The Ultimate Cheer Coach Planning Checklist
- Julie Olinger
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever walked into practice thinking,
“I know I planned… why does it feel like I forgot something?”
You’re not alone.
Cheer coaching isn’t just practices and games—it’s communication, leadership, logistics, and emotional management all happening at once.
This checklist is designed to help you plan once—and lead with confidence all week long.
Bookmark it. Save it. Come back to it often.
Weekly Cheer Coach Planning Checklist
1. Practice Planning
Before the week starts, confirm:
☐ Practice days, times, and locations
☐ Skills to teach or clean this week
☐ Conditioning focus
☐ Warm-up and stretch plan
☐ Equipment or mats needed
Coach tip: Plan practices with intention—not just repetition.
2. Game & Event Prep
If there’s a game, performance, or event:
☐ Call time confirmed
☐ Uniform / attire reminders sent
☐ Sideline cheers reviewed
☐ Transportation details confirmed
☐ Weather considerations checked
Nothing creates stress faster than last-minute game confusion.
3. Athlete Management
Take 5 minutes to think about your team as people:
☐ Injuries or restrictions noted
☐ Attendance issues tracked
☐ Athletes who need encouragement
☐ Athletes who need accountability
Great coaches lead humans—not just routines.
4. Communication Check
Plan communication before questions start:
☐ Parent message needed?
☐ Athlete reminders to send?
☐ Admin / AD updates to review?
☐ Deadlines coming up?
Clear communication = calmer weeks.
5. Leadership & Culture Focus
Choose ONE leadership focus for the week:
☐ Effort
☐ Accountability
☐ Confidence
☐ Team unity
☐ Mental toughness
This focus should guide how you coach—not just what you coach.
6. Logistics & Admin
Handle the behind-the-scenes details:
☐ Paperwork or forms
☐ Fundraising updates
☐ Budget or expenses
☐ Competition deadlines
☐ Booster or staff coordination
Unseen work still counts.
7. Coach Care (Yes, You)
This matters more than you think:
☐ One personal goal for the week
☐ One boundary to protect your energy
☐ One win to celebrate
Burned-out coaches can’t pour into their teams.
Why This Checklist Works
Most coaches plan in their head. Successful coaches plan on purpose.
When you write things down:
you stop carrying everything mentally
you lead with clarity
you feel prepared instead of reactive
Confidence comes from knowing you didn’t forget anything.
Want This Checklist Built Into Your Week?
This exact checklist lives inside my Cheer Coach Planner—so you don’t have to recreate it every week.
It’s designed to help cheer coaches:
stay organized
lead with confidence
and actually enjoy their season
Coach Julie Tip 💡
Print this checklist or screenshot it until planning becomes a habit. Then let a system do the heavy lifting for you.
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