Guidelines
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ATHENS ACADEMY
2006-2007
JUNIOR VARSITY/VARSITY CHEERLEADING GUIDELINES
Coach: Traci N. Pollock
Assistant Coach: Nita Woodruff
We the cheerleaders of Athens Academy, dedicate ourselves to promoting school spirit and to leading and guiding spectator participation at games. We realize how that being a cheerleader is an honor that carries with it the responsibility of leadership, maintaining character worth emulation, and demonstrating positive and supportive loyalty to our school.
ARTICLE I: Selection
SECTION I: Eligibility
• Students in grade 9 and 10 are eligible for the junior varsity football squad.
• Students in grades 10-12 are eligible for the varsity football squad.
• Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for the varsity basketball squad.
• In order for a student to try out for cheerleading, he or she must be passing four academic courses.
• Each cheerleader must have a physical and a medical release form before they can participate in tryouts.
• Each potential cheerleader must sign up prior to tryouts for the squads that they are trying out for. These sign up sheets will be located in the Tillman Center, on campus.
• If a student in grade 10 does not make the varsity football squad, they will have the option of cheering on the junior varsity football squad. This decision will be made before tryouts based on their decision that cheering on the junior varsity football squad would be their only option. However, this would not apply to the basketball squad, as we do not have a junior varsity basketball cheerleading squad.
• All participants, who are signed up, must attend a mandatory Pre-Tryout meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 2nd , from 3:30-4:30. This meeting will be held in the Spartan Center classroom, on campus for participants only. A parents meeting for all girls chosen will be held during the summer at a date to be given at a later time. All participants attending the pre-tryout meeting will receive the following forms, which must be completed and turned in to the coaches no later than Monday, May 8th:
1. Athens Academy Cheerleading Policy Packet- This contains important information for parents and participants about what the season will entail, such as; rules, costs, dates, etc.
2. Application for Tryouts- This form combines parent permission, warning of risks, participant and parent compliance with rules stated in the policy packet.
3. Parent Information Form- This form should be filled out by all potential candidates’ parents. This form includes financial and time consideration.
4. Teacher Recommendations- Each participant will have 3 of these forms for 3 of their teachers, who have taught them this year, to fill out. These scores are averaged together and count for 30% of their tryout score. The teachers will be asked to return these to the coaches no later than Monday, May 8th. These will stay confidential.
Again, all of these forms are to be turned into either coaches school mailbox no later than Monday, May 8th. This will be our first day of tryout practice!
SECTION II: Process
• Prospective cheerleaders will have 3 scheduled practices before the actual tryouts take place. Practices will be held in the Spartan Center on May 8th- May 11th. The practices will be from 4:15-6:00. You are expected to be on time. The actual tryouts will take place on Thursday, May 12th. Tryouts will begin sharply at 4:15, in the Spartan Center. We estimate that tryouts will end roughly around 6:30. I will make sure the participants call you to let you know a closer time if early or late.
• FOOTBALL: Girls who have cheered 1 year of junior varsity football and 2 years of varsity football, at Athens Academy, will automatically make the varsity football squad for their senior year.
• BASKETBALL: Girls who have cheered 3 years of varsity basketball, at Athens Academy, will automatically make the varsity basketball squad their senior year.
• Three qualified UCA judges will be hired to judge tryouts, and their total tryout score will represent 70% of the total score added to the 30% of which comes from their teacher evaluations. All prospective cheerleaders must be present for the tryout.
• Prior to tryouts, girls will sign up for football, basketball, or both squads.
• Prior to tryouts, 3 faculty members will evaluate each girl. This total will represent 30% of the total score.
• The scores will be tallied and the prospects with the highest cumulative score will be placed on the squad. The new squad members will be posted on the Athens Academy cheerleading website by me, as soon as the scores have been tallied.
• A coach will be present at all cheer related practices, games, events, and tryouts.
SECTION III: Requirements for Tryouts
• All prospective cheerleaders will tryout in groups of three to four for group chant and group dance.
• The participant will then perform an individual cheer and 3 jumps.
• Each candidate will be judged on:
1. 1 Individual Cheer 4. Voice
2. GroupChant 5. Group Dance
3. 3 Jumps 6. Overall Cheerleading Presentation
ARTICLE II: Membership
• After the squads are selected on Thursday evening, after tryouts, the selected members will be posted on the website under the squad they are selected for.
• After the squad has been selected, all cheerleaders are eligible to remain on the squad provided they:
1. Meet the academic requirements
2. Follow all rules and guidelines
• A mandatory fitting for each girl will be held on Wednesday, May 17th from 3:30-5:00. This fitting will be held in the Spartan Center classroom, on campus.
ARTICLE III: Officers
• The squad will vote for two co-captains.
• Those eligible are girls who have been a varsity cheerleader for at least one year or two seasons, for that particular sport (football or basketball).
