Rebuilding...

[CoachG]

I recently took over a high school squad that had a rough year last year. My understanding is that there were less than 15 urls that tried out and while our basketball team was advancing in the state tournament, the cheerleading squad was dwindling. We had 5 cheerleaders at our district and regional tournaments. Across town, the other high school in our very small town took a squad of over 20 to nationals at Disney. I don't know all of the history, but I know that changes must happen. I have lots of ideas and I am excited to see what is in store. Since I assumed the position as coach, tryout candidacy has gone up. Right now, there are about 30 girls trying out.

I want this to be a fun year for the girls. Ever more, I want it to be a year in which our squad can earn back the respect that they deserve. With that said, I'd love to hear ideas about what to do and what not to do to rebuild this squad. This is my first year coaching high school (I've coached middle school for several years) so I know there will be things to learn. I've never had to work with a booster club so I also need to know how to handle that.

 

[AllstarObsession]

I'm in a very similar position this year and would be interested to see what others say. I've also never worked with a booster club.


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[Mamarazzi]

I'm not a coach, but I was blessed enough to be part of what turned out to be an incredible rebuilding year for a team.

You definitely want to be very clear about what the past issues have been. Sometimes it's perception, sometimes fact, but if you can strive to not continue those problems, that will set a precedent.
Also, don't ever, ever, ever make anything a comparison to the "other" team across town. You are you. You want to make the best team with the best cheers, routines, whatever, that YOU can do. Go ahead and take every expectation off the table.
Help the team imagine themselves in a bubble and that bubble can grow. It can be beautiful and sparkly and get bigger and better, and that's all that matters.
Team bonding - not too much, not too little - working toward goals - not just cheer/skill goals, but fundraising, etc., serves a very valuable purpose.
If you can end the year with a legit team that had a BALL, you succeeded.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Go for clean skills they can execute well and work up from there. Don't try to push them for the harder/flashy things too fast or they could look like a hot mess and the kids won't be happy. Make sure they can hit clean and confident and they'll feel much better about what they are doing.

My kids this year started pretty simple level 1 stuff (we're school, so don't follow USASF, but for simplicity sake). Lots of knee level stunts and we worked up as they hit clean at each competition. By the end of the year we had prep level tick rocks, clean cradles and a couple who could twist cradle too. My kids were motivated all year and had a ton of fun cos they knew they could hit their skills clean. It also motivated them as I told them that if they hit clean we would add the difficulty. It gave them something to look forward to and work for. We also earned a lot of respect from other teams and our school community because we did hit clean and safe. It was an amazing year

 

[cheernerd5678]

Rebuilding is kind of what's happening with my school team right now. Even though people threw lib-flexibilities-full down at tryouts, we all started from the basics again. Varsity started with preps and JV started with thigh stands. We couldn't move on till we showed it with good technique and doing it their way (the way we set/clean, the way flyers catch on cradles, etc). I love it because in the past we were messy bc not everyone did things the same way, this makes me feel like we'll be more in sync and we'll be more solid since we didn't throw new bases/flyers straight into Libs and advanced stunts like in years past. Sure some girls will roll their eyes thinking they're too good for preps but I think it helps in the long run!
Other than that our new coach has just made her expectations very clear and been upfront with us about everything so we know what the game plan is, know the rules, etc (and it gives us no excuses if we break them because she explained them to us).


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[alexacheer2010]

Rebuilding is kind of what's happening with my school team right now. Even though people threw lib-flexibilities-full down at tryouts, we all started from the basics again. Varsity started with preps and JV started with thigh stands. We couldn't move on till we showed it with good technique and doing it their way (the way we set/clean, the way flyers catch on cradles, etc). I love it because in the past we were messy bc not everyone did things the same way, this makes me feel like we'll be more in sync and we'll be more solid since we didn't throw new bases/flyers straight into Libs and advanced stunts like in years past. Sure some girls will roll their eyes thinking they're too good for preps but I think it helps in the long run!
Other than that our new coach has just made her expectations very clear and been upfront with us about everything so we know what the game plan is, know the rules, etc (and it gives us no excuses if we break them because she explained them to us).


