6 Proven Ways to Keep Your Cheer Team Motivated Before Competition Season

Let’s be real: by late September, cheer season starts to feel long.

Your team has been together since spring tryouts. They’ve picked out uniforms, crushed summer camp, and cheered their hearts out under Friday night lights. But now, you’re in the grind zone working hard toward competitions that are still 4 to 7 weeks away.

This is the time when motivation dips. The adrenaline of game day is fading. Routines are getting repetitive. Energy is wearing thin. And your athletes may be wondering, “Are we there yet?”

Here are 6 effective ways to keep your team motivated, focused, and excited through the toughest (but most important) stretch of the season.

1. Break Big Goals Into Mini-Milestones

Instead of just aiming for “crush it at Regionals,” break down your routine progress into bite-sized wins.

Example mini-milestones:

• “All stunt groups hit elites to music by Friday”
• “Everyone clean on dance counts by next Monday”
• “Two full-outs zero deduction routines this week”
  

By celebrating incremental goals, you will keep them motivated during this time and on target to hit zero at your first competition!

2. Create Visual Progress Trackers

Use a whiteboard, poster, or sticker chart to visually track team progress:

• Completed sections of the routine
• Full-outs with zero bobbles
• Weekly attendance or effort points
  

Let athletes physically mark progress; it gives ownership and motivation.

3. Bring in Guest Coaches

Do a coach swap and offer to work with another school and then have their coach come work with your team. Or, if you have the budget, pay a choreographer, all star coach or someone with cheer expertise to come and watch your routine at practice. 

Guest coaches can:

• Bring a new perspective
• Increase the focus on the team as they tend to practice at their best when they know someone else is coming to watch
• Give you support

4. Give Purposeful Praise

In this stretch, your athletes need more than “good job.” Give specific, intentional praise that reinforces progress.

Examples:

• “Your timing on the stunt entry was so clean.”
• “I saw how you encouraged your flyer when she was nervous. That’s leadership.”

When athletes feel seen, they keep showing up.

5. Let Athletes Lead Something

Let your athletes lead warm-ups, conditioning, or even part of the routine review. It builds accountability and reminds them that this is their season, not just yours.

You can also assign captains and other leaders to lead a motivational quote or inspiration at each practice.

6. Reignite the “Why”

Remind them why they are part of the team. Take 10 minutes to let athletes write down or share:

• Why they love cheer
• What they’re excited for in competition season
• Their biggest personal cheer goal

Post responses on a locker room wall, practice mirror, or team chat. Reconnecting them with their why can fuel the next stretch.

Final Thoughts

This stretch of the season is tough but it’s also where greatness is built. By creating a mix of progress, purpose, and fun, you’ll help your athletes stay motivated all the way to competition day. Remember, your energy sets the tone. Keep showing up with intention and they will too.