Cheer Coach Role
Leadership
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Introduce leadership by giving young players a rotating 'cheer coach' role responsible for encouraging teammates during drills.
What you need
- tennis racket
- tennis balls
- court
Your focus
Young players develop empathy and communication skills by actively supporting peers rather than only focusing on themselves. Taking a leadership role, even briefly, builds confidence and teaches children that encouragement is a skill worth practicing. These early experiences establish a culture of positive team behavior that carries through a player's career.
During a normal group drill, designate one player as the 'cheer coach' for a 5-minute rotation.
The cheer coach stands to the side, watches teammates, and calls out one specific positive comment after each peer's shot (e.g., 'great follow-through!' or 'nice effort getting to that ball!').
Coach models appropriate encouragement language before the rotation begins.
Rotate the cheer coach role every 5 minutes so each player gets a turn; debrief what it felt like to be cheered and to cheer.
Helpful cues
- Say what you actually saw, be specific
- A good cheer coach watches carefully
- Your words help your teammates play better
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Give the cheer coach a list of three pre-approved phrases they can choose from.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Cheer coach must give one technical observation (not just 'great job') after every third ball.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.