Your First Practice of the Season

How to Set the Tone for a Successful Cheer Season: Your First Official Practice

Your first official practice with your new cheer team is one of the most important moments of the season. It sets expectations, builds team culture, and lays the foundation for success. To keep momentum going, schedule this practice within a few weeks of tryouts.

Make Your Practice a True Practice

At the start of the season, you’ll juggle many tasks-uniform fittings, camp planning, parent meetings, and more. However, your first official practice should be dedicated solely to practice. Avoid mixing it with fittings or goal-setting sessions. This clarity helps your athletes immediately understand what practice time looks like and what you expect from them moving forward. Schedule meetings separately to keep your practice focused and productive.

Plan and Structure Your Practice Like a Pro

Consistency is key. Structure your first practice similarly to how you’ll run practices mid-season. While routine work will intensify later, having a clear plan from day one helps athletes settle into a rhythm and builds confidence.

Pro tip: I always start the first 15 minutes of practice the same way. This routine empowers team captains to lead if I’m delayed or handling other tasks.

Sample First Practice Agenda

Note: Adjust time spent on each section based on your team’s needs and practice length. Remember to schedule water breaks regularly.

• Warm-Up: Begin with light cardio to raise heart rate, followed by dynamic and static stretching.
• Jumps: Focus on jump technique and conditioning. Practice kicks, five reps of each jump, jump combinations, and sequences from upcoming routines.
• Tumbling: Warm up tumbling skills with progressions suited to your team’s level.
• Cheer and Dance Instruction: Dedicate focused time to teaching and cleaning the tryout cheer and dance. Place athletes in formations, incorporate poms, signs, and stunts, and add pyramids or other elements to prepare for performances like halftime shows.
• Quick Announcements: Keep brief and relevant-save detailed discussions for separate meetings.
• Stunts: Focus on basic stunts during the first few weeks. Drill timing, loading, and dismounts to build synchronization and safety.
• Routine Practice: Continue refining cheers and dances, emphasizing timing, transitions, and team unity.
• Conditioning: End with a challenging conditioning session that also builds team spirit. Consider incorporating team-building games or activities.

Enforce Guidelines from Day One

You likely set expectations at tryouts-now is the time to reinforce them. Enforce rules consistently, whether it’s removing jewelry, wearing proper attire, bringing water bottles, or punctuality. Early in the season, some athletes may test boundaries; stand firm but kind. Establishing discipline early prevents bigger issues later and fosters a respectful, focused team culture.

Start with Confidence and Clear Expectations

Approach your first practice with a well-thought-out plan and a confident mindset. Your leadership sets the tone for the season. When athletes know what to expect and see your commitment, they’ll follow your lead. The habits and standards you establish now will carry your team through a successful and rewarding season.

If you want to streamline your planning, check out free cheer practice plan templates and schedules available online to customize for your team’s needs. These tools can help keep your practices organized, efficient, and fun.

Happy coaching!