Why Most Cheer Coaches Feel Burned Out (And It’s Not Because They Don’t Love Coaching)

Julie Olinger
Jan 26
2 min read

If you’re a cheer coach who feels exhausted, short-tempered, or emotionally drained by mid-season, let’s clear something up:

It’s not because you don’t care enough. And it’s not because you’re doing it “wrong.”

Most cheer coaches feel burned out because the role demands more than people realize—and very little of it is visible.

Burnout Isn’t About Effort

Cheer coaches are some of the most dedicated people I know.

You show up:

early
late
on weekends
emotionally invested

Burnout doesn’t come from lack of passion. It comes from carrying too much for too long.

1. Cheer Coaching Is Emotional Labor (And No One Trains You for That)

You’re not just teaching skills.

You’re managing:

confidence
conflict
pressure
disappointment
expectations from athletes, parents, and administrators

That emotional load adds up—especially when there’s no place to process it.

Most coaches were trained to stunt… not to absorb everyone else’s stress.

2. There Are No “Off” Hours

Cheer coaching doesn’t end when practice does.

Your brain stays on:

replying to messages
worrying about injuries
thinking ahead to the next event
replaying conversations

When there’s no mental off-switch, rest never really happens.

3. You’re Expected to Be Organized Without Support

You’re expected to:

remember everything
manage schedules
track details
communicate clearly

Often with:

limited resources
little administrative help
and no system provided

So you build it all in your head—until it becomes too heavy.

4. You Care More Than Most People See

This one hits hard.

When things go well, it’s expected.When things go wrong, it’s noticed.

Coaches often feel unseen until there’s a problem.

That disconnect between effort and recognition quietly fuels burnout.

5. You Don’t Plan for Yourself

This is the part no one talks about.

Most coaches plan:

for athletes
for practices
for games
for competitions

But they don’t plan:

their energy
their boundaries
their recovery

Not because they don’t want to—but because no one taught them how.

Burnout Isn’t a Personal Failure

Burnout is a systems problem, not a character flaw.

When you’re expected to lead without structure, rest, or support—burnout is the natural result.

The solution isn’t quitting. It’s building systems that support you.

What Actually Helps Prevent Burnout

Sustainable coaching comes from:

planning beyond practice
writing things down instead of carrying them mentally
setting realistic expectations
giving yourself permission to be human

Small systems create big relief.

Why I Care So Deeply About This

I’ve been there.

Overwhelmed. Reactive. Emotionally drained.

Planning didn’t make coaching easy—but it made it manageable.

It gave me:

clarity
boundaries
confidence
and space to breathe

That’s why I created my Cheer Coach Planner—not to add more to your plate, but to support the coach behind the clipboard.