First-Year Cheer Coach Survival Guide: Navigating Your Inaugural Season17 min to read

Scenario: Imagine it’s the first practice and you’re running a complex stunt sequence. Inside, your stomach is doing flips of its own. One stunt group struggles and all eyes turn to you. Instead of panicking, you take a deep breath, smile, and break down the problem step-by-step. The team sees your steady demeanor and dives back in with renewed confidence. By practice end, the stunt hits – and your athletes learned that you won’t flinch under pressure.

Practical confidence-builders:

• Prepare and plan: Walk into practice with a detailed plan. Preparation breeds confidence. If you know what you want to accomplish each day (from stretching, to drills, to full-outs), you’ll spend less time second-guessing and more time coaching.
• Leverage your strengths and experience: Whether you were a collegiate cheerleader or a studio dancer, draw on what you know. “One of the biggest differences between my mom and I as coaches is that I have cheered and competed at the highest level… I think this allows me to be more black and white at times,” says University of Mississippi’s head coach, Ryan O’Connor. If you can still demonstrate a motion or flip, do it! Showing expertise (or even sharing stories of past challenges you overcame) earns respect and reassures you do know what you’re talking about.
• Find a mentor and network: Don’t hesitate to reach out to other coaches for advice. Many veteran coaches remember their first-year struggles and are happy to help. “The more contacts you can make as a coach, the better. We can’t do this alone and most coaches are always happy to help!”. Watching experienced coaches or having an industry mentor gives you a safety net and a sounding board, boosting your confidence when facing new situations.
• Adopt a growth mindset: Confidence for a new coach also means being okay with learning on the job. There will be days when a pep talk falls flat or a formation tweak doesn’t work – that’s normal. Take it from successful coaches who view setbacks as lessons. Monica Aldama, after a rare defeat, allows herself a short pity party then gets back to work: “I allowed myself to be sad… and as soon as I felt like I had, I was like, Okay, now we’re ready to go… you can’t ever stay in that moment”. Treat each challenge as a chance to improve.

By investing in preparation, projecting assurance, and embracing continuous learning, you’ll gradually turn that “imposter syndrome” into hard-earned confidence. And as your self-belief grows, so will your team’s trust in you.

Scenario: A few weeks into the season, you notice some of your athletes arriving late or giggling while you’re giving instructions. As a new, young coach, you worry about coming off too strict – but you also know this can’t slide. In the next team meeting, you calmly restate the attendance rule from your handbook and why it matters (“We can’t improve if we don’t all commit to being here on time”). You also pull aside the giggling group after practice, not to scold, but to let them know you value their energy – just not during important explanations. The result? The team refocuses, and even those initially testing boundaries realize you’re serious but fair.

Tips for establishing your authority:

• Start with structure: In your first team meeting or parent meeting, outline how you will run the program. Discuss team rules, practice schedules, communication channels, and your coaching philosophy. A clear structure from day one signals that you’re organized and professional. According to Varsity’s new coach guide, “The key to a successful year is communication!” – be proactive in explaining your vision and expectations. It’s easier to be seen as an authority if everyone knows the playbook.
• Be firm, not frazzled: Issues will arise – an athlete talks back, a parent questions your choreography, or the squad has an off-day. Stay calm and address each issue with a level head. Veteran high school coach Donna Martin (who led Dunbar HS to multiple national titles) learned through experience to pick her battles and give second chances when appropriate. “I have a little more experience with all kinds of situations. I feel like I probably give kids more chances where Ryan (my daughter coaching college) is more strict. Of course, kids are younger in high school… some situations may be more on the parent than the child,” Donna notes. Her advice underscores that authority can be flexible based on context – younger athletes sometimes need guidance more than punishment. You can enforce rules and show understanding.
• Earn respect through expertise and effort: Especially if you’re a young coach or stepping into big shoes, you might feel you have to prove yourself. Focus on what you bring to the table. Maybe you have superior tumbling knowledge, fresh choreography ideas, or simply an infectious passion. Pour that into your coaching. Athletes respect coaches who make them better. For example, all-star gyms often use creative drills and technique focus to build credibility. “Always work with drills before they try the actual skill… If they can’t do the drill, don’t do the skill!” Showing that you prioritize proper technique and safety over showing off will earn athlete (and parent) trust. When your team sees that your methods lead to progress – that stunt finally hits or their jumps height improve – your authority grows naturally.
• Set the tone with team leaders: If you have senior athletes or captains, enlist them as allies. Have a private talk with them early on – communicate your goals and ask for their support in setting an example. Winning over veteran cheerleaders can make or break a first-year coach. They can either become your biggest advocates or your biggest hurdles. By respecting their experience and empowering them (perhaps letting a captain run warm-ups or lead a bonding activity), you show you’re confident enough not to rule with an iron fist. In turn, they’re more likely to back you up when you enforce rules, creating a culture of peer accountability.

Finally, remember that respect is a two-way street. Treat your athletes with respect – listen to their concerns, acknowledge their hard work – and they will return it. A new coach who is consistent, fair, and caring will quickly dispel any notions of being a push-over. As college coach Ryan O’Connor famously reminded her team, “You need to sacrifice for this team, or this team will be the sacrifice…”. By establishing a standard of dedication and mutual respect, you lay the groundwork for a unified squad that’s ready to follow your lead.

