How and where to learn the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ “Thunderstruck” routine

If you watched Netflix’s recent documentary series, “America’s Sweethearts”, you may be wondering if you have what it takes to make it as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and you’re not alone. The series showcases the intense audition process to becoming a DCC and it means being absolutely flawless in your performance (in addition to looking good, smiling all the time, and following all the rules, of course). Since the release of the seven-part series, trends have started on TikTok, performing parts of the cheerleaders’ famous pre-game dance to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”.

The fan in this one makes me nervous.

Learning the full routine to any of the DCC dances, however, is no easy feat. Not only is it physically challenging, but finding the full dances online proves difficult as well.

How to learn the DCC’s dance routines

Difficult, but not impossible, of course. With social media and cell phones, it’s even more difficult to keep things offline. Especially things that happen in public. Here is at least one YouTube video of the full dance performance to “Thunderstruck”:

It’s definitely not a step-by-step tutorial or a professionally-filmed video and you only get one wide angle, and that’s it. But it does show the full dance without having to piece it together bit by bit from what else is available online. It’s enough to get you started. Plus with all the TikToks and YouTube collections out there, you have enough to learn the full routine.

And here you have a nice kick line instruction video from some of the DCC members themselves:

DCC Prep Courses

Now, if you’re really serious about wanting to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and not just wanting to learn the routine for the fun of it or to post it on social media, there are actually DCC prep classes you can attend.

The classes are taught by DCC choreographers and former Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. Even with those classes, I don’t think you’ll learn the full “Thunderstruck” routine. That is something saved for the rookie class that has already made it onto the squad. You will, however, learn many of the moves and kicks the DCC use on the field on game days.

There is also the option of the DCC Prep Intensive weekend. According to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader website, you can “learn a few new pieces of DCC stylized choreography, along with other DCC gameday elements. Classes include stretch, mobility and flexibility, kick technique, field presence.”

While there may not be a full instructional video with angles and specific steps, where there’s a will, there’s a way. And with the internet, anything is possible.