Cheer Coaching 101: Hiring Squad Staff

As a cheerleading coach, you’re in charge of more than just choosing and instructing school cheerleaders; throughout the year, you’ll be hiring and managing staff, including choreographers, tumbling instructors, assistant coaches, and parent volunteers. Before you start the hiring process, read up on our tips and advice. Protect your cheerleaders (and yourself). It may sound unfair, but there have been previous cases where staff members have been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with teenage cheerleaders. To prevent any concerns from cheer parents (or anyone else), try to avoid any staff from having to privately practice with any cheerleader, especially if they are of the opposite sex. Draw up a contract with your staff, informing them of the boundaries one must take, like not driving a cheerleader home from practice or texting them, even if it’s only out of friendship. Being prepared will prevent any unfortunate incidents. Know what questions to ask. Even interviewers can get nervous when interviewing a potential new staff member. Asking the right questions during the interview is crucial for finding the right person for the role. Unfortunately, resumes aren’t always truthful, so the interview is the time for you to really get to know the person in a short amount of time. A few great questions to ask are: What characteristics do you look for in a cheer squad? What was a problem you faced at your last position and how did you resolve it? When was a time you made a mistake and how did you fix it? What are three of your best and worst traits? What do you love most, and least, about working with a cheerleading squad? How do you handle conflict? Why would you be a good fit for this position? Know what questions not to ask. Always make sure you’re following the law when interviewing someone. If a question seems too personal or touchy, assume that you shouldn’t ask it. A few other off-limit questions include: Where were you born? How old are you? How tall are you and what is your weight? What is your religion, gender, race, ethnicity, or marital status? Start with a trial period. If you’re not sure whether you’ll need a particular staff member year-round (like a choreographer) or if you don’t want to commit just yet, hire someone for a trial period. An easy way to express this to a potential staff member is to explain that you are hiring someone for a specific season, with possibility of an extension, depending on the squad’s needs. A trial run is a great way to test the waters. Go with your instinct. Ultimately, your decision should come down to who you feel will fit in the most with your squad and who will build the best rapport with you and your cheerleaders. People can learn new material and techniques; it’s a lot more difficult to learn a positive attitude, patience and a communicative, friendly disposition, which are crucial when teaching middle school or high school cheerleaders. As qualified as someone may be, there are other traits that are just as important as experience. Trust, honesty, reliability, and a strong work ethic are necessities! For additional resources on coaching, visit Cheer Biz News!