Why do we practice and perform the same routine all season?

 Practicing to Perform vs. Practice for…

Why do we practice and perform the same routine all season?

Why do we practice and perform the same routine all season instead of treating practice like a class with the intention of learning a greater variety of skills?

The psychology and physicality of practicing to perform compared to practicing to practice is very different. When we practice and train for a performance, we train with the intention of mastering the skill to such an extent that it requires the effort and concentration to a robotic degree. When we practice in preparation for a performance we focus on our movements to prepare for adrenaline, teammate error compensation, and engagement in the performance. The pressure of performing in front of an audience can create a completely different physical and emotional experience. When we practice in preparation for performance, we bear in mind all the additional factors we will experience that will be different. We prepare to master the routine and perform our skills despite our nerves, unexpected mistakes, and our own excitement. As the routine is mastered in performance, the coach will add layers of difficulty during the following practices. The routine will change, very slowly, to keep pace with what the athletes can physically and mentally handle. Performance is a physical and mental game where as practice is mostly physical.

Practicing at a leisurely pace for the sake of practicing and learning new skills is a much less intense experience with far less pressure to master the skills. In practice to learn new skills, we can sufficiently accomplish new skills in a relaxed environment. Preparing skills to be performed requires mastery and a robotic sense of commitment and execution – muscle memory and confidence.

Performing is an important component of learning skills. It teaches the athlete to master skills and choreography to a greater degree; they can execute skills without error under additional pressure.

 The authors

Billie Sue Roe has worked as a UCA instructor and Varsity employee for 12 years. During this time she has been a member of the executive teaching "core" staff, curriculum developer, and the elite group of college staff instructors. She has worked with Varsity International for the last 5 years, instructing coaches and athletes around the world. Billie cheered at the collegiate level where she earned athletic scholarships as well as 3 National Championship titles. She is a 2009 graduate of Morehead State University, in Kentucky, U.S.A. with Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She is very excited to introduce cheerleading and its many opportunities to the children of China.