Building a Championship Cheer Program: The Recipe for Success

As a cheer coach with 8 state championships under my belt, including a remarkable streak of 4 consecutive wins with my current team, I've learned a thing or two about what it takes to build a championship program. Today, I want to share some key characteristics that have contributed to our success, hoping to inspire other coaches and athletes in their pursuit of excellence.

Unwavering Commitment

The foundation of any championship team is an unshakeable commitment. Our athletes demonstrate this daily by:

• Showing up for 5:55 AM practices consistently
• Rarely being late or missing sessions
• Holding each other accountable

This level of dedication doesn't happen by accident. It's cultivated through a shared vision and a collective understanding of what it takes to be the best.

Team Cohesion

A championship team is more than just a group of skilled individuals. It's a cohesive unit that:

• Puts aside personal differences for the greater good
• Fosters mutual respect among team members
• Works together seamlessly, both on and off the mat

This harmony is crucial for executing complex routines and handling the pressures of competition.

High Standards with Flexibility

As a coach, I've found that maintaining high standards while remaining flexible is key. This approach involves:

• Setting clear expectations for performance and behavior
• Avoiding excessive strictness that can stifle creativity and morale
• Adapting coaching methods to the team's needs

Open Communication and Trust

Trust is the glue that holds a championship program together. We build this through:

• Actively seeking feedback from the team
• Asking questions like, "Do you want to do this section with music now, or do you need to do it with counts again?"
• Trusting athletes to provide honest input, especially when practices aren't going well

This two-way communication fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among the athletes.

Confidence Through Preparation

Our team enters competitions with a quiet confidence that comes from:

• Rigorous and purposeful practice sessions
• Knowing they've put in the work necessary to succeed
• Understanding that their preparation gives them an edge

This confidence is not arrogance, but a deep-seated belief in their abilities and training.

Key Takeaways

Building a championship program is no easy feat, but with the right ingredients – commitment, cohesion, high standards, open communication, and thorough preparation – it's possible to create a team that consistently performs at the highest level. Remember, championships aren't won on competition day; they're earned through the countless hours of dedication and hard work that precede it.

As we continue our journey, I'm excited to see how these characteristics will shape the future of our program and beyond. Here's to the relentless pursuit of excellence in cheerleading and in life!