I do not claim to be the ìexpertî in the dance field. On
the contrary, I have met and continue to meet many incredible
people who continue to teach me.Ý Instead, my intention
is to share the information that I have gathered over the
last fourteen years to assist other coaches along their
way.Ý To reach out to other coaches who have that desire
to be better.Ý I have searched for answers to my questions
in bookstores and on line and I have never found them.Ý
I decided it was time to start moving towards helping others
seek the knowledge that I have worked relentlessly to develop,
the wisdom that I have been handed from the words of others
whom I have admired in the field.Ý I hope that you can find
a new idea or point of motivation for yourself or your team.Ý
Hopefully you will find this to be beneficial in your endeavor.Ý
I wish you success and happiness in this ever-changing field
of competitive dance.Ý Good Luck!Ý ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ
Everyone should have a bases for their program, a philosophy
that all else stems from in order to have a central vision.Ý
My coaching philosophy has changed over the years but my
strongest belief has remained the same.Ý It embodies the
principle that if you are going to do something, you must
do it well and that there should be no halfway.Ý If you
give your all, great things will follow.Ý If you are willing
to give 110% on the journey to your goals than you will
not accept anything less than greatness from yourself.Ý
However, it is essential to develop achievable goals as
an effort to improve.Ý When there are no goals to work towards,
it is as if you are spinning your wheels, never really getting
anywhere.Ý I have learned that on the road to success the
process of accomplishing each goal is so much more important
than the actual outcome.Ý The process is what you learn
from, what teaches you the most.Ý The outcome is just the
product of all your efforts.Ý If the outcome desired does
not follow the process, then what you have learned is a
change must be made.Ý By teaching your team this basic concept,
you are teaching them to learn from their efforts.Ý Coaches
that go only for the gold do not understand the importance
of process.Ý Those who understand and practice process have
more fun and generally success follows due to the fact that
you will enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
I have also found that it is how you approach your team
that makes them either winners or losers on the inside.Ý
Believe in them and trust that they will give their all,
all of the time.Ý Expect your dancers to do their best.Ý
The word CAN'T should not be allowed in your presence and
you should train them to believe that they CAN do anything
if they want to bad enough.Ý They will only limit themselves
by saying, ìI can'tî.Ý What they really are saying is, ìI
won'tî.Ý Expect everyone to try 100% of the time and they
will then expect that from themselves.Ý Let yourself believe
nothing less than what you want the team to believe.Ý Your
attitude as a coach is the foundation for them to build
on.Ý Choose to be positive and reward the good over criticism
and harsh words.
Although kindness is something you must be aware of, also
know that there is another role you play.Ý You cannot be
their best friend.Ý Doing so will result in poor decisions
or decisions based on personal feelings rather than what
is best for the team.Ý Have rules they must follow and enforce
them.Ý After all, discipline is one of the key ingredients
to a successful team.Ý Do not bend from the basic rule of
doing what is best for the team at all times. Your dancers
will respect that.Ý They will come to know you will listen
and make appropriate decisions from one person to the other
believing each dancer is just as important as the other
and treating them equally but understanding that each situation
is different and must be approached that way. Show respect
towards your dancers, their time, and their belongings.Ý
Then in return, they will extend that same respect back
towards you.Ý
Listening skills are extremely important in this line of
work.Ý After all, you are working with young adults who
are going through a maturation process that can be difficult
at times.Ý Dealing with mood swings is part of the job description.Ý
It is your job to give them good advice and to act as their
advocate but you must also play devilís advocate at times
to open up their eyes to a different way of seeing things.Ý
Work hard to have an "open door" policy with your
dancers.Ý They should feel free to come to you at anytime.Ý
It is a wonderful way to take care of problems.Ý It also
gives you a chance to find out what happens when you are
not there.Ý If the lines of communication are open then
when inner team conflicts arise, you should find out about
them almost immediately.Ý Once they are brought to your
attention, mediate a discussion between the dancers until
it is worked out.Ý
I have only touched the tip of the iceberg in this article.Ý
I outline in more detail the basis of my beliefs throughout
my book "Reach For The Starsî and my philosophy is
more evident.Ý However, these areas supply the foundation
for my program.Ý I form my ideas from these basic beliefs.Ý
Some I have learned from trial and error, other coaches,
or research.Ý Others have been revelations, times when I
have wondered why I hadn't ever done it before.Ý These usually
tend to be my strongest improvements.Ý I am and always will
be looking for ways to learn and grow as a coach.Ý As long
as I realize that there is always room for improvement on
myself than I will be able to expect the same from my dancers
and continue to expand my program.
