Want to get your team back to the fabulous life? Read on to learn how to earn your team a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

By Alison Feller

American Cheerleader April 2008

We at AC hear from cheerleaders all the time who are frustrated because their school doesn’t respect their team or their parents think they’re insane for being so committed to cheering. Well, cheerleaders-in-need, whatever your dilemma may be, we’ve got you covered. Read on—and take notes—for our advice on how to get your team back in—and ahead of—the game.

The Problem: Your team doesn’t get along, and with each cheer comes some serious drama.

When you made the team, you were probably psyched to master your back handspring, learn some tough new stunts and pump up the crowd at games. You may not have expected the behind-your-back gossiping, fighting and trash talking that would come along with it.

Making it Right: Take a cheer break for everyone’s sake.

Remember that old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine?” Well, it’s time to give your team a heavy dose of it! The next time you’ve got a night off, get the whole team together for an evening of bonding. People may groan at the thought of a “mandatory” weekend event, but with the right activities, they’ll be perking up in no time. Whether you spend a few hours in someone’s basement or opt for a sleepover, here are a few fun things to include when bringing your group together:

• Movies marathon. Have each girl come armed with her favorite DVD, and be prepared to watch them all with lots of popcorn and candy on hand.

• Cranium and Catch Phrase and Twister, oh my! Nothing brings a group together like attempting to hum “Umbrella” during a rousing game of Cranium. So raid your parents’ board game collection and get ready to team up for some competitive fun.

• Organize a scavenger hunt. Split up into teams and provide each with a list of items they have to find (examples: an issue of American Cheerleader, a pair of clean gym socks, a toothbrush). Before heading out in your neighborhood—and don’t forget to tell your parents where you’re going!—set a time for both teams to decide who collected the most items. Bonus: Have the last task on the list be getting a neighbor to snap a digital photo of your team with all of your loot. You’ll have a frame-worthy way to remember the night!

The Problem: Your parents and friends think you’re crazy for spending so much time cheering.

You don’t have to tell us twice why you love to cheer—we get it. But sometimes your loved ones might need a little convincing. “My mother would much rather I spend my time doing something else,” says Taylor Weldon, an 18-year-old cheerleader for the Morningside Monarchs in Inglewood, CA. “My friends question why I still cheer. I cheer because I love the sport and my team!”

Making it Right: Share the love.

Your friends and parents see you cheer at games, but they probably have no idea just how hard you’re working behind the scenes. “Always have pride and confidence in yourself and in your team,” advises Emily Doss, a 16-year-old member of the North Harrison Cougars in New Salisbury, IN. Ask your coach if you can host an open practice and invite your parents, siblings and friends. Bring chairs into your practice area—make sure they’re out of the way—you don’t want to handspring into someone’s sister’s lap!—and run practice as you normally would. When everyone sees all of the stretching and sweating you and your teammates do, they’ll start to understand the grunt work that goes into making a simple cheer look polished. Besides, anyone willing to pull her leg up behind her head while balancing on a teammates hand and risk dropping now and then must have passion!

The Problem: You’re cheering—but the crowd isn’t.

“We have enormous spirit, we lift stunts that are complicated, and our fans don’t participate,” says Kristina Leiby, a 17-year-old cheerleader for the Tamaqua Raiders in Tamaqua, PA. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. “We have megaphones to sound louder, signs so the crowd will know what we’re saying and routines and cheers that involve the crowd,” adds Taylor. “Still only a couple of parents participate.”

The Solution: Give ’em what they want.

Imagine you’re at a Justin Timberlake concert. You’re dying to hear “SexyBack,” but Justin launches into a cover of “My Heart Will Go On.” Funny as it may be, it’s not likely to get you tapping your toes and clapping along. As a cheerleader, it’s your job to give the crowd what they want. You might adore the latest Cascada hit for it’s great beat, but most people love singing along to the classics they already know. So for your next halftime routine, try mixing “Everytime We Touch” with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and you’re sure to get a few more people singing along.

If, like the Monarchs, your team has tried everything in your cheer-power to get the crowd on its feet, why not go beyond cheers and stunts? People love anything free, so ask your coach to buy a few bags of candy in bulk and get permission from your school to throw some in the stands during time-outs and offering to clean up any strays after the game. The crowd will be reaching for something sweet and thanking you for throwing it to them!

The Problem: Your squad gets little respect or support from your school.

Perhaps one of the biggest problems teams face is not getting support from both the administration and the student body. “Our cheerleaders have cheered on some of the best squads, but don’t get the same treatment other athletes do,” says 22-year-old Brandon McGee, former cheerleader and current assistant coach at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. “We’re never invited to athletic meetings and aren’t considered athletes. We just want a little recognition.” While it may be tough to earn the respect (and funding!) you want and deserve, there are plenty of ways to get positive recognition from your peers and the administration.

The Solution: Shine a positive light on every situation.

Boosting your team’s rep isn’t going to happen overnight. “Start with small goals and once you’ve achieved those, go for bigger goals,” says Emily. “Once you’ve completed a goal, it’ll feel amazing!” Try making these simple changes throughout the year and you’ll find that your team is appreciated—and rewarded—in no time.

• Get involved. Participate in as many local and campus events as possible. Whether you’re volunteering at your town’s nursing home or giving the school janitors a hand after school, people will get used to seeing your team as cheerleaders and upstanding citizens.

• Defy stereotypes. Encourage team members to be cheerleaders whether their uniform is on or not. During games, when you’re not mid-cheer, be engaged in what’s going on and avoid chatting with teammates or being distracted by people watching. Academically, have your coach monitor each girl’s grades to be sure that no one is slipping. Won’t it be fun to be able to tell your principal that your squad’s overall GPA is a 4.0?!

• Be appreciative. OK, so you asked for funding but didn’t get it. Be appreciative for anything that you do get. At the end of the season, write thank-you cards to anyone who helped your squad out that year, whether it was the school principal showing up to your car wash fundraiser or the Spanish teacher coming to every basketball game and cheering along with you. Showing that you appreciate everything that comes your way will make people more eager to help in the future.

If all else fails, remember three Ps: perseverance, patience and pep! You have to earn respect, and in the same way you have to keep cheering when your team is losing big time, you have to do the same when it comes to your own squad.

Has your squad had to fight to earn your school or community’s respect and support? Tell us your story below!

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