Cody High School Cheerleading Handbook 2010-2011 Revised as of 8/27/11
Cheerleaders are chosen representatives of the student body; they have the opportunity and specific responsibility for promoting sportsmanship. By setting a good example cheerleaders can influence and help control the reaction of student and adult spectators. Cheerleaders not only represent the school, but also the community.
All cheerleaders will be expected to follow this handbook as well as all rules listed in the Cody High School Activities Policy Manual and Wyoming High School Activities Association. Cody High School Cheerleading – Program Philosophy Priorities • Family • Education • Cheerleading Three Questions 1. Are you COMMITTED? • Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to become your absolute best? 2. How much do you OWE your teammates? • What important role do you play that they are relying on for their success? 3. Can you be TRUSTED? • Do you do what you are asked to do? • Do you do what you say you are going to do? • Do you work out issues with teammates? Considerations • Is it best for the Activities Department? • Is it best for the team? • Is it best for me? *In this order! Coaching Philosophy Cheerleading is a team sport that encompasses many areas. Besides the physical skills taught, student athletes can learn other life-long skills such as self-confidence, self-discipline, selfmotivation, goal setting, teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship, and leadership. Cheerleaders shall learn about commitment and balancing many obligations. Team members shall be challenged to reach their full potential, encouraged to learn emotional maturity, and shall undoubtedly have the opportunity to practice the ability to deal with success and failure. We shall strive to develop and utilize the whole person, not just the athlete. The primary purpose of the cheerleader is to be a member of the team while supporting all athletic teams, the school, and the community. That support is directed into three major areas, as follows. (1) To lead cheers during all athletic and school events; to raise the level of fan support as a positive role model; to solicit that support from CHS fans and to project it to CHS and its teams; (2) to participate in the athletic activity known as cheerleading by performing gymnastics, partner stunts, motions, pyramids, and dance movements. In order to participate and support your squad in these activities each cheerleader must commit to practices and workouts to build the strength and stamina; and (3) to uphold, reflect and project the goals and ideas of CHS, to appear at CHS activities, functions, and programs at charitable and public causes to promote the athletic teams and the school. Decisions made by the coaching staff shall be based on what is good for the Activities program, what is good for the team, and what is good for the individual. Our top priority shall always focus on building young women of strong character through the Cody High School Cheerleading program. Page 2 of 13
Expectations of Cody High School Cheerleading Coach: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
They shall be a positive role model. They shall be a leader and a motivator. They shall be a firm and fair disciplinarian. They shall follow the “team first, individual second” belief. They shall be committed to the Cheerleading program, to the team, to the players, to the parents, and to the Cody community. 6. They shall be honest in all dealings with team members and parents. 7. They shall follow and uphold all rules and expectations set forth by the Cody High School Activities Department and this handbook. Tasha Skinner
Head Coach
tskinner@park6.k12.wy.us
307-899-3517
Expectations of Parents: 1. Be aware of your player’s needs, feelings and concerns. 2. Attend as many contests as possible so you get a full and complete picture. 3. Understand the point of: 1. Your daughter 2. Yourself 3. Other athletes and parents 4. The coach or coaches 4. Support the “team first, individual second” belief. 5. Show positive support and encouragement for your daughter, for all members of the team and for the Cody high school activities program. 6. Never speak negatively to or about a coach, another parent, another cheerleader, or your daughter. 7. Demonstrate sportsmanship at all games. 8. Do not coach your daughter from the stands. 9. Allow your daughter to participate on the team in her own way. Don’t re-live your career through hers. Don’t try to control the team and how it is managed. 10. Let 24 hours elapse before initiating communication with the 2-Step process below. 11. Follow the 2-Step communication process to resolve all conflict: 1. Parent and athlete meet with coaching staff. (This can happen after player has attempted to resolve issue – see item 10 of the Player Expectations). 2. Athlete, parent, and head coach meet with the Activities Director. Expectations of Cody High School Cheerleaders: Cody High School Cheerleading Four Belief Statements: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Team Comes First Practice, Cheer and Live With Discipline Choose Your Attitude Maximize Your Effort 1. “Team Comes First” is the number one philosophy in our program. The team is greater than the individual and will always take precedence. If a young lady learns to commit to the greater team and unselfishly put her personal interests second, Page 3 of 13