MOTIVATION IDEAS
The dance season varies state to state but most teams I
know work several months longer than the traditional sport
season.Ý Several of you may experience team burnout due
to this long season but motivation can be the driving force
that keeps you going. It is the key to success.Ý Keeping
your team motivated is a daily challenge but one that is
extremely important and invaluable.Ý When it comes to dance,
motivation plays a big role influencing success or failure.Ý
My favorite part of coaching is motivation.Ý I love to visit
with the team, to change their perspective, to open their
eyes so they see new things, to turn the negative into a
positive, and to help them grow into well rounded adults.
Most teams need to bond emotionally before they can be
successful.Ý One way to do this is by having ìteam talk
timeî or ìT-timeî.Ý This does not mean that they just sit
and visit.Ý It means that you facilitate a meeting with
your team and they participate.Ý You do not lecture to them,
but rather encourage participation from them in your conversation.Ý
This helps them feel involved during the team discussions
and be ready to dance hard for each other when it is through.Ý
The key is to keep it positive and directed towards your
team goals.Ý My version of ìT- timeî is spending five to
ten minutes a day on a special quote and how it applies
to the team.Ý I read it twice, we discuss it as a group,
and I read it again at the end.Ý We have great conversations
about where we are headed, our own personal beliefs, teamwork,
dedication, perseverance, friendship, sportsmanship, etc.Ý
I see every practice day as an opportunity to teach my team
what life is all about.Ý I am not their coach for dance
team alone.Ý I am a person who can make a difference by
coaching them for life through the realm of dance.Ý When
they are learning while they are doing something they love,
it wonít be seen as learning.Ý We do not have tests.Ý They
do not need to read a chapter.Ý There is no work involved
other than that which requires them to think about how the
discussion applies to them and give their input if they
have something to add.Ý I teach tolerance and point out
individuality as a benefit, believing they all have something
valuable to offer.Ý
In the end we are motivated to work hard for one another.
My girls bring me quotes often.Ý They are in the habit
of using them to motivate each other and themselves.Ý Now,
that is the best reward of teaching anyone anything.Ý To
see them use it when they don't know I am there or to see
their own enthusiasm when they have discovered something
they feel applies to our mission.Ý I see how proud they
are of themselves and I beam.Ý When one of my past dancers
calls, comes over to visit, or emails me and tells me that
they found an awesome quote that made them think of the
team, then I know we have done it together.Ý We have found
a lasting way for them to motivate themselves, one that
is proven over and over throughout their lives.Ý
I know that when my girls leave my team they are confident.Ý
I have worked to build them up for years.Ý They have learned
how to deal with so many life situations.Ý Not to say that
we donít have hard times.Ý When cuts are made and a dancer
does not make the competing team it is hard and crushes
most of them temporarily but they bounce back stronger.Ý
They are aware that life is not always easy and they will
not always get what they want the first time around.Ý Sometimes
dealing with adverse situations like cuts can make them
stronger.Ý It is my job to teach them that.Ý When they graduate
I feel as if I have had a part to play in sending them out
into the world.Ý Even though I don't get to see how it works
for them later on in their lives, I trust that it makes
a valuable difference and that keeps me doing it.
There are many different things I do with my team to help
them stay motivated beside daily quotes.Ý Here are a few
tips that I have tried at various points over the years
to help alleviate some of the burnout and motivate my dancers.Ý
I hope that you find them useful.
Watch Half and Half:Ý When you feel your team needs
a little extra motivation, let them watch half and half.Ý
They will perform better for their peers as it gives them
an audience.Ý I usually set them up in pairs and one group
watches their partner.Ý When she is done performing they
discuss what she did good and/or incorrectly.Ý After that
they perform again so their partner can see if they made
the corrections.Ý We do that with both sides.Ý It is definitely
NOT a waste of time. They are acting as team coaches as
well as spectators so it serves a double purpose.
