We all make them every time January rears its head New Year’s resolutions. Once the ball starts to drop at midnight, you think to yourself, “this year’s going to be different, this year is my year!” Well, there is nothing stopping you from making the year ahead the best year of your life except for you. So, before the new year gets away from you, here are the seven stages of keeping all those resolutions you outlined for yourself: 1. Extreme optimism. You can do this! [source:Giphy] Self-motivation might have been missing for a full year, but now it is back in full force for all your new goals you have in mind. It’s a new year, new you. You can accomplish anything! Nothing can stop you! 2. (Almost immediate) temptation. Who left a cupcake out? [source:Giphy] It’s almost as if it’s scientifically proven that if you want to stay away from sweets, desserts present themselves to you everywhere you turn. The same goes for all aspects of life. But, that is why they say a “goal’ is a “challenge’, because it won’t come about easily! Don’t worry: stay focused on the finish line, no matter how close you are to the starting line (cough, January). 3. Bargaining with yourself… you don’t really need it, right? [source:Giphy] With temptation comes conflicting desires, and you might start to bargain with yourself if your goal is reasonable (or even possible)! When you made your resolutions, you already notated the improvements that you need in your life. So instead of trying to strike a more appealing deal with yourself, hold true to your original convictions and push yourself even harder instead! 4. Procrastination sets in. Big time. [source:Giphy] Okay, you’ll continue with your goals a little longer‚ but you have too much to do today. Maybe you’ll start that new art class next week. Or join a gym tomorrow. Or you have one cheat day on your diet. As you act on these thought patterns, what you’re doing is not only making it harder to start your resolutions, but you’re losing momentum to finish them when you do! And you’re beating yourself up over being lazy in the process. Seize the day, you can do it! 5. Being annoyed at the one friend who says they’ve done more than you (and faster). [source:Giphy] You’ve been on track with your goals, and you’re proud! You’re not quite far enough along to say that your goal is almost accomplished, but you successfully have gotten the ball rolling. But, then there’s that one person in your life that has done five times as much since New Year’s Day. You’re happy for them, yet it makes you think you’ve made little progress in comparison which can feel frustrating. Before you blow steam out of your ears, as you listen to their long list of achievements, remember that life is not a race‚ you’ll be victorious at your own pace. 6. Your resolutions become second nature. Oh wait, this was supposed to be hard? [source:Giphy] After practicing (or not practicing) a habit, an activity, or a mindset over a long period of time, you might forget altogether that this new endeavor started as a specific goal. Much into the year, if all goes according to plan, you might begin to wonder why you thought your goal was going to be difficult for you back in January. Or perhaps you couldn’t imagine NOT pushing yourself to make this change. Either way, your goal has transformed into part of your lifestyle. Bravo! 7. A last ditch effort every December… [source:Giphy] Maybe you forgot that you had a goal because you never got around to doing it, or it didn’t go according to your original plan. That doesn’t mean you should give up on your goal forever! New Year’s resolutions don’t have to necessarily begin on January 1st‚ you can change things up in your life at any time. That being said, if you write down everything you wish to do in one full year, you can keep track of your progress as you go. Check your annual to-do list in the latter part of the year to see if there is anything on it that is a quick fix. Getting some resolutions checked off right under the wire in December is better than not accomplishing your goals at all! Just remember one thing, above all: [source:Giphy] Do what’s right for you! Good luck with your resolutions and never give up on your dreams. What other stages of keeping New Year’s resolutions are there? Do you encounter other obstacles in the way of accomplishing your goals? Let us know!
Working within a budget or “balling on budget’, as I like to say, can prove to be problematic, especially you’re stuck trying to make ends meet for your kids or your cheer team. You want to give them the best, but sometimes, designer cheer items are just not in the budget. The best way to work around a shoestring budget is to buy the new backpack, jacket, or piece of campwear you want, and then save money on personalization by doing it yourself! Doing some DIY is a perfect way to bring your team together for some quality team-bonding, and it also can save a little cash. Here are some fun ideas you can use with your team to personalize any cheer item.
Backpacks and duffle bags. Usually, teams all have matching bags. However, if you don’t have names embroidered on them, team members might take someone else’s bag home by accident! If embroidering names on the team bags you choose for the season is out of your budget, you can make your own luggage tags. These are not your regular ol’ luggage tags: you can make simple designs on your computer to make all the tags uniform with your team colors and logo, or you can pull out the some construction paper and glitter and have your team make their own designs. Just simply get the tags laminated, add a keychain, maybe a little ribbon or mini bow, and there you go‚ a simple, but super cute luggage tag!
