How To Rise Above Cheerleading Teams That Are Sore Winners

What should you do when a “we will rock you!” energizing battle cry becomes a sneering, teasing “we just rocked you!!” brag-fest? A sore winner can be just as bad as a sore loser! A sore winner is someone that acts unsportsmanlike after a win; excessive celebration, calling their opponent “losers’, mocking and teasing. They are tough to deal with, and can really make the atmosphere of a high school game, or cheerleading competition, dark and twisty. Don’t fret though, here are some tips for keeping your cheerleading team and your community bright and happy, even in the face of a loss and poor sportsmanship. Tip #1: Ignore them. It’s the oldest trick in the book, and though easier said than done, it is the most effective solution. If you walk away without responding, you may feel like you are a dog with its tail between its legs; and your pride may scream at you to toss an insult at the winners. However, feeding in to what they are doing will only make them want to antagonize you more. If you display extreme sportsmanship, even in the face of sore winners, it will make you look better and make them look worse. This is cheerleading, not fishing. Don’t take the bait. Tip #2: Take it as a compliment. If you think about it, you’ll realize that the things that you want to brag about the most are things that were hard for you to accomplish. If the other team is SO proud of themselves for beating you, they must feel like you are a worthy opponent, a great team. Instead of taking it as a hit to your self-esteem, turn it into a boost by realizing that your competitors see you as a threat. Tip #3: Remember that you can relate to them. Try to remember that maybe they have a parent or coach that has been hard on them, and this win could make them feel as though they have proven themselves. That is likely a situation that you have been in. They may feel so much relief from the pressure they were under that they are celebrating without thinking. If this is a first offense, or uncharacteristic of the team, let it go. Tip #4: Learn a lesson. Let their actions be a reminder to your and your team about how cheerleaders should act after a win. Make a note of how ridiculous their bragging looks, and how it makes you feel, and make sure that you never act that way or make another cheerleading squad feel that way. Walk away with your head held high, knowing that you are setting an example for your community. If a team’s sore winning ever crosses a line, either with words or physical actions, get your coach involved immediately. Rivalries can be innocent fun and can even push athletes to perform at the top of their game, but no one should ever get hurt.