Team Coaching:Ý Designate time for "team coaching".Ý
This is where you partner up dancers and they watch each
other dance or do technique such as turns and jumps.Ý Require
them to give at least two comments back to the ìstudentî.Ý
One on something the dancer executed well and the other
on a part of the move the dancer needs to execute better,
crisper, or cleaner.Ý It is amazing what they spot when
they watch each other.Ý I also like this because it gives
members on the team who wouldn't ordinarily give constructive
criticism a chance to do so as well as giving those dancers
who have a hard time taking constructive criticism a chance
to graciously accept it.Ý Have each dancer execute each
move three times in order for them to correct the mistake
that the ìteam coachî saw during the first critique time,
before they switched partners.Ý This teaches great leadership
skills!Ý They understand that it is important to get the
team and each individual to do their best!Ý They are very
good about giving constructive criticism and taking it.Ý
After all, they are all working towards the same team goal
of excellence.Ý By not telling someone what they are doing
incorrectly they are hurting the individual dancer as well
as the whole team.Ý The rookies are shy at first so pair
them up with each other until they are more comfortable.Ý
Then move them to a second year veteran rather than a forth
year veteran.Ý Team coaching gives each dancer a feeling
that she has helped motivate the team.Ý Each time the girls
feel personal responsibility for themselves and their teammates
they work harder and have a greater sense of pride as they
see their team get better and better.Ý I teach my girls
to coach because some will come back and coach with me or
end up with their own team someday.Ý I am training them
for that possibility.
Video Tape Regularly:Ý Have dress rehearsals and tape them.Ý
Then go watch and critique yourselves.Ý Compare your present
team to previous years or other teams in the area.Ý Point
out your strengths and weaknesses.Ý Look at the choreography;
see what works and what does not.Ý Check to see if you are
using your uniforms to their fullest.Ý Change the ordinary
into the extraordinary.Ý Have the girls watch the full team
on video first for those discussions.Ý Then have them watch
themselves and the girls in close proximity to see where
they are off or if any of their moves look different.Ý Have
them write these down and take them home to work on.Ý By
the next practice you will see a remarkable difference.
Try Something New: Even though it may seem that
you are time crunching to get those routines learned and
perfected take a minute to try something fun.Ý It may be
a team game (these usually can turn into a team learning
experience by the way), a chant, a cool new move that you
just want to try out, whatever!Ý It might take fifteen minutes
to a half hour but it will be well worth the time.Ý Your
girls will have fun with each other and may even learn something
meaningful.Ý Once you break up the monotony of practice
to spice things up, you will see the girls get excited and
of course motivation follows excitement.Ý
Set Goals:ÝWithout goals your dancers will have a hard
time finding a team vision.Ý When goals are set it puts
everyone in motion to move ahead.Ý Encouragement is often
needed to help them along the way but at least they have
a destination to travel to.Ý Once you set this in action
you will see your team reach new strides.Ý I have my team
set personal as well as team goals and we review them.Ý
At the end of this section you will find a goal sheet to
use with your team.
Talk Behind Their Backs: WHAT?Ý It is not as it
sounds.Ý It is a wonderful experience for your group and
I guarantee that it will bring your squad closer.Ý I suggest
using this prior to any major competition since many teams
experience team tension around that time which can translate
into conflicts among the girls.Ý This is a way to turn negative
energy into something positive.Ý Sit in a circle.Ý Have
one girl at a time turn her back to the inside of the circle.Ý
Go around the circle one by one and take turns saying a
sentence about the dancer whose back is turned.Ý Of course
it must be something positive.Ý Even those girls who do
not know or like each other very well are required to say
something nice.Ý As a coach it feels so good to see how
wonderful everyone feels when it is through.Ý Also, the
girls say incredible things about you.Ý The things that
they say may very well become many reasons to keep coaching
year after year.Ý
Have a Party: Schedule in a pizza party for an evening
in January.Ý Help the girls relieve some stress and be with
each other in an unstructured environment.Ý As you know,
not everyone on your team hangs around each other.Ý Some
of the "veterans" hardly know the "rookies".Ý
Require everyone to be there but schedule it far enough
in advance so that everyone can attend.Ý Have the girls
bring a variety of food to snack on.Ý Break those rules
about eating healthy just for just one night and do an old
fashion girls binge!Ý It is amazing the amount of fun girls
have when they are eating.
Watch Videos: Do this at the party or just during
practice.Ý Watch different championship videos from local,
state, or nationalís competitions (I bet at least one of
your girls has a copy of the tape!).Ý Talk about what you
see, the good, the bad, and the incredible.Ý Talk about
your expectations and theirs.Ý Point out what you mean on
the video.Ý The girls love to watch these and they are motivated
to improve when they are through.