Campwear. Everyone has Soffe shorts, but maybe you want to add a little something special to make your team stand out at camp. Find a simple design, or use your club or high school initials, get a bunch of rhinestones, some superglue and start gluing away! You can make some really fun designs on shorts, or even on your camp T-shirts! There are also premade designs available online, and you might be able to find a design within your budget if you stick to shopping at in-stock cheer retailers.
Another option is to use a stencil. Find a design you like online or make you own. Use contact paper too, because it is thicker and will help the paint from bleeding into areas you don’t want it to be. Using an X-ACTO knife, cut out your design. Once your stencil is complete, place the stencil on your garment, and carefully paint your design onto it. Be sure to wait until the paint dries before you peel off the stencil! This is a more time-consuming option, but it is also a lot of fun.
Jackets or sweatshirts. Iron-on decals are always super fun to do, and an easy DIY way to add a little something extra to ordinary warmups. You can find a design, or make your on design from scratch. Load the iron-on transfer paper into your printer, and print out your design. Lay your warmup jacket down flat, place the iron-on decal where you want it, and then iron the design into your garment. Transfer sheets can be found at any local craft store. If you want something a little more professional or fancy, there are pre-made options you can buy at your local craft store, as well. You can also find some patches to sew or iron onto you garments.
Bows. Check inventory of your bows;
you probably have a lot, and maybe you have some that have not been used in a long time. Spruce up an old bow by adding glitter, rhinestones, or even paint! You can make a polka-dot pattern, add your initials, or your team names.Before embarking on any DIY project, be sure to always read the care instructions on your cheer apparel. You do not want to apply heat to a jacket or top that will melt or warp if heat is applied! Also, know that no matter how easy a DIY looks or sounds, there is always a risk that it might not end up exactly how you wanted it. Be sure to do a test run on an old garment that you don’t mind throwing away first. Happy crafting!
What other cheer apparel DIYs have you done? Show us your crafty side in the comments!
It’s time to start thinking about writing your admissions essays for college. For some students, this may be the first time you’ve ever had to write anything this long. Because of this, it can feel like an overwhelming task. Luckily, there’s help available. Try out these seven tools to help you get to grips with your essay.
1. Thesis Generator: Getting started is probably the hardest part of writing your essay. This tool will give you the structure and outline you need to get writing. Put in your topic and opinions into the boxes provided, and it will give you the basic outline that you should write to. It’ll also give you some helpful tips to getting that writing done to a high level.
2. Write My Essay: Getting the essay written may be more than you’re able to handle right now. If you need help getting it together, you can submit it to this writing service. They’ll write a custom essay that will help you get the place at the college you have your eye on. They can also help with essays during your academic career, too.
3. Story 2: This site gives you a lot of tools all in one place. You can write all of your essays within this app using their methods, and keep track of them using their dashboard. You can improve your writing skills too, and find essay prompts that can get you started. If you feel you need some guidance to getting an admissions essay written, this is the place to go.
4. The Structure of an Essay: Struggling to understand how your essay should be structured? This page can help you out. It’s helpful infographic shows you just what should go in each part of your essay, and how they should be included. If you find images easier to learn from than written tips, this is going to be much easier to use as a tool.
5. Custom Writing Service: The key to a great essay is proofreading and editing. You may not feel you’re up to the task of doing it yourself. Maybe you just want a third party to look it over. Either way, you’re not going to be able to do it yourself. The expert writers at this service can proofread your essay for you, and give you back a highly polished piece ready for submission.
6. Writing.com: If you’re serious about improving your writing skills, this is the place to go. There’s a thriving writing community there, that shares writing with other members and helps critique others’ work. There’s also of plenty of essay writing tips available, from people who’ve been there before. Stay logged in when you reach college, and you can keep improving your writing skills. They’ll come in handy when it’s time to start writing your assignments.
7. GoConqr: Do you need some help in organising your writing time? This tool can help. You can connect with other students in the same boat as you, and share ideas for your best essays. There’s also a helpful planner tool for scheduling writing time, and keep your notes together in easy reach for when you need them. It’s a great tool to keep using during your academic career, not just when you’re writing your admissions essay.
These tools will make the whole admissions essay process much less intimidating for hopeful applicants. Give them a go, and you’ll find the process of writing is much easier. With a bit of luck, you’ll score an acceptance letter from your dream college, so get writing!
