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Coaching, Featured, Practice Tips, Tips

5 Creative Strategies to Engage Cheerleaders in Practice: Maximize Performance, Build Team Spirit

Posted on by Steve Pawlyk
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26
Sep
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Byline Steve Pawlyk

Steve Blog Circle

Byline Steve Pawlyk

By Steve Pawlyk

Published September 26, 2023

When you’re coaching cheerleaders, it’s not just about mastering the stunts and perfecting the routines. The real challenge often lies in keeping your athletes engaged, motivated, and focused during practice. A disengaged cheerleader is not only detrimental to their performance but can also impact the morale and cohesiveness of the entire squad. Welcome to YouHitZero, your ultimate hub for everything related to cheerleading. In this article, we’ll explore five creative strategies to engage cheerleaders in practice, making each session not just effective but also fun.

cheerleader-motivation

1. Gamification: Turn Drills into Challenges

Why It Works

Gamification involves turning ordinary tasks into competitions or games. It taps into the natural competitive nature of athletes and makes repetitive drills more enjoyable.

How to Implement

  • Stunt Bingo: Create bingo cards with different stunts and moves. As cheerleaders perform them correctly, they can mark off a square. The first to complete a row wins a small prize.
  • Skill Points: Assign point values to various skills and stunts. Cheerleaders can earn points for mastering them, which they can later exchange for team merchandise or other incentives.

Pro Tip: Keep it Balanced

Make sure the games are balanced to include cheerleaders of all skill levels. You don’t want to discourage beginners by making the challenges too hard.

2. Leveraging Data Analytics for Performance and Safety

The integration of data analytics in cheerleading is still in its nascent stages but holds immense promise. Advanced software can analyze videos of routines to provide invaluable insights into timing, formation, and even the biomechanics of each athlete. Not only can this data be used to enhance performance, fine-tune routines, and develop new stunts, but it can also be crucial for injury prevention. By understanding stress points and risky movements, coaches can restructure routines to be both stunning and safer. As technology advances, data analytics could become as integral to cheerleading as mats and pom-poms.

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Licensed Cheer Music for Competition Cheer Music

3. Social Media Challenges

Why It Works

Engaging cheerleaders through social media not only boosts team spirit but also builds a community around your cheer program.

How to Implement

  • Hashtag Challenges: Create a unique hashtag for your team and encourage cheerleaders to post their practice videos.
  • Live Q&A Sessions: Host a live Q&A on platforms like Instagram, where cheerleaders can ask questions about techniques, upcoming events, and more.

Pro Tip: Monitor Content

Ensure that all content aligns with the values and guidelines of your cheer program.

4. Incorporate Music and Dance Elements

Why It Works

Music and dance elements can inject a fresh dose of enthusiasm into practice sessions, making them more vibrant and enjoyable.

How to Implement

  • Customized Playlists: At IPP Music, we specialize in custom cheer music that can energize your practice sessions.
  • Dance-offs: Incorporate short dance-off sessions between drills to break the monotony and energize the team.

Pro Tip: Keep It Appropriate

Choose music and dance elements that are age-appropriate and align with the goals of your practice session.

Improve-Cheer-Skills

5. Peer Coaching and Mentorship

Why It Works

Peer coaching fosters a culture of mutual respect and learning, allowing more experienced cheerleaders to mentor newer members.

How to Implement

  • Buddy System: Pair up newer cheerleaders with veterans for one-on-one coaching.
  • Skill Swaps: Allow cheerleaders to teach each other specialized skills they excel in.

Pro Tip: Structured Feedback

Create a structured feedback system to measure the effectiveness of peer coaching and make necessary adjustments.

Engaging cheerleaders in practice doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With creative strategies like gamification, social media challenges, incorporating music and dance, and peer coaching, you can make each practice session a fun and effective learning experience. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to improve performance while fostering a strong sense of team spirit and cohesiveness

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IPP's Premade Mixes are USA Cheer Compliant and customizable!  Add Sound FX, swap songs, & more!  Add your Team Name to the mix for only $10! 

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1 minute cheer mix
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Featured, Safety, Tips

Unveiling the Myth: Your Weight is Not the Deciding Factor in Becoming a Cheerleading Flyer

Posted on by Steve Pawlyk
Unveiling the Myth: Your Weight is Not the Deciding Factor in Becoming a Cheerleading Flyer
08
Jun
Steve Blog Circle

Byline Steve Pawlyk

Steve Blog Circle

Byline Steve Pawlyk

By Steve Pawlyk

Published June 8, 2023

The cheerleading world is often fraught with misconceptions, and one of the most prevalent is the notion that a flyer’s weight is a determining factor in their role. This erroneous belief has persisted for years, suggesting that only those of lighter weight can become flyers. But it’s time to dispel this myth and reveal the truth: your weight does not matter when it comes to being a flyer in cheerleading.

