Spirit. Excitement. Teamwork. Cheerleaders posses these characteristics and more. It is their job to bring excitement and fun to fans, and it is the coach’s job to help them do it. The following is a detailed list of the important traits you should possess on your journey to becoming a cheerleading coach:
Experience
The first step towards becoming a cheerleading coach is experience. One can’t teach what one has not experienced. Obviously, you do need to be able to physically perform every single stunt, however, the more you have done, the easier it will be for you to instruct others. Many cheerleading coaches were former cheerleaders themselves. If you have not actually been a cheerleader, then other experience with cheerleading squads can substitute for actual first hand knowledge. For instance, you could start out as an assistant coach, or aid in your child’s cheerleading class. Anything that gets you near a squad will provide experience, not only in the actual cheerleading stunts and techniques, but also in leadership, rules, industry information and more. Knowledge of the sport and industry
Before becoming a cheerleading coach, you will want to have extensive knowledge of all aspects of the sport. First, you will want to understand the actual cheerleading techniques. This knowledge must be more than simply being able to perform the technique – you need to know how to instruct others. Doing something and being able to teach it are two very different entities. Second, you must know how to explain the skill from all positions. For instance, in the case of a jump and catch, you must be able to instruct both the one performing the skill and the catcher. You must know how the routines come together as a whole and the dynamics of choreography. In addition, if it is a competitive league, you should understand the rules and competition. Finally, you should know the activities in which your squad could get involved and what would be beneficial for the team. Often, there are local events that provide opportunities for both the squad and the community.
Understand safety/first aid
Cheerleading is a fun sport, and yet it can be wrought with danger. From small stress injuries to major wounds that require emergency care, accidents can and do happen. It is important to be able to treat minor scrapes and scratches, but even more vital to be able to recognize when more serious care is warranted. The most important thing is the health of
the cheerleaders, and when you look for a position, you will want to show that you have the basic knowledge to know when you need to seek more help. In addition, you want to have the knowledge to prevent injuries. You should know techniques to avoid problems, as well as when a particular player has a condition or injury that could get worse from continued activity. Managing safety and injuries is one of the most important aspects of being a cheerleading coach.
Possess the ability to support and motivate
There is much more to being a cheerleading coach then simply understanding mechanics. In order to motivate, the cheerleaders need to be motivated themselves. Each cheerleader has his or her own set of emotions, troubles and goals, and you must possess the knowledge to help each person be the best that they can be. Often a coach is more than someone who improves performance in a sport – they can be a confidant and even a friend. They may be the person a cheerleader goes to when they need support. You want to be able to provide support on both an individual level and on a team level. You want to be able to promote teamwork and dispel arguments or disagreements that pop up within the group. You want to keep everyone happy as a team, and not let adversity rise within the group. You will need to be a leader.
Finding coaching positions
Cheerleading positions come in many different types. You could have a volunteer position teaching tiny three-year olds barely out of diapers, a position occupying a few hours a week. In contrast, you could coach the squad of a professional football team, a full-time position for which many vie. The great majority of positions lay in between these two, encompassing the many youth leagues, high school teams and college squads around the country. The job characteristics for these range greatly, as do the pay, hours and competition. Before searching for a position, you should decide what you are interested in and what type of job you may be able to secure. Often times, it is simple to find a position in a youth league since it may be a volunteer position for which there is more demand than supply. To find such a position, you could look in your newspaper or online to ascertain the name of various optimist clubs, local directories, schools and other such organizations to find contact information. You would then call and inquire about any available positions. Many coaching jobs, including higher level paid ones, may be posted in classified ads or job websites, so consider that as a source as well.
Work your way up
No one begins their cheerleading career as the coach of an NFL cheerleading squad. Many coaches work their way up, especially those in the higher and more competitive positions. You could start out as the coach of a youth league and then work your way up to high school and beyond. Also, many people start out as team captains and then move on to coaching from there. In the bigger leagues, you may be an assistant coach before becoming the head coach. The important thing to remember is that it is okay to start with a smaller position, because it is often these stepping stones that lead to where you want to go.
Cheerleading is a fun and exciting sport, and the coach has an enormous impact on the squad. Following the aforementioned techniques will help you achieve your cheerleading career goals.
