Dance Team Motivation
by Cindy Clough

START PLANNING NOW FOR A GREAT SEASON!!
Calvin Coolige said "Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent". The truth is that the vast majority of people are not willing to pay the price to reach the top. The person who is willing to pay the price through hours of LONG, HARD WORK can accomplish almost anything.
The first thing your team needs to do is realize that success is not something that you wish for. It is something you work for!!
Point out to your line that teams that have achieved success have done so through sacrifice, hard work, and discipline. Luck is not involved.
I feel that one of the most important aspects of coaching is teaching your dancers the importance of GOAL SETTING. They need to have a focus.....a reason....something to reach for. They need to know where they are going. At the beginning of each year I sit down and discuss goals for the year with my team. We have several different types of goals and constantly evaluate them.

TEAM GOAL EXAMPLES
a) competitive
b) community related
c) to improve a weak area
d) team reputation
e) school public relations

INDIVIDUAL GOAL EXAMPLES
a) flat splits/high kicks
b) top physical condition
c) great attitude
d) improve overall ability (smile, stiffness, etc.)
f) Jazz skills/technique

After setting goals, set your TARGET DATES for achieving them. Always remind the dancers of their goals and the target dates. Never ever say if we achieve them, say when we achieve them.
I am constantly looking for poems, sayings, and other written material to send home with my team. This seems to keep them pepped up. Tell them to hang them in their lockers, next to their bed, or somewhere they will see it each day.
Find ways to reward them for hard work (parents can also help with this) ...
•Awards banquets
•Metal insert award pins
•Dancer of the week
•Popsicles, fruit, beverage breaks at practice

OTHER PARTIES
Parties are great for your group because they enable the dancers to see you in a social situation where things are fun and without pressure. Try an overnight at the school, pool party, water skiing, parent-child tea, pizza party, etc.

SKIT NIGHT
•Encourage the dancers to make fun of some of the tense moments your team has had. This sometimes helps to put things into perspective and lighten up the year.

SECRET PAL
•Encourage that they don't spend much money.
•Emphasis should be on making things that will motivate their pal.

MAKE SURE THEY ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
This will keep them working hard. Make a big deal out of all the performances you do. Try to arrange some special performances at away games or major events. My team loves to travel out of town. Once a year try to arrange a small overnight trip. This gives them something fun to look forward to and they always work extra hard so they will look great.

COSTUMES
Make them feel special by allowing them to order new costumes. Nothing makes them feel as great as when they put on a new costume. If your money situation is tight (you’re not alone!), try a small pick me up like new gloves, wrists, or hair piece.

MOTIVATE WITH PRAISE!
If you see someone do something great, make sure you notice and praise them. Once you compliment someone on something they have done well, they will always do it great from then on.

BE EXCITED!
If you are excited they, in turn, will be excited. As the saying goes, you must first activate yourself in order to activate others. Show your enthusiasm for whatever they are working on and it will be contagious.

THE ELEVEN COMMANDMENTS OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
1. Thou shall smile often.
2. Thou shall change their own ideas, dress, and behavior when needed.
3. Thou shall try to see the other person’s point of view.
4. Thou shall not complain.
5. Thou shall accept the responsibilities for thy mistakes.
6. Thou shall not criticize others.
7. Thou shall think of others, and what is good or helpful to others.
8. Thou shall look the other person in the eye.
9. Thou shall respect the ideas and opinions of others.
10. Thou shall not make excuses for thy own behavior.
11. Thou shall enjoy life and have many interests.
Fear is success’ enemy #1. If there is something you are worrying about, get off your "rear" and start working on it. Action cures fear.