Be A Good Sport! Tips For Cheerleaders (And Parents!)

Check out the Complete Guide to Conflict Resolution Tips For Cheerleading Squads! While cheer coaches and captains keep things going behind the scenes, the team members and their family are the face of a cheerleading squad. Sometimes, parents even become so well known at events that people wonder why they don’t have their own cheerleading team uniform! Here are some tips on how cheer squad members and their family members can make sure they are supporting the team and showing good sportsmanship. Cheerleaders You are determined and dedicated with a spirited heart, attitude and smile, right? That is great, but there are a few other things you need to consider to be an asset to your team, instead of their weakest link. Double check this list, then get back to practice and keep proving that you are a team player! 1.) Be willing to try and learn new things. The only way to improve is to identify and accept your weaknesses, then work to improve your technique and skill. 2.) When your coach or captain gives you direction, think of it as constructive criticism, not as a personal attack. Criticism is necessary for improvement. Learn how to accept it and how to use it to better yourself without getting hurt or defensive. You have to respect your coach and captain, and resist gossiping about them to other team members. 3.) Be respectful of your coach and teammates’ time. Show up when you are supposed to and be prepared to practice or compete by having all your equipment and cheerleading gear. Don’t make excuses for being late, just don’t be late. 4.) Help your teammates. Even if there is a coach, assistant coach, captain and co-captain, there might not be enough time for them to individually help everyone on the team. They might not notice that someone is struggling, or someone might be too embarrassed to admit they are having trouble. Check in with your teammates, especially the newest and younger ones. Never make fun of them for not having a skill. Instead, help them learn that skill. 5.) Don’t forget about your academics! You not only need your education for your future, but you likely have to maintain a minimum GPA to be able to participate in an athletic program. Don’t let your teammates down by getting benched for the big game because of grades. An athlete has to work hard not only physically, but also mentally. Work hard and ask for help when things are difficult. Parents The involvement of parents at games and competitions is vital to the success of a cheerleading squad. Your child’s team is motivated and inspired by your enthusiasm. With all the recent dance and beauty pageant reality shows putting a negative light on parent involvement, it’s easy to think that overbearing parents are the norm. But we know that is not true! Support and encouragement from parents is a major factor in the success of a cheer squad. If you are not sure when support and encouragement might be turning into something more like interference, keep yourself in check with these simple tips, and enjoy the season! 1.) Cheerleading is a team sport, and team unity is essential. Focus on, and teach your child to focus on, the team’s goals and needs along with their individual goals. 2.) Let the coach be in charge at practice, games and competitions. Support the coach’s decisions so that their voice becomes the instruction voice, and yours becomes a supportive one. Interfering with a coach can cause tension, and you definitely want the coach to be an ally! 3.) At competitions, cheer for every team and every child, not just your own. Speak up against any parent who breaks this crucial rule by asking them to behave respectfully. You can go the extra mile for your team by learning some of the chants or cheers and participating in the stands during their performance. 4.) Get involved by volunteering for the team. You’ll show your child how much you support and encourage them, and you’ll also be a big help to the team! Attend the games and performances when you can, and offer to help set up equipment and music at practices if you have the time (but remember to leave the coaching to the coach during practice!). 5.) Never gossip about other parents or team members. You can cause a bad situation not only for yourself, but also for your child. Instead, have fun by socializing with the other parents and making friends! Organize weekly or monthly newsletters, emails or meetings for the parents, with the cheer coach and captain, so everyone can keep up on paperwork and other deadlines and requirements.