New to Cheer? Have No Fear!

Get Going. If you’re just starting out in cheer, congratulations! Making a squad is a great accomplishment and should be celebrated. As a new cheerleader, it is important for you to have a great deal of dedication. So you may not have the skills needed just yet to be where you want to be. That’s okay! Time, hard work and lots of practice will get you there. Seeking help from more experienced members will get you there. Working outside of practices is essential to build yourself up. Don’t do just the minimal. Exceed expectations and constantly push yourself to be better.

Accepting Criticism. The world of cheer can be a grueling place. You need to have a thick skin. If you cannot accept criticism from your teammates, how will you take it from coaches? If you can’t accept criticism from coaches, what happens if you lose a competition? Nobody likes being told that they’re wrong, but cheerleading is not all sunshine and rainbows. There is a lot of critical hard work that’s put into each and every member of the team. Not one top all-star cheerleader woke up one day and started throwing top skills out on the floor. They worked hard to get there.Remember that you have a large support system of teammates, coaches, parents and friends. Their criticism is meant to push you even further and ultimately shape you into a better athlete.

Even if you think you don’t need practice, you do. Maybe you have a few more skills than the group you’re placed in at the moment. However, you were placed in that group for a reason. Work it!  Be a leader. If you have some skills, show the others. Cheerleading is not a sport where you can just take a break. Have someone critique you and learn from your mistakes. Ask yourself what you can do to become better. Ask your coach at the end of every practice what needs the most work. You should constantly be pushing yourself. Constant perseverance will make you and your team better and stronger overall.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  It can be quite frustrating when you are unable to get a skill. There’s pressure from coaches, teammates and sometimes parents as well. If you need some extra attention, ask your coach to show you how to perfect your skills. If you feel that you don’t understand the way the coach is showing you, work with a vet to learn the skills you need the most help with. Sometimes a teammate can be more relatable and be able to show you a more effective way of approaching a skill. This is not saying you’re a failure, or that you aren’t any good. It’s a smart way of approaching something you’re dedicated to perfecting. Doing this will earn the respect of your coaches and teammates alike. It shows that you’re willing to do everything you can to become better.Remember to never give up and to have as much fun as possible!