5 KEYS TO AN AWESOME COMPETITION EXPERIENCE

Competitions can be so much fun and so exciting, but they can also be huge headaches & let downs, but ultimately it is up to the coach & the team to determine which experience they will have.  The Midwest Competition Circuit is right around the corner and the following are 5 keys specifically for coaches that can hopefully aid in a team having an awesome competition experience.

 1.  Give Your Team Adequate Preparation Time.  Did you decide the day before the competition you want your team to compete…. Although this is a bit exaggerated, with inadequate preparation time STRESSSS is all that’s coming your way.  Make sure you allow for adequate preparation time to choreograph the routine or bring in a choreographer and also calculate a realistic time frame for your team to practice and execute the routine.

 2.  Select Music That The Majority Likes.  It’s so much easier to dance to music everyone or at least the majority of your team likes.  Don’t be afraid of new ideas & different hip sounds.  Allow your team to give input, but only if there is adequate time for a democratic decision.  If there is no time, do what’s necessary and consider receiving input from everyone for next year’s music selection.

 3.  WOW Them With Originality.  It’s so tiring to see the same things at a competition.  Imagine how judges may feel when teams come out with the same style or the same tricks.  It’s great that everyone can execute toe-touch back-hand springs or 10 gazillion fouettes, but you must ask yourself… what is original about our routine and if I were someone that knew nothing about cheer or dance, would I enjoy watching it.  If the answer is not a definite yes, explore some new ideas and see what you come up with.

 4.  Take The Team To Their Next Level.  Competition is always a great opportunity to encourage your team to take their skill to the next level.  Set realistic incremental goals, based on your team's strengths, towards an ultimate goal & give your team something to look towards.  Although it is “clichéish”, it's so true that you must always encourage your team to “Reach for the stars" & in the end they will "land on the moon!”

 5.  Focus On The Team Doing Their Best & Having Fun.  It’s hard not to feel some sort of emotion if your team doesn’t place or if they place, but not where they expected.  BUT, your team is looking to you as the coach for direction & guidance.  If you set the precedence in the beginning that your best effort is all you have to offer & after that fun & healthy competition should be the ultimate result, then that can have a huge impact on your team’s performance & attitude after their performance.  Coaches who prepare for and come to competitions with the focus on beating a specific team can ruin it for their team.  Not that being competitive is bad… competition is awesome and helps a team sharpen their skill, but it’s a thin line between competing positively & competing negatively.  Make sure you draw the line & stay on the healthy side.

 HAPPY COMPETING and don't forget to HYPE IT UP!