Making Team Placements: A Guide for Cheer Coaches
Making cuts and team placements is one of the most challenging aspects of coaching cheerleading. To minimize backlash from parents and cheerleaders, it's crucial to approach the process with transparency, fairness, and clear communication.
Setting Clear Expectations
Before tryouts, clearly communicate the skills required for each team level, such as Varsity and Junior Varsity. This should include specific tumbling, stunting, and dance requirements. For example:
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Varsity: Standing back tuck, running layout, advanced stunting skills
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JV: Standing back handspring, running tuck, intermediate stunting skills
Emphasize Team Composition
Explain that a successful cheer team requires a balanced composition of different roles, just like any other sport. Stress that you can't have a team of only flyers or backspots, similar to how a football team can't consist of only quarterbacks or linebackers. This helps athletes and parents understand why some skilled individuals might not make a certain team if their position is already filled.
Transparent Evaluation Process
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Use a standardized scoring system for each skill category
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Have multiple judges to ensure fairness
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Consider videotaping tryouts for review and to address any disputes
Making the Announcement
To maintain privacy and reduce emotional reactions, consider these methods for announcing team placements:
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Assign tryout numbers to athletes and post results using these numbers instead of names.
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Make personal phone calls to each athlete to discuss their placement.
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Send individual emails with detailed feedback.
Handling Disappointment
Prepare for disappointed athletes and parents by:
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Offering specific feedback on areas for improvement
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Providing alternative options (e.g., sideline cheer, tumbling classes)
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Encouraging a positive attitude and continued hard work6
Follow-up Communication
After announcements, be prepared to:
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Meet with parents and athletes who have concerns
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Explain your decision-making process
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Offer pathways for skill development and future opportunities
By implementing these strategies, you can create a more transparent and fair team placement process, reducing potential backlash and fostering a positive team environment.
BIO AND INFORMATION
Gina Harris Bio
Gina turned down a career in broadcasting and decided to take her personal life traumas and use them for the good of others and worked as a nonprofit executive serving and inspiring others. After a 25-year nonprofit career, Gina is now an entrepreneur and a sought after national speaker, and consultant.
Gina has shared her experiences in dozens of media outlets including The Huffington Post, The LA Times, and People Magazine to name a few.
Gina became a cheerleader in 8th grade and was an All American cheerleader. She began coaching cheerleading right after high school and has never stopped. As a coach and choreographer, she has won an NCA National Championship and eight State Championships in Colorado.
Gina is the founder of Cheer Coach Academy, an online training and support resource for cheer coaches serving more than 20,000 coaches around the world.
Gina is a proud (and rare) 6th generation Coloradan, has watched every episode of Survivor, and loves her family more than anything - her husband Rob and her son RJ who is an elite all star cheerleader.
Websites
@cheercoachacademy
https://www.facebook.com/cheercoachacademy
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@cheercoachacademy7870
