Coaches FAQ's

These are some questions that I have gotten from coaches.

Got a question not answered here, ask me!

Question: I am coaching pee-wee 7/9 year olds. I want a really cool move to say or to do between the hello cheer getting into a paramount. Anything but hello hello!

Answer: I really love coaching that age group. The very first team that I coached was that age. They are soooo much fun! Here are some cute chants that I like to use to move them into stunts: (I like all of these for a half time/welcome because they don't taunt the opposing team.)

You can do it! You can do it, if you put your mind to it! Doesn't matter how (pause, pause) Just do it!
G-E-T-U-P, get up on your feet. G-E-T-U-P, and jam to the beat.
In the air and on the ground spirit is all around. It's time [click, click] to let your spirit shine.
Make it count! Every little bit, go for it.

Question: I am a recent beginner in coaching! I was a cheerleader in high school (10 yrs ago) and I need your help! I am trying to get a hold of cheerleading competition videos!!! I need help!! My squad ranged from 9-11years old. Please give me any info you may have on getting these resources!

Answer: Unfortunately, there is no good resource that I know of to obtain competition videos. The way that I have gotten mine is either from competitions that I have attended as a coach or a judge. I normally just order all of the tapes (for all division, not just mine) that the videographer is creating (or I stake a parent out in the stands with my camcorder and lots of tape & batteries. My best suggestion for start-up is to check with other coaches in your locality (Florida is a cheering hot bed!) and see if they be willing to let you borrow a tape or 2. Also check on Varsity.com for the cheerleading schedule for ESPN2 (they show UCA competitions) and Nationalspirit.com for a schedule of televised NCA competitions.

Question: Hi I am in desperate need of tips on dealing with parents. I would have a perfect program if I could cut the parents. They act as if I draw a pay check to coach these girls. I enjoy coaching my squad but I really dread the parents.

Answer: There are several things that you can do. First of all is you need to make sure that the parents understand why you are there and why their children are there. My cheering director tells my parents one of the most straight forward things I've ever heard. "If your here to relive your childhood, through these girls, than this squad and this organization has no place in it for you." And we have had parents that have taken issue with this but, it's how we feel, and we're sticking to it. And you may loose a few girls in the process of weeding out the problem parents, but it will help you and your program in the long run. Don't be afraid to show the parents who's boss and that it's not their team (nor is it the coaches). The team is there SOLELY for the benefit of the squad members and if the parents are interfering with the kid's success, remind them why everyone should be there. There are several ways to deal with the parents and win a lot of them over to your side. And remember that you can't and shouldn't try to please everyone all of the time.

Question: I am looking for good cheerleading coaches for our recreation league. We don't have many parents to use and I'm looking for some suggestions of how I may get people outside our association interested in coaching. I thought about contacting the colleges but I think they'd be busy with their own teams during the season. Would you have any ideas for me to try?

Answer: Use what parents that you can get as "Sponsors" for the teams, have them handle the paperwork and contact with other parents and scheduling. Then recruit High School and All-Star Cheerleaders as your "coaches" we call them jr. coaches in my league. They can also be the older sisters of your cheerleaders. Have them handle all of the cheerleading. The teaching and the stunting (under the supervision of the adult sponsor.) Theses girls are the best resource, because a lot of them are looking for volunteer activities for college applications, and valuable coaching and choreography experience for the future. You are helping them out in that aspect. They also have the finger to the pulse of what is on the cutting edge of cheerleading.

Question: I was a cheerleader a few years ago when I was in high school. Now I'm 21 and not doing anything at the moment. I'm planning on going back to college soon and I was wondering how I could get back into the swing of things. I want to be a cheerleader, but I'm afraid that I'm too old and I don't want to live my cheerleading dreams through anyone else. What should I do?

Answer: You have a couple of options open to you. You could cheer once you re-enter college. I know 26 year old graduate students that still cheer on their college squads. Or, you could find an all-star gym with an “open” team. The squads compete in the 18 and over (open) division. At 27 years old, I still cheer on an open division all-star team, and love every minute of it. Your final option is to coach. And, although your not on the floor yourself, you are passing on your knowledge and skill to the next crop.

Question: How common is it for squads to use downloaded music in competition? Do leagues or organizations really CARE where you got your music? What are the chances of getting into trouble or disqualified for using downloaded music?

Answer: Yes, teams and even professional music mixers download music. I have never heard of any team or organization being disqualified for using downloaded music. As I judge competitions, I see lots of teams that have taken their music unchanged, straight off of the internet. If your concern is that you will be “using” someone else’s music, you have to remember that they have left it in a public place, for you to find. The only downfall that I have found is that you do run the risk of having the EXACT same music as someone else you are competing against.

Question: I am a new cheerleading coach for High school, and I coach an all girls team, well I assist. I am only 21 and nervous as can be. How can I get the girls to listen to me without being mean or controlling? The Head coach is a substitute teacher and cant always be there on time. I don't think the girls respect me like they should and I am nervous to get them to listen... what should I do?

Answer: The only way to get there respect is to show them that you are the boss. If you try to be their friend, they will take advantage of that situation. You need to enforce the rules as you would if they were significantly younger than you. Show them that you mean business and deserve their respect & that there will be consequences for their actions. I have found that using calisthenics (i.e. Push-up, and laps and jumps) work wonders.

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These are some questions that I have gotten from coaches.

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