Here is a breakdown of motivational tools to use at
various stages in your season.
Daily
1. Every day do a "quote of the dayî.Ý Have several
motivational books on success in your dance library.Ý There
are some wonderful and applicable quotes in these books.Ý
It helps the dancers stay focused on what is really important
and gives them building blocks for the rest of their lives,
not just today!
2.Ý Team cheers:Ý These are personalized cheers that you
can throw into practice to spice things up when you are
tired.
Weekly
1.Ý Have the dancers come to the circle and take turns
responding to questions you ask such as, ìWhat does dance
team mean to you?î, ìWhat does dance give to you?î, and
ìWhat do you give back to our team?î.Ý Other questions they
ask each other such as, ìWhat is the funniest thing that
has ever happened to you?î, ìWhat are your likes?î, ìWhat
are you dislikes?î etc...
2.Ý Play games to have a little fun and to stay motivated.Ý
ÝÝÝ Here are a few ideas.Ý
*Team Drill Downs:Ý This is a series of commands
thatÝprogress in a certain sequence.Ý If the dancers do
theÝmoves correctly they stay standing.Ý If they do not,
they sitÝdown.Ý Drill down to one standing member who then
comes up to call the next drill down.Ý This is a concentration
game.Ý You may also want to play drill downs where only
those who have never won can play, that way everyone will
win at some point.
*Furniture game:Ý All the girls get together to
make a room and create furniture out of their bodies, either
alone or with others.Ý Two designated people wait outside
of the area and come in to guess what room and what furniture
the team has designed.Ý This is great for working on teamwork.
* Maze game:Ý All the dancers except for one rookie
and one vet create a maze with their bodies.Ý The rookie
is then blind folded without ever seeing the maze and the
vet has to guide her through the maze by clapping in front
of her.Ý This is a great game for teaching rookies to trust
vets and teaching vets to lead rookies.
*Circle game: Just for fun my team plays a circle
game called "We're Going To West Fargo".Ý The
lyrics are:
Weíre goiní to West Fargo, to see a team prepare,
Theyíre called the Packatahnas so other teams beware.
Shake it, shake it, shake it. Shake it if you can,
And if you cannot shake it, than do the best you can.
Round, round, round she goes, where she stops nobody
knooooows.
You may have heard it before to "We're Going to Kentucky"
but we have changed the words to personalize it.Ý Begin
by standing in a circle with one dancer in the middle.Ý
During the song she closes her eyes an turns around.Ý When
she stops the person she is pointing at joins her in the
circle.Ý Do this over and over continuing to pull more dancers
into the circle.Ý Continue until the whole team is in the
ìmiddleî.Ý
Monthly
1.
Goal setting:Ý Every month have the girls set a personal
and team goal in writing and then write a plan to achieve
that goal.Ý They hand them in and the coach reviews them.Ý
At the end of the month, the coach gives them back and the
dancers check to see if they met their goal.Ý Then they
write a new one if they have achieved it.Ý If they have
not achieved the goal they figure out a new plan to achieve
the past goal. Attached at the end of this article is a
goal sheet you can use with your team.
2.Ý Secret Sis:Ý Choose a name from a bucket and give
motivational notes or treats to that person all month.Ý
At the end of the month share who your secret sis is.
Seasonally
1. Birthday buddies:Ý This works the same as secret
sis but is only done once a year.Ý If a dancer has a birthday
outside of season then she makes up an alternate birthday
date.Ý On the practice closest to the birthday, her buddy
brings treats and the team sings to her.
2. Secret Santa:Ý This works just like secret sis
as well but at the Christmas party you bring a present for
your buddy and take turns guessing who your secret Santa
is.
3. Talk Behind Your Back:Ý Explained in the previous
section.
Outside Of Practice:
One of my strongest beliefs is that a team needs to spend
quality time together outside of practice to really develop
close relationships with each other.Ý They need to experience
all team members and coaches on a personal level to really
know their teammates.Ý A close team with well-developed
relationships will work harder for each other and will therefore
be more successful on the whole.Ý Once they are true friends
they completely understand that there is NO ìIî IN TEAM!Ý
They not only work hard to achieve their own goals but also
their teammatesí goals.Ý Some things to do outside of practice:
1. Go to camps
2. Hold slumber parties
3. Lip sync parties
4. Pizza parties
5. Go to dances or watch movies together
GOAL SHEET
To be used for either dance or academic goals.
