The Cheer Coach’s Toolkit: Essential Resources and Tools for Success7 min to read

Training Aids

Spring Floors

Why It’s Essential: A quality spring floor provides the necessary bounce and cushioning, reducing the risk of injury. The springs absorb the impact, allowing athletes to perform high-flying stunts and complicated tumbling passes with a lower risk of injury.

How to Employ: When selecting a spring floor, consider factors like spring density, foam thickness, and surface material. Make sure it meets the safety standards set by cheerleading organizations.

Example: A spring floor with a carpet-bonded foam surface can provide both the grip and cushioning needed for intricate stunts and tumbling.

Tumble Tracks

Why It’s Essential: Tumble tracks are inflatable or foam tracks that mimic the feel of a spring floor but are portable. They are excellent for practicing tumbling skills without the hard impact on the body.

How to Employ: Use tumble tracks for focused tumbling practice. They can be set up in gyms, outdoors, or even at home for extra practice.

Example: Use the tumble track to practice back handsprings. The softer surface reduces the fear factor, encouraging athletes to commit to the skill.

Stunt Stands

Why It’s Essential: Stunt stands help athletes practice stunts safely by simulating the hands of bases. They are especially useful for training flyers on balance and body control.

How to Employ: Use stunt stands to isolate specific elements of a stunt, such as the flyer’s body position or the timing of the cradle.

Example: Have your flyer practice liberty stunts on the stunt stand to improve ankle stability and body alignment.

Software Solutions

Routine Choreography Software

Why It’s Essential: Choreography software allows you to design and visualize routines, making the process more efficient and collaborative.

How to Employ: Use the software to map out formations, transitions, and stunts. Share the visualizations with your team for better understanding.

Example: ProCheer software can help you visualize a pyramid sequence, ensuring that all athletes are in the correct positions.

Video Analysis Tools

Why It’s Essential: Video analysis tools like Coach’s Eye enable you to record and analyze performances, providing valuable feedback for improvement.

How to Employ: Record your team’s practice or performance and use the software to break down each element. Look for areas that need improvement, such as timing or technique.

Example: Use Coach’s Eye to analyze the height and form of basket tosses, providing precise feedback to your athletes.

Music and Audio

Customized Cheer Music

Why It’s Essential: Music sets the tone for your routine. Customized cheer music ensures that your soundtrack is unique, engaging, and compliant with copyright laws.

How to Employ: Work with a specialized service like IPP Music to create a customized mix that complements your routine’s theme and tempo.  You can get a fully customized mix, where you pick all the songs used and it’s fit perfectly to your routine, or you can go with a premade mix which is much less, cost-wise, and customize that with one of our many options, like voicoeovers or sound fx.  We’ll add your team name to the mix for just $10!

Example: If your routine has a “Superhero” theme, a customized music mix can incorporate iconic superhero themes with beats that match your choreography.  Alternatively, our premade mixes are sortable by their theme, so you can easily find the right fit for your routine 

Portable Speakers

Why It’s Essential: High-quality portable speakers are essential for practice sessions to ensure that the music is loud and clear, allowing athletes to catch musical cues.

How to Employ: Choose speakers with good battery life and sufficient volume range. Place them in a position where the sound evenly covers the practice area.

Example: Use a Bluetooth speaker with a built-in battery for outdoor practices, so you’re not tied down by power outlets.

Safety Gear

Mats

Why It’s Essential: Safety mats provide a cushioned surface for stunting and tumbling, reducing the risk of injury from falls.

How to Employ: Use mats for high-risk elements like pyramids or new stunts that the team is still learning.

Example: Place mats under the stunt group when practicing a new dismount to ensure a softer landing in case of a fall.

Wrist Guards and Ankle Braces

Why It’s Essential: These provide additional support to joints, reducing the risk of sprains and other injuries.

How to Employ: Athletes should wear wrist guards and ankle braces during both practice and performances for added support.

Example: Flyers can wear wrist guards to reduce the impact on their wrists during handstands or other weight-bearing elements.

Educational Resources

Coaching Clinics

Why It’s Essential: Coaching clinics provide hands-on training and insights into the latest techniques and safety protocols.

How to Employ: Attend clinics regularly to stay updated and network with other coaches.

Example: A clinic might introduce you to a new stunt progression method that you can implement to improve your team’s performance.

Books and Journals

Why It’s Essential: Publications like the “Cheer Coach’s Handbook” offer valuable insights into coaching strategies and athlete management.

How to Employ: Use these resources to supplement your knowledge and resolve specific challenges you may face.

Example: A book might offer strategies for effective team communication, helping you resolve conflicts and build a cohesive team.

Online Blogs and Forums

Why It’s Essential: Blogs like YouHitZero offer a wealth of information, from tips and tricks to event information and competition results.

How to Employ: Regularly read articles and participate in forums to stay updated and gain new perspectives.

Example: An article on YouHitZero about competition preparation could provide you with a checklist that ensures you don’t overlook any details 😉