What college application writing tips worked for you? Share your helpful hints in the comments!Ever wonder what you should get for the cheerleader in your life? They already have everything they need, but their love of cheer warrants some extra items that they might want. But, what, you ask? Cheerleading items can cost a pretty penny, so making sure you are purchasing the right gifts can save you in the long run. Luckily, in-stock cheer companies can be shopped online, without having to sign up for a mailed catalog. Also, in-stock cheer companies offer free shipping on items when you reach a minimum amount in your cart‚ so it’s a win-win! Coupled with a few DIY ideas, you’ll be set. Here are a few suggestions to help make the holidays a little bit easier when shopping for cheerleaders:
1. Spirit boxes. Create a gift box full of spirit-related products that you can
order from in-stock cheer retailers or make yourself! Decorate the box to a theme, and wrap it on up! You can give one box for the holiday season, or give the gift that keeps on giving by making one for each month of the year! You can keep a consistent “cheer’ theme, or you can focus on upcoming events rather than on the sport itself. For example, a “Summer Fun’ box can be a compilation of beach and summer-themed products come summertime!
2. Personalized bags.
My favorite bags are, of course, from Omni Cheer, and no, I am not biased! Every cheerleader needs their own personalized duffle bag or book bag to carry around everything they need for their next cheerleading competitions. P.S‚ glitter is always better, so I recommend the
Chasse Glitter Duffle or
Backpack to put under the tree.
3. Tumbling mats for home. If your house is anything like mine, your cheerleader probably spends most of their time tumbling all around the house. (And, hopefully they’re not crashing into things!) If you want something to keep the carpets clean, and make the whole activity a little safer, tumbling mats are affordable and available online.
4. Bow holders and bows. Cheerleaders can never have enough bows! From all the wonderful bows to choose from, you will never run out of options. While you’re at it, get a cheer bow holder, like the Bow Pro from Chasse! If you’re crafty, you can even D.I.Y. a jumbo performance bow with your cheerleader’s name on it. Don’t forget the glitter and sequins!
5. Cheerleading jewelry. Look on the Pinterest, and you will find a bunch of different ideas to make special bracelets, bangles, and cheerleading necklaces that is sure to make their Christmas morning. By doing so, you also get to showcase your artsy side!**Bonus items: stocking stuffer alert! Glitter makeup packages are now available to be ordered online, and feature everything a cheerleader needs to be performance-ready. Another item to fit any stocking is a scarf in your cheerleader’s team colors.
What other items make great holiday gifts for cheerleaders? What do you want this Christmas? Tell us in the comments below!
There isn’t a lot in current pop culture for cheerleaders. Sure, there are the
Bring It Ons, TV shows with cheerleader characters without illuminating what it’s like on a squad, a few movies that feature cheerleading as a side note, and a couple cheer novels written over the years‚ but those are all few and far between. It is no secret that cheerleading is highly overlooked by the entertainment industry. Thus, cheerleaders turn to magazines‚ the only entity on the American market that truly understands and caters to their passionate vocation.One such magazine is CheerLiving, a popular publication for everyone involved in the cheer industry! From coaches to parents, from college cheerleaders to pee wee youth, CheerLiving illuminates the hottest trends, the latest fashions, and the best advice. Everyone involved with cheer knows the industry is always changing, so CheerLiving is an excellent resource to stay up-to-date and in-the-know!
The magazine currently comes out four times a year, but their Spring Issue is a special one‚ it’s the extra-long, extra-informative annual Buyer’s Guide! Since spring is the time of year that in-stock cheer retailers receive their latest lines of cheer gear, this issue of CheerLiving showcases the brand-new, most anticipated items now available for purchase. The Buyer’s Guide tells you not only why you want these new arrivals for your team, but also where to get them! And, you don’t have to search far to find your favorite items‚ hint, hint.
One of our favorite articles in the new issue is “Sublimation Nation “. The two-page spread defines what sublimation is, the latest Double Knit and practice wear trend, and calls out how Chasse now offers sublimated Men’s Wear. Talk about taking cheer to the next level, both on the mat and on the sidelines! CheerLiving even went a step further on the sublimation front, and made a video (featuring Chasse) that emphasizes all of the sublimation options available to a team. It IS the biggest, growing trend in cheerleading, after all!
