A coach's two cents worth

As I move into my 8th year in cheerleading, I have derived some very useful management skills on running a team. I was never taught how to coach/run a team so I did a lot of try and errors over the years. I would like to share this management idea to all existing/new/upcoming cheerleading coaches in Singapore so that the new generation of coaches can avoid the obstacles I have faced. To bring the local cheerleading scene to a higher level, we as coaches/leaders must also be constantly receptive to new management ideas. As this is a very new template, pls read the disclaimer below before proceeding.

Disclaimer:

The following entry is derived from my personal experience. These are my own suggestions as to how we can help cheerleading in Singapore expand both ''vertically and horizontally.'' It may or may not work for you. If what I have written doesn't make sense to you, don't do it.



Ever since I started coaching in 2005, I was constantly faced with the issue of ''Seniors vs. Juniors''. The headache part always comes when you have ''Graduating Seniors''. For a ''Junior'' to develop and grow, he/she needs competition experience. But most of the time, a ''Junior'' might not be as proficient as a ''Senior'', and putting an inexperienced ''Junior'' in a routine has its risks. On the other hand, while a ''Graduating Senior'' may contribute more in terms of experience and skill, he/she is likely to leave the team once he/she has decided to retire. So do you field an experienced ''Senior'' and risk neglecting a ''Junior's'' development (and subsequently the team's future development), or do you field a ''Junior'', and risk your present routine?

And what happens if you have ''Juniors'' who are more technically proficient than ''Seniors''? Allow the ''Senior'' to finish his/her final season? Or allow the more proficient ''Junior'' to gain the experience needed for subsequent seasons to come? That is another problem.

The biggest problem is when your ''Seniors'' don't have good attendance. They don't set a good example by turning up late/being absent; yet still get fielded for Nationals anyway because they are ''Seniors''. What will your ''Juniors'' think of you as a Coach?

In economics, we call this the theory of opportunity cost. You really cannot make everybody happy.

I have come out with an approach to this ''Seniors vs. Juniors'' issue. Personally, I see ''individual proficiency'' as the key to many things in a team.

Note: This diagram is for illustration purposes only. It should not be treated as a mathematically balanced diagram.

Referring to the Venn diagram above,

Without proficiency, even if you have good attendance + available to compete, you are still in the Red Zone. This is just keeping things real. For example, how are you supposed to field somebody in a routine when he/she cannot even manage a proper shoulderstand? Your routine is likely to snowball and the whole team might end up paying for his/her lack of proficiency.

And of course, if you are proficient, but do not have good attendance + not available for Nationals, you will be in the Red Zone anyway. Similarly, having only good attendance or being only available for Nationals alone will place you in the Red Zone.

But if you are proficient + can compete but attendance inconsistent, or proficient + good attendance but availability for Nationals uncertain, you are in the Yellow Zone.

Only when you have all proficiency + good attendance + available to compete, then you will be in the Green Zone.

The gist to this model is how you differentiate between Green and Yellow zones.

If you are in the Green zone, you should be given a bonus point. This is to reward hardworking cheerleaders who have put in effort to train hard, be available for Nationals and are ever present for trainings. So Ceteris Paribus, an individual in the Green Zone should be chosen over an individual in the Yellow Zone, regardless of seniority.

Of course, as Xingwei has pointed out, ''Proficiency'' can be a tricky issue. I choose to define ''Proficiency'' as the ability to execute what is required in your National Routine as planned out by your coaches. Hence, ''Proficiency'' will differ from team to team.

Redefining the ''Seniors'' and ''Juniors'' system will allow ''Juniors'' to have an incentive to train extra hard to secure that spot for Nationals and at the same time remind ''Seniors'' not to be complacent in areas of discipline & skill level least they get replaced. Nothing is free in this world. I like to see this as a win-win situation =)

Cheerleaders need to learn how to reap what they sow.

I have come to the end of what I wanted to share. As mentioned in my disclaimer, what I have suggested may or may not work for you. Pls feel free to contact me directly should you have any other questions. Likewise, I welcome suggestions as to how to improve this current model. Drop me an email!

All the best for Season 2011/2012 everybody!