Tag >> Cheerleading
As a cheer coach, you are part of a larger community-the spirit industry. Thousands of event producers, cheer vendors, organizations, gyms, and teams comprise the spirit industry. The longer you coach, the more you need to know. Why join professional organizations? - Membership in professional organizations gives the individual cheer coach an immediate network of other spirit professionals.
- Belonging to a professional organization puts you in contact with others who share your passion, your joys, and your frustrations.
- Attendance at conferences gives coaches the opportunity to learn from others who are leaders in the spirit industry.
- Continuing education should be a major concern for cheer coaches. Professional organizations often provide opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
- Membership often provides newsletters that keep members updated on the spirit industry.
- Future employers appreciate prospective employees' interest in staying updated on current issues and developments in the spirit industry.
- Professional organizations may offer additional insurance coverage.
- Becoming involved as a committee member or board member helps develop leadership skills that will be valuable as you grow in the industry.
- An element of coaching involves educating parents and cheerleaders. Active membership in a professional organization gives you the tools to provide your parents and cheerleaders with the latest news, tools of the trade, and safety information.
Look for local and state professional organizations but keep in mind that not every state has a cheer coaches' organization. States with cheer coaches' groups often offer yearly conferences and quarterly workshops. Research regional and national organizations. These will have large memberships and may offer more opportunities for workshops and networking. Join a professional organization for cheer coaches-you'll be glad you did!
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2008 Spirit Industry Awards! It's the Academy Awards of the Spirit Industry! From "Best Spirit Apparel Catalog/Brochure Design" to "Best New Product or Service," from "Best Lighting, Sound and Set Design" to "Best Philanthropic Initiative" and many more, peers are recognizing peers for raising the standards of excellence, professionalism and innovation in all areas of the Spirit Industry. The 2008 Spirit Industry Awards were presented at an exciting gala at the InterContiental Hotel in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. 2008 Competition and Camp Company Awards Recipients Best Printed Promotional Piece
To recognize innovative and creative print design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, flow of information, comprehensive content and clarity.
UPA--Americup 08 Event Program
Best Use of Lighting, Sound and Set Design
To recognize exceptional event staging and presentation for a competitive cheer/dance event.
The Coastal Corporation--Battle at the Capitol Nationals
Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
JAMfest--jamfest.com
Best New Product or Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product or service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Spirit Cheer--Crazy Leg Stilt Walkers
Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
COA Cheer and Dance--Monopoly Gameboard Ad
Best TV Show
To recognize innovative and creative televised cheer or dance competition with emphasis on content, graphic appeal, entertainment value and overall production quality.
USASF - Cheerleading Worlds
Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Margie Willis
2008 Affiliate Company Awards Recipients
Best Spirit Industry Periodical Issue
To recognize comprehensive, balanced, and creative coverage of the spirit industry with sound journalistic principles and emphasis on both editorial excellence and visual appeal.
Inside Cheerleading --July/August 2008 Issue
Best Spirit Apparel Catalogue/Brochure Design
To recognize innovative and creative print design of a uniform/apparel catalogue/brochure with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, and visual creativity.
Spirit Innovations
Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
Nfinity Shoes--nfinityshoes.com
Best New Product
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Core Athletics--Back Hand Spring Machine
Best New Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Nfinity--Nfinity Nation
Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
Pyra-"Stunt Doubles"
Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Debbie Bracewell
2008 Merit Award Recipients
Best State Association
To recognize outstanding accomplishments, significant growth, philanthropic programs, scholarship support, professional outreach, and/or creative contributions to the spirit industry by a state coaches association.
Golden State Spirit Association Best Coaches Conference
To recognize excellence in teaching, diversity and quality of course offerings, adjunct certifications, strength of presenters, social offerings, scope of exhibitors, and opportunity for professional growth at a coaches' conference.
National Coaches Conference--CheerCon 25th Anniversary
Best Philanthropic Initiative
To recognize exceptional community and/or global outreach by a company who services the spirit industry for the purpose of improving quality of life and/or addressing specific human need.
COA Cheer and Dance--CHEERforLIFE/DANCEforLIFE Ronald McDonald House Best Competition Event Venue
To recognize an event venue that provides clients one of the most comprehensive and flexible competition event facilities, and it also recognizes the enthusiasm and dedication of the venue staff who provide customer service of the highest standard.
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Florida) Spirit Industry Collaboration Award
To recognize excellence, innovation, creativity and/or accomplishment by a group of two or more spirit industry companies that worked jointly on a common goal or project.
