Qualities to Be a Cheer Captain

Cheerleaders represent the schools they attend. They present themselves well and stay in healthy shape for tumbling and stunts. Cheerleaders work in teams of five to 50 girls, depending on the school. Cheer team members often aspire to the position of captain. In addition to basic responsibilities, the cheer captain starts practice, calls cheers and takes a lead role as liaison between the squad and the cheer coaches.

  1. Capable Communicator

    • Cheer captains should meet with their squads weekly to discuss upcoming games. Although the captain has the final say, she should get input from the cheerleaders on cheers and chants they want to include, accompanying music to use and uniforms for upcoming events. If the squad tells her one of the routines in a previous game was weak, she should focus on that routine in practice. Cheer captains always greet visiting cheerleaders and inform them of floor rotations between the two cheer squads.

    Caring Mentor

    • Cheer captains are typically at the top of their games in tumbling and stunts. Some squad members might be strong in one of those areas and weak in another. Rather than simply telling a cheerleader her back handspring "needs work," the captain should give specific advice -- such as different hand or foot positioning -- on what would improve the move. She needs to demonstrate proper execution of the stunt. If a cheerleader is having difficulty with a particular routine, the captain is generally willing to arrive at practice early to assist her individually. She makes sure appropriate mats and spotters are in place.

    Motivator

    • A cheer captain needs to incite spirit for games and practices. She should enter practice in an enthusiastic, upbeat manner. Since cheerleaders are responsible for keeping the crowd enthused, she encourages team members to keep smiling, even when their team is losing. When the squad becomes bored with the same old routines, the captain should seek input from cheer organizations to find information on new stunts and pyramids.

    Manager

    • The cheer captain develops agendas for events, such as cheering competitions and pep rallies. She composes chants and cheers and decides which cheers will be used in each game. When the cheer team hosts a fundraiser or organizes a pep rally, a successful leader designates tasks to peers. If the cheerleaders are hosting a car wash, she should make sure they have all necessary supplies and speak to the management before, during and after the event. She is organized and makes sure all members receive information and schedules. The captain plans ahead for needed supplies, such as CDs and music, at games and practices.

    Leader on the Floor

    • When their team is losing a game, crowds sometimes become negative. The cheer captain should stage a positive cheer to restore the support of the crowd. She must ensure that team members are consistently in correct formations on the sidelines and during performances. The captain must know the rules of the game for which she is cheering. She makes sure there are no cheers during critical times, such as free throws in basketball. She reminds other cheerleaders that they can't converse with crowd members during a game.