5 Productive Ways Cheer Coaches Can Use Summer Break (Without Burning Out)

Plan, Recharge, and Level Up for Your Best Season Yet

Summer break: it’s the calm before the storm before the practices ramp up, choreography sessions kick in, and competition season takes over your calendar. But if you're a cheer coach, summer is also a golden opportunity. It’s your chance to reset, refocus, and prep for the year ahead without falling into the hustle-and-grind trap.

Let’s ditch the burnout mindset and embrace a smarter, more sustainable way to use this time off. Here are five realistic and productive ways to make the most of your summer break as a cheer coach.

1. Reflect on the Past Season

Before diving headfirst into planning mode, take a beat to reflect. Ask yourself:

• What went really well?
• Where did your team struggle?
• What did you personally enjoy, and what drained you?

Spend just 30 minutes jotting down honest answers. This reflection is your secret weapon for making smarter, more intentional choices in the upcoming season.

Coach Tip: Use a simple “Start, Stop, Continue” format to organize your thoughts:

• Start: New things you want to implement
• Stop: Things that weren’t working
• Continue: What’s worth keeping around
  

2. Build (or Refresh) Your Season Plan

Summer is the perfect time to sketch out your season roadmap without the pressure of weekly practices breathing down your neck.

Consider planning:

• Monthly skill or culture goals
• Practice and event calendars
• Fundraisers and key dates
• Fun extras like theme days or spirit weeks

Even a rough draft now will save you tons of stress in the fall. Use tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or even a good old-fashioned printable planner to map things out.

3. Invest in Your Coach Education

Let’s be real: during the season, there’s rarely time to invest in your own development. Summer changes that.

Try:

• Online coaching courses or certifications
• Check out Stunt School!
• Attending a virtual summit or cheer clinic
• Check out the Radiate Cheer Coaches Virtual Conference!
  • Get the first conference here.
  • Get the second conference here.
• Leadership and sport psychology books

When you grow, your team grows in mindset, motivation, and performance. Even one podcast or webinar can spark a new idea that transforms your season.

4. Organize Your Resources

Say goodbye to digging through messy folders or last-minute clipboard chaos. Use this slower season to get your materials in order.

Organize:

• Choreography notes and videos
• Practice plans and conditioning drills
• Music files and voiceovers
• Booster club info and parent handouts

Consider creating Google Drive folders or Canva templates for clean, repeatable systems. Your future self will thank you.

5. Actually Rest and Recharge

Yes, this is your official permission slip to rest. Because you can’t pour into your athletes if your own cup is empty.

Try:

• Sleeping in without guilt
• Reading something not related to cheer
• Taking a real vacation (even a weekend away counts!)
• Hang out with people and do things that make you laugh

Burnout doesn’t make you a better leader. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Final Thoughts

The best coaches don’t wait until August to prepare. They use summer to reflect, recharge, and return with purpose. Whether you tackle all five of these ideas or just one, you’re setting the tone for a more focused, more balanced, and more successful season.

So grab your planner and your sunscreen. You’ve earned a break and a head start.