Cheerleading is more than just a sport—it’s a journey of teamwork, growth, and personal achievement. At Pegasus Cheer, we believe that success on the mat starts with learning and progressing as a team. As we start competition season and look ahead to Season 12, it’s the perfect time to think about how we can all support our athletes in growing together, moving forward in the sport, and making this journey as rewarding as possible.
Here’s why progressing together is vital for your athlete’s development and how you can play an important role in their cheer journey.
Why Progressing As A Team Matters
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Cheerleading is unique in that every athlete’s performance impacts the group’s success. Whether it’s stunts, pyramids, or team tumbling, trust and coordination are essential. When athletes grow together, they develop the confidence and cohesion needed to perform complex routines.
- Shared Goals Create Strong Bonds: Athletes who progress at similar rates develop a shared sense of purpose. This camaraderie doesn’t just make practices more enjoyable – it fosters the teamwork required to be successful at competitions.
- Foundation for Future Success: Progressing together ensures that athletes build the foundational skills they need for more advanced levels. When everyone masters the basics, the team can confidently tackle new challenges.
How Cheerleading Builds Life Skills
At Pegasus, we believe cheerleading isn’t just about routines, competitions, and placements. It’s about creating leaders, on and off the mats, that are equipped with valuable life skills. These include:
- Leadership: Athletes learn to support their teammates, step up when needed, and lead by example.
- Resilience: Progress isn’t always linear and overcoming setbacks together builds perseverance.
- Communication: Clear and open communication among teammates is key to executing skills safely and effectively. Athletes also learn how to provide constructive feedback when communicating with teammates, especially within a stunt group when they are trying to accomplish a skill sequence together.
- Responsibility: Athletes realize the importance of their role on the team and how their actions impact others.
The Role of Parents and Coaches in Team Progression
As a parent, you play a crucial role in fostering your athlete’s growth and supporting the team’s success. Here’s how you can help:
- Encourage Collaboration: Talk to your athlete about the importance of supporting their teammates and progressing together. Help them see that cheering each other on strengthens the whole team.
- Support Skill Development Outside of Practice: Whether it’s attending tumbling classes, stretching at home, or working on conditioning, encourage activities that align with their goals and benefit the team.
- Open Lines of Communication: Share your athlete’s goals and frustrations with their coaches so they can provide tailored guidance and feedback. This partnership ensures athletes are working towards personal and team objectives.
- Promote A We, Not Me Mindset: As we mentioned, success in cheerleading comes from working together and a ‘We, Not Me’ mindset is what makes it such a unique sport. Encouraging athletes to focus on collaboration rather than individual performance builds trust and ensures that the team moves forward as one unit. While individual accomplishments are important and celebrated, help your athlete see how their personal growth aligns with the team’s progress. For example, improving their stunting technique benefits not just them but their stunt group and team’s scoresheet.
- Celebrate Team Milestones: Progressing together means celebrating together! Recognize team achievements, no matter how small, and encourage your athlete to do the same with their peers.
The Cheer Journey: Thinking Beyond This Season
Every athlete’s cheer journey is unique, but it’s also deeply interconnected with their team. Here’s why it’s important to think about their long-term progression:
- Understanding Their Role on the Team: Each athlete brings something special to their team. Whether they’re a flyer, base, or tumbler, their role is vital. Encourage your athlete to take pride in their contributions and think about how they can grow into an even stronger teammate.
- Building on Every Season: Cheerleading is a sport of progress. Each season builds on the last, with athletes developing new skills and taking on greater challenges. Encourage your athlete to see their current season as a stepping stone towards their ultimate goals.
- Developing Lifelong Friendships: The bonds formed through cheerleading often last a lifetime. By growing and progressing with their teammates, athletes create friendships that extend far beyond the gym.
Setting Goals for Next Season
This season is an opportunity for your athlete to set themselves up for success and take their cheer journey to the next level in Season 12. Here are some ways to set meaningful goals:
- Skill Mastery: Encourage your athlete to focus on skills that will strengthen their role on the team. Flyers might work on flexibility while bases build strength and stability.
- Fitness & Conditioning: Conditioning plays a big role in cheerleading. Strength, stamina, and flexibility are essential for executing routines safely and effectively. Talk to your athlete’s coaches about conditioning exercises they can complete at home to improve their fitness levels.
- Team Contributions: Help your athlete think about how they can contribute to the team’s success. This could include being a positive role model, helping teammates new to the stream or level during practice, or showing leadership and a positive mindset at competitions.
- Participation in Classes, Clinics and Camps: Specialized clinics are a fantastic way for athletes to refine their skills and work on team-focused elements like stunts and pyramids. Ask your athlete’s coach about classes, clinics, and skills camps that will help your athlete progress.
Team Progression at Pegasus Cheer
At Pegasus Cheer, we’re dedicated to helping every athlete and team succeed. Here’s how our coaches support team progression:
- Structured Training Programs: Our practices are designed to build skills progressively, ensuring athletes master the basics before moving on to advanced elements.
- Evaluation and Feedback: Coaches provide regular feedback to help athletes understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Emphasis on Team Building: From team bonding activities to group challenges, we foster a positive and supportive environment where athletes feel connected.
- Opportunities for Extra Training: We offer tumbling classes, private lessons, and skill clinics to help athletes work on individual skills that contribute to team success.
Let’s Move Forward Together!
The most rewarding cheerleading journeys are those taken as a team. By encouraging your athlete to grow alongside their teammates, you’re helping them build skills, friendships, and confidence that will last a lifetime.
Let’s work together to make Season 11 the best yet. If you have questions or need guidance on how your athlete can progress, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your family every step of the way!