From Coach Mandi-The Middle Of Our Competition Season

The Middle Of Our Competition Season

As we head up the middle of our comp season, I have a few tips for our athletes: Find the moments where you can motivate yourself to push past your limits. This is what makes the difference when you're faced with adversity. Be adaptable. Yes, it's going to get harder. Yes, things will change. Multiple times. You're in a competitive sport. Being adaptable to change is key to your team's success. On the bright side, this is the one lesson that you can hold through life. Being adaptable is a life lesson. Own it. Don't rely on the the praise from others to be your motivating factor. In turn, don't let criticism beat you down. Learn to filter what you need to take away from the critique and learn to be humble during praise. You are a piece of the puzzle. Every team is a jigsaw. Every person fills a spot of necessity. Own your spot. Be great at your spot. Work on other areas and be an asset to your team. Practice outside of practice. If you only practice during practice hours, don’t complain when the result you want doesn’t happen. Greatness requires extra effort. I am not the world's easiest coach. I don't sympathize and I normally don't empathize. I've been in your shoes. I know what it takes. I won't baby you. I have expectations of each and every one of you. You may not like how hard I coach now, and that's ok. I didn't like how hard my coach was either. But I learned and I grew from her methods. The biggest stages of your season are yet to come. How will you handle the pressure? Welcome to our competitive world.... Be great Believe in yourself Don't be validated by others Push past your limits It's go time.....

-Mandi

Cheer Mom Jessica-How Cute Are They?

       


              Hello readers, it's your favorite west coast cheer mom again! It's been a couple weeks since I've blogged and I bet you can't guess what I have been up to. PINTEREST!!!!!!!!!  If you read my last entry, you probably remember me saying I'm a self-proclaimed Pinterest Addict. lol.. I'm always searching from the cutest/newest things to create for my daughters and their cheer teams. 

 I have posted some of the ones I have decided to try for myself. Fingers crossed that they turn out right. 
        
      DISCLAIMER: Just because I love Pinterest for those cheer projects, doesn't mean they always turn out the way they are supposed to.  I have had quite a few fails that could have ended up on those "Epic Fails of Pinterest" videos on Facebook.   





      Keep Crafting,
      Jessica

From Coach Mandi-The Highs and Lows of Travel Season

  The Highs and Lows of Travel Season        

        January kicks off what many of us know as Nationals or Travel Season in All Star Cheer. The competitions are closer together and the pressure is on for teams to be at their peak for these major two day events. This is when athletes need to ensure they are taking care of their bodies by eating properly, icing after practice and stretching on off days to ensure rest/recovery is key. Just like any other sport, this is the most critical element to ensuring peak athletic performance, but it is often the most overlooked in cheer. Parents, it is critical you are ensuring your athlete are taking care of their bodies on their off days.

With travel season comes routine changes. I have a saying that I’ve used a lot this season: “Trust me now, believe me later.” As coaches, sometimes our changes to routines are not understood by parents. Trust that our coaching staff know the score sheet and knows the team well enough to put the best routine on the floor, even if that means stunt groups are removed, positions are changed or skills are watered, removed or added. There are so many factors that go in to why coaches make routine changes. Just trust the process. 

Parents, it is important that you are prepared for travel season as well.  Have your checklists ready. What to pack, where the venue is, what type of parking is available and the bag policies for each venue.  Map out your day and, if you can, pack healthy snacks and water for your athlete.

This part of the season goes by so fast, and before you know it, May is here. Enjoy the ride!!

-Mandi

Cheerleader of the Month-January 2019

Congrats to Tatum Ditzler 

of Empire Elite Allstars

Name: Tattum Ditzler             Nickname:   T, TT, & Tates                  Age:  7 (almost 8)

Years cheering: 4 years

Current Team: Empire Elite Allstars

Favorite Competition: American Grand in Las Vegas & D2 Summit

Favorite Comp food/drink: Pixie Sticks & Water

Proudest moment in cheer: When our team made it to the Summit

Favorite Team (other than yours): Arizona Element Elite (I have lots of friends there)

Something you would like readers to know about you: I love everything cheer and mermaids

Social Media Handle for others to follow you on:  Instagram: @ee_tates

Blogger Emily 1-1-19

      

      Hey everyone, it’s Emily. Sorry it’s been a long time since i last wrote. Cheer, school and work have been overwhelming. Cheer is honestly a little rough right now. It’s really hard for us to get consistent and to have amazing practices. Lately, we haven’t been acting like ourselves. We get frustrated easily and everyone is tired of not hitting perfect. However, these are the times that will make us better. By pushing through the hard times and forcing yourself to hit, forcing yourself to get up and throw your pass again, forcing yourself to keep the stunt in the air; you become such a better athlete, both physically and mentally. Just remember that when things get tough, that’s not a bad thing, it’s just an opportunity to get better.

Until next time, 
Emily Yanok.