Coaching a cheerleading squad

[norcalchick]

Ok, I have a question:
I want to help coach a pop warner, junior high, or high school cheerleading squad. But how do I go about doing that?

I'm somewhat new to the area (6 months), so I don't know many people because I'm home a lot. I don't have any teaching credentials or sports credentials, or whatever you might need to be a coach. I just have 5 years of cheerleading experience, and helped coach my old high school squad every so often when I would go back home. I've wanted to stay in cheerleading, but there aren't any all star college squads around here. I was reading the other post about being a jock or cheerleader, and saw that there's a lot of us on here and thought that SOMEONE might know how to do this. Any advice helps Thanks!

[carnation]

I coached 3 college squads. I found that easier than doing the younger ones, as you don't have to deal with obsessive cheer moms.

If you want to work with the younger ones, though, call the schools or the rec departments that sponsor them. I bet they'll be thrilled to get help!

[kappaloo]

My chapter seemed to attract cheerleaders.... I think they called around to schools to find a coaching position. Of course, I'm in Canada ... where power cheering isn't as big.

[Senusret I]

I would call schools in the area and see if you could get in touch with their cheerleading coaches directly. Introduce yourself and ask if you can help out.

Also, if you don't have a job, substitute teaching really gets your foot into a lot of doors if you have an outgoing personality.

[PiPhiGirl2005]

I coach a recreation/competitive team for elementary school-aged girls, so perhaps I could offer some advice.

In addition to contacting local schools to ask about coaching, also contact the gymnastics centers in your area. If they don't already have cheerleading classes or teams that need instructors or coaches, perhaps they would be interested in someone volunteering to get a cheerleading program started. That is how the team I coach got started: the girls in our gymnastics classes knew that we (their teachers) were cheerleaders and asked if one of us could teach a cheerleading class. After three years, it's just grown into a competitive team.

Also, contact a major cheerleading organization (UCA or NCA, for example) about coaching seminars. I know for sure that UCA runs coaches clinics where you can become a certified coach, and most of the other major organizations do the same. If a clinic is not available in your area, at least contact your local Red Cross (or other similar organization) and sign up for classes in first aid and CPR - these are certifications that any school or gymnastics center is going to ask that their coaches have so that they are covered in case of emergency. Certifications in first aid and CPR could help you get a coaching job.

Good luck in your quest - I'm sure any team would be lucky to have you as a coach!