Confessions of a cheerleading coach, part two
It is amazing how one day can make all the difference in the world. After months of anxiety, preparations, and trying to wrap our heads around the fact that we were going to be coaching a cheer squad, the other coach and I made it through our first night without any bumps or bruises.
I have to admit, when I first arrived at the field for practice, my head swirled with thoughts of "what-if's." What if someone gets hurt? What if the girls don't like us? What if I'm awful?
These must be normal thoughts because as I went on through the night and made it past introductions, all of that fear and anxiety that had consumed my thoughts was replaced with "I've got this" and "This isn't so bad." Now, granted, it was just the first night, and I am not so blind that I don't ever expect there to be issues. But somehow in my core I feel that I signed up to be here for a reason. It chose me and I chose it. I could have turned down this position. No-one forced me, so that in whole tells me that I wanted this. I knew going in, I had to take responsibility for signing up to be a coach, but that actually helped my nerves because as I realized this very fact, I decided to walk in with my head held high.
I won't deny that as the practice went on, my nerves fluttered occasionally, but I calmed them by deep breaths and actually smiling knowing I was going to make a difference somehow. I was going to partner with my amazing co-coach and put all of these things we'd learned to use.
As a coach of one and a half dozen cheerleaders, teens no less, I must admit I'm proud. I'm still a little anxious and nervous going into tonight's second practice. Yet, I am determined to not let my nerves get the best of me. I also hope though somehow that the nerves never truly disappear. They keep me in check, and don't make me confident to the point of dislike. I truly want more than anything for these girls to be confident in themselves, to be the best squad they can be. That doesn't mean winning every competition, but trying as hard as they can and being proud of themselves. If I keep these goals in check, then I think I'm going to be just fine. Fingers crossed.
Jodi
I have to admit, when I first arrived at the field for practice, my head swirled with thoughts of "what-if's." What if someone gets hurt? What if the girls don't like us? What if I'm awful?
These must be normal thoughts because as I went on through the night and made it past introductions, all of that fear and anxiety that had consumed my thoughts was replaced with "I've got this" and "This isn't so bad." Now, granted, it was just the first night, and I am not so blind that I don't ever expect there to be issues. But somehow in my core I feel that I signed up to be here for a reason. It chose me and I chose it. I could have turned down this position. No-one forced me, so that in whole tells me that I wanted this. I knew going in, I had to take responsibility for signing up to be a coach, but that actually helped my nerves because as I realized this very fact, I decided to walk in with my head held high.
I won't deny that as the practice went on, my nerves fluttered occasionally, but I calmed them by deep breaths and actually smiling knowing I was going to make a difference somehow. I was going to partner with my amazing co-coach and put all of these things we'd learned to use.
As a coach of one and a half dozen cheerleaders, teens no less, I must admit I'm proud. I'm still a little anxious and nervous going into tonight's second practice. Yet, I am determined to not let my nerves get the best of me. I also hope though somehow that the nerves never truly disappear. They keep me in check, and don't make me confident to the point of dislike. I truly want more than anything for these girls to be confident in themselves, to be the best squad they can be. That doesn't mean winning every competition, but trying as hard as they can and being proud of themselves. If I keep these goals in check, then I think I'm going to be just fine. Fingers crossed.
Jodi
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