4 Steps to Get Coach-Ready before School Starts

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, it’s time for cheer coaches to shift gears from off-season to all-systems-go. Whether you're coaching sideline, competitive, or both, being prepared before the first practice gives you and your athletes a serious advantage.

Here are 4 must-do steps to help you get organized, energized, and coach-ready for the best season yet.

1. Get Your Paperwork & Info Organized

Before anything else, get your admin game strong. Paperwork may not be glamorous, but it’s essential.

Start by gathering and organizing:

• Emergency forms
• Parent contact info
• Medical releases
• Uniform inventory

Coach Tip: Keep it digital. Use tools like Google Drive to store forms and documents, and share access with assistant coaches or team parents. Keep digital copies of emergency forms on your phone—you’ll thank yourself on game days.

2. Plan Your Year in Advance

A great season starts with a solid calendar. Don’t wait for chaos to force you into reactive mode.

Begin scheduling:

• Game days and practice times
• Fundraising events
• School functions that affect cheer commitments
• Team bonding activities

Use a shared digital calendar like TeamSnap or Google Calendar to keep everyone in sync. Also, post a printed version in your cheer room or binder. Visibility keeps the team on track.

3. Plan your Fundraisers

Let’s be honest—fundraising can be stressful if you wait too long or try to do everything solo. The key? Start early and delegate.

Set up success by:

• Assigning fundraising roles to parents
• Establishing clear goals (uniforms, comp fees, travel)
• Adding events to your calendar ASAP

The earlier you begin planning, the more organized and profitable your fundraisers will be. You’ll also avoid burnout—for both you and your booster parents.

4. Schedule Team Bondings Now

Strong, connected teams don’t happen by chance—they’re built through intentional bonding.

Start planning monthly or bi-weekly team builders, such as:

• Movie nights
• Themed practices
• Spirit days
• Birthday shoutouts or appreciation weeks

Coach Wisdom: It doesn’t have to be elaborate to be effective. Keep it fun and consistent. Assign captains or leaders to help plan and run these events.

Final Thoughts

The best coaches don’t wait until the first practice to get ready; they walk in with a plan. With these 4 steps, you’ll start your season organized, focused, and fired up to lead your team to greatness.

Now go crush it, Coach. Your season starts now.