Cheerleading - Keeping Busy During the Off Season

The competition season is wrapping up, but as any cheerleader or cheerleading coach knows - there's never really an off season in cheerleading.
We've put together our list of things to do during the off season to help prepare for your next cheer season. Whether you're a coach or a cheerleader, be sure to check out this list!


Coaches:
Develop a yearly plan. The more organized you are now the easier it will be to stay organized for the entire season. The more you can preplan the calmer you will be when the cheer season arrives.

1) Create a Calendar of Events. Outline the entire year of events to help keep yourself and your cheerleaders organized. Key events that should be on your calendar:
Cheerleading Tryouts
Practices
Camps / Clinics
Fundraising Events
Games
Pep Rallies
Homecoming Events
Competitions
Check out the second edition of Coaching Cheerleading Successfully for a complete list of events to have on your calendar!

2) Gather all necessary Paperwork and Forms for the year. Make a categorized list of any paperwork that will be needed for tryouts, camps, competitions and etc… Example forms include:
Letter to Parents
Parental Permission Forms
Medical Forms
Tryout Checklist/Judging Form
Cheerleader Notebooks (include what is expected of each cheerleader, stunt formations, cheers and chants and etc…)
Assistance Coaches Responsibilities Working Schedule Uniform and Equipment checklist/spreadsheet

3) Set Goals. Set goals and expectations for yourself and your cheerleaders.
What do you want your program to accomplish?
What do you want your cheerleaders to represent?
What kind of coach do you want to be?
What do you want to see from your team?
What is your fundraising goal?

4) Prep Your Cheerleading Supplies Order. Just because your squad isn’t established doesn’t mean you can’t determine what you will be ordering once the squad is chosen. Most cheerleading catalogs are mailed between February 15th and March 15th.

Research each catalog and select the cheerleading shoes, cheerleading uniforms and accessories and any props that you will be ordering. Don’t forget to take a look at the Cheerleading Uniform Creator at cheerzone.com to fully design your uniform. You can select your school colors, striping and best of all lettering. You’ll know exactly what your uniform will look like before you order!

Don’t forget about cheer camp. You can select the cheerleading camp outfits also. Choose the t-shirts and shorts that each cheerleader will need for summer camps.

If you can complete your selections before your squad is chosen you’ll be one step ahead in ordering. We all know that productions times for uniforms can range from 4-10 weeks for custom cheerleading merchandise. Getting your order in early will guarantee it before your season starts. And don’t forget to watch for early bird specials. Most Cheerleading Catalogs will offer discounts to coaches who get their team orders in early! Be sure you’re on the email list to receive the special offers.


Cheerleaders:
Your not just a cheerleader part of the year – you’re a cheerleader the entire year. During the off season you should be thinking about the upcoming season.

1) Stay Involved. Mentor youth recreation leagues or work with your coach and other team members to host a cheerleading camp.

2) Stay Fit. Keep in shape while you’re not cheering. Work on your strength and flexibility.
Stretch while doing homework.
Do push-ups, sit-ups and squats daily.
Run, jog, or walk whenever you can.
Take a tumbling class.
Attend open gyms as often as possible.
Practice your jumps – Practice! Practice! Practice!
Check out the fitness section of our blog for some great workout ideas!

3) Set Goals. Keep a notebook with a list of your goals and progress so you can see for yourself that you truly are making progress. Give yourself something to work toward for the upcoming season.

4) Keep In Touch. Keep in touch with your teammates and coaches. It’s important to keep that bond even in the off season. Work with your teammates and coaches to create your list of goals and expectations. Together you can keep each other motivated.

Cheerleading Safety - Stay Safe While Cheerleading

Cheerleading has gone from an eye-candy sport for football players and sports jocks to an all out gymnastic type routine. Cheerleaders are now asked to perform highflying stunts that reach heights nearing twenty feet…sometimes more! With cheerleading injuries accounting for 55 to 65 percent of sports related injuries, safety is a concern for parents and spectators alike. Below are some tips you may find helpful when it comes to the safety of our cheerleaders:

1. Is our coach AACCA certified through the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators safety course and has our school conducted the appropriate background checks?

The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators is the largest not-for-profit educational organization for cheerleading coaches. AACCA operates as an independent organization since it’s founding by Varsity Spirit Corporation. AACCA certification features safety awareness training with a safety test administered at the end of the training session. The AACCA Safety Course is required for all NCAA cheerleading coaches, and by school districts and states around the country. It should be required for yours.

2. Does our coach adhere to accepted practice and performance guidelines?

AACCA practice guidelines require direct supervision by a coach with practices held in a location suitable for the activities of cheerleaders (i.e., use of appropriate mats, away from excessive noise and distractions, etc.) Most states require adherence to the skill restrictions put in place by the National Federation of High Schools. Your program should be following these rules and procedures, which include restrictions on skills such as basket toss flips and pyramids, which involve more than two persons high.


