". It's very difficult to catch on to if not taught properly.... - email from upstompjunkie* to Azizi Powel, 2011/2012
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Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab23Pg3lsyo&t=31s for "Basic Stomp & Shake Cheer Motions | How To High Step |
Double Shake Tutorial" published by Itz Dijah, Apr 13, 2021 [5:42 to 7:54]
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ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE STOMP & SHAKE CHEERLEADING VIDEOS (POST 2015) WITH A FOCUS ON THE CHEERLEADERS PERFORMING "UPSTOMPS" ("HIGH STEPS")
These examples are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Notice that there are different ways that upstomps were performed or are now (in 2026) performed. For instance, some cheerleading squads flick/ed their foot out before bending their knee with their toes pointing down.
The ways that a cheerleader team performs upstomps could have changed over time. However, every member of the cheerleader squad performs their upstomp motion and any other motions the same way in a specific routine.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/06/examples-of-stomp-shake-cheerleading.html for Part I of a three part pancocojams series entitled that list the titles and provides words for some stomp & shake cheers. The links to the other parts of that series are given in each post.
Those posts may have the words to the cheers that are featured in this post, or the words to similar cheers may be found in those posts.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2- HBCU CHEERLEADERS ARE BOMB! VIRGINIA STATE CHEERLEADERS PUT
ON A SHOW FOR THE FANS!
Stomp ‘N Shake Entertainment, Sep 17, 2023
The Trojans from Virginia State University came to Raleigh
NC, to take on the Falcons of Saint Augustine’s University. VSU and SAU both
have two very entertaining Stomp ’N Shake programs! These teams cheered a hard four quarters and
had to crowd hype the entire time! Check them out!
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3-Cute Stomp and Shake Cheers Top 10 | #6
Stomp & Shake University, Jan 3, 2022
This video is for Educational Purposes 💖
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SHOWCASE #4- I Bet You Won't Get Buck
Cheer Leads Elite, Apr 2, 2022 #cheerleading #stompandshake #cheer
#stompnshake #cheer #cheerleading #cle #stompandshake #basketball
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - You Don't Want No Problems, You Just Talk Like You Do!
***Full vid***
Courtney Rená, Apr 15, 2023 #stompandshake #cheer #blackexcellence
The full video of the high school stomp and shake cheer battle at a high school game. Absolutely love these young ladies 💯❤️
#stompandshake
#cheerbattles
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