How to Coach Beginner Cheerleading

Young cheerleaders need to learn the basics.

Beginning cheerleaders need to learn basics such as cheerleading motions, basic stunts and jumps. In addition, you'll need to teach the cheerleaders how to work on flexibility, endurance and strength. Remember that the kids on your squad will look up to you as their coach and cheerleading mentor. The attitude you bring to practices is an attitude that the participants will mirror. Laying out the standards and rules before the first practice will help the cheer season flow smoothly.

Instructions

1. Narrow your coaching choices down to either a competitive cheerleading squad or a spirit squad. Some schools offer both, but the majority of school cheer squads will feature a spirit squad only. If you wish to coach competitive cheerleading, you may need to go to a local gymnastics or tumbling business and apply to work as a coach.

2. Write the rules for the squad. Common rules include attending practices, pulling hair up, no chewing gum and no jewelry. A demerit program is one way to enforce rules. A set number of demerits are issued for failing to follow the rules. When points get to zero, the cheerleader either sits out of a performance or is removed from the squad.

3. Create a beginner's routine, trying out the motions yourself to make sure they are not too advanced for new cheerleaders. A newbie could complete a round-off, but a back tuck might be too advanced. A newbie could do a straddle jump, but a herkie might be too complex at first. You might even want to pull in a child new to cheerleading and see if they can easily learn the moves to the routine.

4. Host tryouts to find cheerleaders for your squad. Cheerleading tryouts typically run two or three days. The routine is taught the first day, perfected the second and tryouts could be at the end of the second day or on the third day. Watch for participants who have sharp motions, pick up on basic instruction and are willing to attempt new moves. Also, choose cheerleaders who can serve as flyers, side spotters and back spotters. A squad full of kids who are flyer size will have a hard time lifting a flyer into a basket toss.

5. Spend extra time on technique. Beginning cheerleaders need to learn where to position arms, how to stretch to get their splits, and what to do if something goes wrong during the routine (keep going, of course). Start the season teaching these basics and it will pay off later on with cheerleaders who have excellent form and confidence.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a team spirit with a few fun games and get-togethers that allow the kids to get to know one another on a personal level. The cheerleaders should help and encourage one another in learning new tricks and stunts.

• Choose competitions where you know the beginners will score well against other squads. The last thing a beginning cheerleader needs is the discouragement of losing every competition they attend.

• Don't scream at your cheerleaders. This discourages youth and will not create respect. Instead, point out what errors were made and explain how to improve in that area. Encourage the squad to try again until they get it perfected.

References

• "Coaching Cheerleading Successfully"; by Linda Rae Chappell; Human Kinetics Publishers; 1996
• Oak Harbor Cheer: Coaching Cheerleading
• Cheer Coaching Magazine: "Where Should You Go: Competitions"; by Kevin Hansford