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1. Bring In Inspiration. Give a quick boost of encouragement to your mates by tacking up a new quote once a week. Find unique words of wisdom through a few quick searches on the Net.
2. Start Traditions. If youíre worried about keeping energy levels up during a long, winless season, keep your eyes peeled for the ìMost Spiritedî teammate and award her a special token after each game. Awards can be crafty, like a headdress, or simple, like a stuffed mascot. Since the award will be passed along for years to come, encourage each recipient to add a personal touch to the prize, such as a signature or sticker.
3. Honor Thy Teammates. Everybody gets a kick out of getting props for their accomplishmentsóespecially cheerleaders. After each practice, huddle up with your coach to determine who put in extra oomph. Lead the squad in a fun chant that youíve made up for the occasion, using that personís name. It will be like celebrating a birthday (minus the cake).
4. Plan For Pyramid Power. Devote a portion of practice one day out of the week to brainstorming unique pyramid ideas. Open the floor to allow everyone to take a stab at voicing his or her formation or transition idea. If the pyramid works, let the inventor name it. But before your team attempts these ideas, use your best judgment on whether theyíre within your squadís stunting capabilities.
5. Celebrate Your Feet. Sometimes all your squad needs is a good laugh to put it back on track after a particularly rough practice week. Once a month, pick a day to pay homage to your teamís hardworking feet by asking everyone to wear a pair of silly socks to practice.
6. Plan a preseason slumber party. This is a great chance for the squad to recap summer camp and just have fun without the pressure of evaluations.
7. Arrive early to practice, games and other events. As captain, youíre setting an example for your teammates.Coming in 10 minutes late because you had to catch up with friends in the hallway will only encourage your teammates to behave the same way.
8. Stay grounded. You may be the team leader, but youíre not the team ruler. Your teammates will respect you if you are approachable instead of intimidating.
9. Learn to listen. Youíre the liason between your teammates and coach, so itís important to retain the details of a situation or conversation. This is hard to do if youíre constantly interrupting or throwing in your two cents.
10. Pay attention to membersí strengths and weaknesses. Your observations will come in handy when itís time to place members into formations for sidelines and routines.
11. Spend a little time outside practice helping members who are struggling to nail a certain part of the routine. In doing so, youíll make them feel more at ease during the next practice, knowing that theyíre not holding back the rest of the squad.
12. Make a habit of introducing yourself to captains from opposing schools or gyms. Rivalry can be healthy, but only if itís friendly.
13. Educate yourself on the rules of the sports youíre cheering for. Nothing is more embarrassing than calling a defense cheer when your team is just about to score.
14. Organize a group gift or card signing in honor of a special milestone for your coach, such as a birthday or as an end-of-the-season thank-you. He or she will appreciate the show of appreciation.
15. Know your squadís limitations. Stunting and tumbling skills should only be attempted when members are good and ready.
16. Speak up to your coach if you notice anything out of the ordinary among squad members. Nipping problems in the bud will prevent headaches later on in the season.
17. Use good judgment when choreographing routines and selecting music.
18. Inappropriate lyrics and suggestive moves will only earn your program a poor reputation.
19. Provide positive reinforcement. If someone makes a mistake, itís OK to give constructive criticism; just make sure itís not critical. You donít want to wind up discouraging or, even worse, losing teammates.
20. Work on formations outside of practice. Wasting valuable time experimenting with Xs will only make your team grow anxious and allow practice to spiral out of control.
21. Start a phone tree. Itís the best way to communicate last-minute changes on your teamís schedule.
22. Encourage your team to work out outside practice. Conditioning before and/or after practice only accomplishes so much. Jogging, inline skating and bicycling are great activities to boost endurance levelsósomething your teammates will need when itís time to run the competition routine full out again and again.
23. Help recruit new members. Ask your coach if itís OK to hold an open practice right before tryouts so students can see if cheerleading is something that they want to get into.
24. 18. Keep a diary of what you want the squad to achieve each week. This will help to keep practices on target.
25. Take advantage of teammatesí talents. Donít be afraid to assign unofficial positions like Squad Illustrator for sign-making or Fitness Guru for conditioning.
26. Set goals with the entire squad. Spelling out clearly defined ones will help the team stay focused and driven throughout the season.
27. Believe in yourself. You may experience some bumpy days, but know that you have the ability to get through them.