Being a cheer captain is more than just being recognized as the most talented and responsible cheerleader on the squad. Your job is to act as a liaison between the squad and your coach to keep the lines of communication open, while assisting the coach in various duties on and off the field. If you're a captain hopeful or you've recently been chosen as captain, think of it as you would a part-time job. It's your responsibility to ensure that the squad runs as smoothly as possible.
Communication Liaison
A cheer coach may have other jobs and duties, especially if she acts as a teacher as well. That means the coach may not have time to speak with each cheerleader individually when she has a question or concern. It's the captain's responsibility to act as the liaison between squad members and the coach. Concerned squad members can speak to you as the captain and you can then relay any information to the coach to help save time and to avoid errors in communication.
Fundraising Duties
Between the cost of the various uniforms necessary for cheerleading, transportation costs and other fees, cheerleading can become a financial burden for the school and the cheerleaders themselves. Cheerleading usually depends heavily on various forms of fundraising, from bake sales to car washes. The captain is responsible to choose a fundraising panel from among the squad members, brainstorm fundraiser ideas, and plan and execute the events in order to raise money for the program.
Practice and Cheer Calling
Although your coach will most often run practice, if the coach isn't available or late, it's the captain's responsibility to ensure that practice runs smoothly. This can mean anything from leading the squad in stretches to having a planned practice from start to finish. Captains should also notice which members are and aren't on time or present for practice. During events, the captain calls the various cheers so that all of the cheerleaders are on the same page for team unity and seamless delivery.
Reputation and Outreach
As ambassadors for various organizations, cheerleaders must uphold a stellar reputation. A cheer captain should act as the example for the rest of the squad members when it comes to a clean reputation and the type of message the squad sends about the program. This could also mean speaking privately with members who may not be upholding the ideals of the squad as vigilantly as others. Cheer captains may also be asked to participate in community events to foster an environment of outreach to further the reputation of the program.
References
- Varsity.com: Leading Your Team
- "Coaching Cheerleading Successfully"; Linda Rae Chappell; 2005
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