I was just wondering if I had any regular readers, what people think of my blog, or if there was anything I could change that would make it better. Post a comment about what you think. I'd love to hear from people, even if it is something negative. I just want it to be as good as possible. If you have any suggestions that I post about please tell me. You can also follow me on Twitter @CheerStrict and if anyone wants me to make a Facebook, Pinterest, or any other kind account tell me and I can get it done. I'm here to help =)
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Revamping Your Squad
Coming from a squad that was mediocre (at best) the last few years, at a school that doesn't appreciate cheerleaders, I have learned that the only way to get respect is to perform like you're All Stars. Your stunts have to be top notch, your motions perfect, your dances amazing, your tumbling (if your squad is into that kind of thing) fantastic, your makeup and hair flawless. You have to do something to set you apart from the stereotype of "Go Team Go". Doing something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tRohbZItqk&feature=endscreen&NR=1 makes you stand out. It is something that people will remember, that they will talk about next year and the year after that, and will end up of youtube. If you can get people thinking "Wow, those girls are great. I want to be one of them" then you can get the best of the best on the squad.
At my high school cheerleading wasn't cool. Cheerleaders weren't popular. Girls basketball players were, and I honestly don't know why because the girls on the basketball team looked rather manly. My squad didn't have the "perfect blonde cheerleader" look though either. One girl was tall and skinny with frizzy hair. One girl was short and chunky. A couple of our girls were pretty, but they had huge butts and thighs. I'm a blonde, blue eyes, but I'm a size 8-10. Not skinny enough to be Barbie. We had one perfect Barbie cheerleader, but she never wanted to do anything but look good in the uniform. We were just like normal people, and my school didn't like it. They wanted us to be perfect, tiny cheerleaders that performed like All Stars. And my school will always have that mind set. They have seen too many cheer movies that portray cheerleaders as having perfect bodies, hair, and make up. We weren't like that. We wanted to be ourselves and get recognized as being athletes. The cheerleader stereotype kept us from that.
If you want to be respected as an athlete you need to act like one. Work hard at practice and spread the word around school about how hard it was (it will make people realize you do something that makes you sweat). Take your squad for a run around town. It will turn heads to see 20 or so pretty girls running around town. Maybe share a video of practice with your friends so they can see how a practice goes. Post your cheer schedule on the cheer Facebook or Twitter, other people will stumble upon it and see how often you practice and for how long. Football players are respected because they are said to have really hard practices, spend all summer outside in the sun conditioning, and it is dangerous. If people understand cheerleading is like that then it can get the recognition that it deserves.
The squad is only as good as its weakest link. If your squad has girls that don't want to be there, don't show up for practice, only are cheerleaders because of the uniform but they have been on the squad for a long time or they are really good, you need to realize that they are bringing the squad down. You don't need them. When it comes time for tryouts coaches need to remember that it isn't just what you see at tryouts that you need to take into consideration. You need to remember all of the awful things they did last season. Were they disrespectful? Did they blow off practices and games? Were they late? Did they cause a lot of drama? Did they ever try? Were they always getting in trouble? If they were, then you don't need them. Replace them with someone who wants to be there, who will try their hardest, and will represent your school well. The cheerleaders ability is directly related to the coach. If there is one bad cheerleader then it reflects badly on the coach. If the coach looks badly the school can replace them. It happens, just look at Purdue's football coach.
Because no body liked cheerleading at my school, it was really hard to get people to tryout. I feel like my school is the only place that happens though. But if not, I have a few ideas on how to get people to tryout. Some short videos to post on Facebook, your school's website, or school's news broadcast.
At my high school cheerleading wasn't cool. Cheerleaders weren't popular. Girls basketball players were, and I honestly don't know why because the girls on the basketball team looked rather manly. My squad didn't have the "perfect blonde cheerleader" look though either. One girl was tall and skinny with frizzy hair. One girl was short and chunky. A couple of our girls were pretty, but they had huge butts and thighs. I'm a blonde, blue eyes, but I'm a size 8-10. Not skinny enough to be Barbie. We had one perfect Barbie cheerleader, but she never wanted to do anything but look good in the uniform. We were just like normal people, and my school didn't like it. They wanted us to be perfect, tiny cheerleaders that performed like All Stars. And my school will always have that mind set. They have seen too many cheer movies that portray cheerleaders as having perfect bodies, hair, and make up. We weren't like that. We wanted to be ourselves and get recognized as being athletes. The cheerleader stereotype kept us from that.
If you want to be respected as an athlete you need to act like one. Work hard at practice and spread the word around school about how hard it was (it will make people realize you do something that makes you sweat). Take your squad for a run around town. It will turn heads to see 20 or so pretty girls running around town. Maybe share a video of practice with your friends so they can see how a practice goes. Post your cheer schedule on the cheer Facebook or Twitter, other people will stumble upon it and see how often you practice and for how long. Football players are respected because they are said to have really hard practices, spend all summer outside in the sun conditioning, and it is dangerous. If people understand cheerleading is like that then it can get the recognition that it deserves.
