As gym owners and coaches, we know parents are always watching—sometimes literally through the lobby window (or at my gym – from 10 feet away 😂). But here’s the truth:
The more educated your parents are about what you do, why you do it, and how success is actually built, the stronger your program becomes.
Educated parents are your secret weapon because they:
- Build your gym’s credibility in the community
- Supercharge word-of-mouth marketing (without even trying)
- Increase retention and lifetime value among your members
When parents understand your why, they’re less likely to question your decisions—and more likely to back you up.
Here are the three things every cheer gym owner should start intentionally educating parents on:
1. The Scoresheet Isn’t a Secret
To most all star parents, the scoresheet feels like some secret coach-only clue from National Treasure. But here’s the thing—it’s so helpful to let them in. Plus, it’s public, and Chat GPT can answer an awful lot of questions about it, so make yourself the go-to.
When parents understand how scores are calculated, they also understand:
- Why choreography sometimes has to change mid-season
- Why great attendance makes great teams
- Why their kid’s “small role” might be exactly what the routine needs in that moment
There are no benchwarmers in all star cheer. Explaining the scoresheet not only helps parents understand your choices—it sharpens your own knowledge and keeps you on top of what matters most each season.
2. Drills Aren’t Busywork
If you’ve ever heard, “They just do the same thing over and over,” then congrats—you’ve met a parent who doesn’t understand drills.
Here’s how you reframe it: Drills are not filler. They’re form training to build muscle memory. They’re prevent injuries. They’re what turns a ¾ twist into a full. Literally.
It’s the same as being the new kid at CrossFit and learning to squat with a PVC pipe before adding weight—you build the pattern first, so you don’t break under pressure later.
When parents see drills as intentional, they stop asking why you aren’t spotting the kid with every rep, and they start appreciating the process.
3. Safety Protocols: Not Just for Emergencies
Parents trust you with their most valuable asset—their kid. That trust multiplies when they know how you actually keep athletes safe.
Be transparent about:
- Emergency/weather procedures
- Injury & concussion protocols
- Equipment inspections (and what happens when something breaks)
- Child safety rules—especially policies that prevent one-on-one situations
- Policies on bullying – and how your staff handles it when your youth kids are being unkind to their teammates
And please don’t let cameras be your entire plan. Cameras are hindsight. They don’t protect you. People are not afraid of cameras, because we all know there are blindspots. Your safety system should be proactive, not reactive.
When parents understand your safety systems, they’re not just trusting you—they’re trusting your coaches and backing your business.
Final Thought
Educating parents doesn’t mean inviting them to coach from the sidelines. It means giving them the tools to support your culture, your systems, and your team.
When they understand your “why,” they stop questioning everything — and start advocating for you and your staff.
And when that happens? You don’t just build strong athletes. You build a community that sticks around long-term.
Watch or Listen Now:
📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/lYosXQ2-73o
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ZRkWxj0UStypl7cysKHtT?si=eJxqzqnHRDK59wMfjCta2Q
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fullout-cheer-podcast/id1763244914?i=1000671644573
