All-Star How to be a great coach?

Rebecca Dahlquist · Jul 30, 2013

So, this season I will coach a youth 1 team, the first time ever me coaching cheerleading. I'm a level five myself and I'm aware of all the rulles and all that.

I'm pretty "bossy" and I expect much for the kids I coach, but I'm trying to tone that down :rolleyes:

Do you guys have any tips on how to get them to consentrate, how to teach them new stuff the best way etc.
Feel free to post any tips or anything!

INeverStopCheering · Jul 30, 2013

Welcome to coaching! Youth is a unique and wonderful age group to work with. You don't have the behavioral issues of smaller children and for the most part you don't have the attitude issues of older girls. Children that age are very driven to please you and do very well with being given an expectation and rising to the challenge. They don't need to be treated like little ones with prizes and games and whatnot, but it sometimes is still nice to give them a little treat like Popsicles after practice.

They are also of the age where they really understand the concept of winning and losing. Kids this age get the fact that you have to work hard to win. Unfortunately this is a very exploratory time for kids so you may battle the fact that they are participating in many other activities. Being that you're working with level 1 and many of these girls have likely never cheered before, it's important to prepare them for competition. Explain to them that they will be on a stage with spotlights and loud music. Show them what it means to do facials. Maybe even show a video.

Otherwise, be fun, be excited, be stern but fair, don't make outlandish rules, but if you do make a rule stick to it, keep your expectations high and love the kids and you'll be a great coach

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yojaehs · Jul 30, 2013

If I had coaching words if advice I would say stay consistent! Also, if you see the focus drifting or them tiring out switch skills. If they are slacking stunting switch to jumps then come back to stunting.

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cheernerd5678 · Jul 30, 2013

INeverStopCheering said:
Welcome to coaching! Youth is a unique and wonderful age group to work with. You don't have the behavioral issues of smaller children and for the most part you don't have the attitude issues of older girls. Children that age are very driven to please you and do very well with being given an expectation and rising to the challenge. They don't need to be treated like little ones with prizes and games and whatnot, but it sometimes is still nice to give them a little treat like Popsicles after practice.

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Heck I'm 16 and I still love getting popsicles after practice

BigBow · Jul 31, 2013

I coach youth 1 too

It is definitely a fun division, and like someone mentioned above, a lot of the time it is kids that have never cheered before. I find it important to find a way to make them enjoy cheerleading. At that age, they'll try anything you ask them to do, but if you get them to actually love what they're doing, they'll work even harder.

JulieP · Jul 31, 2013

I coached Y1 for 1 year, and it was one of my favorite years of coaching. They are excited to be in the gym, eager to please, and they really start to "get it" and work hard at this age. Set expectations and stick to them- kids need the structure and they really even start to like the consistency. Be passionate about what you do because it translates to the kids. My Youth 1s from 2009 are my current J3s and S4s, and I think it had a lot to do with the foundation set in Y1.

Cheermom4lyfe · Aug 16, 2013

INeverStopCheering said:
Welcome to coaching! Youth is a unique and wonderful age group to work with. You don't have the behavioral issues of smaller children and for the most part you don't have the attitude issues of older girls. Children that age are very driven to please you and do very well with being given an expectation and rising to the challenge. They don't need to be treated like little ones with prizes and games and whatnot, but it sometimes is still nice to give them a little treat like Popsicles after practice.

They are also of the age where they really understand the concept of winning and losing. Kids this age get the fact that you have to work hard to win. Unfortunately this is a very exploratory time for kids so you may battle the fact that they are participating in many other activities. Being that you're working with level 1 and many of these girls have likely never cheered before, it's important to prepare them for competition. Explain to them that they will be on a stage with spotlights and loud music. Show them what it means to do facials. Maybe even show a video.

Otherwise, be fun, be excited, be stern but fair, don't make outlandish rules, but if you do make a rule stick to it, keep your expectations high and love the kids and you'll be a great coach

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!

All-Star How to be a great coach?

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Rebecca Dahlquist

INeverStopCheering

yojaehs

cheernerd5678

BigBow

JulieP

Cheermom4lyfe

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