Coaches Closet Blog

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!

 

• Read More »

 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!

• Read More »

 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?

• Read More »

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

• Read More »

 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!

• Read 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

• Read More »