Cheerleaders and cheer coaches have many opportunities to learn how to perfect motions, jumps, tumbling and stunts.  There are books, of course, many of which are excellent, and there are videos. 

The advantage of books is their portability and the fact that you don’t have to rely on technology to use them.  Videos require either a computer or a DVD player but since most people have one or the other, this usually doesn’t pose a problem. 

 I’ve taken some time recently to view several cheerleading videos and I’m happy to say I recommend them all!  Here’s the scoop: 

1. Coaching 101: Introduction to Motions and Progressions (with Shari Goodman) 

(This DVD and the 3 that follow are all produced by Cheer Coach & Advisor Magazine and can be found at http://www.ChampionshipProductions.com ) 

Coach Goodman expertly teaches 10 separate motions, ways to drill a squad while moving into basic motion sequences, and then demonstrates an intermediate level sequence that includes a cheer with the motions.  This is an easy-to-follow video that will make your learning a pleasure. 

1. Coaching 102: Beginner Cheer Formations and Transitions (with Alison Dytko) 

Alison Dytko begins with a review of how to set six different formations and then demonstrates six transitions. There is a demonstration of the full skill for each transition. Every move is broken down into simple steps to enhance your learning. 

1. Coaching 103: Introduction to Jump and Jump conditioning (with Mayra Brandt) 

Coach Brandt takes her squad through 3 basic stretching exercises (important!) and then moves into 3 jump approaches.  Brandt offers specific instructions and tips for 7 jumps.  She also provides conditioning exercises and other goodies! 

1. Coaching 104: Level 2 and Level 3 Tryouts (with Stephanie Scurrah) 

Getting ready for tryouts?  This DVD will definitely help! Coach Scurrah’s cheerleaders demonstrate tryout skills required for Level 2 such as running, and tumbling.  She also shows a simulation for Level 3. 

1. FlyGirl Elevation Series: Coaching Confidence in Cheerleading

Visit http://www.flygirl.ca for more information. 

Mandy Cheetham is President of FlyGirl.  She is a choreographer and coach who has worked with some of the best teams in the world. Mandy narrates this DVD which depicts 4 cheerleaders executing stunts. 

A thoughtful and patient teacher, Mandy puts her cheerleaders through several stunt routines as she describes each detail of how it’s done.  She also demonstrates several common mistakes stunters make and how to resolve them. 

The DVD covers double base elevators, cradles, full twist cradles, liberties, and more. 

1. For the Love of Tumbling by Debbie Love

Contact Debbie at Debbie@showtimespirit.com  or Marcandluv@aol.com 

Debbie Love is Tumbling Director at Showtime Spirit in Lexington, KY.  Debbie also consults to cheerleaders and coaches nationwide. 

This DVD comes with a manual that includes detailed instructions on how to do several tumbling moves, from basic skills such as a forward roll and a handstand to combination skills. 

Debbie narrates the video as several cheerleaders demonstrate the various moves. One thing that Debbie stresses over and over is the need for cheerleaders to develop a strong and conditioned body. Her manual offers detailed information on what exercises a cheerleader can do to get in excellent tumbling condition. For example, she has a pages on “tuck conditioning” and “jump conditioning” which include explanations for the suggested exercises.

Cheerleading camp is meant to be fun but it’s also, of course, about learning new skills and refining and strengthening old skills. 

You will have the opportunity to watch other cheerleaders as they learn to perfect new skills. A big mistake you could make is to compare yourself to someone else - especially if you do it like this: “She’s so good.  I’ll never be able to do that!” 

Does that sound like you?  If it does, you will not only end up feeling bad about yourself but you will be training your brain to “never be able to do that!”  

Remember what I’ve said repeatedly - the body does what the brain thinks! 

I recommend that you observe the progress of others but with an open and curious mind.  This kind of mind is the mind of a champion athlete.  A champion athlete is always curious about how he or she can improve and one way to accomplish this is to observe how others perform. 

So when you observe another cheerleader perform, do so with the objective of figuring out why and how that person does it!  Study the performance of others in a curious and objective fashion.  Notice the details and consider how you can incorporate what you have observed into your own performance.

Who doesn’t love the sun?  Summer is all about spending time in the sun - especially for those of you who live in northern climates.  For cheerleaders lucky enough to attend camp this summer, you will be outside a good bit.  Do I need to remind you to wear sun screen?

Skin cancer is on the rise especially in young people. You may think it’s somethng that only happens to older folks but that is increasingly not true. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is the second most common cancer in women aged 20 to 29! If not caught in its earliest stage, melanoma can easily spread to other parts of the body.

Tanning and use of tanning beds are thought to be responsible for the rise in skin cancer in young people. There is a misconception that tanning beds are safe. You need to be aware of the dangers of UV radiation and understand that just because you don’t see the damage right away, doesn’t mean it’s not there. In fact, recent studies show there is a 75% higher risk of melanoma in individuals who started using tanning beds before the age of 35. In addition, tanning beds accelerate aging of the skin. (So if you think you look nicer with a tan, consider how you’ll look at age 40 with all those wrinkles and sagging skin!)

Here is some scary news - one American dies of melanoma almost every hour.

What to do?  If you’re going to go out in the sun, you should take precautions to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful ultra violet rays.