The Australian Project--Nfinity Shoes, Core Athletics, AdPro, Pom Express, Rockwood Jewelry, Power Pows
AND
The JAM Rewards
JAMfest, COA, America's Best, GSSA, Great Lakes, Coastal Corporation, Spirit Innovations, Power Consulting, Spirit Ready Sportswear, Aloha Spirit
 Well, it is Homecoming week in Enterprise, Alabama. This is the week that the kids live for and those of us who teach dread. I am all for school spirit, but Homecoming week is like one big party which makes it hard to get anything done in the classroom! It is encouraging to see the kids get excited about something! We have even worked to revive an old tradition that we have not tried post tornado - the Homecoming Festival! I look forward to tomorrow when each class will wear a distinct color. Even the kids who hate dressing up just happen to wear the right color! I really enjoy the Homecoming game the most - everyone comes out of the woodwork - college kids come home and adults seem to make an extra effort to come out to the game! It makes for a great crowd! The greatest thing this year is that next week is fall break! It is like a BIG party before a holiday! Hope you have a great week - Happy Homecoming!
 I'm watching college football on tv and the camera zooms in on a cute cheerleader--Not! She's chewing gum. Granted the game hasn't started yet, but this tops my list of pet peeves. As a coach, I could spot a gum chewer a mile away!
Second--"spirit fingers." If you are wiggling your fingers and kicking up one leg, you better be preparing for a jump. What's with the kicking up one leg? Lazy cheerleaders show spirit fingers--competent cheerleaders jump. Third--pulling or picking on/out bloomers (lollys, briefs, whatever you call them). Don't. Wear boy cut briefs and stop this bad habit. Fourth--late cheerleaders. I attended a rec league game last week to see my grandson play football. The cheerleaders drag in during the second quarter. What were they thinking--the entire squad shows up late. Coaches and cheerleaders--get to the games well before the game starts! Fifth--silent claps. I have never understood why cheerleaders bring their hands together in a clap position and make no noise. Ok, I do know--they don't want the claps to show their timing is off. Work on the timing and make the claps sound together OR replace the claps with another motion. Easy solution. I'm off my soapbox to watch more college football. I hope your team wins! Debbie Bracewell
I have come to the conclusion that the majority of people think the cheerleaders should devote all time to "making spirit". While I do feel like we are the leaders of spirit I don't feel like we should be making spirit - to the point where we are the only ones with spirit and we are trying to make everyone else have it. I think back to my cheer days in high school and college and we didn't have to coax people into making spirit items or dressing up for spirit days. There was a little ownership. Where did we lose that? I feel like we almost can't cheer for the sporting events for trying to "create" spirit! How far do we go?
In the last month, two football players in New Jersey have died as a result of their participation in football. One died after a tackling incident; the other died from a previously unknown heart condition. As we work through a new cheer season, let's look at two health and safety issues that have taken the forefront in the news--heat and heart. Heat issues can be minor like heat cramps or life-threatening as heat stroke. Coaches should know the signs and symptoms of heat-related issues and how to treat them. Humidity, direct exposure to the sun and temperature can all contribute to heat-related illnesses. The combination of these factors make up the heat index you hear weathermen talk about. Proper hydration and reducing sun exposure can help reduce susceptibility to heat-related issues. "There's no excuse for any number of heat stroke deaths, since they are all preventable with the proper precautions," said Mueller, the author of the Annual Survey of Football Injuries, a long-running compilation of statistics that tracks major injuries and deaths in 1.8 million football players on middle school, high school, college, sandlot (organized, non-school affiliated) and professional teams (see report at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/uonc-urh073008.php). Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in athletes was the subject of the June 27, 2008, U. S. News & World Report article by Steven Reinberg. SCA is the leading cause of death in young athletes, but the worst news is that only one in 10 student-athletes who suffer SCA survives. The article goes on to say that "approximately one case of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) occurs every three days in organized youth sports" - Access to external automatic defibrillators (AEDs) can change these statistics. Access to AEDs within three to five minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
- Schools, practice areas, gyms-all need to have access to an AED, a person(s) trained to use the AED, and an emergency plan in place for using the AED.
- Screening exams for heart problems along with a physical before sports participation are recommended. A study in Italy where a screening EKG was mandated for student-athletes resulted in a 90% decrease in SCD.
An amazing group of people have formed Parent Heart Watch ( http://www.parentheartwatch.org/). Their mission is to promote awareness of SCD, establish credible research initiatives for SCD, and affect public policy change to encourage community action. They assist in getting AEDs placed in public locations and devising a plan for training and maintaining. One of their goals is to provide the resources and training so communities and parents can host group screening events with trained professionals. The Parent Heart Watch is a non-profit, state-by-state network of parents. Check out their website to see if your state has a Parent Heart Watch group and contact them to see if they can assist your team or gym with EKG screenings or procuring an AED.
