Cheerleading

I am now a cheerleading coach.

I am not exactly sure how this happened. It was a series of comments and conversations. Then, suddenly, I was being handed a Coach's manual and a DVD about cheerleading.

Hold up! WAIT! How can this be?

I have never been a cheerleader before. I was never any good at gymnastics either. Actually, my gymnastics teacher said I had frog legs, and no upper arm strength.

I don't even fully understand the sport. Is it a sport? Or is it a complement to sports?

Is it even appropriate? I mean, I am trying to teach my daughters about modesty and respect for themselves. And, well, you know what cheerleader outfits look like. (And when I was in high school, there was a reputation attached to the outfit).

Oh dear. What have I gotten myself into?

Ok. Breathe.


What happened was that I decided to let my older girls sign up for cheerleading, when Jersey #3 wanted to sign up for flag football. When the girls asked to be cheerleaders during basketball season, I encouraged them to play basketball instead. They have developed a love for basketball.

Then, I saw the cute little cheerleaders, and I realized what the appeal was....the pompoms! There is just something about waving and twirling with pompoms.

My children are playing sports through the Upward sports program. Thankfully, since it is a Christian program, the uniforms are modest, including the cheerleading uniforms. So, when our daughters said they had no interest in flag football, we decided they could try out cheerleading. The program teaches the sport of cheerleading. Its primary focus is Christian faith. So, I felt comforted that this was a good outlet to try out cheerleading.

Then, I received word that enrollment was low, and the church hosting the program may have to cancel this season. I went to the meeting last night to learn more. The program director was explaining that there are only enough flag football players for 2 teams, and there are only 3 cheerleaders. They are short on football coaches, and absent any cheerleading coaches.

The other parents in attendance were in agreement that we should continue the season with only 2 football teams. No one seemed to mind playing the same team every week, since our boys were young and new to the sport anyway. Jersey #3 certainly fits that profile, because he has not played football before.

Then, the director came over to talk to me specifically, because I have 2 of the only 3 registered cheerleaders. He was pretty certain he was going to have to cancel the cheerleading program. He clearly felt bad about that. I explained to him that I had no cheerleading experience to be able to coach. He immediately perked up and said that he had a manual that laid out each week's skills....and a DVD that shows the routines. He assured me that Upward sets the program up so that coaches do not have to have experience. The director even explained that one year, his sister coached the cheerleaders, using a DVD to show the girls how to cheer, because she had no experience.

So, I agreed to fill the void. I volunteered to coach the cheerleaders.

As the director handed me the coaching materials, I assured him that IF he found a parent with experience or who wanted to coach that I would happily give it up! He laughed. Then, he asked me what evening I wanted to set up practice.

The first thing I noticed in the coaching manual is the comment that the coach should have an understanding of the sport of cheerleading, to be able to teach the skills.

Oh dear. I'm in trouble now.

I was not real sure how to break the news to my family, so I just blurted it out.

Jersey #2 was so excited that she ran up to me an gave me a hug.

The Referee, first acted a bit shocked, then shrugged as if he was not really that shocked that I got myself into another coaching responsibility.

Jersey #1 said she thought it was "really cool."

This could get interesting. I am coaching a sport I have never played. At a church I don't attend. With folks I don't know.

But, my kids are excited, so I am ready to take the plunge...