Expectations for Sideline Cheer

By Coach Shari Robinson

Over the years, I have seen a lot of very talented programs not perform well on the sidelines.  Unfortunately, most of the students, staff, and community only see what we do on the sidelines. They aren’t privy to watching us compete our amazing routines at competitions.  Therefore, sideline cheer should be the cornerstone of any good program.

Tips for a Successful sideline program:

1.    All Team Members should look alike:  Anything that is worn should be the same for each team member including socks, sports bras and the color of Spanx or Nike Pros.  If it gets cold, all team members should put on jackets or none should put on jackets. All Team members should wear sweats or none should wear sweats.  This teaches the athletes that remembering their things is important. When I see teams where everyone is wearing different sweats or different jackets it makes me think they really aren’t a team out there. 

2.    Be Prepared:  For football games which tend to involve more stunting and usually performing at half-time, our team arrives a full hour before the game.  We warm up each stunt/pyramid that we perform at the game. We also warm up our tumbling thoroughly.

3.    During the game:  Cheerleaders should stay in line and limit the amount of talking.  Chants should be called every 2-3 minutes.

4.    Timeouts:  Timeouts should be planned ahead.  We always plan our first half time outs in order with our captains prior to the game.  When the time out starts, everyone should quickly get ready to stunt by putting their poms down and going to their stunt group.  (This is easier if you make your line-up so athletes are in close proximity to their stunt group.) At the end of the time out, have the captains inform the team what they will be doing at the next time out.

5.    Involve the Crowd.  Each school has natural leaders who attend every game and stand at the front of the crowd.  At our school that person carries what is known as the Spirit Stick. The cheer team communicates with that person as to what crowd cheers the crowd wants to do at each of the time outs.  This keeps the crowd happy and the cheer team and the crowd working together to create school spirit.

6.    Use Signs: At least once a quarter use signs to lead the crowd.  This is fun for the students and allows parents who aren’t as close to the cheer team to be involved. 

7.    Include the Parents:  Once a half move up in the stands and include the parents in your chants.  This is best done if you teach the parents in advance what is going to happen. 

About Shari

I am a full-fledged, life-long cheer junkie.  Currently, I am the Head coach of the Thompson Valley High School Cheer Team.  This is my 5th year back coaching at TV.  I also coached there from 1992-1993, and 1996-2002.  We are the only 4A team to reach the finals of the state competition the past 4 years.   In addition, I owned Rocky Mountain Cheer Company from 2004-present. Both of my daughters are heavily involved in cheer.  Both have spent their lives competing in All-Star Cheer including Worlds Teams. This year, Kate will be on the University of Colorado All Girl Cheer Team.  Kennedy will be a sophomore on the Thompson Valley team. My husband has produced the Balance Pro which trains cheerleaders to become better flyers as well as increase core strength.  Please visit our etsy shop to order one.