• Use sunscreen daily no matter what your skin type or how your body reacts to the sun.
• Choose a proper sunscreen that blocks ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays and has a SPF of at least 30.
• Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day because 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays are still penetrating the skin.
• Avoid sun exposure during peak hours of intensity from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please - have fun but take care of yourself!

I came across this video of an all boy cheerleading team from Japan.  This has made me wonder if there are any all boy squads in the states (outside of boy schools).  Does anyone know? 

Of course, the earliest cheerleading teams were college men and several of our presidents were cheerleaders including George W. Bush!

Most people would agree that cheerleading coaches have the ability to influence their cheerleaders in a positive way  but some cheer coaches may not fully appreciate the extent of their reach.  

A fellow named Jack, from a website called aha.com, wrote to me about a cheerleading coach who describes his “aha” moment when he realized just how powerful his mentoring had been.  It’s on a short video and can be seen at http://www.ahamoment.com/pg/moments/view/2520 .  Check it out!

The best cheerleaders have ample supplies of motivation and discipline.  I like to think of motivation as being the “why” you do something.  The bigger the “why” the more determined you will be to do the necessary work to succeed. 

I came across the following quote in the Handbook for The 7 Biggest Teen Problems and How to Turn Them into Strengths by Bobbi DePorter: 

“We make a distinction between motivation and discipline: Motivation is doing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, when we want to do it.  Discipline is doing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, when we don’t want to do it.” 

Of course it’s easier to forge ahead when you’re excited about something and when you can see immediate payoff but the true champion has both motivation and discipline.  A true champion is able to see the big picture and recognize that hard work now and over time will pay off in the future.

I recently came across a book by Bobbi DePorter called: The 7 Biggest Teen Problems and How to Turn Them Into Strengths.  In the handbook that accompanies the book, Ms. DePorter describes a communication system that can easily be adapted by cheerleaders and cheer coaches - it’s called the OTFD or Open the Front Door. 

In this system, O stands for Observe; T = Thought; F = Feelings; and D = Desire.  Here’s how it works:  In any interpersonal communication, especially when there is tension or the potential for conflict, start with sharing what it is you have Observed, then the Thought that accompanies this Observation. Then, state the Feeling you have about this and finally ask what it is you want to happen (Desire). 

As an example, let’s say you’re a cheer coach and a member of your squad (Suzie) is chronically late for practice.  Here’s how you can handle the situation using OTFD: 

            Suzie, you have been late for practice 6 times over the last month. (Observation)

            My thought is that you have lost your commitment to the squad. (Thought)

            This both worries and annoys me. (Feeling)

            I want and expect you to appear on time for all future practices. (Desire) 

Now, there might be more you would say in this instance but the OTFD framework helps you to step back from the emotional heat of the moment to gather your thoughts and feelings and find a way to communicate them.

A few days ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Pam Headridge, cheer coach extraordinaire.  I met Pam at Cheer Ltd’s CheerCon last month and she graciously agreed to talk with me as part of the research I’m doing for my book.  Pam is famous in the cheerleading world for good reason - she not only has many years experience but she also has written 2 books (101 School Spirit Ideas and Developing a Successful Cheerleading  Program) and produced 9 training DVDs!  As if that’s not enough, Pam is President of the Washington State Cheerleading Coaches Association and teaches and consults nationwide.  (Now you know why I wanted to interview her!)

In our discussion, Pam told me about a website she created which is loaded with valuable tips, insights, articles, and reference.  It’s way too good to keep it to myself so I thought I would tell everyone about it!  I encourage you to go to http://www.oakharborcheer.com Oak Harbor Cheer.  Be prepared to stay a while; there’s a wealth of information for you! 

Many lucky cheerleaders are getting ready to go to cheer camp.  It is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and strengthen old ones. Plus - it’s fun! 

Like anything else, the time will fly by and before you know it, you’ll be back home. To facilitate your learning, here’s a tip for you. 

Focus is essential when learning a new skill.  Sometimes it’s tempting to rush into something and just do it.  What I recommend is to slow things down a bit to allow your brain and body to develop a memory of what you re learning. 

It may be helpful to think of how a camera works.  If you just point and click you may get a picture but it won’t be half as good as it would be if you had taken a moment to compose your shot, check the focus, hold the camera still, and then shoot.  

To help engrave your new learning in your brain, think of your brain as being like a camera - “see” it with your mind’s eye, “feel” it in your body, then do it.  Similarly, when you observe your instructors do a stunt or a jump, imagine your eyes are a camera so, be still, focus, and take it in.

If you’re a cheer coach, you’ve probably heard a cheerleader say, “I can’t” at least once in your coaching career.  And if you’re a cheerleader, you’ve probably said, “I can’t” at least once or twice in your cheerleading career. 

Too often however, the “I can’t” really means “I won’t” or “I don’t know how.”  This is an important distinction.  When you say “I can’t” you are selling yourself short; you are limiting yourself.  This can happen when you are anxious or afraid or - just plain lazy! 

I invite you to pay attention to what you say and if you catch yourself saying, “I can’t” consider what you might really be feeling.  Are you nervous?  Are you worried you will make a mistake?  It may be more accurate to say, “I don’t know how…” and then work with your coach to find a way to learn what is being asked of you.  

If you really mean “I won’t” when you say “I can’t” it’s time to determine if you have the necessary commitment to the sport of cheerleading. 

So, keep your ears tuned to what you say and think about what it means!