she has learned a valuable lesson in life as it relates to family and career situations. We shall commit to teach that every personal decision affects the greater team and consequences for personal actions also come with consequences for the team. 2. Cheerleading requires tremendous personal discipline and team discipline and this is a quality we shall strive to build in each and every individual as well as our team. 3. We believe that attitude is the key to success. Each of us receives the gift and the ability to choose what our attitude shall be each and every day and in each and every situation. We shall strive to teach proper and positive attitude and will demand it from each person associated with our program. The one thing you can always control is your attitude. 4. We cannot control many things in the games or in our lives, but we can always control and give our best effort. We shall expect and demand the best not only cheering on the sidelines, but also in the classroom and in life. Expectations for a Cody High School Cheerleader: 1. Answer the three questions. 2. Have character and Class. Show respect to teammates, coaches, other teams, the game, classmates, schoolmates, and others outside the game. 3. A team first attitude – unselfish, positive, encouraging, and supportive. 4. A coachable attitude – willing to listen, improve and accept constructive criticism. 5. A loyal commitment to Cody High School supporting all teammates, coaches, classmates, schoolmates, and others. 6. A commitment to give their very best effort each and every day. 7. Be self disciplined. 8. Be self motivated. 9. Show positive support and encouragement for all members of the team, coaches, other teams, and for the Cody high school activities program. 10. Never speak negatively to or about a coach, another parent, another cheerleader, or yourself. 11. Be a positive role model and a positive ambassador for Cody High School and the Cody community. 12. Cheerleaders must attempt to resolve any issues with team mates and the coaching staff through the following three step approach: a. Cheerleader meets with the team member (or coach – if the issue is with the coach). b. Both teammates meet with coaching staff (if unable to resolve the conflict regarding another team member). c. Cheerleader meets with coaching staff and Activities Director. (If no resolution, refer to item 11 of the Parent Expectations.) Role of a Cody High School Varsity Cheerleader 1. 2. 3. 4.
Abide by all of the expectations for a Cody High School Cheerleader (above). Cheer at all Varsity events. Be on time and present to all practices & events. Treat Varsity & Junior Varsity as ONE team. Page 4 of 13
5. 6. 7. 8.
Help and encourage all teammates Keep communication with coaches and teammates positive at all times. Support coaches’ decisions and help others do the same. Be a positive role model in & outside of practice/events. Role of a Cody High School Junior Varsity Cheerleader
1. Abide by all of the expectations for a Cody High School Cheerleader (above). 2. Be on time & present to all practices & events. 3. Stand and cheer with your teammates at Varsity events from the stands dressed in uniform. 4. Learn all material as Varsity members and be ready to perform at Varsity events at any time. 5. Treat Varsity & Junior Varsity as ONE team. 6. Help and encourage all teammates. 7. Keep communication with coaches and teammates positive at all times. 8. Support coaches’ decisions and help others do the same. 9. Be a positive role model in and outside of practice. Practice and Performance Attendance Policy Each and every practice is mandatory. Cheerleaders need to be in practice each and every day there is a scheduled practice. This is vital for their individual improvement and because of their individual commitment to the team. Each cheerleader’s presence at each practice is essential for the continued development of our team. Missed practices hurt the team severely and cheerleaders who miss shall suffer consequences depending on the reason for missing. Because of our high expectations for practice attendance and because of our liability for all cheerleaders well being each day, every missed practice, and/or performance or scheduled event must be cleared with the coaching staff – before the practice, performance or scheduled event begins or it shall be counted as unexcused. A parent call, note, or a friend relaying a message is NOT adequate and will NOT be acceptable (some exceptions apply). The cheerleader must take the responsibility upon herself to contact the coach using the phone number and/or email provided in this handbook on page 3. If the coach does not answer your phone call make certain a message is left. Missing practice for any reason shall result in serious consequences. The consequences shall depend on the reason and the manner in which the miss was responsibly handled. Our basic policy shall be that we want each team member to be present and fully participating 100% at each and every practice. The following guidelines then shall be applied to missed practices: 1. Limited Practices: When a cheerleader is sick or injured but not to the extent to require an absence. The athlete must be fully dressed out in the required practice wear for the day and present at practice and the trainer and coaching staff shall decide her level of participation that day. Consequence: No consequences. 