How to Coach Pop Warner Cheerleading

Pop Warner cheerleading and dance squads are located in most of the fifty states, with most programs along the east coast and southern U.S. If you want to coach Pop Warner cheerleading, you have to have a passion for the sport, a knowledge of basic gymnastics and cheerleading, a willingness to learn and good physical stamina.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Choose the Type of Cheerleading Squad You Want to Coach

1. Decide which age range is right for your squad. In Pop Warner cheerleading, the age range of your squad has to mirror the age range of the players for which they will be cheering. Pop Warner football teams and cheerleading ranges are as follows: Tiny-Mite (5 to 7), Mighty-Mite (7 to 9), Junior Peewee (8 to 11), Peewee (9 to 12), Junior Midget (10 to 13), Midget (11 to 15), Junior Bantam (12 to 15), Unlimited (12 to 15) and Bantam (13 to 16).

2. Coach a cheer-only squad. Traditional Spirit (cheer-only) squads compete from August 1 to December 31 each year, which is the standard Pop Warner football season.

3. Coach a competition squad. Year-round Spirit squads cheer from January 1 to July 31 and must compete in at least one Pop Warner competition during that time (see Resources below).

Structure Practices for Your Squad

4. Focus your squad practices on age-appropriate routines and workouts. If your squad is considered Mighty-Mite (ages 7 to 9), your practices should center on stretching, jumping and basic, one-level pyramid building.

5. Select practice and routine techniques for more advanced squads. At the Bantam level (13 to 16), you can incorporate stunts, basket tosses, tumbling and multi-level pyramids as allowed under Pop Warner rules.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up for Pop Warner cheerleading competitions early for guaranteed registration. Each year, more than 300 teams compete in 4 age categories for a variety of prizes in Florida at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
• If you want to coach, be aware that you will have to submit to an annual criminal background check by the Pop Warner program.
• Pop Warner cheerleading is very structured and requires strict attention to safety. For example, Novice squads are not allowed to perform any stunts above prep, or shoulder, level. Intermediate squads cannot build pyramids more than 2 people high. This program publishes a safety guide that must be followed at all times.

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