Stay aware of the social dynamic in your gym with communication and a proactive outlook.
By Lee Erica Elder
CBN June/July 2009
Cliquing is a tough issue for youth to deal with, but luckily it’s easy to recognize and easier to help curb.”
—Tegan Jemma Reeves, USASF Education and Communication Director/Programs Coordinator
When the Lifetime Television movie “Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal” aired in 2008, depicting the story of a group of cheerleaders in Texas who excluded and humiliated other members of their squad as well as their coach, it spotlighted an issue quietly facing many all-star gyms and teens in general—cliques within squads. Those excluded by teammates often experience loneliness, shame, embarrassment, fear, performance anxiety, a need to please and lack of motivation. Some cheerleaders ostracized by cliques eventually give up their dreams of cheering for good.
Think it could never happen at your gym? Think again. Coach Debbie Jankowski, owner of Heat Elite Allstars in New Lenox, IL, never imagined that cliques would tear her gym apart, but that’s exactly what she feels happened in the summer of 2008 (See bottom for Debbie’s Story).
Your athletes’ safety, emotional well-being and athletic progress, not to mention your gyms’ longevity, depend on your ability to recognize, address and, if necessary, deconstruct clique behavior. Read on to learn how to recognize the signs, combat negative cliques and keep your athletes working as a unit.
Unless someone needs a moment to themselves, it’s important that athletes recognize the social significance that their relationships play in the success of the team.”
—Becky Herrera, owner, CheerForce in Simi Valley, CA.
Cliques Defined
A clique is a term that refers to a small group of friends, characterized by exclusivity. “Cliques are a natural development among athletic groups,” says Judy L. Van Raalte, PhD, professor of psychology at Springfield College and vice-president of the International Society of Sport Psychology. Some clique members push each other to work hard, perform well and contribute positively to the team, but they may also encourage negative behavior such as being mean and rude to others and engaging in risky activities (drinking, smoking, etc.) to fit in. “The general negative quality of cliques is exclusivity, meaning that people are excluded on the basis of whatever factors the group shares, which might be class, race, religion or others,” says Van Raalte.
Separation Anxiety
There’s one widely agreed upon predictor of clique formation: noticeable distancing from the rest of the team early on. “Even during stretching, those groups that go off to a different side of the floor are something to look out for,” Jankowski warns. Also keep your eyes peeled for signals from excluded members. “Watching [your team] before and after practice or during quick water breaks offers a glimpse into the teenage mind,” advises Tegan Jemma Reeves, education and communication director/programs coordinator for the USASF and former gym director and coach of Rainbow TIDE Athletics in Rainbow City, AL. “Look for signs of exclusion in body language, like turned shoulders and absent looks.”
Another big clue is cheerleaders who refuse to perform stunts, work closely with other teammates or openly critique their performances. “The most important thing we can do as coaches is recognize that this is a team sport,” says Becky Herrera, owner of CheerForce in Simi Valley, CA. “Unless someone needs a moment to themselves, it’s important that athletes recognize the social significance that their relationships play in the success of the team.” Let athletes know that it’s their responsibility to complete all team exercises, and that if there’s a specific issue they’d like to address, it can be handled outside of practice.
Choosing Sides
Singling out cheerleaders may unwittingly cause cliques to form, whether due to a personal relationship (parent, relative or friend) or because of the athlete’s ability. “Favoritism is something to watch out for because everyone can see it,” says Kristin Rabbit, who’s both a coach and member of the all-girl team at East Elite in Tewksbury, MA. “You can try to deny favoritism, but cheerleaders on the team can always tell when a coach favors someone.”
Favoritism can often lead to negative behavior, causing devastating effects on the team’s equilibrium. And the results aren’t always as clear-cut as you might think. Those who are singled out are often ostracized by intimidated and jealous teammates, but cheerleaders given special treatment may also see that as an excuse to look down upon and exclude others. Reward not only the most decorated and proficient athletes, but also those who show a marked effort to improve their skills. Show your entire gym that hard work and perseverance are just as valued as awards.
The Impact of Exclusion
Cheerleaders want to impress their coaches and teammates in practice and performances with killer skills and enviable stunts, but doing so is next to impossible when faced with a barrage of dirty looks, eye rolling and negative comments. “Those who are left out may be unhappy, fearful and angry, and in some cases, may be driven to do destructive things to the team or form an ‘I hate the coach club,’” says Van Raalte. “What you have is a team working against itself rather than towards a goal.” Both Rabbit and Herrera have seen cliques of cheerleaders, from as few as two to as many as seven, quit because of cliques. “Cheerleading is a social sport,” says Herrera. “If athletes don’t feel included or important, their confidence diminishes and they lean toward leaving the sport.”
