Avon Middle School South Cheerleading Tryouts

Avon Middle School South Cheerleading Tryouts

Football & Basketball Season 2014-2015

Forms: All forms are due at the tryout clinic on May 19, 2014 at 6 pm. Candidates may not try out if they are not turned in during registration.

All candidates MUST have a new physical on file in the athletic office dated after April 1, 2014. There will be no exception and you cannot tryout unless there is a physical on file as well as all aspects of the physical packet
Athletic Emergency Information form
Constitution and Demographic sheet
Squad information sheet
Finance Contract
3 teacher or coach recommendations in sealed envelopes with signatures over seal.

Without all the forms turned in by May 19, 2014, you will be ineligible to tryout. There will be NO exceptions.

Without the teacher recommendations, you will be allowed to tryout. However, this will severely affect your score.

Example: out of 25 points

0 out of 3 recommendations – 0 points

2 out of 3 recommendations – 18+19+0=37/3=12 points

3 recommendations – 20+ 19+ 19=58/3= 19 points

Tryout Schedule:

Tryout Schedule

Cheer tryouts and the cheer clinic are MANDATORY.

May 19, 2014

6:00-6:30- Registration-

6:30-7:30- Clinic

May 20, 2014

6:30-8:00- Clinic and tumbling try out

*Candidates trying out that have tumbling will be evaluated on this night. The girls will be tumbling on the gym floor with no spot.

May 22, 2014

6:00-6:30- Stretch and group review

6:00-6:40- 7th Grade

6:45 (or immediately following 7th grade) 8th grade tryout

*Results will be posted on website at 5:30pm on May 23, 2014. You can access the website through the school site and going to the athletic page. Click on fall sports/cheerleading, and it will be on the first page by this time.

*All aspects of the tryouts will be closed to everyone but the athletes trying out*

Location & Attire:

Everything will be conducted in the gym at AMS South. Hair should be out of the face with NO little strands hanging down and tennis or cheer shoes worn, and NO jewelry. On tryout day, Avon apparel/colors should be worn with a bow in the hair (game ready). Please wear a t-shirt and shorts and tennis shoes or cheer shoes.

Parent & Cheerleader Meeting:

May 27, 2014 – 7 pm

Mandatory Parent Meeting. Various topics will be discussed about the upcoming season(s). We will quickly review the constitution and answer any questions you may have. A $160 fee will be due toward the AMS cheer account. This amount covers the practice pack, shoes, and all clothing fees. Camp fees will be due the week prior to camp. Girls won’t receive any items until all fees are paid. Please contact Coach Kristen prior to this meeting with any questions. Tentative Summer and Fall schedules will also be passed out.

Avon Middle School South Cheerleading Constitution

Football Season

Basketball Season

Competition

2014-2015

Coach Kristen: (812) 240-6665 or
Coaching Philosophy

My mission as the Avon Middle School South cheerleading coach is to design a program in which our students and athletes can learn success in aspects of this sport and in life. Success is not defined by winning. It is defined by learning from mistakes and failures, becoming a leader on and off the mat, setting and obtaining goals, while evolving into an elite athlete.

The journey consists of bonding, practicing, and then winning. We bond to gain trust and become a team. When we have trust and teamwork, we practice. We practice to the best of our ability at all times, and victory will follow.

We believe if we focus on these principles, our athletes will be successful as individuals and as a team. It is our goal to become a positive influence, role model, and mentor to our cheerleaders both on and off the mat. It is our goal to change lives for the better.

Program Purpose

It shall be the purpose of cheerleading at Avon to promote and uphold school spirit, to lead the spectators in cheering, to compete on various levels, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship and to better the relationships between our school and the schools with whom we compete.