Strong is the New Light

The narrative that a cheerleading flyer has to be petite to perform effectively overlooks a fundamental factor—strength. It’s not about the weight of the flyer; rather, it’s about the strength of the flyer and their bases. Bases must possess the strength and endurance to hoist and maintain the flyer at an elevated level, regardless of the flyer’s weight. Similarly, the flyer needs to have the necessary core strength and body control to maintain stability and perform stunts.

weight-in-cheerleading

Skills Over Scales

Cheerleading is a performance sport. This means that the grace, elegance, and execution of routines take precedence over other factors, including weight. A flyer’s ability to synchronize movements, exhibit flexibility, and execute stunts with precision are skills that cannot be measured on a scale. Therefore, the focus should be on skill enhancement rather than weight management.

Body Confidence is Key

Being a flyer requires an immense amount of confidence and trust, both in oneself and in the team. Body shaming, which sadly often comes from misconceptions about weight and role suitability in cheerleading, can damage this confidence. It is important to remember that body positivity and confidence play a crucial role in performance. They have a significant impact on how an individual carries themselves, interacts with their team, and performs on the mat.

Safety First

Weight does not correlate with safety in cheerleading, but correct technique and training do. Regardless of size, if a cheerleader is not trained properly or does not perform the stunts correctly, accidents can occur. Proper training includes learning to fall safely, perform stunts correctly, and communicate effectively with teammates. Safety should always be the top priority, not the cheerleader’s weight.

The moderator of the r/cheerleading subreddit recently banned questions about weight and flyers and had a particularly succinct and insightful comment on the subject:

“It’s entirely subjective. I’ve had flyers that were 90 Is that I couldn’t keep in the air because they weren’t good, and I have had flyers that were 140 Is that were easy to base because they were good. I’ve seen big people under stunts who just couldn’t get them up, and I have seen bean poles with tiny arms throw stunts all the way to extended single hand.”

– u/Pa5trick

Inclusivity in Cheerleading

Promoting the idea that only lightweight individuals can be flyers perpetuates unhealthy body image standards and excludes those who don’t fit this criterion. Cheerleading, like any other sport, should promote inclusivity. The flyer’s role should be based on an individual’s skills, strengths, and abilities, not on their body weight.

Conclusion

The belief that weight is a deciding factor in being a flyer is a myth that needs to be busted. It’s strength, skills, confidence, proper training, and a positive attitude that truly make a flyer in cheerleading, not their weight. Let’s shift the focus from weight to performance skills, and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for all cheerleaders. After all, the magic of cheerleading lies in the unity and strength of the team, not the numbers on a scale.

flyer-cheerleading-weight

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Featured, Tips

The Importance of Proper Nutrition for Cheerleaders

Posted on by IPP Music
Importance-of-proper-nutrition-for-cheerleaders
21
Jan
Steve Blog Circle

Byline Steve Pawlyk

Steve Blog Circle

Byline Steve Pawlyk

By Steve Pawlyk

Published January 21, 2023

As a cheer coach, you play a crucial role in the development and success of your cheer squad. One important aspect of your squad’s performance that you may not think about is proper nutrition. Proper nutrition is essential for cheerleaders to perform at their best, both physically and mentally. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of proper nutrition for cheerleaders and how you, as a coach, can help ensure that your squad is getting the proper nutrition they need.

Importance-of-proper-nutrition-for-cheerleading

First and foremost, proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy body weight and preventing injuries. Cheerleaders need to have enough energy to perform the demanding physical activities required in cheerleading, such as stunts, tumbling, and dance. A diet that is high in carbohydrates and lean protein, such as chicken, fish, and legumes, will provide the energy needed to perform these activities. Additionally, a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables will provide essential vitamins and minerals that are important for growth and development.

Proper nutrition also plays a crucial role in preventing injuries. A diet that is high in calcium, such as dairy products, will help prevent bone fractures and injuries. Vitamin C, found in fruits and vegetables, is also essential for maintaining healthy connective tissue, which can help prevent injuries. A diet that is high in antioxidants will also help to reduce inflammation, which can lead to injuries.

Proper nutrition is also important for maintaining the mental health of your squad members. A diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed, can help improve mood and cognitive function. A diet that is high in vitamin B6, such as chicken and turkey, can also help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

As a coach, you can play a critical role in helping your squad members to maintain a healthy diet by educating them about proper nutrition and providing them with healthy meal options. You can also work with a nutritionist to create a meal plan that is tailored to the specific needs of your squad members. Additionally, you can encourage your squad members to drink enough water and limit their intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.

In conclusion, proper nutrition is essential for the physical and mental well-being of your squad members. As a coach, you play a critical role in helping your squad members maintain a healthy diet by educating them about proper nutrition and providing them with healthy meal options. By ensuring that your squad members are getting the proper nutrition they need, you can help them perform at their best, both physically and mentally.

