Somewhere along the line the craziest thing happened - I am the head coach of my daughter's cheer team. Anyone who "knew me when" would understand how laughable this is. Suffice it to say, I was always more of a kick/throw/hit a ball type of sports kid growing up. Cheerleading was just about the furthest thing from my mind.
Fueled by distaste with how things were being run, combined with my daughter not having the good sense to be embarrassed by me led me to becoming an assistant coach last year. Another crazy turn of events mixed up with the world's whiniest group of kids who have the world's pushiest parents winded me up as the head coach this year. According to the people who voted me into the position, I am the only person with the fortitude to handle it. To be honest, sometimes all that fortitude can be quite exhausting.
We are coming up on our league competition and it's time to get serious. With my health issues I wasn't at our last game or practice so I was ready to see some progress from my cheer team tonight. Turns out they weren't so ready to show me that progress.
See the thing is, 12 and 13 year olds don't particularly have a two hour attention span. In fact, it seems they don't even have much of a two minute attention span. This lack of focus combined with a seemingly uncontrollable need to talk has resulted in them having a particularly high amount of "conditioning" at tonight's practice. And we also had a healthy dose of learning about respect.
I broke down the routine, piece by piece, beat by beat, word by word, and move by move. They worked their butts off. I hope that some part of them can appreciate it for what it was - they DO have the ability to work hard and see the rewards of that work. They CAN do it. They ARE amazing. And I truly believe that when it's time for us to hit the mats that we will be winners.
Who ever woulda thunk it that I would actually enjoy coaching cheerleading?!
Sue Sylvester would have been proud of me today.
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2 comments:
Sounds like you're whipping those girls into shape!
At least where I work, the girls on the cheer team are nothing like the girls on the cheer team when I was growing up. They are some of the most athletic, and disciplined students we see. I suspect when you combine the talents you have with the potential I'm sure your girls have: well, step aside Sue Sylvester, the giant national champions trophy is going to be headed home with you! :)
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