Successful Training Sessions
Introducing the session
- Introduce yourself and any additional Coaches or Volunteers
- Always make new participants aware of your name and role within the group
- Health and Safety briefing and checks
If you or your group are new to a venue please highlight:
- Emergency procedure, including exits and alarms
- First Aid – who is first aid qualified, and where they are located
- Toilet facilities
- Water and refreshment facilities
- Any rules of the club/group (eg: mobile phones off)
ALWAYS Screen the group for the following:
- Any health or injury issues – establish how everyone is feeling
- Jewellery and body piercing
- Hair tied back – no hair pins or hard items
- Correct training wear and footwear
- Chewing gum
- Recap on any rules or issues important to your group
- Ask the group for their impression of Cheerleading
- Explain the session content (and the activity if you are with a new group)
- Give a guideline to the structure of your session so participants know what to expect
- Show diagrams or videos of new skills if possible
- Give an opportunity for participants to ask questions before starting the session
The Session
- Prepare your lesson plan but be ready to modify if necessary
- Set up and check the safety of any practical equipment needed
- Ensure you deliver a safe and effective warm up and stretch
- Continual assessment of the environment and activity is essential
- Lead by example and put the activity into practise
- Progress the activity, always assessing participants understanding of the skills
- Rotate the participants positions if required
- Encourage and Motivate the group, ensure you praise
- Encourage the participants to observe and review themselves in order to achieve goals
- Keep the session fun and interactive!
Closing the Session
- Give an overview of the session and how you feel the group worked throughout
- Ask open questions about their outcomes
- Ask how they feel they can improve and achieve more
- Praise or highlight any individual/group that did particularly well
- Praise and encourage the whole group
- Explain self development work they can be doing themselves
- Set homework if you require
- Ask if they enjoyed the session
- Play a game or deliver a FUN cool down
- End the session by thanking participants and state when the next session is
- Be available for any questions from participants and parents