National Cheer Safety Month is a dedicated time for the cheerleading community to focus on promoting safety practices, increasing awareness about injury prevention, and fostering a safer environment for all participants. The 2026 theme is “Start Every Season with Safety.” The beginning of a new season sets the tone for everything that follows. This is when athletes build fundamentals, coaches establish expectations, and programs create the culture that will carry them through the year. By making safety the first priority, we help athletes develop healthy habits, reinforce proper technique, encourage positive team environments, and ensure everyone is prepared to recognize, minimize, and respond to potential risks. Safety isn’t just something we practice. It’s the foundation for confidence, performance, and long-term success. That’s why this year’s National Cheer Safety Month theme is Start Every Season with Safety.
Through education, awareness, and a commitment to safety, National Cheer Safety Month aims to minimize risks and ensure that cheerleading remains a fun, healthy, and secure activity for all. By doing our part, we can collectively keep cheerleading and STUNT safe.
Follow our socials and join us back here each week of National Cheer Safety Month for more information on how to Start Every Season with Safety!
iCheerSafe Pledge
Join thousands of athletes and coaches around the world taking the #iCheerSafe pledge to celebrate National Cheerleading Safety Month.
Safety Data & Research
Available data and research shows that cheerleading is a safe activity for athletes of all ages.
Join the Conversation
Follow our socials and share how you’re starting this season with safety!
Let’s kick off NCSM by updating your social media profile pics and taking the iCheerSafe Pledge with your team!
Kick off the season by making safety your first priority. Review your program policies, complete required training (heat illness, concussion, athlete protection, and rules), and ensure your Emergency Action Plan is in place before athletes take the floor.
August 4th – Free TrueSport Webinar: The Hidden Impact: Concussions and Female Athlete
Date & Time: Aug 4, 2026 06:30 PM US Central Time
Female athletes experience sport-related concussions at higher rates than their male peers and often face greater symptom burden and longer recovery times. In this evidence-informed webinar, TrueSport Expert Dr. Michele LaBotz, MD, FAAP explores the latest research on concussion in young female athletes, including differences in incidence, symptoms, and recovery patterns. Participants will gain practical insights into sex-specific risk factors, effective sideline recognition and management, and strategies for safe return-to-learn and return-to-play. The session will also highlight strategies to reduce concussion risk while supporting performance, along with actionable guidance tailored for coaches, athletic trainers, and parents to foster a safer sport environment.
Safety Meeting and Take the Pledge!
You know what to do! Dedicate part of your practices to safety topics and reinforce safety at every practice, game, and performance. Talk to your team about the iCheerSafe pledge and have everyone complete the pledge. Post to your team socials that you’ve taken the pledge and be sure to tag us!
Review Protocols for Emergency Plans and Return to Play
Injury prevention is the goal, but in case an injury does happen, response and return protocols should be in place and followed to help prevent further injury.
Do you have your emergency action plan ready for this season? Review Emergency Action Plans here.
Do you know your concussion return protocols? Review our concussion resources here.
Education for All!
Coaches, athletes, and parents should be up to date on training to start the season. For coaches, that includes attending camps and conferences to state up to date on the latest rules, skills techniques, and developing a culture of safety. For everyone, it means taking the appropriate courses on concussion awareness and athlete abuse prevention. Athletes and parents are a key component in program safety when they are properly informed and vigilant!
Work on Your Fundamental Skills and Spotting
Learn about the Bear Hug catching technique.
Don’t skip the “small stuff”! Start your season by reinforcing good technique in basic low-level partner stunts and spotting drills. This helps set a solid foundation for the more advanced skills to come! This is also a good opportunity to mix and match bases, tops, and backspots. Coaches often find that there’s a better group dynamic they didn’t know about just by trying new combinations at lower levels. Spotting drills reinforce that safety is a key component in every part of your program.
Check the Condition of Your Mats
Is the carpet peeling away from the foam? Do your velcro strips no longer stick to the carpet? Now is the time to check all of your mats and any other equipment before the season gets underway. Pro tip: Budget for at least one new mat roll every year, then cycle out the oldest mat!
Safety Month Special!
Starting Aug 1 – Take an additional $5 off of the USA Cheer Cheerleading Safety Manual or the Safety Manual/High School Rules Book Combo!
Help us Start this Season with Safety!
Tag us!
Share our socials!
Share with your team, parents, administrators, support staff
State associations and organizations, Use our Toolkit to share NCSM with your members!