Developing A Student As Well As A Dancer/Cheerleader

As our competition season begins to really roll we all have high expectations and goals we would like our team to achieve. It is very often hard to keep ourselves focused on the fact that this activity is “extra curricular”. The academics must come first and we need to push the importance of this to our student athletes. Academic achievement should be the priority for students of any age.

Dance and cheer provide many opportunities for growth socially, for self-esteem enhancement, and for physical strengthening. The fact that there is so much there to learn and grow from open up the opportunity to enhance the academic goals we would like to see our teams achieve. They can work hand in hand rather than becoming stumbling blocks, for a complete well rounded experience.

Often, our athletes become so excited about their sport that they themselves loose focus on the importance of studies. Your job as their coach is to point out this importance and gently guide them to readjust their thinking, giving equal time to both academics and athletics. It is a two-sided commitment. After all, there are school guidelines that students must uphold to participate as well as a commitment to the team to stay actively involved.

Setting academic goals is a good way to keep the team focused on both school and sport. Deciding up front that you want your team to

achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and rewarding those efforts will help greatly in their concentration to this task.
Not only should you expect excellence from your team but you should also expect excellence in their academic studies.

Here are a few thoughts as you enter your busy time of the year. Think positively that there is time enough to do both school and sport well. Try hard to stay strong in your commitment to academic excellence and your team will meet the challenge.

1. Academics come first and sports must be obviously "extra" - curricular.
2. It is your responsibility to check regularly to make sure your team is on top of their work.
3. You need to reinforce good study habits by what you practice as a coach.
4. Be sensitive to time for studies when setting your practice schedule.
5. Celebrate your team’s academic success!

About the Author: (This is an article from the coaching tips book -“Reach For The Stars”. For more information contact Angela Lund of S.T.A.R.S. http://www.cheerfactor.com/article37.html )

Source: www.isnare.com