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…)

I am always reading books and articles on sport psychology.  Some are pretty technical and scientific and others are just good, fun, and informative.  A book I’m reading now is one that I would recommend to parents.  It’s not about cheerleading and as a matter of fact, cheerleading is not mentioned once in the whole book but it is still worth your time. 

The book is called – “Whose game is it, anyway?” and it is written by 2 of my colleagues at Harvard Medical School – Richard Ginsburg and Stephen Durant and Amy Baltzell, a professor at Boston University. 

The authors describe it as “a guide to helping your child get the most from sports, organized by age and stage.”  The book provides detailed information, based on child development research, about what skill sets you can expect from your child depending on the age of the child.  

The first section is called, “Knowing your child athlete” and  looks at child development and sports participation  from the Early Years (Ages 1 – 5) through Young Adulthood (Ages 19 and up).  

Part Two is entitled, “Pitfalls and Possibilities in Sports” and deals with such topics as “Should we push our children? How Much?” and “Quitting, Burning Out, and Moving On.” 

The book is easy and fun to read and provides many valuable insights for parents.  I recommend it!

By the way, if you are on Facebook (and who isn’t!) please join my Confident Cheerleading Center page. If you do, you can get lots of free stuff – questionnaires, worksheets, all designed to help you become a better coach and athlete!

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…)

The latest issue of the snazzy and information-packed on-line cheerleading magazine – Entirely Cheer – is now available for your reading pleasure. I might add that it is free!  That’s right – it won’t cost you a penny to read this cheer magazine.  (To enhance your reading pleasure, be sure to use the “whole screen” feature – it is the third icon from the left at the top of the page.) The current issue contains several “Tip Sheets” such as, How to prepare for the new All-Star season; How to prepare for the new High School Cheer season; and much more.  The articles include topics on communication, hydration, sportsmanship plus a video on how to do a back walkover mount stunt!  (more…)

In my previous posts, I shared the wisdom of legendary basketball coach – John Wooden. Cheerleading coaches (and everyone, really) can learn a lot from this sage fellow.  Coach Wooden had his own ideas about criticism – who should do the criticizing, under what circumstances and how. (more…)

If we are smart, we try to learn from people smarter than us!  Cheerleading coaches have tough (and rewarding) jobs.  One of the best athletic coaches ever – John Wooden – was a master motivator.  Here is some more of his wisdom.  (more…)

If you are a cheer mom, fire up your computer immediately and get on Facebook.  (You do have a Facebook account don’t you!!) Ok – now search for Cheer Moms and click on “like” to join the fun! Now invite all of your friends to check it out, too! www.facebook.com/cheermoms  (more…)

Since all of you appreciate superb athleticism, I thought you might like this video of these 2 amazing dancers.  I have no idea who they are but they are superb!  I wonder if they were cheerleaders since some of their moves are reminiscent of skills I have seen at competitions however their version is over the top!  See what you can do with practice, practice, practice?

Yesterday I wrote about cheerleading coaches who yell at their cheerleaders.  I suspect many do this because they truly believe it is a way to motivate athletes.  But does it work?  (more…)