An indisputable truth to
life and its successes is that we must decide what we want
and how to get it!
(Angie Lund J)
Name: ________________________
Date Written: __________________
Date We Want Goal To Be Completed: ___________
Personal Goal: __________________________________
How will you work to achieve this?Ý What will you do?
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Review Date: ___________________
Was Goal Completed? ____________
If notÖhow can you change the goal or process to get to
your goal? _______________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Comments or questions to coach:Ý _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Comments from coach to you: __________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
**If you donít know where you are goingÖhow can you expect
to get there?Ý (Basil S. Walsh)
**People with goals succeed because they know where they
are going.Ý (Earl Nightingale)
GETTING PAST THE BUMPS IN THE ROAD
All of us experience times in our lives, personally and
professionally, when we are faced with a situation that
causes us pain.Ý We can choose to dwell on what is happening
or find a way to get past it, learning from it, and becoming
a better person because of it.Ý After all, the most productive
learning we will ever do is learning that comes directly
from experience.Ý
The situation may result from a mistake that was made or
may be something that was not in your control.Ý If it is
a mistake, keep in mind that you are not perfect.Ý You WILL
make mistakes from time to time.Ý It is getting past those
mistakes and learning from them that will turn you into
a better person. If it is something that is out of your
control than try to learn from the grief that the experience
caused.ÝÝ If you try to turn every negative situation into
a positive one, you have done your best to remedy it.Ý This
doesnít mean you are not allowed to be angry, sorry, or
hurt.Ý Feel those emotions first.Ý Then, GET OVER IT!Ý Analyze
what happened.Ý Focus on your feelings.Ý Forgive yourself
and know that time heals all wounds.
During times like these a good friend, a supportive family
member, or an esteemed colleague may supply you with the
support you need to overcome the negative feelings.Ý You
need to see that you are still a good person.Ý Make sure
that your self esteem does not suffer.Ý If you look at any
great person in this world you would be fascinated at the
stories that person could tell about overcoming obstacles.Ý
Know that you are not alone, that everyone has been there
at one point or another, and thatÝ time will heel the situation.Ý
Have faith, believe in yourself, and persevere!
You may want to turn to motivational books during these
times and take the wisdom of others to help grow from the
situation.Ý Here are a few motivational quotes that I have
found that fit this section well.
On Faith:Ý Faith gives us the courage to face the
present with confidence and the future with expectancy.Ý
(Unknown)
On Belief: What the mind of a (wo)man can
conceive and believe, the mind of a (wo)man can achieve.Ý
(Napoleon Hill)
On Perseverance: History has demonstrated
that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking
obstacles before they triumphed.Ý They won because they
refused to become discouraged by their defeats. (B.C.
Forbes)
A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you
fail to make the turn.Ý (Unknown)
Donít QuitÝ (Clinton Howell)
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road youíre trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but instead you cry.
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you may, but donít you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When she might have won had she stuck it out.
Donít give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another go.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver lining on the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when youíre hardest hit,
Itís when things seem worstÖ
THAT YOU MUST NOT QUIT J
Dancer's PrayerÝ (Unknown)
It was right before the big one and the dancer said, "Excuse
me girls for just a sec while I bow my head."
And in the quiet of the room the dancer prayed, "Oh
God, if nothing hear me now, I know that fate is made."
"So, help us Lord in this one, it's the big one, man,
you see. If we don't place, that's it for us, please do
this, Lord, for me."
And as her body knelt in prayer, she looked up to the sky,
"And while I'm here and have some time, I need to ask
you why?
"The reason I can't help you win," the Lord just
then replied, "Is as you're asking me to win, so is
the other side."
"I'm everybody's father and I must not take one side,
so competitions are won all on your own or they would all
be tied."
"But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't pray,"
He answered her with care. "You can pray that dancers
don't get hurt and that all the points are fair."
"And then I won't just watch you dance, I'll bless
it with my care, because, dear dancer you need to learn
that life's not always fair."
And while the dancer heard His voice, she bowed her head
in prayer, "I pray for fairness," said the girl,
"And for your tender care."