• The CO-CAPTAINS share the leadership responsibilities of the squad. They will have the following responsibilities:
1. Serve as a liaison between the coach and the squad.
2. Make decisions for the squad when necessary.
3. Keep up the morale of the squad.
4. Call the cheers and chants during each game.
5. Greet the opponent’s cheerleading squad.
6. Prepares and leads practices.
ARTICLE IV: Practice for Summer and Regular Season
SECTION I: Dress
• Practice clothes do not have to coordinate unless otherwise specified by the coach or captains.
• Hair must be pulled back off of the face and shoulders and no jewelry is allowed.
• Tennis shoes and practice clothes must be worn to practices, regardless of the activity for that practice.
SECTION II: Time and Location
• Practices are scheduled from 4:15-6:00, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, unless otherwise specified by the coach.
• Practices will be held in the Spartan Center, unless otherwise specified by the coach.
• The practice schedule will be on the website, so that you know in an adequate amount of time.
• Please remember that the practice schedule is subject to change. I will post changes on our cheerleading web site.
SECTION III: Summer Practices and Camp
• All practices will be held at the Spartan Center, unless otherwise stated by the coach.
• Summer practices, as well as all other practices, are mandatory, so if you see a conflict, please let me know in advance.
• A schedule of practice dates will be given to you after tryouts, for the summer. This will also be on the web page.
Varsity Football Squad Summer Practices and Cheerleading Camp:
• The first practices for Varsity football cheerleaders are July 24th- July 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Spartan Center. These practices are for preparation for cheerleading camp.
• Cheerleading camp is for the varsity football squad only.
• Camp will be held in Hilton Head Island, S.C. from August 1st- August 4th. We will leave on Monday, July 31st and return on Friday, August 4th . Times for departure and returning will be decided on and conveyed to cheerleaders and parents before camp.
• The first regular season practices for Varsity and JV football cheerleading will begin Monday, July 24th – Friday, July 28th. We will practice Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The next full practice week for both Varsity and JV football squads will be Monday, August 7th- Friday, August 11th, also from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. During the week of August 14th- August 17th practice will be from 3:30-5:30 because of teacher pre-planning. We will start our regular practice schedule during the following week of August 21st , which is the first week of school, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4:15-6:00. *Please note that once JV Football games begin, on Thursdays, the practice schedule will go back to Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4:15-6:00 for both squads. Again this applies to both varsity and junior varsity squads.
• Lunch will be from 11:00-12:00 on the days that we practice from 9 to 1. Varsity girls will be allowed to leave school for lunch, unless we have delivery, which we will do on some days. We will discuss this from day to day so that you are aware of the plans for the following practice.
JuniorVarsity Football Squad Summer Practices:
• The first regular season practices for JV will begin Monday, July 24th – Friday, July 28th. We will practice Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The next full practice week for both Varsity and JV football squads will be Monday, August 7th- Friday, August 11th, also from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. During the week of August 14th- August 17th practice will be from 3:30-5:30 because of teacher pre-planning. We will start our regular practice schedule during the following week of August 21st, which is the first week of school, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4:15-6:00. *Please note that once JV Football games begin, on Thursdays, the practice schedule will go back to Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4:15-6:00. This is for both varsity and junior varsity squads.
• Lunch will be from 11:00-12:00 on the days that we meet from 9-1. Varsity girls will be allowed to leave school for lunch, unless we have delivery, which we will do on some days. We will discuss this from day to day so that you are aware of the plans for the following practice and can prepare as needed. JV girls are not allowed to leave for lunch, unless they are able to drive themselves. This means they should bring their lunch or money so that we can pick up something for them or call in food for delivery. This is mainly due to liability issues that come up when students are being transported, off of campus, by another student.
Varsity Basketball Squad Practices and Games:
• Basketball squad will not practice in the summer, nor will they attend Summer Cheer Camp.
• I will keep this squad up to date on their practice schedule throughout
the Fall, as we do not have a basketball game schedule yet.
• During basketball season, since the games are usually on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, our practices will usually be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:15-6:00 in the Spartan Center.
• Please note that we do not attend Away games held on Tuesdays. If the game is close in proximity, we may decide to travel. These decisions will be made in advance so that you are aware of any changes.
SECTION IV: Attendance for Practice
• All practices are mandatory. The coach must approve any absence in advance. You will know the practice schedule well in advance, so it is your responsibility to plan around these practices.
• If a cheerleader is absent from school, then it is her responsibility to let the coach know, before practice, for that particular day.
• Again, all practices are mandatory. If a practice is missed during the week, for an unexcused reason, the participant will be benched for the entire game for that particular week.
• Excused absences will not result in the participant being benched. An excused absence consists of sickness, emergencies, family emergencies or illnesses. Please try to schedule all other appointments on our off days.
• An unexcused tardy, to a practice, will result in the participant being benched for the first half of the game for that particular week.
• Please note that school tutorials or academic functions would be an excused tardy or absence from practice, although, these are usually over by 4:15 for athletic programs.
ARTICLE V: Games
SECTION I: Dress
• On the day of a game or pep rally, cheerleaders are required to wear the assigned uniform to school. The only jewelry that will be permitted while you are wearing your uniform, during school time, are small stud earrings. While cheering at any event, absolutely NO jewelry will be allowed at this time, even small earrings. This is a violation of GHSA rules.