The theme of this year’s Buyer’s Guide is #CheeringForChange: a tribute to all of the cheerleaders that are continually working towards improving their industry, both in large and small ways. Every day, cheerleaders strive for community betterment, breakthroughs in fitness and stunting, gender and racial equality in their sport, and to just have cheerleading acknowledged as a sport by now! There is always room to grow, and although cheerleading has come a long way since its origin, there are still glaring obstacles and discrepancies that need to be addressed for a better tomorrow. Throughout the issue, CheerLiving encourages its readers to engage their social media about what they are doing along these lines, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #CheeringForChange! Jump onboard with the movement by finding CheerLiving on Facebook and Twitter.
Sound good? Well, you haven’t even heard the best part‚ the new issue is FREE! The 2016 Spring Buyer’s Guide is now available as a free digital download on their website. Snag your copy today!
Did you see us in the new CheerLiving Spring Buyer’s Guide? What was your favorite cheer gear items you saw? Let us know in the comments below!Coaches occasionally face difficult situations during the season. Coaching your child, sibling, or other relative carries the potential for a whole different experience though. While there are plenty of great aspects of coaching a family member, there can also be some awkward, uncomfortable, or tricky situations. Check out a few key dos and don’ts for coaching your child or another relative below and share any of your own tips or experiences in the comments!
Don’t: show favoritism. This may sound obvious, but a lot of you have probably been on a team where the coach did show favoritism to her or his relative‚ and it is frustrating! While it can be difficult to not favor someone who is so close to you, it is your responsibility as a coach to do your best to treat everyone the same. This will be best for the athlete, too.
Don’t: be too tough. Sometimes in an effort to not show favoritism, coaches will overcorrect and be too tough on their family members. Pushing your athletes to succeed and reach their potential is a good thing, and coaches know what helps different athletes and how to successfully motivate them‚ but make sure you aren’t criticizing or being overly demanding of your relative. There’s no need to put her or him down just to make sure everyone knows you aren’t giving special treatment. This can even turn dangerous if you advise your relative to push through an injury or illness. Knowing you don’t believe them when they bring up an injury is hard enough on athletes, but pushing them too far can cause serious injuries. Just like with not showing favoritism, you have to treat your relative like you would any other team member.
Do: set boundaries. Be a cheer coach during cheer events, but don’t forget you are also a parent, sibling, cousin, or other family member. Your athlete needs both, but probably doesn’t want to be with her or his cheer coach 24/7. Don’t neglect your other roles in the athlete’s life. You will need to figure out what boundaries work for you, but common mistakes to avoid include talking about cheer non-stop and nagging your relative about doing more exercises and stretches outside of practice.
Do: communicate. Ask for feedback! Acknowledge that it is a unique situation, and ask for ideas on what you can do to make it a good experience. Ask your relative to let you know if she or he feels like you are showing favoritism, being too tough, or not separating your cheer life from your home life enough. Then, be open to the feedback! This goes both ways though. Make sure your athlete knows she or he doesn’t get special privileges. If you feel that she or he is taking advantage of your relationship, communicate that!
Have you ever coached or been coached by a relative? What advice and tips do you have for others in similar situations?
Whether you are trying to get in shape for cheerleading tryouts or working on stepping up your fitness routine for your upcoming season, this complete guide includes everything you need to achieve your goals!
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Chapter Previews:
Fitness Plan
The first step in developing a fitness plan is to actually make a plan! Your plan should be beyond what you already do, or will do, for cheerleading – you’ll want to make your own fitness goals and stick to them. This will help keep you on track during summer breaks and holidays. Learn how to develop a plan, create a program and stay motivated in this comprehensive chapter that includes tips for the perfect playlist!Stretches
Stretching is an absolute in cheerleading! Access over 15 stretches that focus on the most important target areas for cheerleaders: arms, back and legs. You’ll also learn about the training benefits of a disciplined stretching regime.Core Training
Having a rock solid core helps with lifting and throwing, and prevents back injuries that could get you benched during the season or haunt you later in life. Learn how to do a number of core exercises that will target train your back, abdomen and hips!Leg Training
Cheerleaders need to target their legs during conditioning so they are strong enough for intense stunting. Building up the strength in your legs and hips will become one of your main lifelines for basing and flying, and will help give you maximum control. This chapter helps you focus on your calves, thighs and gluteus with solid conditioning exercises that would fit into any fitness program!Arm Training
Arm strength is crucial to all positions on a cheerleading squad! Tossing, lifting, twisting and catching other girls in the air is not for the faint or weak, not to mention that the foundation of cheerleading is arm motions! From the triceps to the wrists, this chapter will help cheerleaders incorporate a strengthening routine that will make them a lean, mean, lifting machine. Use these anywhere arm exercises to help you strength train and condition.Download your FREE copy of the guide now to access all the tips!
