Team Unity vs. Individuality: Finding the Balance in Cheerleading

The other day, I had an older member of our community stop me with an interesting observation. She noticed that all of my cheerleaders’ hair was styled the same way. Her comment was, “It’s such a shame that they can’t express themselves anymore. Everyone looks the same.”

I smiled and responded with my usual explanation: we’re a team, and we do everything together. But later, her words stuck with me. It made me reflect on individuality in cheerleading—and how much flexibility coaches should give their athletes in how they present themselves.

The “All or None” Approach

In my program, I lean toward the “all or none” mentality. Hair, bows, uniforms, and warm-ups are consistent across the board. Why? Because it communicates unity. When my team steps onto the sideline, I want them to look like one cohesive unit. That’s the image we’ve chosen to represent. It’s also one less distraction for the athletes, who know exactly what’s expected of them.

The Flexible Approach

But not every coach shares that philosophy—and that doesn’t mean their approach is wrong. Some teams embrace individuality by allowing athletes to wear their hair however they’d like, or by mixing warm-up jackets, sweatshirts, or fun socks into their look. Others keep things uniform most of the time but allow special themed nights where individuality shines through.

Choosing What Works for Your Program

At the end of the day, neither approach is “better” than the other. It comes down to what works for your program, your athletes, and your community. Every coach has to decide what battles they’re willing to fight and what values matter most. For some, uniformity equals discipline. For others, individuality equals freedom.

Maybe it’s a generational mindset. Maybe it’s cultural or even territorial—different communities and traditions shaping the way coaches lead. But the truth is, cheerleading has room for both philosophies.

Let’s Hear from You

So, I want to know—how does your team handle individuality? Do you prefer the clean, consistent look where everyone matches from head to toe? Or do you give your athletes space to express themselves within the team setting?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how your program strikes the balance between unity and individuality.

🎀 Coach Julie