When putting together a cheer squad, it is important to ask yourself what type of squad will work best for you. One of the most important things to determine is the level at which your are going to coach. Will your team cheer for a specific organization, such as a school or university, or are you a more independent program that wants to specialize in a All-Star or Open competitive squad. Perhaps you would like to organize your team for the purpose of providing a City or Club team, such as an organized squad for Pee-Wee football or other League programs. Another important question that you should ask yourself, is whether or not your team will be co-ed, as different rules may apply.
As a coach, you should be familiar with the different types of organized cheer squads. Jr. High, High School/Varsity teams are normally made up of athletes between the grades of 7-12. These teams represent a school and participate in activities associated with the school district. Some examples of activities that a school squad may participate in, include cheering at games, UIL competitions, organized pep rallies, and community send-offs, as well as other school or community events.
When a Varsity Cheerleader advances to the next level, they may find themselves on a squad at a college or university. If this is the type of squad you will be coaching, you will find that the majority of these athletes are experienced and well trained. Most teams at the university level are co-ed, while a number of these schools offer all girl squads in addition to the co-ed team. Many colleges and universities participate in UIL competitions as well as other competitive cheer events. Make sure as a coach that you are aware of the preparation and skills needed to be competitive at this level of cheer-leading.
One of the most exciting squads to coach is the All-Star Team. When putting together an All-Star team, you will want to pick the most experienced team that your region offers, as this group will focus on competitive cheer. All-Star teams are not connected in any way to school or community groups. Therefore, you are not limited to choosing athletes from your town. Generally, athletes pay to be on an All-Star team. Areas that do not offer cheer programs are good places to create an All-Star team. However, take into consideration the cost involved when creating an All-Star team. Not only are there competition entry fees and uniforms, but travel expenses, music licenses, and insurance must be considered as well. Make sure as the coach of an All-Star team that you educate yourself on the different divisions as far as skill level and age groups. Some of the more common divisions in All-Star are the Large and small co-ed teams, and the Senior, Junior, Youth, Mini, and Tiny teams. If you are unsure USASF has a online website that can provide you with the information you will need to get started.
When competing at an All-Star event, you may encounter Open teams. If you are considering coaching an Open Cheer squad, make sure that you are knowledgeable when it comes to the age requirements associated with this group, as it will include athletes over the age of 18. When creating an Open squad, you will be choosing athletes that are both male and female that may or may not still be enrolled in school. These athletes are usually more experienced athletes that want to continue their cheer careers. Open cheerleaders can qualify to compete at National and World events.
If you are not interested in coaching at the All-Star level, you can always form a city or club team. While similar to an All-Star team, club and city teams tend to consist of athletes of varied levels of experience. Coaches that have a difficult time recruiting athletes, may consider this as an alternative. Sometimes coaches may have issues or concerns with the local school squad and may also consider creating a city or club squad as an option for others that may be having some of the same concerns. Club and city teams usually cheer at city events or organized youth league events. As the coach of a club or city team, you can also enter them into competitions into a separate division created specifically for this type of cheer squad.
In order to make a final decision on what type of team will work best for your coaching style, keep in mind the purpose for creating your team. First and foremost, ask yourself how much experience that you can bring to the team. If you are a beginner, you may not want to start out at the college, university, or All-Star level. Make sure you take the time to educate yourself by reading supplemental material, attending conferences, and networking with your local Varsity or UCA/NCA organizations. If you have decided to create an All-Star or city/club team, consider what age groups are showing the most interest in your program. Also ask yourself whether you want your program to be more community oriented, participating in parades and other city organized events, or do you want to create a program the increases school spirit by organizing pep rallies and sideline routines. Perhaps you want your program to focus on the more competitive side of cheer-leading, showcasing your team on television and executing winning routines. Once you have taken the first step to deciding on the type of team you will create, you can begin building your team into a successful and effective program that works best for you and the area you will be serving.
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