Create Your Coaching Style

As you begin your new coaching year, take a few moments to evaluate your coaching style and philosophies. This activity is risky in the sense we sometimes are too critical of ourselves; however, honestly facing our positives and negatives will help us become better coaches.         

1. Review your personal growth.          
2. List the cheer-related classes you have taken.
3. List the new skills you have developed.         
4. List the networking methods you have used.         
5. List your ideas for positive coaching.         
6. List your strengths as a coach.         
7. List your weaknesses as a coach.         
8. List your leadership skills.         
9. List how you plan to move forward with your team(s).         
10. List professional goals.

All good leaders and coaches work constantly to improve their skills. Taking the time to put your thoughts into words will help you identify the coaching aspects that work for you and the aspects that can be improved. 

The Cheer Coach as a professional
By definition, a professional is someone engaged in an occupation for which he or she is paid or an occupation that requires training or education. Not all cheer coaches get paid (many are volunteer coaches), and some do not get the specialized training that is available. But if we aspire to be a professional cheerleading coach, we can adopt several attitudes or behaviors that will help us to achieve our goal.

    1.  The professional coach continually seeks self-improvement by taking classes and attending workshops and conferences.
    2.  The professional coach does not advance himself or herself at the expense of others.
    3.  The professional coach takes full responsibility for the results of his or her actions.
    4.  The professional coach is loyal to the team approach.
    5.  The professional coach avoids rumor and gossip.
    6. The professional coach demonstrates proper personal behavior and conduct at all times.
    7. The professional develops positive relationships with the team through honesty, openness, sportsmanship, and respect.
    8.  The professional coach is sensitive to the needs of others.
    9.  The professional coach has a desire to render a service.
    10. The professional coach has a commitment to the safety of his or her program and the individual cheerleaders.

Legal Duties of a Coach – Provide Proper Supervision

As a cheer coach, it is your duty to properly supervise your cheerleaders. Two kinds of supervision exist–general supervision and direct supervision. General supervision is the overall supervision of the cheerleading program. Direct supervision requires the interaction of the coach and the cheerleaders. No activity that could lead to injury should be done without proper supervision. This rule should be written in your rules/guidelines, posted in the cheer facility, and communicated to the cheerleaders and parents. This rule should be strictly enforced.

In Aaris v. Las Virgenes Unified School District, 75 CAL. Rptr. 2d 801 (Cal.1998), a cheerleader filed suit through her parents against the school district and the coach for negligent conduct. Aaris was a base, and a flyer landed on her, injuring her leg. The court found for the defendants (the district and the coach) citing several reasons for the judgment:

1. The cheerleader had received formal stunt training and safety training and knew stunts could be dangerous.
2. The cheerleader had attended cheerleading camp and received hours of training in stunting.
3. The coach emphasized safety and properly supervised the activity when the cheerleader was injured.
4. The coach did not increase the risk of harm inherent in the activity.
5. The cheerleader’s mother signed a release on behalf of her child barring recovery. 

It is imperative that cheerleaders are properly and constantly supervised. If constant supervision by a properly trained individual is not possible, then the activity should be suspended or cancelled. Written plans for each practice or cheer activity can aid in the supervision process. Documenting plans and procedures and following the rules will go a long way in keeping cheerleaders safe.

Providing a safe physical environment is a function of every coach. It is the primary responsibility of the coach to select an appropriate facility to insure the welfare and the safety of the athletes in all activities.

The welfare of the student/cheerleader/dancer always comes first. Regularly inspect the facility and equipment.

    1.     Check the size and the space.
    2.     Check the surface–if outside, check for level, clear, dry, obstructions.
    3.     Check outside surfaces for rocks, glass, and insects.
    4.     Check the walls and look for obstructions or protrusions.
    5.     Check the ceilings and fixtures.
    6.     Check the mats.
    7.     Check the lighting.
    8.     Check the temperature.
    9.     Check the training and performing environment to ensure it allows for adequate and appropriate supervision.
    10.    Clothing should be safe—no hoods, no pockets, no slick shorts, and no jewelry. Hair should be secured and shoes should be athletic in design.
    11.     Have plenty of access to water and encourage your cheerleaders or dancers to drink as much as needed.