The squad is only as good as its weakest link. If your squad has girls that don't want to be there, don't show up for practice, only are cheerleaders because of the uniform but they have been on the squad for a long time or they are really good, you need to realize that they are bringing the squad down. You don't need them. When it comes time for tryouts coaches need to remember that it isn't just what you see at tryouts that you need to take into consideration. You need to remember all of the awful things they did last season. Were they disrespectful? Did they blow off practices and games? Were they late? Did they cause a lot of drama? Did they ever try? Were they always getting in trouble? If they were, then you don't need them. Replace them with someone who wants to be there, who will try their hardest, and will represent your school well. The cheerleaders ability is directly related to the coach. If there is one bad cheerleader then it reflects badly on the coach. If the coach looks badly the school can replace them. It happens, just look at Purdue's football coach.
Because no body liked cheerleading at my school, it was really hard to get people to tryout. I feel like my school is the only place that happens though. But if not, I have a few ideas on how to get people to tryout. Some short videos to post on Facebook, your school's website, or school's news broadcast.
- Can you do this? *picture of lifting weights* Think you can do this? *video of a partner stunt*. Tryout for cheerleading (insert tryout information here)
- Can you do this? *picture of someone doing gymnastics* Think you can do this? *video of a tumbling pass*. Tryout for cheerleading (insert tryout information here)
- Can you do this? *video of dancing* Think you can do this? *Video of a cheer dance*. Tryout for cheerleading (insert tryout information here)
- Have you done this? *video of a cheer competition or a high school squad* Then tryout for cheerleading (insert tryout information here)
Ask for student assembly. Split the area into 4 sections labeled (or as for a hands up for each situation): I have cheered and it is a sport, I have cheered and it is not a sport, I have not cheered and it is a sport, I have not cheered and it is not a sport. This will give you an idea of how to make your plea for new people on your squad. If most of the people have never cheered and don't think it is a sport, then you need to show them videos of hard cheer practices, difficult stunts, or a competition. If a lot of people have never cheered but think it is a sport you need to ask them why they have never cheered and show them that they can cheer despite their preconceived notions. If they use the excuse that they are too big to cheer you can show them an episode of "Cheerleaders" to prove to them that bigger girls can cheer too. If they haven't cheered because they think that they need to do a lot of tumbling explain to them that not all cheerleaders need to tumble and that there is more than just tumbling in cheerleading. If they think that male cheerleaders are gay then explain to them that there are a lot that aren't. It is a great way to meet girls, you get to touch girls in inappropriate ways and it is ok. If a lot have cheered before and think that it a sport, you just have to ask them to tryout. If someone has cheered before and still think that cheerleading isn't a sport, they are a lost cause. You can ask them to tryout but getting them to change their mind after they have already been cheerleaders is unlikely. Show the videos mentioned above. Show the tryout information at the end of the presentation.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
My Cheer Story
I always wanted to be a cheerleader when I was younger. My great-grandma got me Indiana University (I will excuse her poor choice in schools since everyone knows Purdue is where its at) cheer uniform when I was like 2. I looked super cute in it and I wore it EVERYWHERE. When I was in first grade I became friends with a girl who did cheer, dance, and gymnastics. I wanted to do that too. I asked my mom and she told me that I was too old to start that now. That if I had wanted to do cheer, dance, and gymnastics I should have said so when I was 2 because starting in first grade was just too old. I would never be able to catch up. And she told me I was too fat. So to get me to lose weight she started me in basketball the next year, and I played all through freshman year. I was ok, but I never really got into it.
I went to a junior high where to be a cheerleader you had to have a back tuck and a back handspring, and stuff like that. I had never been able to learn how to do a freaking cart wheel. I had never cheered. I couldn't dance. I knew I could never be a cheerleader at my school no matter how much I wanted to. I wasn't long before I got into a bad crowd. I started smoking (cigs, I have never done drugs), drinking, cutting, I just wished that I was dead. I was that girl who wore all black and wore eyeliner so I had raccoon eyes. I hated cheerleaders and thought all of them were skanky hoes. It was just a bad time for me. My parents knew I was on a downward spiral and pulled me out after 8th grade so I could go to a much smaller school in the next town. But I was still playing basketball in my old town. Towards the end of my 8th grade year my grandpa decided to take me to my future high school to watch a basketball game so I could see if I could make the team. I didn't watch much of the game. I was distracted by the cheerleaders. They did cool stunts. They danced amazingly. They looked so perfect. It brought me back to a time when I dreamed of becoming a cheerleader. In the following months my parents found out I was a cutter and I almost completely quit (I completely quit in 2010). I stopped wearing my eyeliner so thick. I withdrew from my old friends. I was ready to start a whole new chapter in my life.
At my new school I was considered a freak. I would come to school in themed outfits. I would be a hippy chick, a goth, a rocker, or country depending on my mood that morning. I showed up to class one day wearing green capris, a purple cami, and carried around Barney because I thought I was making a statement. I thought I was being cute by carrying around a purse with the kitten from Aristacats. What the hell was I thinking? Thank God I grew out of being such a freak.
