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Coaching, Featured, Info, Safety, Tips

Legal Aspects Every Cheer Coach Should Know

Posted on by Steve Pawlyk
Legal-Aspects-Every-Cheer-Coach-Should-Know
18
Sep
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Byline Steve Pawlyk

By Steve Pawlyk

Published September 18, 2023

Being a cheer coach is not just about teaching stunts, choreographing routines, and winning competitions. It also involves navigating the complex landscape of legal responsibilities that come with the role. Understanding the legal aspects of cheer coaching can protect you, your athletes, and your cheer program from unnecessary complications. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the legal facets every cheer coach should be aware of, including liability, safety standards, and intellectual property rights concerning cheer music.

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Liability and Negligence

Duty of Care

As a cheer coach, you have a “duty of care” to ensure the well-being of your athletes. This means taking reasonable measures to prevent injuries and accidents. Failure to do so could result in a negligence claim against you or your cheerleading program.

Protecting Yourself

Here’s how to safeguard against liability:

  • Training: Ensure you have the necessary certifications, including First Aid and CPR.
  • Equipment: Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment.
  • Documentation: Keep detailed records of all practices, routines, and safety measures.

Insurance

Investing in liability insurance can offer an additional layer of protection. It may cover legal fees and damages should you face a lawsuit.

Safety Standards

Compliance

In the United States, the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) sets safety guidelines. Being well-versed in these standards is crucial.

Gym Safety

  • Ensure that the practice area is free of hazards.
  • Make sure athletes are wearing appropriate attire and safety gear.

Stunt Safety

  • Always spot athletes during stunts.
  • Do not attempt stunts that are beyond the skill level of your athletes.
 
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Licensed Cheer Music for Competition Cheer Music

Parental Consent and Waivers

Before an athlete participates in any cheerleading activity, it’s essential to obtain written consent from their parents or guardians.

What Should a Waiver Include?

  • A clear explanation of the risks involved in cheerleading.
  • A clause stating that the parent/guardian understands these risks.

Emergency Contact Information

Always have up-to-date emergency contact information for each athlete.

Transportation Laws

Driver Qualifications

Ensure that anyone responsible for transporting athletes has a valid driver’s license and has passed a background check.

Vehicle Safety

Regularly inspect vehicles to ensure they meet safety standards.

Intellectual Property and Music Licensing

Copyright Laws

When using music for routines, be aware of copyright laws. Using copyrighted music without permission can result in legal repercussions.

Customized Cheer Music

One way to avoid copyright issues is by using customized cheer music from reputable sources like IPP Music.

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Social Media and Privacy

Personal Information

Be cautious when sharing personal information of athletes on social media platforms.

Photos and Videos

Always obtain consent before posting images or videos of your athletes online.

Anti-Discrimination Laws

Equal Opportunity

Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or disability. Make sure your cheer program is inclusive and complies with these laws.

Harassment and Bullying

Create a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and bullying and ensure it is strictly enforced.

Understanding the legal aspects of cheer coaching is essential for the smooth operation of your cheer program and the well-being of your athletes. By being proactive and educated in these areas, you can focus on what you love—coaching and inspiring your team to hit zero and win competitions.

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Always consult with a legal professional for advice on your specific situation.

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Featured, Tips

How to have a Strong Standing Tuck (step-by-step videos)

Posted on by Matt Kelley
How To Have A Strong Standing Tuck
09
Oct
Ipp Contributor Matt Kelley

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By Matt Kelley

Published on October 9, 2018

Every week I receive questions about how to “make my standing tuck stronger?” I even ask for them to send me videos to give me a better opportunity to truly critique their form. The most consistent issue I see is with the strength of the athlete. 

So in this article I will describe some Core Exercises and some explosive leg movements that i’ve found to help my athletes over the past 15 years. Here are my recommendations to increase your core strength for a strong standing tuck:

Hanging tuck ups

We have a bar at our gym (demonstrated on the video), but if you do not, you can move 2 mats  close together, or 2 chairs and tuck your knees & shins up towards your head.
I truly believe this is the best core exercise for a stronger back tuck. An example of how many to do would be:
10 reps which equals 1 set, and do 4 sets
A variation of this would be to do a tuck up, and hold that tuck position squeezing every muscle you have, and holding for 20 seconds.

Hanging tuck ups

We have a bar at our gym (demonstrated on the video), but if you do not, you can move 2 mats  close together, or 2 chairs and tuck your knees & shins up towards your head.
I truly believe this is the best core exercise for a stronger back tuck. An example of how many to do would be:
10 reps which equals 1 set, and do 4 sets
A variation of this would be to do a tuck up, and hold that tuck position squeezing every muscle you have, and holding for 20 seconds.

Here are a couple of my favorite Explosive Leg Workouts, to help achieve a Strong Back Tuck:

Straight Jump onto an elevated Mat

Start by facing the opposite way of the mat, sit & swing and explode onto the mat. Make sure when you land, you immediately walk backwards.

Tuck Jump onto an elevated Mat

Similar to the straight jump, but add a tuck jump. Make sure your knees & shins go towards your head. Immediately walk backwards when you land on the mat.

Explosive Tuck Jump onto an elevated Mat

Start by sitting on a mat. Make sure your hips are higher than your knees when sitting on the mat. Next, Swing your arms up & jump/ explode through your legs. Hitting a tight tuck position. It is important to remember to land standing straight up & down when you land on the mat.
This is my favorite explosive Leg workout for a stronger standing tuck!
As a beginner, I would start with 20 reps. Doing this twice a week minimum. Each week add 5!

