Nick Brady, portrayed by Eric Christian Olsen, and Shawn Colfax, played by Nicholas D'Agosto, are two charismatic football stars at the fictional Gerald R. Ford High School. Living the typical jock lifestyle, their primary pursuit is chasing girls, often finding themselves in comical predicaments with irate fathers who catch them in the act. Undeterred by these encounters, Nick and Shawn's dedication to their pursuits leads them to consider various schemes, such as tutoring Maddy (Kelen Coleman) in science or attending a bonfire with Jennifer (Kate Lang Johnson).
Their grand escape from the grueling two-week football camp in El Paso, Texas, under the watchful eye of the foul-mouthed Coach Byrnes (Philip Baker Hall), sparks a new plan. After overhearing a conversation about the camp's impressive three hundred cheerleaders, they concoct a scheme to infiltrate the cheerleading squad, believing their popularity with women might just be a cheer away. With the help of Shawn's resourceful sister Poppy Colfax (Juliette Goglia), they learn some basic cheerleading moves. Poppy, aware that the head cheerleader Carly Davidson, played by Sarah Roemer, has reservations about jocks, assists them in winning over the squad.
Eager to impress, they wow the cheerleaders—Angela (Hayley Marie Norman), Sylvia (Margo Harshman), and Bianca (Danneel Harris)—by retrieving a Frisbee from a tree using cheer techniques, while professing an interest in cheering. Despite their efforts, they struggle to convince Carly to allow them into the camp, but cheerleading coach Mrs. Klingerhoff (Edie McClurg) takes them in, citing the team's need for extra muscle.
As the camp progresses over three weeks, Nick and Shawn resolve to stay for only two. Despite their raucous antics and mishaps while attempting complex cheer formations—exacerbated by their lack of experience—they forge genuine connections with their squad. Unexpectedly, they begin to find joy in cheerleading; Shawn develops a crush on Carly, while Nick is drawn to Diora (Molly Sims), who happens to be married to their camp coach, Keith (John Michael Higgins), the first male coach ever at cheerleading nationals.
The boys face fierce competition from their primary rivals, the Panthers, led by Gwyneth, who dominates every year, leaving the Tigers behind. The boys share a cabin with unique characters, including Brewster (Adhir Kalyan), whose flamboyant personality adds to their humor, and Adam (Collins Pennie), who aspires to be the first African American male to secure a college cheer scholarship.
As Nick and Shawn navigate cheer camp, their ambitions shift as they develop real fondness for the girls and the spirit of competition. Desperate to woo Carly, Shawn overhears Rick's casual admission that his intentions with her are insincere, viewing their relationship as nothing more than a social strategy. Realizing the importance of their mission, they rally the squad’s morale, helping to lift their spirits for the upcoming competition.
However, their secret intentions eventually come to light, leading to their dismissal from the squad. Feeling a sense of belonging, they attend a party and recognize their passion for cheerleading. They return to help the squad prepare for the competition, determined not to let their friends down.
During the final performance, amid a dramatic routine, Shawn takes a tumble into the water instead of perfectly executing the "Fountain of Troy." While the crowd gasps, the spirit of the team prevails as Shawn surfaces, shouting "Tigers!" in a moment of triumph before losing consciousness. Even though the squad doesn't clinch victory, they finish far better than the previous year, and Nick and Shawn end up realizing their affections for the girls, culminating in a heartfelt kiss between Shawn and Carly.
