Young Coaches: Stop Doing This

If you’re a newer cheer coach (or you lead a staff full of them), this episode is a must-listen. Dan Cotton breaks down the five most common mistakes young coaches make—and what to do differently so athletes improve faster, teams stay healthier, and your culture gets stronger. You’ll hear why young coaches take performance personally, how mislabeling athletes as “defiant” can wreck confidence, and why making everything about competitions steals the joy and the development process. Dan also explains the danger of constantly changing routines to chase judges’ comments, plus the long-term damage that happens when coaches hold grudges or give up on athletes too early. This is a practical coaching leadership episode for all-star cheer coaches and cheer gym owners who want better practices, better athlete development, and a better experience for every kid in the gym.