I only knew one girl when I switched schools. I went to church with her aunt and she was in my grade. I had gym class with her, and one day I asked her why she was wearing a bow in her hair. She told me she was a cheerleader. I was surprised. She didn't look seem like the cheerleading type. She was pretty in her own way, tall, skinny but she was NICE. I thought all cheerleaders were supposed to be the queen bee of the school and be an uber bitch. I made the comment that I used to want to be a cheerleader when I was younger but didn't because I couldn't do even a cart wheel. She told me I should try out for basketball season and that she didn't know how to do a cart wheel either. I was completely shocked. I had no idea that someone could be a cheerleader if they couldn't do cart wheels, and round offs, and back hand springs, and stuff like that. I decided that I should go for it. Just to see what it was like.
When I went to the first tryout practice I found out that I had to learn 3 sidelines, the school song, a dance, a toe touch, a herkie, and a hurdler. I was completely over loaded. I didn't know how to do any of that stuff. I asked my only friend if she could help me. She came over to my house and worked on the dance with me and I learned the sidelines and jumps during the other 3 tryout practices. I asked a senior on the squad to help me with the school song. I knew the dance and the sidelines pretty well for tryouts. My jumps were a hot mess and I barely knew the school song. I was one of the middle girls to tryout. I watched a few girls go in to talk to the coach and all of them came out saying they had made it. It was my turn next. I was expecting that I wouldn't make it. Somehow, by the grace of God, the coach let me on the squad, but only if I kept working as hard as I had been. I was so excited. I met with one of the seniors every day during study hall for the rest of the year to work on the school song, motions, dances, and sidelines. I leaned so much from her. She taught me that if I wanted to get on the same level as her, that I needed to work twice as hard as everyone at practice and then practice for hours at home.
My first game was terrifying. I didn't know most of the dances, so I had to clap most of them. I knew the school song, for the most part. We have a pretty hard school song and with me having zero dance background it took me 3 days to learn just it. I didn't know a lot of the sidelines. My jumps sucked. I loved it though. I loved the uniform, feeling like I was a part of something. Everyone was so helpful and understanding my first year. I had another cheerleader come over to my house and help me on sidelines. I had to work so hard outside of practice to learn the material. But by the end of my first season I knew most of the dances, cheers, and sidelines. I was amazed how far I had come. When my coach told me that making the squad was conditional on how much I improved I knew I had to work my butt off to prove to her that I wasn't wasting her time. I am proud to say that I think I made her very proud to have me on her squad, and I am so happy that I chose to follow my dreams and become a cheerleader. I may not be on the same level as a competitive cheerleader, but I am happy with what I became in such a short amount of time.
I went to a junior high where to be a cheerleader you had to have a back tuck and a back handspring, and stuff like that. I had never been able to learn how to do a freaking cart wheel. I had never cheered. I couldn't dance. I knew I could never be a cheerleader at my school no matter how much I wanted to. I wasn't long before I got into a bad crowd. I started smoking (cigs, I have never done drugs), drinking, cutting, I just wished that I was dead. I was that girl who wore all black and wore eyeliner so I had raccoon eyes. I hated cheerleaders and thought all of them were skanky hoes. It was just a bad time for me. My parents knew I was on a downward spiral and pulled me out after 8th grade so I could go to a much smaller school in the next town. But I was still playing basketball in my old town. Towards the end of my 8th grade year my grandpa decided to take me to my future high school to watch a basketball game so I could see if I could make the team. I didn't watch much of the game. I was distracted by the cheerleaders. They did cool stunts. They danced amazingly. They looked so perfect. It brought me back to a time when I dreamed of becoming a cheerleader. In the following months my parents found out I was a cutter and I almost completely quit (I completely quit in 2010). I stopped wearing my eyeliner so thick. I withdrew from my old friends. I was ready to start a whole new chapter in my life.
At my new school I was considered a freak. I would come to school in themed outfits. I would be a hippy chick, a goth, a rocker, or country depending on my mood that morning. I showed up to class one day wearing green capris, a purple cami, and carried around Barney because I thought I was making a statement. I thought I was being cute by carrying around a purse with the kitten from Aristacats. What the hell was I thinking? Thank God I grew out of being such a freak.
I only knew one girl when I switched schools. I went to church with her aunt and she was in my grade. I had gym class with her, and one day I asked her why she was wearing a bow in her hair. She told me she was a cheerleader. I was surprised. She didn't look seem like the cheerleading type. She was pretty in her own way, tall, skinny but she was NICE. I thought all cheerleaders were supposed to be the queen bee of the school and be an uber bitch. I made the comment that I used to want to be a cheerleader when I was younger but didn't because I couldn't do even a cart wheel. She told me I should try out for basketball season and that she didn't know how to do a cart wheel either. I was completely shocked. I had no idea that someone could be a cheerleader if they couldn't do cart wheels, and round offs, and back hand springs, and stuff like that. I decided that I should go for it. Just to see what it was like.