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Sounds like your coach is a great coach! Plus you need to make everyone realize that if you are doing preps now, early, then you obviously won't be doing them during comp season in a year!


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[cheernerd5678]

Sounds like your coach is a great coach! Plus you need to make everyone realize that if you are doing preps now, early, then you obviously won't be doing them during comp season in a year!


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Since Missouri sucks, our comps are in July and October :rolleyes: but still. I especially appreciate the emphasis on technique since my secondary base last year (I was main) was 10 feet away and holding zero weight so it was basically a one man :cool:


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[retiredl5cheer]

Rebuilding is kind of what's happening with my school team right now. Even though people threw lib-flexibilities-full down at tryouts, we all started from the basics again. Varsity started with preps and JV started with thigh stands. We couldn't move on till we showed it with good technique and doing it their way (the way we set/clean, the way flyers catch on cradles, etc). I love it because in the past we were messy bc not everyone did things the same way, this makes me feel like we'll be more in sync and we'll be more solid since we didn't throw new bases/flyers straight into Libs and advanced stunts like in years past. Sure some girls will roll their eyes thinking they're too good for preps but I think it helps in the long run!
Other than that our new coach has just made her expectations very clear and been upfront with us about everything so we know what the game plan is, know the rules, etc (and it gives us no excuses if we break them because she explained them to us).


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Love this. In college we had to "test" on any skill before we were allowed to move on. It had to be done on time with the proper counts (we had set counts to clap, dip, pull body positions/high v's, etc.) and had to be done with proper technique and a smile. You had to hit 3 times in a row perfectly to pass. We were allowed to practice higher level skills but we couldn't do them at games until we passed the test for them.

 

[AScheer]

When I took over my program years ago it was a train wreck. Parent ran, clueless/flakey sponsor, no rules, girls showed up when they wanted, and they didn't match. I went to watch the previous team at their last event before I was hired and the team of 12 had 1 scary prep and some didn't even know how to do a toe touch! This was at the end of their season so I'm not sure what they did all year!

I came in and laid out rules and expectations. Most importantly I followed through and did what I said I would. This is key!! We focused on setting goals and team building. We focused on being great game day leaders and worked some for competition. I let them do a mid-sized local one at the end of the season. We took baby steps and built it slow. The first year was rocky, but so worth it. The biggest thing is to push them but not set them up for failure. And celebrate their accomplishments! Don't compare them to the other school. Every year it grows. I knew from the day I took it over where I wanted the program to be, and each year is a stepping stone to it. Everything we do is working toward that big goal. Make sure you have your admins on your side and be proactive about keeping them in the loop! Over communicate, make sure the girls and parents know everything that is going on. Lastly document everything. It's in your best interest! Paper trails can be a good thing or a bad thing, so make sure anything you write/type will be something you are ok with everyone seeing!

And completely agree with basics. We are a highly competitive team but the very first practice every year starts with hang drills, preps and motion drills. We're so nit-picky that cradles and extensions aren't even moved onto for another practice or two. The old girls may be bored, but they know our process. It pays off so much when you're ready for full ups, tick tocks, and quick tosses later.



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[CheerBank]

From a parent's perspective - you now run the show. The booster club does not. If there are any parents telling you that things need to be done a certain way, let them know from the get go that this is a new chapter. I'm not saying to throw the baby out with the bath water, but just because things were done in the past, they do not have to be continued into the future if they are not what you want. Parents can be your strongest advocates and/or your worst enemies, but at the end of the day, it is your program.

And I cannot agree enough with @AScheer - communicate, communicate, communicate. Let the parents know what is going on. Let keep the AD in the loop. Let the cheerleaders themselves know. Email is a beautiful thing, it can reach everyone simultaneously and quickly.

Good luck with everything!