These are my favorite Core & Explosive Leg exercises for a Strong Standing Tuck!
I hope you all enjoy these!
My social media stuff:
Instagram: @KarmaReturns
Instagram: @MattFreakinKelley
Snapchat: Mkells5891

 

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Featured, Tips

Coaching tips to help keep your team injury free and more powerful

Posted on by Jason Mason
Coaching Tips To Help Keep Your Team Injury Free And More Powerful
21
Sep

Coaching Tips


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By Jason Mason

Updated September 21, 2018

You know what’s one thing that can really throw a wrench in your season?


An Injury


It always seems that just as all the gears are turning and your team is starting to gel that someone gets hurt.  Depending on the severity of the injury, you may now have to go back to the drawing board.  You know what this means.


Ipp Coaching Tips 1


New stunt groups, rearranging spots, athlete from ripple 1 now needs to remember ripple 3 – which she always forgets.  It’s basically a brand new routine.  You know what’s probably more frustrating than an unexpected an injury?  The fact that it probably could have been prevented.  How you ask?  Properly conditioning your team may be monumental in keeping your athletes injury free.  We’ve provided you with an easy-to-follow guide that help to reduce injury and keep your athletics more powerful.



1@1x


Develop a Dynamic Warm-Up/Dynamic Stretch.


This is to get your athletes muscles warm. It is best to stretch when muscles are warm versus static stretching.  This is also a great way to mimic movements that are performed during routines….and perfect them :)


Ipp Cheer Coaching Tips 5

Number 2 Ipp


Take a step back


Many times we go into a season with high expectations. This is great unless you skip over the basics.  Take a step back and look at your athletes movements and their strengths.


Do you see anything common among your athletes?  If so, that is a great place to start.  A couple common issues I see are Squatting ability, Shoulder/back flexibility, Core activation.


3@1x


PROGRAM OUT YOUR PRACTICE


Set time limits or set time aside for things that are important and must be accomplished. One being constant improvement on the athletes stamina and power production.  Yes, you are challenged when running a routine full out over and over….However, if your athletes are tired and start to practice bad form.  They are now teaching themselves improper mechanics which lead to injuries.  Save time at the end of practice or don’t be afraid to drop something from your practice and condition where the athletes can be successful by performing at their top ability at that time versus lifting, flipping, twisting etc.


Ipp Cheer Coaching Tips 4 3 Program Your


Ipp Cheer Coaching Tips 3


4@1x


Open to change


The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.  If you tend to have drops, weak tumbling, a sloppy second half of your routine or a mixture of these.  Then it might be time to have a second opinion review your teams.  This consultant should be knowledgeable both in fitness/health as well as understand the cheerleading/gymnastics/dance requirements.


Don’t be afraid of what they might tell you

It could be anything from a couple quick tips for fitness to changing/firing/moving staff members around so they are best utilized.  Sometimes people are placed or hired for a certain part of the job but are a better fit somewhere else.  By putting them where they belong it increases moral and helps them be a better coach.  This gets the athletes excited and doing what they need.  When athletes do what they need and are excited to be there….Well the results speak for themselves.


Number 5 Ipp


Add a strength training day


  • On this day your athletes will work on just strengthening their body. Athletes tend to do the same movements in a sport over and over again.  Strength training allows the athlete to increase the activation/strength of the opposite muscles that are typically used.  These create balance which not only will make them stronger but balance helps prevent injury!


Ipp Cheer Coaching Tips 99


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Featured, News, Tips

6 Exercises To Strengthen and Improve Your Back Tuck

Posted on by Jason Mason
Back Tuck Excersises
04
Sep

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By Jason Mason

Updated September 4, 2018

6 Excercises to strengthen and improve your back tuck

We all remember that first time landing our standing back tuck.




The feeling was amazing.  The set, the flip, everything finally clicked.  The moment you landed you heard all of your teammates and coaches screaming for you!  It was unreal.  Now it’s time to perfect that back tuck so that you can gain consistency, confidence and move on up the progression ladder to standing fulls.  Not sure of what exercises to do to strengthen your mind, body and tuck?  We’ve laid it out for you below.  Follow these awesome back tuck exercises to strengthen you back tuck so that can be ready to advance your skills to the next level!


Back Tuck Exercises

Back Tuck Excersises


  1. Box Jumps – This exercise helps change the distance in which an athlete sits.  Maximum height for a tuck is not achieved when they sit the same way they sit for a back handspring.  Typically the tuck is taught after the back handspring so teaching the athlete proper jump technique for maximum height is a must!
  2. Backward rolls – If you can’t do a backward roll how do you expect to be able to do it in the air and then land back on you feet?
  3. Snatch, Clean, Deadlift – These exercises promote triple extension.  That is full extension of the ankles, knees, and hips.  These movements done at a fast speed and with or without weight help promote the body mechanics needed.  Have you ever been jealous of someone who has never tumbled but is athletic and played other sports who just out of the blue throws a standing tuck?  It’s usually because they have all the building blocks from other sports.  Drill Drill Drill and your Skill will follow!





4. Knees over shoulders/Toes to bar (core)  a strong core and hip flexors are a must!  A standing tuck requires speed when rotating.  A strong core and hip flexors help increase your how fast you rotate.  If you do not have a bar or need less resistance to start.  Grab a panel mat, squeeze it above your head (smallest way), then roll up/leg lift getting your shins to touch the mat.

5. Hip Thrust/Glute Bridge –  Glutes are one of the assistant muscles that complement your quads and hamstrings in increasing your jump height

6. Jump Rope – Increasing calve strength and in a plyometric form.  Quick contractions, endurance, and improving upon another assistant muscle for jumping!


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