When I went to the first tryout practice I found out that I had to learn 3 sidelines, the school song, a dance, a toe touch, a herkie, and a hurdler. I was completely over loaded. I didn't know how to do any of that stuff. I asked my only friend if she could help me. She came over to my house and worked on the dance with me and I learned the sidelines and jumps during the other 3 tryout practices. I asked a senior on the squad to help me with the school song. I knew the dance and the sidelines pretty well for tryouts. My jumps were a hot mess and I barely knew the school song. I was one of the middle girls to tryout. I watched a few girls go in to talk to the coach and all of them came out saying they had made it. It was my turn next. I was expecting that I wouldn't make it. Somehow, by the grace of God, the coach let me on the squad, but only if I kept working as hard as I had been. I was so excited. I met with one of the seniors every day during study hall for the rest of the year to work on the school song, motions, dances, and sidelines. I leaned so much from her. She taught me that if I wanted to get on the same level as her, that I needed to work twice as hard as everyone at practice and then practice for hours at home.
My first game was terrifying. I didn't know most of the dances, so I had to clap most of them. I knew the school song, for the most part. We have a pretty hard school song and with me having zero dance background it took me 3 days to learn just it. I didn't know a lot of the sidelines. My jumps sucked. I loved it though. I loved the uniform, feeling like I was a part of something. Everyone was so helpful and understanding my first year. I had another cheerleader come over to my house and help me on sidelines. I had to work so hard outside of practice to learn the material. But by the end of my first season I knew most of the dances, cheers, and sidelines. I was amazed how far I had come. When my coach told me that making the squad was conditional on how much I improved I knew I had to work my butt off to prove to her that I wasn't wasting her time. I am proud to say that I think I made her very proud to have me on her squad, and I am so happy that I chose to follow my dreams and become a cheerleader. I may not be on the same level as a competitive cheerleader, but I am happy with what I became in such a short amount of time.
Friday, March 22, 2013
We Are A Team Sport, So Act Like It
All through high school my squads had a hard time working together. The upper- classmen wanted to control everything and they wouldn't even take suggestions from a freshman or sophomore. As a captain I tried really hard to ask all my girls what they wanted out of the squad and what they thought we should do, but it was hard. I am a control freak and asking for other peoples' opinions was irritating to me, but I did it. I am taking a leadership class right now and it is teaching me what I did wrong as the leader of my squad. Hopefully it will help me in the future as I try to become a coach, and you can learn from my mistakes.
An overview of what my class is going over right now is:
My list of things that I though would help my squad are as follows:
Freshman year we were great. Our coach would have us make about 5 straight lines in front of her and we would do all of our cheers, sidelines, dances, motions, and jumps in front of her and if someone didn't look like everyone else and stuck out she would make that person do it again while everyone was watching. It was stressful. I was always the one that had to do it in front of everyone. It made me a better cheerleader because of it.
The coach we had sophomore through senior year didn't do that for the new girls. It wasn't just their loss though, it affected the entire squad. Why didn't I think of doing it for my girls last year though? I suppose you can always reflect on things that you wish you should/could/would have done. My senior year I could have made a difference and I didn't. My girls didn't want to be there though, and you can't make anyone do something they don't want to do. A team is only as good as it's weakest link. I have been the weakest and the strongest on my squad.
You have to push yourself to improve. You have to put in twice the work as everyone else and you still may not be the best on your squad. That is when you work even harder. And once you are on top, reach down and help everyone who isn't as good as you so they can have the dream of becoming you one day.
An overview of what my class is going over right now is:
- Work as a team.
- Use everyone's strengths to their full potential and improve upon everyone's weaknesses.
- Put all of your energy into what you are doing with the team.
- Don't gender discriminate.
- Trust your team members.
- Don't be afraid to argue with team members.
- Don't let the team get too large.
- Have strong leadership.
- Have a rewards system.
My list of things that I though would help my squad are as follows:
- Work on motions often.
- Practice jumps more often.
- Work on cheers so everyone knows everything.
- Work on sidelines.
- Smile.
- Practice dances.
- Choose dance-able music for pre-game.
- Stop the gossip!
- Work on stunting so everyone knows every position.
- Find new and different stunts.
- Push harder and faster.
- Get everyone to be able to do a straight up full (Seriously this was a problem...)
- Start strength training and a cardio workout.
- Have team time to talk about improvements.
- No phones out at practice or games.
- Don't slack off at practice.
- Keep talking at a minimum at practices and games.
- No boy drama.
- Display sportsmanlike conduct at games.
- Explain that yelling derogatory chants with the student section is not acceptable.
- Have fun but be serious.
- Remember that cheerleaders are always being watched and picking your wedgies, practicing, and goofing off in front of the crowd will be noticed.
- Be prepared for games at the right time meaning bows are in, hair is done, shoes are on, contacts in, makeup done, uniform on.
- Make sure that everyone dresses up for game day at school.
- Dressing up means wearing dress pants or skirt (no jeans) with a dressy top like a cami with jacket or a nice sweater (no shirts with writing) and dress shoes like flats of heals (no sneakers).
- Start a reward and punishment system.
- Don't throw fits about making signs.
- Signs need to be made often.
- Seniors start dances during pre-game.