Preventing and Discouraging Cliques
For teams with a history of forming destructive cliques, it takes time to rebuild the foundation needed to move forward. But there are steps you can take immediately to create a better environment in your gym and prevent these problems from cropping up in the first place. If you see something, say something. Gather your team and explain that gym time is for working hard and playing hard and encourage them to leave any social issues at the door. Van Raalte recommends retaining a sports psychology consultant or other expert to discuss the issues as a group and set team rules and expectations. Having learned from experience, Jankowski has implemented a strict “Drama-Free” zone in her gym. “We’re a family. When we’re here, we all get along. There will be no talking about other cheerleaders, and if you do, you’ll be gone,” she says of the new policy. “So far it’s worked pretty well!”
Virtual Cliques
These days, kids are web savvy by the time they can walk. So it’s no wonder that cliquish behavior often extends beyond gym walls and into the online world. Between MySpace, Facebook, message boards, IM and texting, cyber bullying happens so frequently because the perpetrators feel protected by the supposed anonymity. Rabbit once counseled a younger athlete who was taunted online by a group of older girls. “I sat them all down and let them know their behavior was unacceptable, and that it’s important to watch what you say and do on the internet, because people can and do find out about it.” Have a talk about the importance of online safety (refer to the July 2008 issue of CBN for more on this topic), and set rules as to how much information members are allowed to post about gym-related matters and information.
Turn the Leader of the Pack into a Team Leader
Where there are cliques, there are leaders. One way to offset and prevent negative clique behavior is by drawing out these natural leadership qualities. Give the leader a responsibility that shows your belief in her ability to inspire others, such as planning an annual fundraising activity or organizing a spirit night before a big competition. Giving leaders a role with a healthy impact on the team’s morale and success strengthens their self-esteem and teaches them to seek praise and acknowledgement in healthy ways.
As the all-star industry evolves, so do the issues facing our athletes. Keep an open mind, listen and don’t underestimate the power of group dynamics. “It’s hard as a gym owner when you have financial obligations and are trying to make sure everything is running smoothly, but keep an open-door policy with coaches, kids and parents,” advises Jankowski. The best way to prevent or remove negative cliques from your gym? Be the example you wish to see. “As coaches, all eyes are on us, and we must be an example to those who may not see that they’re excluding,” says Reeves. “By affirming good behavior and keeping our own in check, we can start to make changes for the better.”
Debbie’s Story
Debbie Jankowski sums up the events that occurred at her gym in one word: nightmare. Two senior team members, formerly best friends, had a falling out. “The sort that all teenagers have,” she says. The tension began while the team was competing at a competition in Florida and soon escalated to a distinctively uncomfortable level. One of the girls, along with about six or seven teammates, began excluding the former friend from team activities and events, refusing to stunt and practice with her and attempting to turn other team members against her. “They did everything in their power to make this girl quit,” says Jankowski, who tried to intervene on several occasions
Things quickly went from bad to worse, culminating in the police being called to the gym regarding a physical altercation between the girls, with parents, coaches and teammates all taking sides. The situation exploded, and in its ripple effect led to the dissolution of her business. Jankowski has slowly begun to rebuild the program. She warns other coaches to be aware of the distinct social dynamics among young athletes. “I’ve learned that, as a coach, when you see it happening, you have to immediately step in. Don’t assume it’ll get better on its own,” she says. “This experience was a huge eye opener for me. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t know this could happen.”
Like Glue
Try some of these bonding activities to bring your athletes together
- Lock it up: Jankowski reinstated an old favorite: an annual gym lock-in. Her tips for bringing cheerleaders of all ages together include endless snack foods, karaoke and interactive games such as We Cheer for Wii and Rock Band.
- Girl talk: Here’s a simple way to boost positivity in your team: Have cheerleaders create a card for a teammate, naming at least one or two positive aspects about the person.
- Timeout: Herrera swears by her gym’s no-nonsense plan to get the senior team focused for comp season. They head to the mountains for choreography camp, but spend a bulk of their time on activities including a ropes course, zip lines, rock wall climbing and human Foosball. “We had a campfire, cabin decorating contest and even pulled a few pranks,” says Herrera. “It was the single best event we’ve ever had, and the teams walked away with great memories and a bond that was unbreakable.” The best part? No cell phones allowed!
- Service with a smile: Create a buddy system in which cheerleaders perform community service with a randomly assigned group and set goals for each team, such as making the most new friends at a nursing home or walking the most miles in a charity walkathon. Working together to accomplish a service-based goal helps athletes appreciate and admire skills in others and often creates instant bonds.
- New and improved: CheerForce implemented Rookie Week after two new cheerleaders quit because they felt excluded at their first practice. “A week before the regular season begins, we hold a camp for all new athletes,” says Herrera. “They get two to three days of learning skills in a less chaotic environment, while meeting new friends that are in the same position. It creates a terrific foundation of comfort among the kids and coaches.”
- Friends Forever: Do acknowledge that not all groups are bad! Encourage the healthy friendships you see in your gym and hopefully more will develop. “It’s so awesome to see friendships that have developed at Heat continue long after they’ve left the program. Some cliques are strong friendships which we encourage and desire!” says Coach Jason Mitchell of Arizona Heat Elite in Mesa, AZ.
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