First Day of Practice

The new cheer season is on it's way. Try outs are over, school is out, and the newbies are coming. But is you're one of these newbies you must be excited...and nervous. But it's all good! Just listen carefully and your first day of practice will be a breeze!

1. Get All the Info

Find out when your practice is. If there's more than one squad at your school the times for each squad might be a little different. Make sure you have the right time, and make sure to show up about 10 minutes early. Also find out where your practice is. Some cheer teams don't have a nice indoor gym to practice in. There gym is called the grass or maybe even the ground. Find out your location. For my school it's on the ground or grass depending on what we're doing that day. Since it's in the morning I also bring a towel so I'm not on the hard ground stretching or on the wet grass.

2. What to Wear?

You want to look like you know what you're doing of course! If you know someone who has been on the team for a year or more, call and ask them what they usually wear to practice. You don't want to show up in your spandex, sports, bra, and glitziest cheer bow if what everyone else wears is some soffee shorts, a tee shirt, and their hair thrown up. The usually attire would probably be:

-old tee shirt
-sports bra underneath
-soffee or athletic shorts (or yoga pants if it's morning and cold)
-cheer shoes (ALWAYS)
-Hair up or out of your face
-little to no make up
-no fake nails (EVER)

3. Finding Your Group

If you know all the girls on your team the hardest part for you will be all of you guys showing up at the same time so you can sit together. If you're coming from a middle school where you know no one this might seem like a challenge. But don't worry because there's always going be at least that one girl who insists on welcoming everyone. She's the perfect person to get to know. She'll introduce you to her friends, and soon you'll know everyone's name. If you don't have that girl then be traditionally and find your squad. Introduce yourself and start talking and making conversation. It's your first day there's probably going be at least one person in your same situation.

4. What to Bring

It depends on your environment, weather, and time of practice what here's the usually:

-Water
-Light Jacket (depends on weather/time)
-forms that your coaches need turned in (this could be for cheer camp, or waivers always make sure to turn these in on time)
-Cell phone
-Towel (at least that what I do)
-Cheer Shoes
-wallet (in case you and some friends go get a snack, some coaches give breaks)
-bobby pins
-hair ties
-ipod and headphones (same teams condition and run for a while and it's good to get pumped up)
-a good attitude (this is a big one)

5. Get to Know Your Coach

Go up to her/him and make a conversation. Get yourself known and make a good impression. After all you'll be with this person for the whole season and hopefully a few years.

6. Follow Instruction

If your coach says to stretch. STRETCH. If they say run, RUN. If they say jump, you say "Double or Triple?" You definitely do NOT want to get on the coach's bad side on the first day. Pay attention and don't goof off no matter how excited you are.

That's easy, right? If you stick with these tips, the first day will be simple.

Love,
A Cheerleader