- Have everyone's number so everyone can stay in contact.
- Make sure you are in your spot after half time.
Freshman year we were great. Our coach would have us make about 5 straight lines in front of her and we would do all of our cheers, sidelines, dances, motions, and jumps in front of her and if someone didn't look like everyone else and stuck out she would make that person do it again while everyone was watching. It was stressful. I was always the one that had to do it in front of everyone. It made me a better cheerleader because of it.
The coach we had sophomore through senior year didn't do that for the new girls. It wasn't just their loss though, it affected the entire squad. Why didn't I think of doing it for my girls last year though? I suppose you can always reflect on things that you wish you should/could/would have done. My senior year I could have made a difference and I didn't. My girls didn't want to be there though, and you can't make anyone do something they don't want to do. A team is only as good as it's weakest link. I have been the weakest and the strongest on my squad.
You have to push yourself to improve. You have to put in twice the work as everyone else and you still may not be the best on your squad. That is when you work even harder. And once you are on top, reach down and help everyone who isn't as good as you so they can have the dream of becoming you one day.
Changing Opinions
Alright I know I have already said that I just don't like competitive cheerleading, but I am kind of having a change of heart. I started watching the youtube series Cheerleaders and I really like it. I love their coach, like SO MUCH. I love how he pushes them and how not everyone on the squad is a skinny twig (mainly because I am not a twig). It made me realize that I sort of had preconceived notions about competitive cheerleaders and their body size. I have been told my whole life that I was just too big to do dance, gymnastics, and cheer. I stepped out of my comfort zone and became a cheerleader on a squad that didn't require tumbling. Watching Cheerleaders made me realize that I could have done anything I wanted when I was younger and I was just being bullied into not following my heart. It just makes me wish that I would have started cheering sooner.
I also have started becoming more open to competitive cheerleading because of Twitter. I am following lots of competitive cheer Twitter accounts and I am starting to understand that there isn't that big of a difference between us. They cheer for a few minutes, I cheer for a few hours. We do roughly the same thing but theirs is more concentrated. They get to do cooler stunts because the high school won't allow us (I really am jealous about that). They tumble, my squad chose not to tumble but we could have. They poof their hair, so do I. They love glitter, SO DO I. We really aren't that different.
We need to learn that it isn't an US-THEM situation. It is an US situation. We both want cheerleading to be recognized as a sport and to be appreciated as the athletes we are. We need to stop being so prejudiced towards each other and realize that we are one. (pretty sure that is out of Lion King 2, but what evs). I am just trying to say that we don't need to say that one type of cheerleading is better than the other. We both have our purpose. I cheer on my school's athletes (who don't appreciate us), they cheer to win a competition. I am not competitive in nature, I chose the right kind of cheerleading for me. Just like every cheerleader does. Don't hate on one kind or another because neither is the "right" kind of cheerleading. I get so often that I don't do the right kind of cheerleading and I hate it. Why does there have to be a "right" and a "wrong" type of cheerleading. Can't we all just accept that people have different tastes and some people just don't want to compete and others don't want to cheer for a basketball or foot ball team?
I also have started becoming more open to competitive cheerleading because of Twitter. I am following lots of competitive cheer Twitter accounts and I am starting to understand that there isn't that big of a difference between us. They cheer for a few minutes, I cheer for a few hours. We do roughly the same thing but theirs is more concentrated. They get to do cooler stunts because the high school won't allow us (I really am jealous about that). They tumble, my squad chose not to tumble but we could have. They poof their hair, so do I. They love glitter, SO DO I. We really aren't that different.
We need to learn that it isn't an US-THEM situation. It is an US situation. We both want cheerleading to be recognized as a sport and to be appreciated as the athletes we are. We need to stop being so prejudiced towards each other and realize that we are one. (pretty sure that is out of Lion King 2, but what evs). I am just trying to say that we don't need to say that one type of cheerleading is better than the other. We both have our purpose. I cheer on my school's athletes (who don't appreciate us), they cheer to win a competition. I am not competitive in nature, I chose the right kind of cheerleading for me. Just like every cheerleader does. Don't hate on one kind or another because neither is the "right" kind of cheerleading. I get so often that I don't do the right kind of cheerleading and I hate it. Why does there have to be a "right" and a "wrong" type of cheerleading. Can't we all just accept that people have different tastes and some people just don't want to compete and others don't want to cheer for a basketball or foot ball team?
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Coaching is My Passion
I really want to coach. It is something that I think I will do well at. I was not the best cheerleader. My jumps were not very good. My friends say I dance like a spazz (I beg to differ). But I know exactly how these things are supposed to look like. I helped my girls get better, and I was damn good at it. I want to coach at my high school, but I am at college an hour and a half away. If I coached at school, I would only be around Sunday evening to Friday afternoon. I would also only be at school August to May. I wouldn't be able to coach during the summer (the most crucial time for learning) and I wouldn't be around for camp. That is just unacceptable. I have to be able to dedicate most of my time to cheer if I am going to coach, and I am unable to do that at the moment. So, I will have to hold off on my dream.
