Job Description for a Cheerleading Coach
The job of a cheerleading coach is one that requires immense patience and physical strength, negotiation skills, and the ability to work with a team to lead them to success. You have to handle children, teenagers, and even adults in different age groups, so a good understanding of child psychology and group motivation is vital to your success as a cheerleading coach. As a cheerleading coach, you are not limited to simply working for schools. You may coach different kinds of teams such as competitive teams, city-wide teams, and junior teams.
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Responsibilities of a Cheerleading Coach
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As a cheerleading coach, you must have a clear understanding of the NCS/CIF and TCAL rules and regulations, and be able to enforce them as well. You are responsible for the organization and training of your cheerleading squad and supervising its performance during games and practice sessions. You may also have to maintain order in the crowd and among the spectators, and in case there is an emergency on the field, you have to act decisively. On the administrative side, cheerleading coaches must maintain and complete records as instructed by administration. This could include information such as registration forms, health forms, and parent permission forms.
Requirements of a Cheerleading Coach
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In cheerleading, accidents are bound to happen and if you are the cheerleading coach, you will find that knowledge of basic first aid will come in handy. You also have to ensure that all the members in the team follow safety rules, and if required, you must be able to take a spotter's position, despite your position as head coach.
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Certification for a Cheerleading Coach
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A certification from the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) is worth investing in when you are looking to become a cheerleading coach. School administrators give the AACCA certification preference since it is valid for four years, after which it can be renewed and updated. Also, AACCA provides all certified coaches with a secondary liability insurance coverage of $1 million. As a cheerleading coach, taking an AACCA course gives you in-depth knowledge about subjects like medical and legal responsibilities, skill progressions, spotting, psychological readiness, environmental safety concerns, physical readiness, and program evaluation.
Pay Scale for Cheerleading Coaches
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Though salaries vary from state to state based on a number of factors, the average salary for a head cheerleading coach is $25,000. Depending on the employer, some cheerleading coaches are paid a yearly salary while others are paid by the hour. Depending on your reputation, there are some cheerleading coaches who also have the luxury of charging per session, or according to the number of participants in the group.
Work Environment
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Needless to say, the life of a cheerleading coach is extremely dynamic and high on energy. You will be surrounded by enthusiastic youngsters of all ages and you are going to be responsible for training them to put on a grand show. At the same time, it is a rather high pressure job, since you are taking on quite a bit of responsibility. With planning, making strategies, dealing with problem students, ensuring their safety, and keeping the team constantly motivated, you will have your hands full.
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References
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- Photo Credit cheer learder with pom poms image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