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Need Competition Music Blue

IPP's Premade Mixes are USA Cheer Compliant and customizable!  Add Sound FX, swap songs, & more!  Add your Team Name to the mix for only $10! 

SLAM artwork
Full_Out_130 mp3 image
1 minute cheer mix
WAKE UP THE FIRE
SLAM artwork
WAKE UP THE FIRE
Full_Out_130 mp3 image
1 minute cheer mix
Featured, Tips

Completion Mode Vs Performance Mode: Answering the age-old question of ‘Why don’t my flyers perform in the air’

Posted on by catweeden
Ipp Cheer Flyers
19
Nov
Youhitzero Logo Blanca Y Negro Butt
Youhitzero Logo Blanca Y Negro Butt
Cat Weeden Circle

Cat Weedon

 

Published November 19, 2018

Ipp By Linrd Short

Completion Mode Vs Performance Mode

Answering the age-old question of
‘Why don’t my flyers perform in the air’

Of all the valuable lessons I have learned through trial and lots of error in coaching, Completion Mode vs Performance Mode may be the most important. In an industry that not only puts a lot of emphasis on the aesthetic, but also assigns it a competitive value (performance, technique, creativity, showmanship, overall impression scores), teams scores don’t just depend on what they do, they depend on how they do it.

Ipp Cheer Flyers 2

As one of the creators and administrators of the Small Cheer Gym Association Facebook group, which is a fb community dedicated to Small Gym owners and coaches, the question, in many forms, that is asked constantly is “Why don’t my flyers perform in the air?” Its usually followed up with “they are flexible, work hard, the group is good enough to nail the stunt, but for some reason they never turn it on and create ‘A Show.’

For me the answer to this question lies in asking yourself are the focused-on Completion of the Stunt or the Performance of the stunt. Because it’s very hard for kids to do both.

In LuxeLand (the Luxe Cheer universe lol) we define being in Completion mode as: when the stunt group is concerned mainly with making it through the stunt. They are actively focused on getting from the starting point of the stunt or pyramid to the end.

  • The completion phase will vary per group on the team.

  • Some may be out of this phase fast, while others stay in it for a while.

  • In this phase they do not trust that they can make it to the end without concentration on every moving part of the stunt and most likely there’s one or two sticky parts of the sequence that they repeatedly miss.

Ipp Cheer Flyers 3

The most important thing to take away from being in completion mode, is that it will almost ALWAYS lead to:

  • A lack of timing across groups

  • Inaccurate building formations

  • Inconsistent performance from your flyers.

  • Increased stress or anxiety from the group or team

When the athletes are concentrating on just making it through, it leaves no room for details, faces, and growth. And the longer they stay in this place, the more likely you are going to start seeing bad attitudes, frustration, and anxiety from your team members.

As coaches, we put a lot of pressure and stress on ourselves to create and compete the most perfect, win-able routine from the start. We know the grids, the rubrics, the magic numbers and who our competitors are. And we know what skills it takes to be unstoppable. We also know the full potential of the kids in our programs. But knowing their full potential, or how they need to be pushed can cripple us.

So how do we get out of Completion Mode and move into Performance Mode???

1. EDITS

Modify the stunt or section of the pyramid that is causing the issue. If 2 out of the 3 groups have no problem with it, leave theirs and take out the 3rd. Knowing your magic numbers (the number you must hit in that section to score in the range you are going for) helps this tremendously. MAKE THE EDIT

2. KEEP THE KIDS IN THE LOOP

When you modify, explain. “Suzie, were going to take out your switch up lib and just do a straight up one for this event. We only need 2 not 3 to score high and I really need you to focus on nailing the dismount.” The older the team, the more likely they believe they know the scoresheet, remind them that their job is to trust your edits. Trust your gut and your edits.

3. REPETITION WITH POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Once you modify and get them on board, repetition is key! Have them do the modified section numerous times and point out the good, you as the coach, need to get excited for the good. Help them celebrate the little achievements and growth.

4. MAKE IT FUN!

Games, contests and candy will make superstars out of your tinys all the way up to your open college level athletes. Break up the monotony.

5. REMEMBER NOT TO MAKE YOUR ROUTINE ABOUT A SINGLE KID, SKILL OR SELECTION

If Suzie cannot hit a skill, or will not throw it, take it out and move on. I know it can be so frustrating, but you are letting the one skill or section define the whole team. You may not be in the range you want if you pull a skill, but what’s the likelihood it will be done correctly, if at all, on a competition day? Find another place on the scoresheet to make up what you lost. I.e Lose .2 in standing tumbling difficulty but gain .3 in technique with the ones who are solid.

Ipp Cheer Flyers 4

Once the kids KNOW they can all hit the routine that’s in front of them, you will immediately see a difference. The anxiety of uncertainty is what keeps them from rising to their full performance potential.

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