Scenario: Mid-season, one of your cheerleaders, “Alyssa,” who was normally full of energy, seems withdrawn and is struggling with her tumbling. Rather than write her off as lazy, you pull her aside after practice. She confides that academic stress and a sprained wrist have her feeling low. You adjust her role for the upcoming game to ease the tumbling load and pair her with a buddy for homework sessions. Over the next few weeks, Alyssa regains her confidence – not just because her wrist healed, but because she knows her coach cares about her well-being. The whole team notices the support, and a culture of looking out for one another grows.

How to build a supportive, effective coaching style:

• Get to know each athlete personally: Building personal relationships is not a waste of time; it’s the bedrock of effective coaching. The head coach of the legendary Cheer Extreme emphasizes, “Every individual is different and therefore needs a mix of personalized and general training.” Take time to learn your team members’ personalities, what motivates them, and what might be happening in their lives. Who thrives under pressure? Who needs a confidence boost after a mistake? Showing you care about them beyond just hitting a stunt creates trust. Athletes who feel valued will go the extra mile for you and the team.
• Be approachable and empathetic: A common mistake for first-year coaches is trying to be too strict or distant in order to establish authority. In reality, you can be both respected and approachable. Monica Aldama balances these roles as a “friend” and “boss” simultaneously: “It is a friendship, but at the same time, it’s a respectful friendship, where you know that I’m still the person that’s going to be bossing you around… You also find that they’re all different; some want you to be tough with them and then if you use that same approach on someone else, it’ll just tear them down. I really try to figure everyone out.” The takeaway? Adjust your coaching style to the individual. If one flyer responds well to tough love but another shuts down, you’ll get better results by tailoring your feedback. Being empathetic doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means you deliver critiques in a way each athlete can absorb. For instance, after a fall, one cheerleader might need a fiery “get up, you’ve got this!” while another might need a gentle “shake it off, I believe in you.”
• Positive reinforcement goes a long way: “Celebrate small and big achievements” – Triple Threat KC. Shout-outs, high-fives, and celebrating small victories can transform your team’s mindset. A culture that “celebrates small and big achievements” fosters confidence and self-assurance in athletes. Something as simple as ending practice with each team member sharing one thing they’re proud of that day can keep morale high. When mistakes happen (and they will), correct them, but also point out what is improving. For example: “The pyramid dip was off-count, but I love the height you’re getting – we’ll fix the timing next practice.” This tells athletes you see their effort, not just their errors.
• Team building and unity: A supportive team is a connected team. Plan activities that bond your athletes. It could be as involved as a weekend team retreat, or as simple as a goofy game at practice warm-ups. Many top coaches insist that a close team is a team that will have a successful season. When your athletes trust each other, they catch tighter and cheer louder. You can facilitate this by creating a “big sister/little sister” buddy system, doing occasional fun practices (like swapping routines with the dance team for a day), or having a tradition where team members anonymously exchange uplifting notes before competitions. These efforts might seem extra, but they pay off in athletes who feel supported like family. And when issues like cliques or bullying arise, address them immediately – make it clear that your team succeeds and fails together.

Above all, lead with compassion and positivity. Cheer Extreme founder Courtney Smith-Pope built one of the most successful all-star programs by treating athletes like family. When asked about this, Courtney said “We’ve helped a lot of kids… and have been able to have a positive influence on athletes to help them achieve their goals and dreams… Our biggest dream is to pass on the boundless love we got from our mom and dad onto the kids we have the honor to coach,” In your first year, set the tone that you are there to lift athletes up. When they feel safe and inspired, they will reach new heights – literally and figuratively – and you’ll be known as both an effective coach and a trusted mentor.

• Keep the big picture in mind: Early in your coaching journey, it’s easy to get tunnel vision on the next competition or the current stunt sequence. Don’t forget why you (and your athletes) are here: love of the sport and personal growth. If you lose a competition, use it as a learning experience rather than a confidence killer. If you’re exhausted mid-season, remember that the influence you’re having on these young people goes beyond a trophy. As John Davenport Knowles reminded coaches, we’re teaching life lessons – things like teamwork, perseverance, and leadership that will stick with your athletes far longer than any trophy polish.
• Persevere and strive for excellence: Set the tone that your team will work hard and finish strong, no matter what. Monica Aldama’s hallmark motto from Navarro College is a great mantra to share with your team: “You keep going until you get it right, and then you keep going until you can’t get it wrong.”This champion mindset – practice, refine, perfect – shows your athletes that excellence comes from dedication. It will inspire them and you to push through rough practices because the end goal is worth it. However, also balance that drive with knowing when to rest. Sometimes the best thing you can do during a stressful week is call a practice early and do a team ice cream social to rebuild spirits. A fresh, recharged team will outperform a burned-out one every time.
• Celebrate the journey: Finally, take time to acknowledge small wins and memorable moments. Your first pep rally as a coach, the first time the team sticks a routine full-out, or even the first time a shy athlete finds her voice to lead a cheer – these are huge milestones. Successful coaches are passionate, but also grateful. As you navigate your first year, keep a journal or log of things that went well. You’ll be amazed at how these reflections build your confidence for year two. Plus, showing enthusiasm and gratitude rubs off on the team. As the Stingray All-Stars like to say, “Confidence is contagious,” and so is passion. If you demonstrate love for the sport and for your team, they will mirror it right back to you.