How to become the captain of your cheerleading team
The cheerleading captain position is a prestigious position on a cheerleading squad, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. The position not only requires hard work and passion, but it is also the most competitive position to obtain. The best of the best on any team are vying for a spot to be filled by just one. Even with all the pressure and hard work, it is the most fun and rewarding position to know that you are pushing your team to be the best they can be!
Do you have what it takes to be a cheerleading captain?
A cheerleading captain must have leadership qualities. They must have experience in all aspects of cheerleading, from dancing to flipping to stunting. His responsibilities include helping choreograph cheerleading routines, organizing and delegating responsibilities for events such as games and fundraisers, and leading team warm-ups for practices.
On a personal level, a captain is a teacher and a role model for the rest of the team. They must be responsible and patient, skilled motivators and impartial problem solvers and mediators. A captain must understand that he is not a coach or an advisor and must know when to ask for help.
You can take the heat, but how do you get the position?
The first step to becoming a cheerleading captain is being able to perform all the choreography, stunts, flips, and jumps with perfect precision. The rest of the team will look for you to
a) set an example and
b) actually being able to teach the movements needed in that specific choreography.
The next step is to build mutual respect with all team members. This may sound like a no-brainer, but this is the most important point and requires a lot of work. Your teammates will vote for you, and once you get the captain’s spot, they must respect your authority even though you’re a teammate. Developing that respect from them will make your job easier.
The next step is to be confident, loud and full of energy. By doing this, you will set the level of enthusiasm and show the team and the coach that you are not afraid to lead. Also, don’t just cheer for your team, cheer for your teammates! It will show your team that you are a positive person and that you care about the efforts they are putting into the team.
Finally, stay focused! Stay focused during practices to set a good example, stay focused during games to show the team and coach you’re not getting distracted, and stay focused in school. Getting poor grades can get you kicked off the team and wasting time with the team will only hurt your chance to be captain. Perfect attendance is important to build your relationship with your teammates and show the coach that you are serious about being captained.
Work hard, stay positive, and follow the guidelines above. You’ll be captain in no time!