2. Excused Absences: Any absence deemed excused by the coaching staff through proper communication by the athlete. Consequence: Page 5 of 13
No consequence. 3. Unexcused Absences: Any absence that is not communicated to the coaching staff. Consequence: Cheerleader shall serve no less than a loss of cheering privilege in the next game following the absence with a maximum penalty of no cheering time for two weeks following the absence. Even though the cheerleader cannot cheer she will be expected to support the team by sitting in the stands next to the coach dressed in warm-ups. Disciplinary action for unexcused absences is at the coach’s discretion. Note: It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to make her very best effort to attempt to schedule ALL conflicts around our practices so she is present. 4. Tardiness: Be on time! All cheerleaders are expected to be dressed in the proper attire, taped and at practice or in their meeting ready to go a minimum of 5 minutes before the practice or meeting begins. It is the responsibility of the athlete to find a coach or trainer to get the treatment needed before practice begins so you are on time. Consequence: For every minute past the practice or scheduled event time an extra conditioning penalty shall be applied to all cheerleaders who are not punctual. The tardy cheerleader shall be required to complete this extra conditioning after practice the same day as the infraction. Continued tardiness shall result in loss of cheering time and/or loss of Varsity position or removal from the team. Cheer Practices shall be held: • •
4:15-6:00 PM Monday thru Thursday 12:30-1:30 PM Friday
Games and Scheduled Events Supporting Cody High School sports teams and activities by cheering at games and scheduled events is the primary job of Cody High School cheerleaders. All scheduled games and events are mandatory. The following guidelines shall be applied to missed games or scheduled events: 1. Limited Cheering: When a cheerleader is sick or injured but not to the extent to require an absence. The athlete must be fully dressed out in the required uniform for the day and present at the event and the trainer and coaching staff shall decide her level of participation that day. Consequence: No consequences. 2. Excused Absences: Any absence deemed excused by the coaching staff and Activities Office through proper communication by the athlete. Consequence: If school is missed, for any reason, the day of a game and/or performance that cheerleader is expected to come and support their team by sitting in the stands next to the coach, if illness permits. 3. Unexcused Absences: Any absence that is not communicated to the coaching staff and Activities Office. Consequence: Cheerleader shall serve no less than a loss of cheering privilege in the next game following the absence with a maximum penalty of no cheering time for two weeks following the absence. Even though the cheerleader cannot cheer she will be expected to support Page 6 of 13
the team by sitting in the stands next to the coach dressed in warm-ups. Disciplinary action for unexcused absences is at the coach’s discretion. Note: It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to make her very best effort to attempt to schedule ALL conflicts around scheduled events so she is present. 5. Tardiness: Be on time! All cheerleaders are expected to be dressed in the proper uniform, taped and at a game or scheduled event a minimum of 1 hour before the game or event begins. It is the responsibility of the athlete to find a coach or trainer to get the treatment needed so you are on time. Consequence: Cheerleader shall serve no less than loss of cheering privilege at that game and the next game following the tardiness with a maximum penalty of no cheering time for one week following the tardy. Cheerleader may lose Varsity position and/or removal from the team. Disciplinary action for tardiness to an event is at the coach’s discretion. Cheerleaders shall be given a calendar with at least 3 months worth of events on it. There shall never be an excuse for not knowing about a cheering event. Missing an event shall result in an unexcused absence if the Guidelines for missed games or scheduled events is not followed. Unexcused Absences Each Cheerleader, both Varsity and Junior Varsity, is responsible for following the guidelines concerning absences listed above. Consequences for Unexcused Absences are as follows: 1. ONE Unexcused absence shall result in that cheerleader being on Probation. Unless this unexcused absence is on the day or week of a performance, then the cheerleader may lose cheering or performance privileges for that event and, if Varsity, a JV member may take their spot for that event. Even though the cheerleader cannot cheer she will be expected to support the team by sitting in the stands next to the coach dressed in warmups. Disciplinary action is at the coaches’ discretion. Probation: Serves as a written WARNING. One more unexcused absence shall result in consequence # 2. 