I will coach eventually though. If I do not make a plan now for it while cheer consumes my thoughts all day long I feel like I will forget everything that I know. I want to remember the problems that my squad had so I can avoid them when I am a coach.
If I were a coach:
Practice:
We will have practice Monday through Thursday and every other Saturday. Practice will be held on the basketball court during basketball season and once a week on the football field during football season. (My high school rarely let us on the basketball court or the football field to practice, but when we did it really helped me with appropriate spacing and what not). ABSOLUTELY NO PHONES OUT DURING PRACTICE. If I give you my full attention and dedication I expect my girls to do the same. Practice will be from 5 PM until 7:30 PM Monday through Thursday and from 7 AM to 10 AM every Saturday. If a game is scheduled for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday the cardio and weight training for that week will be replaced by the practice that is being missed. Being late or not ready for practice will not be tolerated. For every minute you are late that is a lap you will run. A flyer hits the ground EVER the entire stunt group will run laps, do pushups, and burpees.
Games:
Girls will arrive ready for the game an hour and a half before it starts. We will stretch, jump, and kick to warm up. We will then go over the dances, timeouts, quarters, and stunts. I will make sure that the athletic director knows that the student section needs to keep an appropriate distance from the cheerleaders during starting lineup. (My school's student section encroached on our space and nearly made our stunts fall every game. I will not tolerate it as a coach.) Phones can be taken out during half time and after the game. No exceptions. Refrain from talking during games. Yell loudly. If you stop doing your motions full out you can sit out the rest of the game and the next game. If you are caught practicing cheers where the crowd can see you will run laps at the next practice. If a flyer hits the ground EVER the entire stunt group will run laps, do pushups, and burpees at the next practice. Cheerleaders are expected to cheer at least once every other play during football, every play when the game is close, and at least once every minute during a basketball game. Do not ask if you can put your poms down at a game, the answer is NO. I will have a clip board and recording everything you do wrong to fix next practice.
Attire: Hair is to be worn all up, no exceptions. Do not ask if you can wear it half up, because the answer will be NO. Hair is to look presentable: in a high pony, either spiral curls or straight, with a poof. Your bow will be facing forward. Cheer shoes are only to be worn at basketball games and practices. For football games you are to wear old cheer shoes. If I catch you wearing your new shoes outside you will run laps. Makeup should be modest. Red lipstick and excessive glitter are for hookers and strippers, not cheerleaders. Nails can only be painted school colors or silver glitter. Silver glitter is the only color allowed. On game days cheerleaders are required to wear the designated outfit; be it dress-up, a certain cheer shirt, certain colors, etc. It will be determined the week of the game and written on the cheer board.
Cheer Board:
The times of the next games, when to arrive at the games, what uniform to wear, which bow to wear, etc. will be written on the cheer board. The cheer board will be a white board located in a place that is to be determined. This information will also be posted on the school's cheer Facebook and Twitter accounts, text to you, and e-mailed to you and your parents. If you show up to a game without the things that were posted on the cheer board you will sit out the game and run laps the next practice. There is no excuse for pure laziness.
Requirements and Tryouts:
I require a strong love of the sport, a strong desire to learn more, and a strong desire to be the best you can be. It is possible to start cheering with absolutely no experience and I am willing to take on any girl who thinks she has what it takes to cheer. Cheering, dance, and tumbling background are appreciated but not required. Each girl will demonstrate sidelines, cheers, dances, jumps, motions, and tumbling at tryouts. Tryouts will be held the week after the last Winter sporting event and practices will begin immediately. Any person moving into the school district must wait until the next available tryouts. Captains will be chosen by a vote from the cheerleaders, but ultimately it is the coach's decision.
Reward/ Punishment System:
I prefer the demerit system. This page is a detailed explanation of the system. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.universitycitycheerleading.vnsports.com%2Fcachedcontent%2F25349%2Fforms%2FUCHSDEMERIT-MERITSYSTEM.doc&ei=n7JIUbOLFemCygGo7oHQBQ&usg=AFQjCNH9KwKxf18rU3UxqTuVi1LaiF4P_Q
Spirit Signs:
All cheerleaders are expected to complete spirit signs dedicated to that season's sports before each of the sports' competitions. These signs are to be completed outside of practice. Signs may be completed at study tables after homework is completed, at home, or there may be a sign party. It is up to the captains to make sure that the signs are completed. Any cheerleader found not participating in sign making will run laps. As you put up a new sign for a sport the previous one will be taken down so there are never two signs for one sport. The cheerleading sign will be changed after the other signs are done. At the beginning of each season each person participating in a sport will get a sign that goes above their locker. These will be made during the summer or as soon as rosters are available (for Fall sports), Fall break or as soon as rosters are available (for winter sports) and as soon as rosters are available for Spring sports. Signs for major competitions such as county tourney, sectionals, etc. must also be made and have a theme that corresponds with spirit week.
