Building a Well Rounded Cheer Program
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| by Pam Headridge | |||||||||
| Cheerleaders learn valuable life lessons through their cheerleading experiences that will prepare them for the world outside of school. You, as their coach, need to provide the avenue for experiential learning through a well rounded program . Below is a list of some of those lessons cheerleaders can learn through cheerleading. |
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| Organizational Skills - Cheerleaders need to learn the step by step process in planning: from deciding on the task, outlining the process, meeting a deadline and evaluating the outcome. EXAMPLES plan a halftime organize a fundraiser run a pee wee cheer camp Cheerleaders will learn responsibility, accountability, satisfaction and pride in completing a well organized task. Social Interaction - Dealing with the public in a caring, concern, and supportive way. EXAMPLES community service treats and motivational posters for sport teams working with elementary students Cheerleaders learn that the world does not just evolve around them. They learn to deal with different personalities and people. They discover the happiness of helping others and the need to give back to their community. Teamwork - Working together towards a common goal. A group needs to understand, bond and motivate each other in order to be successful. Cheerleaders need to understand that they can’t always get what they want but to adjust to what is best for the team. EXAMPLES having the team set their goals for the season & steps to make those goals happen conflict resolution team dividing up into groups to work on stunts, dances, chants competitions bonding games Cheerleaders will learn how to overcome differences for the good of the team. Leadership - Chair, guide, oversee. EXAMPLES captain at a game leading a practice session teaching a cheer clinic to kids Cheerleaders learn delegation, ways to involve others, and different types of motivation. Communication Skills - Discuss, explain, relate. They need to know how to explain a task, approach a business for a request, solve a problem, help a person, deal with differences and much more. This is the heart and soul of a cheerleading program. Everything they do deals with individuals, like their fellow teammates, and large groups, like fans at a football game. They learn how to respond quickly to unexpected situations and work well under pressure. EXAMPLES role playing games giving examples of situations and have them discuss what they could do taking advantage of opportunities that come up and discussing what they should and should not have done Through those interaction they learn how to communicate, motivate, handle conflicts and control their own emotions. These traits will be valuable in dealing with family, friends and future co-workers. Public Appearance - Cheerleaders are always in the public eyes whether they are in uniform or not. They are representatives of their school. They need to be positive, articulate, well mannered people. EXAMPLES community promotions school open house assemblies parades Cheerleaders learn poise, confidence, ways to communicate, and how to present themselves positively. These traits will help them when interviewing for a new job. Physical Fitness - To be in shape and good physical condition. Cheerleaders need to learn proper conditioning for the skills they need to perform. They need to learn good nutritional and health habits. EXAMPLES training program bring in personal trainer food plan for peak performance Cheerleaders learn that taking care of themselves physically is the best way to have a productive life. Confidence - self esteem, poise, believe in oneself. Learning life lessons through experiences leads to confidence in oneself. Cheerleaders recognize that they learn from both achievements and failure. These are all part of life. The more experiences that cheerleaders are given, the better they will be able to cope what life gives to them in the future. They learn to handle a challenge, overcome a problem, and work with people. Now I challenge you, as their coach, to plan your cheer program around helping these young adults to learn these valuable life lessons and helping them to move into their adult life with tools that will make them positive, caring, productive adults. |
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