1. TWO Unexcused absences shall result in that cheerleader not cheering at the upcoming event – with a maximum of not cheering at two events – and a JV member taking their spot for that game. If the infraction involves a JV member the result will be the loss of cheering for two events. The cheerleader is expected to support the team by sitting in the stands with the coach dressed in warm-ups. 2. THREE Unexcused Absences shall result in loss of cheering at no less than 2 events, possibly not participating in competition and/or losing your varsity position, or removal from the team. Even though the cheerleader cannot cheer she will be expected to support the team by sitting in the stands next to the coach dressed in warm-ups. A third unexcused absence by a JV member shall result in removal from the team. Disciplinary action will be at the coaches’ discretion. 3. FOUR Unexcused Absences shall result in removal from the team. Disciplinary action will be at the coaches’ discretion. Dress Expectations: 1. Practice: Practice attire should be appropriate and legal each day. • Absolutely no jewelry is allowed while practicing (this includes body piercing). Page 7 of 13
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Appropriate attire must be worn to practice, including: no slick pants or jackets, no hard hair ties, and no sports bras worn alone. • Do not eat, drink, or chew gum while practicing or performing. • Cheerleader’s hair must be kept off the face (soft ties only). • Nails should be kept relatively short. 2. Performances: Performance attire shall be appropriate and legal each day. • Absolutely no jewelry is allowed while performing (this includes body piercing). • Cheerleaders shall be expected to wear the uniform chosen by the coach on performance days, as well as at the actual performance. • Do not eat, drink, or chew gum while performing. • Cheerleader’s hair must be kept off the face (soft ties only). • Nails should be kept relatively short. 3. Issued Uniforms: Cheerleaders are personally responsible for the care and maintenance of all equipment, uniforms and Cody High School Cheer materials you are issued during the season and for returning them at the end of the season in good condition. Any damaged or lost items shall be charged to the player. 4. Travel: All cheerleaders must be dressed in appropriate attire for travel. Team shall dress in coach/team decided game attire for every game, event, and fundraiser. Attitude Cheerleaders are expected to attend every practice and/or event with a positive attitude. This means leaving outside drama/issues at the door. This also relates to supporting each teammate outside of practice as well. If someone is having a bad day be encouraging and supportive in and out of practice. The following behaviors will not be tolerated in or out of practice: § No eye rolling, sighing, or other non-verbal, disrespectful actions § No bad mouthing teammates or coaches § No spreading rumors § No name-calling § No lying Consequences: 2. ONE incident of disrespect, badmouthing, rumor spreading, lying, or name-calling shall result in that cheerleader being on Probation. Probation: Serves as a written WARNING. 3. TWO incidents of disrespect, badmouthing, rumor spreading, lying, or name-calling shall result in that cheerleader not cheering at the upcoming event and a JV member taking their spot for that game with the maximum penalty being removal from two events. If the infraction involves a JV member the result will be the loss of cheering for two events. The cheerleader is expected to come and support their team by sitting in the stands with the coach dressed in warm-ups. 4. THREE incidents of disrespect, badmouthing, rumor spreading, lying, or name-calling shall result in not cheering at any less than 2 events, possibly not participating in competition and/or losing your varsity position, and/or removal from the team. If the infraction involves a JV member the result will be removal from the team. Disciplinary action will be at the coaches’ discretion. Page 8 of 13