Study Tables:
Cheerleaders are expected to go to study tables after school and before practice for a minimum of 30 minutes. Study tables are to be used to complete homework, study, and tutoring. Any cheerleader that causes disruptions at study tables will run laps. Captains will be in charge of signing girls in and out and documenting that each person on the squad completes school related projects. Cheerleaders may be excused from study tables if they can prove that they do not have homework due the next day (This requires each teacher to sign off that they do not have homework in their assignment book), or if they have a GPA of 3.5/4 .
Cheer Rules:
I will coach eventually though. If I do not make a plan now for it while cheer consumes my thoughts all day long I feel like I will forget everything that I know. I want to remember the problems that my squad had so I can avoid them when I am a coach.
If I were a coach:
Practice:
We will have practice Monday through Thursday and every other Saturday. Practice will be held on the basketball court during basketball season and once a week on the football field during football season. (My high school rarely let us on the basketball court or the football field to practice, but when we did it really helped me with appropriate spacing and what not). ABSOLUTELY NO PHONES OUT DURING PRACTICE. If I give you my full attention and dedication I expect my girls to do the same. Practice will be from 5 PM until 7:30 PM Monday through Thursday and from 7 AM to 10 AM every Saturday. If a game is scheduled for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday the cardio and weight training for that week will be replaced by the practice that is being missed. Being late or not ready for practice will not be tolerated. For every minute you are late that is a lap you will run. A flyer hits the ground EVER the entire stunt group will run laps, do pushups, and burpees.
Monday and every other Saturday practice will consist of weight training and cardio. http://www.livestrong.com/article/106777-weight-room-workouts-cheerleaders/ is a good example of what I will have my girls do. I will have my girls do the Hip Hop Abs video workouts. I find them helpful when thinking about new dance moves and it is a fun cardio workout. I also expect my girls to run on the treadmill and elliptical. These cardio exercises are acceptable http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/cardio/our-best-cardio-workouts/?page=9 If you would like to do a workout other than those that I have suggested, bring the workout to me to approve. Cheerleaders are expected to wear black cheer shorts, white T-shirt or sports bra, white cheer shoes, and bow of their choice.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be dedicated to dancing, cheers, and putting together what we will be doing for games. The stunts that will be used during that week's game(s) will also be practiced. Cheerleaders are expected to wear red shorts, gray T-shirt or sports bra, white cheer shoes, and bow of their choice.
Thursday will be used for stunting. The time will be spent learning new stunts and perfecting stunts that are already known. Cheerleaders are expected to wear and color of shorts, sports bra or cheer related T-shirt, white shoes, and bow of their choice.
Every other Saturday will be used for fine tuning what we already know. This time can be spent working on motions, jumps, stunting, cheers, school song, anything that I see that needs improving. Cheerleaders are expected to wear black cheer shorts, white T-shirt or sports bra, white cheer shoes, and bow of their choice.
Warm ups will consist of these exercises: http://www.shape.com/celebrities/celebrity-workouts/nfl-cheerleader-workout and these stretches: http://cheerleadinginfocenter.typepad.com/cheerleading_info_center/stretching.html including jumps and kicks.
Team Bonding:
After every other Friday game it is the captain's responsibility to have a team building activity planned. This can consist of eating out, sleep overs, games, etc. But it must happen. Cliques will not be tolerated on my team. If I feel like you are leaving someone out I will not hesitate to bench you. You are a team, I expect you to act like it. If I hear any form of drama among my girls I will start benching girls. Leave your drama at the door.
Games:
Girls will arrive ready for the game an hour and a half before it starts. We will stretch, jump, and kick to warm up. We will then go over the dances, timeouts, quarters, and stunts. I will make sure that the athletic director knows that the student section needs to keep an appropriate distance from the cheerleaders during starting lineup. (My school's student section encroached on our space and nearly made our stunts fall every game. I will not tolerate it as a coach.) Phones can be taken out during half time and after the game. No exceptions. Refrain from talking during games. Yell loudly. If you stop doing your motions full out you can sit out the rest of the game and the next game. If you are caught practicing cheers where the crowd can see you will run laps at the next practice. If a flyer hits the ground EVER the entire stunt group will run laps, do pushups, and burpees at the next practice. Cheerleaders are expected to cheer at least once every other play during football, every play when the game is close, and at least once every minute during a basketball game. Do not ask if you can put your poms down at a game, the answer is NO. I will have a clip board and recording everything you do wrong to fix next practice.
Attire: Hair is to be worn all up, no exceptions. Do not ask if you can wear it half up, because the answer will be NO. Hair is to look presentable: in a high pony, either spiral curls or straight, with a poof. Your bow will be facing forward. Cheer shoes are only to be worn at basketball games and practices. For football games you are to wear old cheer shoes. If I catch you wearing your new shoes outside you will run laps. Makeup should be modest. Red lipstick and excessive glitter are for hookers and strippers, not cheerleaders. Nails can only be painted school colors or silver glitter. Silver glitter is the only color allowed. On game days cheerleaders are required to wear the designated outfit; be it dress-up, a certain cheer shirt, certain colors, etc. It will be determined the week of the game and written on the cheer board.
