Setting New Year Goals for Cheer Coaches: A Path to Success

As the calendar flips to a new year, it presents an ideal opportunity for cheer coaches to reflect on the past season and set ambitious goals for the upcoming year. Setting clear, achievable objectives not only helps in improving the team's performance but also fosters a positive and motivated team environment. Here are five key goals that cheer coaches can consider setting for the new year.

1. Enhance Team Unity and Communication

Team unity is the backbone of any successful cheer squad. For the new year, focus on building stronger bonds among team members. Here are a few strategies to achieve this:

• Team-Building Activities: Organize regular team-building activities such as retreats, volunteer days, or simple bonding exercises during practice sessions. These activities help in fostering trust, respect, and camaraderie among the team members.
• Open Communication Channels: Encourage open and honest communication within the team. Hold regular team meetings where members can share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This helps in resolving conflicts early and ensures everyone is on the same page.
• Mentorship Programs: Implement a mentorship program where senior team members can guide and support newer members. This not only helps in skill development but also in creating a sense of belonging.

By focusing on team unity, you can create a cohesive and supportive environment that translates into better performance on the field.

2. Improve Physical Conditioning and Safety

Physical conditioning is crucial for cheerleaders, given the demanding nature of their routines. Here’s how you can improve physical conditioning and safety:

• Customized Fitness Plans: Develop personalized fitness plans for each team member, taking into account their strengths, weaknesses, and any health concerns. This can include strength training, flexibility exercises, and cardiovascular workouts.
• Injury Prevention: Invest in injury prevention programs that include warm-up and cool-down routines, stretching exercises, and proper landing techniques. Ensure that all team members understand the importance of reporting any injuries promptly.
• Safety Protocols: Review and update safety protocols to ensure they are aligned with the latest guidelines. This includes having a first aid kit on hand, ensuring proper supervision during stunts, and conducting regular safety drills.

By prioritizing physical conditioning and safety, you can reduce the risk of injuries and enhance overall team performance.

3. Go Back to the Basics: Drilling Fundamentals and Technique

Sometimes, the key to success lies in mastering the basics. This year, focus on drilling the fundamentals and technique of beginning stunts, a strategy that has proven highly effective for me in the past.

• Personal Experience: My most recent State Championship win, I can attribute to a strong focus on the basics. We spent several weeks drilling fundamental stunts such as thigh stands, preps, and extensions before moving on to more advanced stunts. This meticulous approach ensured that our team had perfect technique, which significantly boosted our stunt score in execution and allowed us to increase our difficulty from previous years.
• Extended Drills: Allocate several weeks to drilling these basic stunts. Consistency and repetition are key to mastering these skills. Break down each stunt into its components and focus on perfecting each part. Don’t move on until all stunt groups are executing each skill with proper technique and are in sync.
• Feedback and Correction: Provide continuous feedback and corrections to ensure that every team member understands and executes the stunts correctly. Use video recordings to analyze performances and identify areas for improvement.

By going back to the basics and ensuring that your team has a solid foundation in fundamental stunts, you can build a strong and reliable performance that will serve as a cornerstone for more advanced routines in the future.

4. Foster Leadership Skills

Leadership skills are vital for the success of any team. Here’s how you can foster these skills in your cheer squad:

• Leadership Roles: Assign leadership roles to senior team members, such as team captains or squad leaders. These roles can include responsibilities like leading warm-ups, organizing team events, and mentoring newer members.
• Leadership Workshops: Organize workshops or seminars on leadership skills. These can cover topics such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Feedback and Evaluation: Provide regular feedback and evaluations to help team members understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This helps in developing a growth mindset and encourages continuous improvement.

By fostering leadership skills, you can create a team that is self-motivated and capable of handling challenges independently.

5. Engage with the Community

Engaging with the community is crucial for building support and fostering a positive image of the cheer squad. Here’s how you can achieve this:

• Community Events: Participate in local community events such as parades, charity functions, and school fairs. This helps in showcasing the team’s skills and building a connection with the community.
• Social Media Presence: Maintain an active social media presence by posting updates, photos, and videos of team activities. This helps in keeping the community informed and engaged.
• Fundraising Initiatives: Organize fundraising initiatives such as bake sales, car washes, or spirit nights. These events not only help in raising funds for the team but also in engaging with the community.

By engaging with the community, you can build a strong support base and create a positive image of the cheer squad.