During
cheerleading competition season, many
cheer teams travel to an event destination. Some travel locally and are able to drive, but others need to make arrangements for air travel. Local competitions allow teams to return home, but other competitions require overnight stays at hotels. No matter what circumstances your competition season holds, use these tips to make sure that you take some time to
focus on safety.On The Road
- Wear your seat belt at all times when the vehicle is in motion. If you are on a bus, stay seated in one spot – don’t keep switching seats to visit other team members.
- After any stop, the coach should do a role call before hitting the road again. This will help make sure that every team member and chaperone is back on the bus and that no one gets left behind.
- Your bus should be equipped with a first aid kit and a safety kit. Check for these before you get on the road, and have your own kits prepared to bring just in case the bus does not have them.
- Monitor the driver’s awareness, reaction time and health. For long trips, there should be more than one driver, and no one should drive for more than 4 hours at a time.
- Most people use electronics for directions these days, but be prepared for anything by bringing a good old fashioned map and printed directions as backup.
In The Air
- Use luggage tags that clearly display your contact information in case it is lost or misplaced. Try to add some flare to your bag so it stands out, like a cheer keychain or ribbon – especially if your cheerleading squad is traveling with the same team bag!
- Be aware of the current airline rules, including weight limits on checked baggage and restrictions for carry on items.
- Pay attention to the in flight briefing on safety and exits. This is a presentation that the flight attendants do before take off, and it covers the location of exits, how to use your seat belt and what to do in case of an emergency.
- Obey the captain and flight attendants’ instructions while in the air. They will let you know when you need to stay seated and when your seat belt should be fastened. At all times, you should avoid blocking the aisles.
At The Hotel
- Don’t answer the door for anyone you don’t know. If they claim to be a hotel employee but you are not expecting a delivery or room service, call the front desk to verify the person’s identity before opening the door.
- Try not to walk around with bare feet. There could be broken glass or other dangerous items on the ground that could injure you. You don’t want to have sore feet for a competition! Hotels are public places with a lot of foot traffic and having bare feet could make you vulnerable to catching a foot fungus.
- Double check that you have your room key before leaving the room, and take all of your valuables with you when the room is going to be empty.
- Under no circumstance should you practice any cheer stunting in or around the pool area. Period. It will be tempting, and you may see other teams doing it, but it isn’t worth the risk.
At The Competition
- Stay in a group as much as possible when traveling and when you are onsite at the competition. Use the buddy system, where 2 or more people are assigned to keep track of each other.
- Be sure to check the weather report for the area that you are traveling to so you can be prepared. If there is bad weather expected where you are staying, make sure that everyone is aware of the emergency plan for the area and for the team.
- Make sure that there are enough chaperones to efficiently keep an eye on the team. It may mean that you have to do plan to do some fundraising to cover their costs, but it is worth it to keep everyone comfortable and safe.
How does your team stay safe during competition travel? Share your tips with our readers in the comments section!
Cheerleading squads travel with their teams all season, and
cheer on sidelines that are not familiar. Athletic events can draw large crowds, create an intense atmosphere and be a fast-paced environment. While the safety risks of a serious incident occurring at these events are low, there are steps you can take to prepare and ensure the safety of yourself, your personal property and your team.Safety At Away Games
- The host school should be providing increased security during games. It is the responsibility of your school’s administration to make sure that any school that your team will visit is following safety guidelines.
- When you arrive, make sure that the field and sidelines have been properly maintained. If there are any issue that will affect the safety of your team, bring them up with the home team immediately.
- Cheerleading squads should have their own travel emergency kits that they bring with them to away games. Coaches should make sure that the kit is brought to the sidelines (not left in the bus) and easily accessible.
- Coaches should check that all non-used portions of the school grounds are locked or otherwise guarded so that no one can enter unauthorized.
- When traveling, there should be enough staff members present to properly supervise the team. If there is not an assistant coach, get parents involved and have them travel with the team.
- Each member of the team should be aware of all exit routes. Since the host school will be unfamiliar, it is important to take a few moments when you arrive to look around and get to know your surroundings.
- Squads should establish a “buddy system’, so that it will be immediately apparent if anyone is missing. No cheerleader should visit the locker rooms or any non-populated and/or poorly lit area of the school grounds alone.