5. FOUR incidents of disrespect, badmouthing, rumor spreading, lying or name-calling shall result in removal from the team. Disciplinary action will be at the coaches’ discretion. Miscellaneous 1. Cell phones must not disrupt practices, games, or scheduled events or they will be turned over to the coach at the start of practices and upon arrival at a cheering event. The decision to turn over cell phones shall be at the coach’s discretion. 2. Cheerleaders are required to bring all necessary equipment to practices and games, ie. Poms, uniforms, and shoes. If equipment is forgotten the cheerleader shall not cheer and will result in an unexcused absence. 3. Cheerleaders will remain in formation during games and events unless excused by a coach before leaving formation. 4. While in formation cheerleaders will stand at attention and not practice cheers or dances, adjust uniforms, or carry on lengthy conversations with other cheerleaders or crowd members. Travel Expectations: Members of the Cody High School Cheerleading Squad are representatives of the community of Cody. When traveling, understanding your role as a representative is vital. During games and competition, while waiting between competition, and while in the community of our host town, behavior shall be impeccable. Cheerleaders shall attend all events as members of the team. Sleeping assignments and curfews shall be followed. Meals, outside activities, and additional practices shall be done together as a team unless otherwise agreed upon. Cheerleaders shall receive a travel itinerary prior to any travel. When traveling, cheerleaders are to be on their very best behavior and perform at their full potential. Any activities that may impact this goal in a negative fashion shall result in loss of cheering/performance time with a maximum penalty of no cheering for the remainder of the year. Disciplinary action for unbecoming behavior is at the coach’s discretion. . Academic Responsibilities It is the goal of the Cody cheerleading program to develop the complete athlete. To accomplish such goal, cheerleaders must be held accountable for their individual academic progress in school. It is the belief of the cheerleading program that poor grades are an indication of poor work ethic. To be considered for cheerleading an athlete must have passed all academic areas from the previous year. To be eligible to cheer, a cheerleader must maintain a minimum of C or average in all classes. Other Sports Students are permitted to participate in cheerleading and other fall school sport events. For those squad members participating in other fall sports and/or activities, missed practices and scheduled cheering events due to designated sports and/or activities are considered excused. Cheerleading members that choose to participate in other fall Page 9 of 13
sports and/or activities are required to stay on task and learn all cheers, routines, and or performances in order to take part in fall cheerleading activities. Team members are required to attend all practices and events that do not interfere with their other fall sport or activity. The coach shall make the final decision on all performances. It is MANDATORY that these Squad members maintain a minimum of weekly communication with the coaches. Financial Responsibilities Each Cheerleader shall be responsible for the costs associated with being a member of the squad. Below is the approximate cost each team member is responsible for. Cheer clothing money must be received by Cody Public Schools prior to the last day of school in order to purchase cheer clothing for the school year for which the cheerleader is elected. Camp money must be received one month prior to the first day of cheer camp in order for a cheerleader to participate – Date to be determined. Activities fee: Cheer clothes: i. Bums ii. Camp clothes Cheer Camp
$20.00 $130.00 $15.00 $60.00 $100.00
We may fundraise throughout the year to help balance any costs associated with the team and all profits shall go back to the team. The coach and Activities Department must approve all fundraising. Currently there are two little girl cheer clinics that cheerleaders shall lead. One clinic occurs in the July, and the other in January. Both Clinics are held at the Rec Center. Cody High School Letter Winning Criteria 1. The cheerleader must complete the entire season! The season is not complete until after state competition. Cheerleaders injured during the seasons that continue to attend practices, games and competition are eligible for a letter based on coach’s discretion. 2. Abide by all expectations of a Cody High School Cheerleader. 3. The cheerleader shall participate with a positive attitude, demonstrate sportsmanship at all times, and represent the Cody High School Cheerleading program accordingly when traveling, at practice, as a student of CHS, and as a member of the community of Cody. 4. The cheerleader must be present at all games, fundraising, scheduled events, and must compete at state. (May be waived with coach’s discretion for excused absence.) 5. The cheerleader must adhere to all team rules and regulations and have no major disciplinary infractions. a. The cheerleader must not have any major team disciplinary infractions that lead to her dismissal from the team. b. The cheerleader must not have any major school and/or classroom disciplinary infractions that tarnish our image, that lead to missed practices or that lead to dismissal from the team. 6. The cheerleader must return all issued equipment in acceptable condition.