"You shall be blessed," the Lord replied, "Your
team and you the same,î and as He left her kneeling there
His tender voice sang...
"Dance, dance, wherever you may be, I am the Lord
of the dance," said He, "and I'll lead you all
wherever you may be, and I'll lead you all in the dance,"
said He.
Opportunities:Ý They are all around us...there is
power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant
eye to discover it.Ý
ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ (Unknown)ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ
ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ
If You Think You are BeatenÝ (Unknown)
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you donít.
If you like to win but think you canít,
Itís almost certain you wonít.
If you think youíll loose, youíve lost.
For out in this world we find,
Success begins with a personís will,
Itís all in your state of mind.
If you think youíre out classed, you are.
Youíve got to think high to rise.
Youíve got to be sure of yourself before,
You can ever win the prize.
ëCause lifeís battles donít always go,
To the stronger or faster (wo)man.
But sooner to the later,
the person who wins,
Is the person who THINKS (S)HE CAN.
11 Things A Dancer Should Promise HerselfÝ (Unknown)
1.Ý To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace
of mind.
2.Ý To speak of health, happiness, and prosperity to every
person you meet.
3.Ý To make all your friends feel that there is something
wonderful in them.
4.Ý To look at the sunny side of everything and make your
dreams come true.
5.Ý To think only of the best, to work only for the best,
and expect only the best.
6.Ý To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
7.Ý To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to
the greater achievements of the future.
8.Ý To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give
every living creature you meet a smile.
9.Ý To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
10. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too
strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of
trouble.
11. To always point your toes.
Quotes
Excellence can be attained if you ....risk more than others
think is safe, care more than others think is wise, dream
more than others think is practical, and expect more than
others think is possible.ÝÝÝÝÝÝ (Unknown)
Pride makes us do things well but it is love that makes
us do them, to perfection. Ý (Unknown)
Coming together is beginning.Ý Keeping together is progress.Ý
Working together is success.ÝÝ ÝÝÝ(Henry Ford)
The only successfull substitute for work is a miracle.
(Unknown)
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.Ý (Unknown)
I Am Only OneÝ (Unknown)
I am only one, but I am ONE.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And what I can do, than I ought to do.
And what I ought to do, I will do.
I will do more than belong ñ I will participate.
I will do more than care ñ I will help.
I will do more than believe ñ I will practice.
I will do more than be fair - I will be kind.
I will do more than teach ñ I will enrich.
I will do more than give ñ I will serve.
I will do more than live ñ I will grow.
I will do more than talk ñ I will act.
I will do more than be good ñ I will be good for SOMETHING!
I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
DEVELOPING A STUDENT AS WELL AS A DANCER
As our seasons approach we all have high expectations and
goals we would like our team to achieve.Ý Like many of you
my goals center mostly on dancing.Ý However, I have created
a new goal for myself.Ý Not only will I expect excellence
from my team but I will also expect excellence in their
academic studies.Ý Academic achievement should be the main
priority for students of any age.Ý Dancing and other extra-curricular
activities offer many opportunities for personal and social
growth, self-esteem enhancement, and physical training,
and should be working to enhance the academic goals we would
like to see our teams reach.Ý They can work together rather
than become stumbling blocks for complete well-rounded success.
Dancers may become so excited and focused on their sport
that they loose the sense of other priorities such as studies.Ý
Your job as coach is to see the importance and gently help
them readjust their thinking.Ý It is a two-sided commitment.Ý
Academics come first and dancing must be obviously "extra"
- curricular.Ý After all, there are requirements that the
dancers must uphold to their school and an obligation to
each other.Ý If they get behind on their academic work it
will affect the team as well as them personally.Ý It is
your responsibility to check regularly to make sure your
dancers are on top of their work. Having an ineligible dancer
the day before a competition can be devastating to the team
so check often!Ý You need to reinforce good study habits
by what you practice as a coach.Ý Be sensitive to time for
studies when setting your practice schedule.Ý Give extra
time off around midterms and final exams.Ý Celebrate your
teamís academic success!Ý Set team academic goals, and check
regularly that you are sticking to them.Ý
In the end you will see that your dancerís will become
accountable for achieving academic success as well as success
within your team.Ý They will see you rewarding their school
achievements as well as their individual ones and will feel
proud to show you these successes as well.Ý Be their advocate
and encourage these efforts.Ý You will send a clear message
of the importance in their studies.Ý