3. Does our coach ensure that performance skills are taught in the proper sequence using skills progression training, with an emphasis on training all squad members in proper spotting methods?

Skills progression training ensures that cheerleaders build upon mastered technique when learning more difficult and advanced stunts or tumbling, i.e. cartwheel to round-off to back-hand spring. Spotters are responsible for assisting or catching the top person in a stunt with a priority to protect the head, neck, and shoulders of the top person coming off of a stunt.

4. Does my child’s coach properly balance practice time between athletic training and spirit leadership instruction?

Cheerleading is an activity that builds self-confidence, leadership and communication skills and involves more than stunts and tumbling. Safety begins with leadership. Instilling these qualities in cheerleaders helps prevent accidents when all squad members hold safety as a priority. The stunts and tumbling involved in cheerleading should aid the cheerleader in generating excitement and participation by the fans. Performing difficult stunts only for the sake of athleticism should be avoided at games and reserved for competition venues with professional spotters and mats.

5. Does our squad have an emergency plan in place?

A comprehensive emergency plan is necessary to provide a quick and effective response to an emergency situation with specific duties assigned to all responders. A sample emergency plan can be found at http://www.aacca.org/content.aspx?item=Resources/EmergencyPlan.xml.

Fall Season Checklist for Cheerleaders and Coach

There is something about this time of year that can excite almost anyone. Fall is the beginning of a new year…a time when you can start over..start fresh. With this fresh start comes a brand new football season for every high school across the country.

If you’re a cheerleader or cheer coach this time of year is more important than for most. You’re preparing for your teams homecoming, hoping to have a great season, and leave a lasting impression that will be imprinted in
the memories of all who are involved with games. Make sure you're prepared for the season with the checklist below:

1) Uniforms: It’s not too late to buy In-Stock Uniforms for this season. Check out the 2009 CheerZone Catalog and click the page links that go to our online store.

2) Shoes: Put your best foot forward wearing your favorite cheer brand. We carry Nike, Nfinity, Adidas, Kaepa, Asic, Power, and much more.

3) Warm-Ups: Our custom and in-stock cheerleading warm-ups are a great way to keep warm this fall season. Warm-ups can be purchased to match uniforms to unify your team look. Lettering and Embroidery are also
great ways bring function and style together.

4) Bodywear: If you put your bodywear to the test during last years football and basketball seasons, stock up on some new gear to complete your look for the new year. Remember bodywear is a great way to add color to an In-Stock Uniform, so be creative.

Feel free to reply with any questions or tips you might have for this season. Stay true to the Sport!

Cheerz!

Cheerleading Competition - On The Go! Checklist for Competitions

Bag sales are up so that must mean cheerleaders are gearing up for competition travels! So what better time for us to break down competition must haves for cheerleaders and coaches alike.

Coach Checklist:

Cell Phone – Always have a cell phone on you! Keep your contact list updated with team members' phone numbers as well as a secondary number in case of an emergency. Keep this information updated every year by having team members fill out an information form at the beginning of each season. There are some great sample forms available in Coaching Cheerleading Successfully.

First Aid Kit – Make sure that everything you may need is in your first aid kit. Replace any old items and add any new ones.

Music – Make sure you have the music on hand for the routine. You may even want to bring along additional tunes to keep your team motivated. One of my all time favorites is Champ Cheer & Dance 2!

Paperwork – Make sure you have copies of necessary paperwork needed to compete.

Medical Forms – Check that each girl has submitted their medical form so they are eligible to compete.

Notepad – Competitions are a great place to take notes on how your team can improve as well as what they are excelling in so keep your notepad and pen with you at all times. There is always much to gain from documenting new strategies seen throughout the competition season.

Video Camera – It’s always a great idea to use a video camera at all competitions. Ask a parent to video tape the competitions for you so you and the entire squad can learn from them.

Cheerleader Checklist:

Cheerleading Uniform – Make sure you have your complete uniform ready for competition!

Shell

Skirt

Cheerleading Briefs

Cheer Socks

Hair Bows

Cheerleading Poms – If your coach doesn’t hold onto the entire team’s poms, make sure you have yours packed and ready to go.

Shoes – Competition shoes should always be clean and white.

Our pick for the best competition shoe is the Nfinity Evolution.

It’s super light weight yet still provides amazing control.

Make-up – Even if make-up is applied before you leave for the competition,

odds are you’ll need a touch up.

Snacks – It’s important to stayed fueled on the big day. Be sure to bring some healthy snacks because you could be at the competition venue all day.

Water Bottle – Another important factor is to always stay hydrated so always keep your water bottle with you.

Camera – Team websites are more popular than ever so,

keep a camera handy capture and share memories from your competition travels.

Bag – Keep all of your gear together in a duffle bag. Our pick for the best cheerleading bag is the Ultimate Cheerleading Duffle Bag. With separate compartments for all of your gear this bag is sure to keep you organized.

Finally always remember your Confidence and a Smile!