🎀 Prepare well for competitions (S2.12)
- janie724
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Episode of November 18, 2024
When competition season arrives, everyone feels it: the excitement, the stress, the energy... but also the chaos if you're not prepared . In episode 12 of the Kick's Cheer Podcast , Janie, Nadia and Keaven offer you a ton of simple, concrete and often very funny advice (hello dads learning how to do French braids 👀) so that your competition days pass in joy... and not in a rush.
Here are the key points to remember to prepare well , whether as an athlete, coach or parent.
🎒 Preparation starts well before the competition!
Don't underestimate the power of a well-packed bag 4 days in advance. Complete uniform, shoes, socks, makeup, bow, snacks, water bottles... Prepare everything in advance to avoid unnecessary stress. Even the little things count: a hairbrush, pins, or a snack your child REALLY likes to eat.
➡️ Athlete's Tip : Think you're competing at 4pm so you can stay up late? No! Sleeping well, eating well, and arriving relaxed and ready are non-negotiable.
💄 Makeup, hair, uniform: don't leave it to the last minute!
Bathrooms are a war zone at competitions. Few outlets, long lines, not the place to do a full face glam. Arrive with your makeup and hair done. As a parent, help your child get ready before leaving the house or hotel.
What if you're a single-parent cheer dad who stresses about hair? Make some allies on the team! Cheer is a community; everyone can help each other.
🥗 Eat (yes, even if you're not hungry).
Too many athletes arrive at competitions hungry, and this causes energy slumps (and even injuries). Pack simple snacks: soft bars, fruit, crackers—nothing heavy or new. And stay hydrated!
➡️ Coach's Pro Tip : Bring your lunch. Queuing up at Tim Hortons or the cafeteria isn't a winning strategy.
🔊 FanZone = noise, cheers and no phones!
Parents: The Fan Zone is YOUR moment. Your child is looking for you, needs your energy. So put down the phone, shout, clap, LIVE in the moment.
And please, follow the one-way system in the Fan Zone (yes, that's a thing). We don't want to block other teams or delay the competition.
🧠 Mental routines can also be practiced
Team shouts, motivational circles, jumps, hugs… All of this is important. And it can't be improvised. The athletes even practice the order and timing of their warm-ups, stunts, and mental focus before stepping onto the mast.
➡️ It all starts in the gym. What you repeat in practice becomes your comfort zone in competition.
🛎️ Communicate: it’s the basis.
📣 Gym owners : Establish a single, clear communication channel for competition day (e.g., private Facebook group, text, or email). Not 12 platforms. In case of schedule changes or emergencies, everyone should know where to look.
📣 Parents : Read the club documents. It's not optional. The schedule, the shuttles, the access—it's all there. Yes, the free shuttle to Celebration is magical... But you still need to know it exists.
🧠 Good preparation = good performance.
You want a hit? You want your bid? You want to be proud of yourself? Prepare properly. There are coaches who bring floors into a hotel conference room (#janie) to give their team the best chance of success. You think your performance doesn't deserve the same seriousness?
➡️ Planning a competition is like planning a wedding. You don't want it to be a complete mess on the big day.
🌟 The final word: have fun!
You've practiced for months. You've given it your 100%. Now's your time to shine and have fun. Smile, enjoy the moment, trust yourself.
And most importantly... share this episode with the other parents and athletes in your club. There might be something someone hasn't thought of, and it could make all the difference.
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