Cheer Board:
The times of the next games, when to arrive at the games, what uniform to wear, which bow to wear, etc. will be written on the cheer board. The cheer board will be a white board located in a place that is to be determined. This information will also be posted on the school's cheer Facebook and Twitter accounts, text to you, and e-mailed to you and your parents. If you show up to a game without the things that were posted on the cheer board you will sit out the game and run laps the next practice. There is no excuse for pure laziness.
Requirements and Tryouts:
I require a strong love of the sport, a strong desire to learn more, and a strong desire to be the best you can be. It is possible to start cheering with absolutely no experience and I am willing to take on any girl who thinks she has what it takes to cheer. Cheering, dance, and tumbling background are appreciated but not required. Each girl will demonstrate sidelines, cheers, dances, jumps, motions, and tumbling at tryouts. Tryouts will be held the week after the last Winter sporting event and practices will begin immediately. Any person moving into the school district must wait until the next available tryouts. Captains will be chosen by a vote from the cheerleaders, but ultimately it is the coach's decision.
Reward/ Punishment System:
I prefer the demerit system. This page is a detailed explanation of the system. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.universitycitycheerleading.vnsports.com%2Fcachedcontent%2F25349%2Fforms%2FUCHSDEMERIT-MERITSYSTEM.doc&ei=n7JIUbOLFemCygGo7oHQBQ&usg=AFQjCNH9KwKxf18rU3UxqTuVi1LaiF4P_Q
Spirit Signs:
All cheerleaders are expected to complete spirit signs dedicated to that season's sports before each of the sports' competitions. These signs are to be completed outside of practice. Signs may be completed at study tables after homework is completed, at home, or there may be a sign party. It is up to the captains to make sure that the signs are completed. Any cheerleader found not participating in sign making will run laps. As you put up a new sign for a sport the previous one will be taken down so there are never two signs for one sport. The cheerleading sign will be changed after the other signs are done. At the beginning of each season each person participating in a sport will get a sign that goes above their locker. These will be made during the summer or as soon as rosters are available (for Fall sports), Fall break or as soon as rosters are available (for winter sports) and as soon as rosters are available for Spring sports. Signs for major competitions such as county tourney, sectionals, etc. must also be made and have a theme that corresponds with spirit week.
Study Tables:
Cheerleaders are expected to go to study tables after school and before practice for a minimum of 30 minutes. Study tables are to be used to complete homework, study, and tutoring. Any cheerleader that causes disruptions at study tables will run laps. Captains will be in charge of signing girls in and out and documenting that each person on the squad completes school related projects. Cheerleaders may be excused from study tables if they can prove that they do not have homework due the next day (This requires each teacher to sign off that they do not have homework in their assignment book), or if they have a GPA of 3.5/4 .
Cheer Rules:
- Hair must be able to put in high pony at all times.
- No jewelry when cheering.
- No stunting without the coach present. Failure to abide by this rule will get you benched.
- Cheerleaders will meet at a designated place and will stay together at practices and games.
- After a game, cheerleaders are to take off their uniform.
- No PDA in your uniform or you will run laps.
- Cheerleaders represent their school, if you are caught doing something that is unflattering in cheer clothes you will be reprimanded.
- Do not chew gum or eat when cheering.
- While in uniform, cheerleaders must only drink clear liquids and dry foods.
- No unauthorized spectators at practices.
- You are expected to stay 15 minutes after the game to have a debriefing.
- Nails must be kept short.
- If not dressed properly for practice or games you will not be allowed to cheer.
- Bring all uniforms, bows, body suits, spanks, etc. to all games in case of a last minute change.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and will get a cheerleader benched.
- Tattoos of any kind are strictly forbiddened and will be punishable by being removed from the squad.
- During football season, if it is raining stunting is not allowed.
- If wearing warmups at a football game, flyers must roll pants before flying.
- Gloves may not be worn during stunting.
- Each cheerleader is to know and understand the current cheer guidelines dictated by the AACCA.
- No group stunting when the ball is in play. Partner stunts during free-throws are acceptable.
- When a player is injured, cheerleaders are expected to take one knee and be quiet. Anyone caught talking will run laps.
- Cheerleaders are not allowed on the court during 30 second time-outs.
- Cheerleaders are not allowed on the football field except for half time performances.
- If any basketball team is on the court during the school song, cheerleaders are not permitted to stunt
- Being on the court while the ball in play will result in running laps.
- No one is to stand under the basket.
- Absences from games and practices will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- If unable to cheer the cheerleader is still required to attend all practices and games. She will be required to wear cheer related attire during games, and yell with the squad. She will not be allowed to fraternize with the student section, use her phone, or leave early.
- No fraternizing with the student section while cheering.
- If a cheerleader misses more than one practice during a week she will not be allowed to cheer at the following game.
- Cheerleaders caught drinking, smoking, doing drugs, or partaking in sexual relations will be dismissed from the squad.
- Any extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- All talking during the stunt should come from the coach or the backspot. Anyone caught talking other that those people will run laps.
- All school rules must be followed at all times.
- When cradling the stunt group is to hold for 2 counts and gracefully "dump" flyer in front. If your pony's don't flip you aren't doing it right.
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