Connecting with Your Coach

By Scott Bell / American Cheerleader Magazine

Getting to know your coach isn’t always easy. Coaches can be tough and sometimes even intimidating. So how can a cheerleader begin for forge that special coach-athlete bond? AC has some hints to help get you there! 

Coaches like to see athletes that put the team ahead of themselves. By doing this, you will not only find a common ground with your coach, but you will also put yourself in a position to become a better teammate. This means that you always make it to practice on time (or early). When you do get to practice, you are properly prepared with all required clothing and equipment. During practice, you are engaged and focused on the task at hand. Once you have established yourself as a true team player, you will find that conversations with your coach will happen more easily and more often.

Coaches each have their own set of priorities for their athletes. Does your coach value leadership, dedication, dependability, etc.? Make sure that your priorities reflect those of your coach and make an effort to improve in those areas.These usually extend beyond cheerleading and into academics. For example, coaches expect that you work as hard in math as you do on perfecting your stunt sequence. By applying that same work ethic outside of the gym, you will show your coach that the values learned in practice not only make you a better cheerleader, but also a better person. When a cheerleader learns to become a better person, the coach knows that he/she has done a good job. Show your coach that he/she is making a positive difference in your life!

As with anyone you’re getting to know, the simplest way to make a connection is by discussing common interests. The most obvious interest shared between a coach and cheerleader is the team. When you have some downtime before a game, ask about the history of your squad. What traditions did they have? What were their uniforms like? This will show you are genuinely interested in your spot on the squad and you’ll gain some valuable insight into your team’s background. You may find that your squad has a very rich tradition. Or maybe your program is relatively new to cheerleading, which allows for the current team to begin making some new traditions. Regardless, your coach will be happy to see you develop a greater appreciation for your team. Believe it or not, at one time your coach probably cheered too. Ask them about their cheer experiences! You’ll see their faces light up as they share old stories from their 
days on the sidelines. This will help your coach loosen up and will also give you some insight on the type of cheerleader he/she was. This is a big part of bonding because it takes your coach out of the coaching role and into the cheerleader role. And two cheerleaders can always find something to talk about. 

Another option is to ask your coach for advice in something other than cheer. Maybe you have a question about school or are looking for a good restaurant to visit with your family. Be prepared to get a quick lecture, some words or advice or a list of interesting facts. If this happens, consider yourself lucky. If you can get your coach to rattle on about something outside of cheerleading, then you’ve probably discovered something they are passionate about. Sharing this with you reflects a deeper level of trust and understanding.

Getting to know your coach is not as simple as getting to know a teammate or peer. Be patient and remember that you have all season. And once you’ve created that bond, you’ll have a coach, mentor and friend for life.