- Jan 21, 2015
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By: Shane Womack
There’s always room for improvement as an athlete in All Star Cheerleading. All Star is very different from high school cheerleading and is extremely competitive, but the rewards are plentiful once you get involved. We’ve compiled a list of eight ways for you to prepare yourself to be a better athlete for the 2015/2016 all star cheerleading competitive season.
So, Here we go.
1. Know Your Level
Face the facts and don’t skew reality. You know what skills you have and “working” on them doesn’t mean that you’ve mastered the ability for your appropriate level. A good justification for knowing that you’ve mastered a skill is knowing without a doubt that you can hit that skill without a bobble, step or fall. Mistakes happen, but you should be 150% confident in your individual performance. Especially before performing it at competition. Talk with your coach on what skills you may or may not need to focus on advancing.
2. Learn the Rules
Do you know the max tumbling skills you can perform in Level 3? If you really want to be the best athlete you can be, then familiarize yourself with the USASF Rules before competition this season. Education is important, and knowing the differences of what your performing versus the competition will definitely help you in the long run.
3. Know Your Strengths
Sit down and make a list of your strengths and weaknesses, this will help you know the skills that you’ll need to work on to help your team reach your goals. The best part of a cheerleading routine is seeing the diversity along with how well each individual comes together as one to work together as a team. Spend an hour a day going over your eight counts, dance and motions in front of a mirror. This will help you be confident in your performance when it’s time to take the mat at any level.
4. Turn I Can’t into “I CAN.”
Turn your doubt into motivation. Before you say those dreaded words “I can’t” and start training your mind to a positive outlook. Athletic skills are supposed to be difficult to master, that’s what practicing is all about. You’ll only end up as a better athlete in the long run.
5. Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition
Let’s face it, whether people are willing to admit it or not, cheerleading is a high level intensive sport. Our bodies require adequate fuel to perform at any level in competitive cheerleading. Study up on nutrition and kick out the junk food. Challenge yourself to train like a true athlete if you really want to be serious about who you are as a competitor.
6. Respect Your Coaches
Immediate satisfaction does not and will not happen in this sport. Respect the choices of your coaches and gym owners, they are the trained professionals who are in their position as a leader for a reason. Don’t forget to show them the respect they deserve at all times. You have to work for what you want.
7. Set Goals
Be realistic and don’t set yourself up for failure. Set attainable short term and long term goals. A good example for a summer goal would be to spend more time working on individual skills over the summer or even motivating your stunt group to work harder outside of practice. Talk to your coach or gym owner about scheduling some time on the floor outside of practice to work on your skills.
8. Think Before You Act
Set yourself out amongst your peers and be a role model. Before you know it, you could be the athlete that’s motivating others to put in the work that you are. Set yourself apart and don’t fall into the negativity that social media can have on our image as well. Remember that what you are saying could and will be seen by a lower level athlete that’s looking up to you without you even knowing it. Be the change, be the change!
The post 8 Ways to Be A Better All Star Athlete appeared first on CheerDaily.com.
By: Shane Womack
There’s always room for improvement as an athlete in All Star Cheerleading. All Star is very different from high school cheerleading and is extremely competitive, but the rewards are plentiful once you get involved. We’ve compiled a list of eight ways for you to prepare yourself to be a better athlete for the 2015/2016 all star cheerleading competitive season.
So, Here we go.
1. Know Your Level
Face the facts and don’t skew reality. You know what skills you have and “working” on them doesn’t mean that you’ve mastered the ability for your appropriate level. A good justification for knowing that you’ve mastered a skill is knowing without a doubt that you can hit that skill without a bobble, step or fall. Mistakes happen, but you should be 150% confident in your individual performance. Especially before performing it at competition. Talk with your coach on what skills you may or may not need to focus on advancing.
2. Learn the Rules
Do you know the max tumbling skills you can perform in Level 3? If you really want to be the best athlete you can be, then familiarize yourself with the USASF Rules before competition this season. Education is important, and knowing the differences of what your performing versus the competition will definitely help you in the long run.
3. Know Your Strengths
Sit down and make a list of your strengths and weaknesses, this will help you know the skills that you’ll need to work on to help your team reach your goals. The best part of a cheerleading routine is seeing the diversity along with how well each individual comes together as one to work together as a team. Spend an hour a day going over your eight counts, dance and motions in front of a mirror. This will help you be confident in your performance when it’s time to take the mat at any level.
4. Turn I Can’t into “I CAN.”
Turn your doubt into motivation. Before you say those dreaded words “I can’t” and start training your mind to a positive outlook. Athletic skills are supposed to be difficult to master, that’s what practicing is all about. You’ll only end up as a better athlete in the long run.
5. Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition
Let’s face it, whether people are willing to admit it or not, cheerleading is a high level intensive sport. Our bodies require adequate fuel to perform at any level in competitive cheerleading. Study up on nutrition and kick out the junk food. Challenge yourself to train like a true athlete if you really want to be serious about who you are as a competitor.
6. Respect Your Coaches
Immediate satisfaction does not and will not happen in this sport. Respect the choices of your coaches and gym owners, they are the trained professionals who are in their position as a leader for a reason. Don’t forget to show them the respect they deserve at all times. You have to work for what you want.
7. Set Goals
Be realistic and don’t set yourself up for failure. Set attainable short term and long term goals. A good example for a summer goal would be to spend more time working on individual skills over the summer or even motivating your stunt group to work harder outside of practice. Talk to your coach or gym owner about scheduling some time on the floor outside of practice to work on your skills.
8. Think Before You Act
Set yourself out amongst your peers and be a role model. Before you know it, you could be the athlete that’s motivating others to put in the work that you are. Set yourself apart and don’t fall into the negativity that social media can have on our image as well. Remember that what you are saying could and will be seen by a lower level athlete that’s looking up to you without you even knowing it. Be the change, be the change!
The post 8 Ways to Be A Better All Star Athlete appeared first on CheerDaily.com.