Goals

My goal for this program is to prepare future cheerleaders for the high school program. These goals will be met by teaching the basics of cheerleading and increasing abilities with the various aspects of cheerleading such as jumps, motions, tumbling, team work, and stunting. To be competitive at the competition level, we will focus a lot on stunting and tumbling.
Avon Middle School South Cheerleading is made up of the following squads:

Football Season

Basketball Season

Competition Season

Eligibility

Prior to tryouts, as well as throughout your participation, you must meet academic requirements as outlined by the athletic department. You must be currently enrolled and passing all classes during your participation in cheerleading.
You must have a current physical on file before tryouts.
Teacher recommendations, finance contract, athlete emergency info, and constitution/demographic sheet, handed out in the tryout packet, is due at the tryout. If all forms are not turned in by the given date, the candidate will NOT be allowed to try out.
Cheerleading is a top priority and requires much dedication. There should be no conflicts with jobs, school clubs, or other non-school activities including all-star cheer or other sports.

Membership & Expectations

In the spring, a group of qualified candidates will be selected for the football squads. Competition squad will be selected in the fall.
Competition
The competition squad will consist of up to 20 members who will be required late fall and winter practices and also cheer either football and/or basketball season. One season is required to cheer competition.
It is highly encouraged for competition squad members to have tumbling. I strongly encourage tumbling lessons and am available for referrals to area programs.
The month of February is Mandatory and absence from practice will result in dismissal from the squad.

Football Season
The 7th grade and 8th grade squad will each consist of between 8 and 10 members per squad.
Each grade is required to attend the opposite grades game. (example: 7th graders sit through the 8th grade game) They will be required to cheer with their teammates and sit together.
Each cheerleader will be required to attend all practices and games. Missing practice due to other outside commitments will not be allowed.
Basketball Season
The 7th and 8th grade squad will consist of between 8 and 10 members per squad that will cheer for both boys and girls home games.
Each grade is required to attend the opposite grades game. (example: 7th graders sit through the 8th grade game) They will be required to cheer with their teammates and sit together.
All Squads & Seasons
If a cheerleader resigns for anything other than family, schooling, or medical reasons after their placement on a squad, she may become ineligible to cheer in another season or year. If the cheerleader is an 8th grader, the high school coaches will be notified the following year and it will be decided at that level about eligibility.
A cheerleader must be available to practice daily (Monday-Friday) throughout the school year and be available to cheer games on any day (Monday-Saturday) while in season. Competition practices may occasionally take place on Saturdays. Missing any competition practices will not be tolerated.
Please look at the tentative schedule provided and plan your vacations and doctor visits during the weeks/days scheduled with no practices or games. Pay close attention to the new balanced calendar; at times, practices and games will be scheduled during the new allotted breaks and all cheerleaders will be required to attend.
A cheerleader must be willing to cooperate with and be helpful to their coaches at all times. The actions of all involved should reflect the squad’s best interest.
At any time during the season, a conference may be arranged by the cheerleader or coaches to discuss progress and means for improvement.
Anytime a cheerleader has doctor restrictions for an injury, she must have a doctor’s release to participate or it must be stated when activity may resume. If I am approached with an injury, and find that it needs to be further evaluated, I will refer you to the trainer or a doctor. I will not allow the cheerleader to further participate to ensure safety for the student and teammates.
Concussion injury must follow the following guidelines, as outlined by law:
Sec. 4 A student athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game:
Shall be removed from play at the time of the injury; and
May not return to play until the student athlete has received a written clearance under section 5(a) of this chapter.
Sec. 5 (a) A student athlete who has been removed from play under section 4 of this chapter may not return to play until the student athlete:
Is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries; and
Receives a written clearance to return to play from the health care provider who evaluated the student athlete.
Sec. 5 (b) A licensed health care provider who evaluates a student athlete under subsection (a) may conduct the evaluation as a volunteer. A volunteer health care provider who in good faith and gratuitously authorizes a student athlete to return to play is not liable for civil damages resulting from an act or omission in the rendering of an evaluation, except for acts or omissions that constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

Tryouts

Clinics will be conducted prior to tryouts to evaluate all candidates. Participation in the clinics is mandatory to participate in tryouts. Tryouts will be held in the Spring with two outside coaches/past cheerleaders as judges, in addition to the middle school coach. Tryouts will be closed to any non-cheerleading participants.
Cheerleaders will be required to perform necessary skills. The coach will select the teams based on these skills in regards to judge’s scores, the structure needed to have a cohesive squad, and the athlete’s ability to work well with others including behavior and attitude. Attendance and grades in school will also be highly evaluated as well as the teacher recommendations.
Scores will be a combination of several factors including: teacher evaluations, learning and performing a cheer, jumps, and tumbling.
A cheerleader must receive a commendable evaluation from his/her teacher. Appropriate behavior in and out of the classroom is expected, as this/her behavior is a reflection of the entire squad.
In an instance where a cheerleader is not selected to be on a team or on the team of his/her preference, the coach will always make themselves available for you to discuss the tryout.

