|
Cheerleading is an athletic activity that involves risk. That risk can be
managed and cheerleading performed safely if the right procedures are followed.
Cheerleading safety requires a team approach, and that team includes the
cheerleaders, coach, administration and parents. These "Cheerleading Safety Tips
for Parents" should help parents
understand the right questions to ask of their cheerleading program in order to
evaluate its safety.
- Is our coach AACCA certified through the American Association of
Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators safety course and has our school
conducted the appropriate background checks?
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators is
the largest not-for-profit educational organization for cheerleading
coaches. AACCA operates as an independent organization since its founding by
Varsity Spirit Corporation. AACCA certification features safety awareness
training with a safety test administered at the end of the training session.
The AACCA Safety Course is required for all NCAA cheerleading coaches, and
by school districts and states around the country. It should be required for
yours.
- Does our coach adhere to accepted practice and performance guidelines?
AACCA practice guidelines require direct supervision by a coach with
practices held in a location suitable for the activities of cheerleaders
(i.e., use of appropriate mats, away from excessive noise and distractions,
etc.) Most states require adherence to the skill restrictions put in
place by the National Federation of High Schools. Your program should be
following these rules and procedures, which include restrictions on skills
such as basket toss flips and pyramids which involve more than two persons
high.
- Does our coach ensure that performance skills are taught in the
proper sequence using skills progression training, with an emphasis on
training all squad members in proper spotting methods? Skills
progression training ensures that cheerleaders build upon mastered technique
when learning more difficult and advanced stunts or tumbling, i.e. cartwheel
to round-off to back-hand spring. Spotters are responsible for assisting or
catching the top person in a stunt with a priority to protect the head,
neck, and shoulders of the top person coming off of a stunt.
- Does my child’s coach properly balance practice time between athletic
training and spirit leadership instruction? Cheerleading is an activity
that builds self confidence, leadership and communication skills and
involves more than stunts and tumbling. Safety begins with leadership.
Instilling these qualities in cheerleaders helps prevent accidents when all
squad members hold safety as a priority. The stunts and tumbling involved in
cheerleading should aid the cheerleader in generating excitement and
participation by the fans. Performing difficult stunts only for the sake of
athleticism should be avoided at games and reserved for competition venues
with professional spotters and mats.
- Does our squad have an emergency plan in place? A comprehensive
emergency plan is necessary to provide a quick and effective response to an
emergency situation with specific duties assigned to all responders. A sample
emergency plan can be found at
http://www.aacca.org/emergencyplan.asp.
As in any activity in which their child participates, parents have a role to
play in ensuring that their child is able to reap the benefits that come with
the activity while being protected from unreasonable risk. If a parent has
a concern about safety, they should bring it to the attention of the coach. If a
satisfactory response is not received, they should contact the administration to
make sure proper procedures are in place for safety.
Together, we can minimize the risk to our cheerleaders and maximize the
benefits of participation in this popular athletic activity.
|
All content is the property of The American
Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators unless otherwise noted.
Reproduction without consent is expressly prohibited with the exception of
personal use for cheerleading and dance teams.
AACCA
6745 Lenox Center Court, Ste 318
Memphis, TN 38115
800-533-6583
|