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Health, Lifestyle, and Nutrition The CHS cheerleading program is committed to promoting and fostering healthy lifestyles and eating habits for squad members. Accurate nutrition intake in essential to withstand the required energy demands necessary for all levels of activities performed by each cheerleader. Conduct which opposes this philosophy and/or conduct which poses unacceptable risk and disregard for the health, safety and welfare of participants is in violation of this policy and shall result in appropriate counseling and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination from the squad. Cheerleaders must be excellent athletes. Cheerleading involves some aspects of several athletic activities, e.g., rotation and tumbling of gymnastics, stamina of basketball, strength of bodybuilding and football and the balance/movements of dance. The CHS cheer program is highly athletic in nature. Safety Cheerleading involves a variety of gymnastics, motions, partner stunts, rotations, pyramids, dance, bodybuilding, gymnastics, and stamina exercises. Participation in cheerleading involves a certain amount of danger of personal injury. A cheerleader voluntarily assumes the risk involved by participating in cheerleading practices, games and performances. All cheerleaders must follow the rules presented by the coach at all times for personal safety and for other participants. Meetings for suspension and removal A meeting shall be scheduled with a parent or parents, cheerleader, coach. before any suspension/dismissal of the team. This meeting shall include the reason or explanation for suspension/dismissal, to discuss any issues that need to be addressed and to make clear what is expected from the cheerleader and/or coach to fix or dissolve the issue. If the issue is much bigger and the issue needs to involve the Athletic Director, the coach shall request the meeting. Mascot Guidelines The mascot shall be present at all games and events and participate as a member of the cheer squad with the same rules and guidelines. The only exception is that the mascot shall have two weekly practices with the squad rather than daily – one day must be a workout day and another one a regular practice day. Tryouts Coaches are looking for team players that will follow all the rules set forth in this handbook and the CHS Activities handbook. A score will be given by the coaches for meeting these guidelines throughout tryouts; however, judges will be hired to provide 95% of the total score.
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I am aware that the coaches reserve the right to change or make other necessary decisions concerning cheerleading members and the squad. Student Initials ______
Parent(s) Initials ____________
The Cheerleading Handbook is not designed to punish but to promote dedication and excellence. In the event a situation occurs not specifically addressed in these documents, it is thus understood that you shall agree to abide by the ruling of the coaches, and/or the Activities Department, and/or Administration. Student Initials ______
Parent(s) Initials ____________
I certify that I have read, understand and agree to abide by the guidelines, rules, and regulations outlined in the Cody High School Cheerleading Handbook and the Cody high School Activities Student/Parent Handbook. Student Name ______________________________________________ (print)
Student Signature ___________________________________________ Parent(s) Name ____________________________________________ (print)
Parent(s) Signature __________________________________________ Coach(es) Signature _________________________________________ Date:________________ (Keep this signed for your records)
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I am aware that the coaches reserve the right to change or make other necessary decisions concerning cheerleading members and the squad. Student Initials ______
Parent(s) Initials ____________
The Cheerleading Handbook is not designed to punish but to promote dedication and excellence. In the event a situation occurs not specifically addressed in these documents, it is thus understood that you shall agree to abide by the ruling of the coaches, and/or the Activities Department, and/or Administration. Student Initials ______
Parent(s) Initials ____________
I certify that I have read, understand and agree to abide by the guidelines, rules, and regulations outlined in the Cody High School Cheerleading Handbook and the Cody high School Activities Student/Parent Handbook. Student Name ______________________________________________ (print)
Student Signature ___________________________________________ Parent(s) Name ____________________________________________ (print)
Parent(s) Signature __________________________________________ Coach(es) Signature _________________________________________ Date:______________
(Return this signed copy to the coach) Page 13 of 13