| ign="center"> | | | | cheerleader, one who is near the end of his or |
| Coaching a group of young cheerleaders can be a | | | | her competitive career, working with the |
| rewarding and fun experience. Teaching kids | | | | youngest cheerleaders as an assistant coach is a |
| cheerleading stunts and cheers, and then helping | | | | good way for everyone to get a feel for the |
| them improve enough to perform in competition | | | | new coach's abilities and dedication to coaching. |
| is a very proud feeling for any coach. But it's a big | | | | Get Certified |
| responsibility and requires commitment and | | | | - Each state has its own requirements for |
| training to be successful and respected by your | | | | certification, and no coach should be permitted to |
| cheerleaders. | | | | coach a team for cheerleading competition |
| Many cheerleading coaches are former | | | | without that certification. Doing so poses liability |
| cheerleaders who have aged out of competition | | | | issues for the coach and the gym. In addition to |
| or college cheer but want to continue to | | | | state certification, there are three major |
| participate in this exciting sport. There are many | | | | certification programs. These meet the |
| ways you can become a cheerleading coach and | | | | requirements for state certification in some |
| there are many first time coaches without any | | | | states. |
| background in cheerleading. Regardless of your | | | | - The American Association of Cheerleading |
| cheerleading experience, it's a good idea to | | | | Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) offer a |
| become active within cheerleading communities | | | | Spirit Safety Certification Program that consists |
| online to build a network and get tips. | | | | of lectures, required readings, and a timed exam. |
| Master the fundamentals & techniques | | | | The program focuses on safety, liability, medical |
| - If you aren't a former cheerleader yourself with | | | | responsibilities, and other topics related to |
| experience in cheerleading competition, learn as | | | | cheerleader safety. |
| many of the moves as you can and how to | | | | - The National Council for Spirit Safety and |
| teach them correctly. You will be demonstrating | | | | Education (NCSSE) offers core cheerleading |
| these cheerleading dance and cheer moves for | | | | classes in Principles and Ethics, Cheer |
| the kids in your program so make sure you | | | | Fundamentals, and Stunt & Tumbling I and II |
| practice them yourself and master the | | | | leading to Master level certification. |
| fundamental cheerleading stunts. You can also find | | | | - If you work for a private gym doing |
| many good cheerleading video tutorials online from | | | | competitive cheerleading, you can get certified |
| professionals for free | | | | through the U.S. All Star Federation. They offer |
| - Cheer Warm-ups and Drills | | | | six levels of certification and training includes |
| Make sure all of your cheerleaders are warmed | | | | hands-on demonstration and Practical Field |
| up before working on drills. V-ups, straddle-ups, | | | | Experience. |
| crunches, lunges, and squats will work the | | | | - First aid training is usually required for coaching. |
| abdominal and leg muscles which are essential for | | | | Even if it's not required for your program, a Red |
| high jumps. Also, make sure they warm up their | | | | Cross First Aid program is a good idea. |
| arms, shoulders, and ankles. Pushups are a great | | | | There are many resources for cheerleading |
| exercise to warm up and strengthen the arms. | | | | coaches available particularly online at free sites |
| - Great Cheer Jumping Drills | | | | like where they have hundreds of free skills & |
| Have your squad practice cheer jumps to counts. | | | | drills and tips for coaching cheerleading. You should |
| Use music to help them stay on the beat and | | | | also try to take advantage of some of the |
| have fun. Having the squad stand in a circle is a | | | | camps and conventions offered. The more you |
| good way to see if they are in unison on the | | | | know, the more you'll be able to teach your cheer |
| jumps. While they are jumping, you should call out | | | | squad. These programs typically focus on safety |
| the type of cheer jumps and count out loud. | | | | and you can never know enough about how to |
| - Once they are warmed up, have your squad | | | | keep kids safe while still having fun and learning |
| practice doing jumps into tumbling routines, such | | | | the proper techniques of cheerleading and dance. |
| as back handsprings. | | | | Report this article |
| - Cheer Tumbling Drills | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| Make sure each cheerleading member has been | | | | Source: |
| trained properly before practicing any cheerleading | | | | Republish this article |
| moves and that all cheer spotters know how to | | | | |
| spot each particular move. Once you pair each | | | | Ask a Question About this Article |
| cheerleader with a cheerleader spotter, circulate | | | | >> Homemade versus Jarred baby food at |
| around the gym making sure everyone, spotter | | | | the Supermarket. |
| and tumbler, is doing the drill correctly and safely. | | | | >> Am i pregnant |
| Start as an Assistant | | | | >> Need answer |
| - Some gyms start training their coaches while | | | | >> What would force a young man to |
| the future coach is still competing. Having an older | | | | mature? |