Cheer loud; energy is contagious.

When I stand on the sideline or gather you for a drill, I don’t only teach you how to run or throw—I teach you how to push your energy into the world. Cheer loud; energy is contagious. Saying something short and strong can flip a whole room from "I can’t" to "I’ll try," and the best part is you don’t need a perfect voice or a fancy speech. A clear, kind line like “You’ve got this” or “One step at a time” can help a teammate who’s stuck and remind you that mistakes are part of getting better. Think of cheering as a tool you carry: it’s loud enough to be heard, simple enough to remember, and powerful enough to change how people feel around you.

Here are some short phrases you can use right away—on the field, in class, or when a friend looks down. Pick a few that feel natural and practice them until they roll out of your mouth without thinking: - You got this! - Try again — I’m here. - Small steps win the day. - I’m proud of your effort. - Breathe, then go. - We’re a team — not alone. - It’s okay to be scared. - That was brave; keep going.

Saying these things matters, but how you say them matters too. Use a voice that’s steady and a little louder than normal; stand tall and make eye contact when you can. When someone is upset, a soft but steady “I’m here” can be just as cheery as a loud “Let’s go!” Practice in different places: whisper the phrases to yourself before a test, shout them at the end of a race, or write them on a sticky note and stick it where you’ll see it before practice. Cheering for someone else doesn’t take energy away from you—it builds both of you up. When you lift a teammate, their strength bounces back to you. That’s the contagious part.

You’ll also need to cheer yourself. Before a big moment, stand in front of a mirror and say one of your lines out loud. Pretend your body is a trumpet and your words are music that fills the room. Notice how your shoulders relax, how your breathing steadies, and how your feet feel more ready to move. Over time, those short phrases become a habit: your brain starts to expect courage, your heart steadies, and the hard parts don’t feel so big. As your coach, I’ll keep yelling from the sidelines, but the most important cheer is the one you can give to yourself and to the person next to you. Try it now—pick one phrase, say it loud, and see how the energy changes.