It can happen on any cheerleading team.  Sometimes there’s friction.  Sometimes there’s a cheerleader who is particularly difficult or it may be several who seem to disrupt the unity of a team. There are many variations on this kind of scenario. 

A few days ago, a cheerleader wrote to me asking for my help in dealing with a member of her team who “is a bragger and who puts people down.” Since I realize that this is not an isolated incident, I thought I would share with my readers what I told her. (more…)

One of the joys of attending cheerleading conferences is learning from my colleagues in the cheerleading industry. 

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending and teaching at Spring Tumbling’s first annual cheer coaches’ conference in Toronto. Mike Pare, President of Spirit Cheer, UCA All Star Director for UCA All Star, and assistant cheerleading coach at the University of Central Florida (whew! – when does he sleep?) offered a class called “Running an Effective Practice” which I attended. (more…)

Tomorrow I head off to Toronto for the first annual Spring Coaches Conference.  Many of you know about Spring Tumbling.  Kenny Feeley and Lisa Aucoin,  tumbling and cheerleading experts, are the owners.  Spring Tumbling is based in Canada, the United States and the UK. (more…)

Shawn Johnson on cheerleading safetyOlympic Gold medal winner and famous gymnast, Shawn Johnson, has teamed up with Top Gun All Stars and GK Elite Sportswear  to promote safety in cheerleading.  Shawn said, “As an Olympic athlete, safety comes first for me.”  And it should for you too! 

See and hear Shawn and Victor and Kristen Rosario (owners and coaches for Top Gun) talk about how cheer coaches can make cheerleading safer for their athletes.

Yep, that’s right.  Coaches can play a big role in fostering moral development in their cheerleaders.  How?  Well, it may be easier than you think and you’re probably doing it already! 

Performance excellence in cheerleading requires the consistent control of body, mind, and spirit.  This means developing good habits such as attending practices on time, listening attentively to the coach, attending to the rules, practicing diligently, and being a team player.  (more…)

If you’re a cheerleading coach, you are always giving feedback to your athletes.  Chances are, unless you’ve gotten specialized training, the way you deliver feedback is similar to the way your coach gave you feedback. 

It may seem simple.  A cheerleader attempts to execute a toe touch and fails.  What do you do?   (more…)

How do you build a successful, cohesive cheerleading team?  What are the elements you would put in place?  Sometimes cheerleading coaches are busy juggling so many responsibilities that they don’t take the time to consider this challenge.  (more…)

If I were to ask you if sports help build good character, you (like most people) would quickly say “yes.” But think about this for a moment.  Think about how some pro athletes get arrested for all sorts of crimes and misdemeanors. Recall stories of irate parents screaming at referees or judges or – their own kids! Make note of athletes who pout when they don’t win.  And the list can go on and on. (more…)

Sometimes I hear from cheerleaders who either are frustrated with how things are going on their squad or who have suggestions they’d like to offer to their coaches but – they are reluctant to talk to their coaches about this. Now why would this be the case? (more…)

I came across this quote from an unknown author today and thought my cheerleading friends might like it:  ”Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to produce uncommon results.”  (more…)