- Your personal items should be locked in a locker or some other secure place. Host teams should have a separate locker room from your team. If possible, leave all valuables, like jewelry, cell phones and money, at home or locked in the locker room at your school.
- While school rivalries can be fun and exciting, don’t let emotions get out of hand. If someone in the crowd or on one of the teams starts to act aggressively, find your coach and a security member immediately.
- Coaches should have emergency information for each squad member on file and on site with them. The information should include contact numbers for guardians and physicians, a list of current medications and any preexisting medical conditions.
- Only coaches should arrange travel, and it should be mandatory that the team travels together. No squad member should be allowed to get a ride to or from the event.
Leave a comment to tell us how you or your school focuses on safety for away games!
Whether you’re a cheer parent, coach, or cheerleader,
a new cheerleading team presents new challenges. No team is ever the same (and even the same team can change over the course of a year!). Each year, with the changing of a team or level, it’s important that you set new, realistic expectations for the coming year. Follow our tips for knowing what you should and shouldn’t expect:Coaches…
As a coach, it’s crucial that you first understand the level of your new team (as opposed to last year’s team). Are they at the same maturity level? Skill level? Were you more lenient
at tryouts because of a smaller turnout or were you strict due to a high turnout? Before you can set any expectations for your team, you have to understand where they’re at physically and mentally.When setting expectations and goals, ask yourself the following, first:
- What is my team’s current age group?
- What is their average level of cheer skills and experience?
- Do any of these cheerleaders have a competitive background or experience at competitions?
- Is this team’s predominant task to be on the sidelines or at competitions?
You can’t transform a group of six-year-old cheerleaders who have only ever cheered on the sidelines into a couple of lean, mean competing machines (especially if the team is Pop Warner or a non-All Star
or competitive team). You have to work with what you have. If your team is a group of younger girls, don’t expect the same level of focus and dedication as a group of older, more experienced cheerleaders.So what should your goals and expectations be? Your goal is to stretch, challenge, and develop your team. Set the bar to a level that your cheerleaders are capable of reaching. If you push them too much, you’ll only demotivate them. Don’t try to transform your team into something they aren’t; if you are coaching a sideline squad, don’t expect them to have the same tumbling skills as an All Star team. As a coach, focus on general improvement and inspiring passion and dedication for cheerleading.
Cheerleaders…
Cheerleaders themselves should also be setting realistic expectations for their teammates and new team. Your expectations and goals will slightly be different, depending on how your new team evolved — whether you joined a new team, or whether new members joined your current team.Let’s start with the first: you joined a new team. If you’re the new member, first set goals for yourself. Push yourself to get to know your new teammates and discover their level of cheer skills. Then, you can work on trying to match their level, whether they’re more advanced at tumbling or are more familiar with
intricate choreography. Don’t expect to completely match their skills after a few practices. It will take time! However, you should set monthly goals for yourself to reach, like mastering the splits, learning more tumbling, etc.If you’re on the same but with new members, it’s crucial that you don’t compare these new members with your previous members who graduated or left the team. You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment! Every cheerleader is different and, especially at the beginning of a new season, practice and synchronicity may be a little rough at first. When setting goals for your new teammates, allow them time to pick up on your team’s traditions or habits. Don’t expect them to be identical to your previous teammates and instead, look for ways you can help them improve!
Parents…
Did your son or daughter join a cheerleading team for the first time? Or did he or she join a new team at a different level? Whatever the case, it’s important that you,
as a parent, set realistic expectations for your cheerleader. Like a coach, your expectations should be dependent on your cheerleader’s age, level of maturity, and level of cheer skills. If your cheerleader is young and in Pop Warner, don’t expect her to be planning her tryout routine for an All Star squad years down the road. Instead, set goals for her to understand and realize her interests and passion in cheerleading. What does she like best about it? What doesn’t she like about it? Does she want to continue cheering next season? Don’t push your cheerleader into making a full-time commitment to cheer. Give her at least a season to see if she likes the sport.If you have an older cheerleader, raise the bar every season, but don’t punish her if she doesn’t surpass your goals for her. Encourage her to work harder, but don’t stress her out by telling her that she needs to try harder or that she’s not as good as her teammates. Be available for her to express her self doubts or fears. Help her face those fears, but don’t force her into trying something she doesn’t feel comfortable doing (like attempting an advanced stunt).
How do you set goals for your team?