Does your team have a problem with attendance? Whether you cheer all-star or through your school many teams struggle to have productive practices due to memberʼs not showing up.

My suggestion, create a system and stick to it. Be stern and have consequences for missed and tardy team members.

As every coach knows, itʼs frustrating to have missing cheerleaders at your practice. Creating a new routine is nearly impossible when having to image cheerleaders being in a formation or not knowing if they can perform the skill your thinking up. Also, with stunting in particular, the entire group has to sit out and suffer when one member needs to miss a practice.

I understand that emergencies come up and those of course can be counted as excused absences but when a cheerleader sleeps through your morning practice, or she just couldnʼt find a ride, that is an unexcused absence.

I feel that after 3 unexcused absences that cheerleader should suffer a consequence such as not performing at the next game or pep rally, or even more severe, having to sit out a competition. Also, 3 tardies will turn into an unexcused absence.

Having a policy such as the one I just listed will keep cheerleaders in fear of missing a practice if they want to truly cheer and be a part of the team. Also, team membersʼ families will learn of this policy and know that they cannot just keep their son/daughter home from practice because they had a headache or some over not significant reason unless they are prepared to accept the consequences of he/she not being present at practice.

To have a productive practice all team members need to be in attendance and having a policy to control the number of absences will help cut down the number of absences by a great deal.

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