by Blake Boldt

Your team’s practiced all the right moves to prepare for the rigors of competition: You’ve put in countless hours at the gym, perfected your stunts and even conditioned to make sure you could make it through your two minute and thirty second routine. So, don’t blow all that hard work by committing some competition no-no’s.

Be a competition ROCKSTAR like Kiara Nowlin!

WARNING!

DON’T smoke or use foul language at any event, inside the facility, within the boundaries of the facility or in dressing rooms. If an official sees you engaging in these activities, your team could be automatically disqualified from the competition.

DO follow the rules of the facility regarding food and drink in the arena, entering and exiting during performances and other competition standards. Most facilities have specific precautions in place to ensure cleanliness and order both on and off the floor.

DON’T walk around the competition venue with your uniform unzipped or wearing only your sports bra or spankies. Not being fully dressed makes you look lazy and unprepared for your performance and can give others a negative impression of your program as a whole.

DO set a good example. As an athlete and cheerleader, you serve as a role model for many others. If you act with grace and humility, your teammates and supporters will follow suit.

The Athletes School of Etiquette

•Act respectfully toward the judges and express your gratitude for their participation in the event. Never complain about your placement in the competition or the scores your team received in public. If you feel like you need to question a score, approach your coach quietly.

•If you hear someone on your squad being rude to a rival team or its supporters, encourage your teammate to stop by politely smiling and complimenting the other squad. Even a quiet, private conversation can be overheard by a fellow coach or competitor, causing bad feelings and negativity for everyone involved.

•Treat opposing teams with respect. You may receive point penalties for acting poorly towards others involved in the competition. In all likelihood, you’ll be performing in the future with many of your competitors, so friendly relations will make the events more satisfying and fun.

•Wait to celebrate until the completion of the awards ceremony. Allow the other teams time to enjoy their successes, no matter how excited you are at your squad’s placement. This isn’t only the polite thing to do, but it shows respect to the other teams involved.

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