Get Ready for Homecoming

Homecoming is right around the corner and it is important for you as the cheer coach to be prepared!  If you plan ahead and work with all parties involved at the school, you can have a memorable and fun homecoming experience! 

Pre-Homecoming Planning with your School

Reach out to the following individuals 4-6 weeks before Homecoming. You might want to consider having a meeting with all of them together. Also, ask the following individuals who else needs to be included in the planning.      

• Principal
• Athletic Director
• Student Council Advisor
• Band Director
• Fall Coaches
• Alumni Association Representative

Be sure to discuss and plan the following.  Be sure to determine who is responsible for each item. If you all work together, it will be less overwhelming for everyone and it will make for the best homecoming experience. 

• Expectations for the cheer team.  
• Will there be an adjusted school schedule?  What will it be?
• What activities will happen during the school day and after school? 
• What is the sports schedule for the week?
• Do they want the cheer team to be at additional athletic events?
• Coordinate the pep rally.
• Coordinate the parade.
• Coordinate half-time. 
• Coordinate other school homecoming traditions.
• Discuss other homecoming tradition ideas. 
• Discuss school and game decor and who is responsible.
• How can the cheer team support the school and alumni besides the athletic events? 

Homecoming for your Cheer Team

To make homecoming a fun and memorable experience for your team, try the following ideas:

• Themed practices - the themes should match the theme days at the school.
• Plan an entertaining pep rally and half-time routine.
• Homecoming gifts - work with your parents to put together fun homecoming bags.  
• Get senior sashes for your seniors to wear at the game, parade and pep rally.  
• Plan to have a team dinner before the homecoming game or at some point in the week.  

Understand that during Homecoming week, your practices may not be quite as productive and you may not be able to practice as much as you typically do in a week.  As a coach, be sure to enjoy the week and let your team enjoy the week as well.  Homecoming week is part of the memories for the team that they will take with them for  the rest of their lives.