Parent Question

What does good competitive cheer coaching look like?

Short answer

Good coaching holds high standards while responding to the individual athlete. In Episode 42, Ashlie Modabber — who has coached at the college level — shares that coaching taught her to loosen her grip on control, and that tough love alone is no longer enough.

The CDU explanation

What that means in practice

Ashlie describes the reality that once athletes take the floor, the coach is watching, not controlling. That shifts the work toward preparation, trust and communication.

This echoes Coach Bryce Kirkley in Episode 40, who described listening to athletes and adapting coaching to the person in front of him.

In Episode 43, Coach Becky Acra added the standard she coaches by: connect before you correct. Good coaching keeps the bar high and adapts the pathway to the athlete — building an environment where it is safe to fail without ever lowering what is expected.

Expert context

Season 1 sources

  • Ashlie Modabber — Golden State Grit

    Episode 42

    College coach and pro athlete on releasing control and the limits of tough love.

  • Coach Becky Acra

    Episode 43

    Coach and program director on connection before correction, safe-to-fail environments and same standard, different pathway.

Last reviewed 2026-10-15

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