I am beginning to think this blog thing might be addictive even if noone reads it! I have to take a moment to give kudos to my administration! I know that at times we often get aggravated at our administrations because they just don't understand what we are going through, but after a week from well - you know where - my principal stood behind me with unwavering support. As we come into this week, I have another situation brewing - yes I did say ANOTHER, but he is still in my corner! I used to wonder what he would do when I made decisions - now I make them with confidence! I know that if I have done what I am supposed to do then he will be my biggest supporter. I must say though that I have been a documenter ever since I began coaching simply because Debbie Bracewell told me to. There were times when I wondered why I had done all that work because for the most part no one ever questioned the things that I had documented, but this time - I have it all documented - date, time, signature of cheerleader! I am so glad I listened! To those who have just started or have gotten lax with the documentation - do it for your peace of mind if for nothing else! How can a parent, child, or administration argue with the documentation! This week finds me in a better place even though the hits keep coming! I must tell you the life lesson I learned last week really is a God thing! He knows how to get me back on my prayer knees when I get a little overconfident thinking I can do it without him. I got the message loud and clear and I won't be getting up anytime soon! Speaking of being on my side - I know he will always be in my corner!Here's to bad weeks or days which remind us of the important things in life! Cheers! Heather
 I recently heard a television reporter saying football coaches were tired of their players just going through the motions. That comment made me think of the last two cheerleading competitions I attended. I wish the cheerleaders had gone through the motions!
Are good, crisp cheerleading motions becoming extinct? I see pictures of cheerleaders in newspapers with bent wrists and fly-away arms. I hear cheer competition judges bemoan the lack of motion technique. While coaches spend much time devising spectacular pyramids and clever stunts, they often forget the one basic that garners the most attention-motions. Closed fists are fast becoming a thing of the past, and bent wrists are quickly becoming the norm. Cheerleaders should spend a part of every practice on improving motion technique. Sideline cheers and chants should have precise motion technique just as competition routines should. Coaches, remember the four "P's" of motion technique: placement, progression, pathway, precision. Spend as much time and creativity on motions as you do on stunts and pyramids. Unique and exact motions appeal to football, basketball and competition spectators. Leave your crowds wanting more!
As I sat down to write this, I truly had a hard time trying to decide what to write about. But in the past 4 days we have had something that has happened to our squad that has never happened to me before. I had 2 people quit! I know some of you are thinking no big deal because it has happened to you, but I am thinking this is a BIG deal in my little world. It does make me feel better that the reason they quit truly has nothing to do with me because the last thing I would want to do is push someone away from the sport I love so much. At the same time, I sit once again with a heart broken bunch of kids that have already defied the odds one time and were hoping for bluer skies this year. So, I gave my inspirational message about how much each one of them means to me and how these are big holes to fill. I ask them to step up, cut the whining and be the tough group I know them to be when I know that they want to sit and feel sorry for themselves because I want to. I am reminded that tough times build tough people – at the rate we are going we are going to be Teflon! So I am on my way to “rebuilding” a competition routine and stretching my kids as far as they can go! I know the kids are hurt, but I know from experience that working through our hurt is the best thing we can do. We once again have lost two teammates, but in a different sense this time, but I am beginning to wonder if this is a trend! Lord, I hope not because I will have to retire out of this soon if it is – the heart can only take so much! On an ending note, I must say that I still love cheerleading and all it’s drama after 27 years as a cheerleader and coach and I know that we will once again bust out of what is trying to hold us back! Cheers!
Heather Mitchell
Enterprise HS
hmitchell@enterpriseschools.net
 Welcome to the new and improved Coaches Closet!! We've been working on it over the summer and we finally have got it right. It is my pleasure to be writing the very first blog and hope that you'll take advantage of all the new and improved features.
First let's talk about the blog. This is not about me - it's about you - the coaches. So I need some coaches who would like to not just guest blog but become regulars. You can write about whatever you like - as long as it's interesting and pertains to something our readership will relate to. It doesn't have to pertain to coaching - you can write about how tough it is to balance a home life with your busy schedule. You can tell us about the difficulties that the school system puts on you making your job harder. Or you can tell us your favorite recipe that your family loves. What ever you want.
And for those of you who really want to get involved you can write and post your very own blog. Name it what yo want, write about what you want to write about. I have to believe that we have some coaches out there who would love a chance to vent every day. it doesn't have to be long - just what's on your mind.
Second - check out the new and improved forms. Not only can we tell you about a new form that we posted but also take you directly to that form instead of merely telling you the category. You can also submit a new form - directly from the "Forms" tab. If you're in the mood to share, just upload it - we do have to approve it to make sure it's clean - and it will appear in the proper category.
Third - the new forum section allows you to participate in all the gossip in the industry. We all know rumors fly in this business and this is a way to keep your fingers on the most recent pulse.
Welcome to the new and improved Coaches Closet - powered by Nfinity. The Official Shoe of Cheerleading.
Enjoy!!
David
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