Team-Building Activities for Teenage Cheerleading Squads

A teenage cheerleading squad is certain to represent a variety of personalities and opinions, but growing together as a strong team is imperative for a successful year. Whether on the sidelines rooting for your school’s team or performing in a regional competition, each cheerleader must be able to rely on her teammate. Taking the time to bond the team immediately after tryouts as well as during the season will ensure a unified squad.

  1. Encouragement

    • Girls on a cheerleading squad can grow closer together as a team by creating encouragement sheets for each other. In this exercise, the coach or cheer captain writes the name of each cheerleader at the top of a piece of paper. The paper can be decorative, as this may become a cherished keepsake for the girls. The girls sit in a large circle and each cheerleader has approximately 30 seconds to write an encouraging thought on each squad member’s sheet. Ideas for positive thoughts may include something that she likes or admires about the other girl. To finish, each girl is given her sheet to bring home and read over whenever she feels down or discouraged.

    Trust

    • Developing trust on a cheerleading squad is essential both on and off the field. A falling or leaning exercise is one way to develop trust among the girls. Place two to three girls behind one squad member with their arms outstretched. Without looking, the single girl leans back, with tightened muscles and without bending her legs, until she falls safely into her teammates arms. Each squad member should have the opportunity to fall back.

    Communication

    • Encourage communication between different cheerleading squad members by arranging them in a circle on the floor. The cheer captain begins the exercise by holding a ball of string and sharing something about herself and her feelings regarding something that has been on her mind. She then tosses the ball of string to another person, while holding on to the end of the string. That person then shares what is on her mind and tosses the ball to another girl. After each member has had the chance to speak, a web of string remains, connecting the group as a team. The captain can then take the opportunity to explain how they are each connected to the other and how the words they speak affect each other.

    Following Directions

    • Part of being on a cheerleading squad is the ability to follow directions and listen to each other. Teach these elements of teamwork by first blindfolding each cheerleader. Have the girls form a line and hold hands, with the instructions to listen closely. The cheerleading coach can then lead the squad through a series of steps and obstacles, by whispering instructions to the first girl in line, who then whispers to the next girl at the appropriate time. Obstacle ideas include climbing stairs, stepping over a branch or crouching under a bridge. The squad learns that communicating, listening and following directions lead to the overall safety and success of the team.