How to Create a Season-Long Practice Plan That Actually Works

Because winging it isn’t a strategy – and your team deserves better.

As cheer coaches, we wear a lot of hats — choreographer, motivator, team mom, and yes... planner-in-chief. One of the most overwhelming parts of the season can be figuring out how to map out practices that prepare your team for success without burning them out.

Whether you’re coaching sideline, competition, or both, this guide will help you create a season-long practice plan that actually works — and doesn’t fall apart by mid-October.

1. Start With the End in Mind

Before you even touch your calendar, ask yourself:

• What are your team’s top 3 goals this season?

• Are you prepping for games only, competitions, or both?

• When are your key performances or deadlines?

Your practice plan should be reverse-engineered based on these answers. If competition is in November, you don’t want to be learning routines in late October. If your halftime performance is for Homecoming, you need to be polishing it weeks ahead — not the week of.

2. Break the Season Into Phases

Think of your season like a roadmap. Break it into these 3 key phases:

• Pre-Season (Summer & Early Fall): Focus on conditioning, stunt skills, and team bonding. Lay the foundation here.

• Build Phase (Early-Mid Season): Teach and clean choreography, increase reps on game day material, build stunt groups.

• Performance Phase (Peak Season): Refine, polish, and prepare for high-stakes performances. Prioritize rest and recovery too.

This approach ensures your team is progressing with intention — not stuck in “survive the week” mode.

3. Create a Weekly Practice Template

Set a general rhythm to your week. For example:

• Monday: Jumps, Motions, Game Day Chants

• Tuesday: Stunts & Pyramids

• Thursday: Full Routine Rehearsal + Team Bonding

This gives athletes (and you!) consistency. Your actual content can change week to week, but the structure keeps things manageable and helps everyone know what to expect.

4. Use a Planner (Seriously)

This might sound like a shameless plug — but using a physical planner or digital tool will save your sanity. Write down:

• Focus for each practice

• Materials needed

• Skills or sections to review

• Notes for what needs revisiting next time

If you're using my Coach Julie Co. Cheer Planner, there’s space for every weekly plan, notes, and even camp and clinic tracking so you’re not scrambling last minute.

5. Build in Flex Time and Recovery

Unexpected absences, weather cancellations, injury — they happen. Don’t fill every minute of every practice with back-to-back material. Build in:

• Buffer weeks

• Lighter practices after big performances

• Optional open gyms or review days

This prevents burnout and gives you room to pivot if needed.

6. Check In Monthly and Adjust

Plans are great. But real coaching magic comes from adjusting. Take 15 minutes each month to check:

• Are we on track for our goals?

• What needs more time?

• Is morale high or are we wearing thin?

Make changes as needed. Your plan is a tool — not a prison.

Final Thoughts

A season-long practice plan doesn’t mean rigidity — it means intentionality. When your team knows there’s a purpose behind what they’re doing every week, you’ll see better buy-in, better performance, and way less chaos.

Need help getting your plan in motion? Grab the Coach Julie Co. Cheer Planner to map out your entire season with ease.

You've got this, Coach! 🎀 Coach Julie