• Hair must be pulled into a ponytail, out of face and off shoulders, while cheering at any function. A ribbon must be worn as well.
• No dark fingernail polish is allowed while cheering. A neutral color or clear polish is fine. Please note, for safety, fingernails should not be longer than tip of finger.
• Cheerleading shoes must be worn with uniforms and/or warm-ups. Other shoes such as flip flops, would not be part of the uniform, which would violate Athens Academy dress code as well.
• When weather starts getting cool, the dress will then be warm-ups.
SECTION II: Time and Attendance
• Cheerleaders are to arrive to HOME games 1 hour (no later), before the game.
• Cheerleaders must be COMPLETELY dressed and ready to cheer upon your arrival. This means, uniform is on in its entirety, NO FLIP FLOPS upon arrival!
• For away games, cheerleaders must meet at the designated time for transportation to the game. This time will be on the web site schedule.
• Tardiness to a game will result in first half suspension for that particular game.
• Missing a game is unacceptable. The only time there will be exceptions is in the case of an emergency or illness. If a game is missed due to personal reasons, you will sit out the following game in its entirety.
• Transportation to and from away games will always be provided to squad members, via bus. Although I prefer the squad to ride together, as a squad, I understand that parents may want to transport their child home after a game. In this situation, a note needs to be presented to either coach, before the game. Not only is this important for the safety of the athlete, but also for the coach to have an accurate count of girls returning on the bus. Another reason for letting us know early is so the moms, who are providing food for the after game ride home, also have an accurate number of girls to provide food for.
SECTION III: Game Responsibilities
• Cheerleaders will cheer at weeknight away basketball games that are close in distance, unless otherwise stated by the coach. If a game is in town on a weeknight, such as; Prince Avenue, we will attend.
• During the game, cheerleaders will lead the crowd by performing cheers, chants, dances and all other spirit boosting activities.
• Attendance at games in MANDATORY, unless there is an emergency or illness.
ARTICLE VI: Injuries
• Though safety is the top concern at all times, injuries may occur.
• It is the cheerleader’s responsibility to report any injury to the coach IMMEDIATELY!
• If a cheerleader has been injured, and has seen a doctor, the coach must have a written notice, from the doctor, regarding his or her status. She will not be allowed to return to activity without written clearance from the doctor.
ARTICLE VII: Cheerleading Uniforms
• Each cheerleader will rent his/ her cheerleading uniform from Athens Academy.
• Each cheerleader will be responsible for purchasing the following items for their uniform: bloomers, cheerleading shoes, body liner, warm-ups, camp wear, and hair ribbon.
• Anytime a cheerleader is wearing her uniform, she is representing Athens Academy and must act accordingly by complying with all school rules.
ARTICLE VIII: Varsity Letter Qualifications
• In order to earn a varsity letter in cheerleading, a cheerleader must do the following:
1. Cheer in 80% of the games (including playoffs)
2. Participate in Spirit Camp.
ARTICLE IX: Financial Responsibilities
• Cheerleaders will rent their uniform from Athens Academy at a cost of $45.00 for the season cheered. If you cheer both football and basketball season, you must rent the uniform each season. This amount will be included in your billing from Athens Academy for that season.
• Cheerleaders will also rent their poms at a cost of $10.00 for each season cheered. If you cheer both football and basketball season, you must rent the poms for each season. This amount will be included in your billing from Athens Academy for that season.
• Cheerleaders are responsible for paying their own cost of Cheerleading camp which includes a $115.00 room deposit and a balance of (add)
• Cheerleaders are responsible for purchasing the following items: socks, cheerleading shoes, bloomers, rain jackets, body liners, warm-ups (if needed), and camp uniforms. Previous cheerleaders may use the previous year’s purchases if they are the exact same item. The coach will purchase these and the cheerleaders will reimburse the Cheerleading Fund through the Athens Academy billing statements. This is an estimate of the items to be purchased:
• Shoes- @ $62.00
• Socks- @ $ 10.00
• Bloomers- @ $14.00 (if needed)
• Rain Jackets- @ $10.00
• Body Liners- @ $21.00 (if needed)
• Warm-Ups- @ $135.00 (if needed)
• Camp Uniforms- @ $100.00 (purchased by Varsity Football squad only)
- Other costs would include:
- - Cheerleading Camp (Varsity Football Squad Only)= $115.00 room deposit per girl. 3 weeks prior to camp, the remainder balance of $ per girl will be due. You will be billed by Athens Academy.
- - Rental of uniforms for $45.00 per season cheered
- -Rental of Poms for $10.00 per season cheered
• All items purchased will be paid for up front through our cheerleading budget then reimbursed as you are billed by your Athens Academy billing statement*
After reading the policies, please sign below and return to Coach Nobles or Coach Woodruff. Thank you and let’s have a great year!
I have read the above policies and am willing to comply with these policies during my membership to the Athens Academy Cheerleading Squad.
_____________________________________________ _____________________
(Cheerleader’s Signature) (Date)
_____________________________________________ ______________________
(Parent’s Signature) (Date)