Practices

A practice schedule for the school year will be provided and all are considered mandatory.
A cheerleader must be present at school for half the day in order to participate at practice or games. This usually means they must be at school prior to lunch. Exceptions include college visits, funerals, and other school-related events approved at the coaching staff’s discretion.
Doctor appointments should be scheduled around the practices so no conflicts arise. Regular visits, dentist appointments, etc may not be excused. Exceptions will be following up a cheerleading related injury incurred at AMS or school absence for illness.
The school does not notify the coaches of absences so it is the responsibility of each cheerleader to notify Coach Kristen via email, text, or phone message. If a cheerleader is unable to attend a practice, the coach should be notified prior to the practice. This includes, but is not limited to, illness and physical injury, death in the family, academic commitment, etc. Notification of absence does not necessarily mean this will be excused. This will be at the coaching staff’s discretion. If I do not reply within one hour, please follow up to ensure that I received notification.
A cheerleader is to give at least an hour prior to arrival time’s notice to the coach for absence from practice or full consequences will be applied for missing.
Cheerleaders in season that have conflicts with all-star cheerleading practices are to notify coach before their scheduled conflict. The coach will accommodate pre-arranged absences or tardies that are within ½ hour of our practice and compromise their all-star event equally with the AMS program.
Missing games will not be tolerated due to other activities.
The only exception to the above compromise will be those cheerleaders in competition season. Any dates that are “block out dates” will be mandatory with no all-star or other conflicts. Two weeks prior to competitions will be considered block out dates and mandatory. Extra practices may be added due to necessity, so please keep in mind that flexibility will be crucial.
Cheerleaders are expected to be dressed out at all practices unless prearranged by the coach. This includes shirt, shorts, and cheerleading shoes, as well as hair pulled up.
A cheerleader will be considered tardy if not dressed and ready to practice at the scheduled time. In the squad’s best interest, tardiness cannot be allowed. Discipline for tardiness and unexcused absences is outlined in the consequences. Excessive tardiness and absences will be disciplined at the coaching staff’s discretion.
Squad members are not released to practice stunts, tumbling, or jumps without the direct supervision of a coach.
Cheerleaders may not leave practices early; it is the benefit of the entire squad to get the same workout (Please schedule appointments before practice begins or after practice is finished). The same consequences outlined by tardiness will be applied.
No jewelry, food, or gum is allowed while cheering. Cell phones must be shut off or turned on silent. Offenses of the above are outlined in the consequences.
No cell phones are permitted in the locker rooms.

Game Expectations

Cheerleaders will cheer at all assigned games and participate at other events requested by the coaches.
A cheerleader must be present at school for part of the day and completely dressed on game day in order to cheer at an event that night. Exceptions include college visits, funerals, and other school-related events approved at the coaching staff’s discretion.
If a cheerleader is unable to attend a game, the coach should be notified at least an hour prior to the game. This may include but is not limited to illness, death in the family, academic commitment, etc. Notification of absence does not necessarily mean this will be excused. This will be at the coaching staff’s discretion.
A cheerleader is to give an hour prior to arrival time’s notice to the coach for absence from game or full consequences will be applied for missing
Discipline for tardiness and unexcused absences is outlined in the consequences. Excessive tardiness and absences will be disciplined at the coaching staff’s discretion.
At games, the following is expected:
Have thorough knowledge of cheers and chants or you may be asked to sit the game.
You are to be on time and game ready prepared when you arrive for warm-up.
Warm-up includes stretching, tumbling, building, jumping, and preparing time-outs and quarter cheers.
Squad members are not released to practice stunts, tumbling, or jumps without the direct supervision of a coach.
No jewelry, food, gum, or cell phones are allowed while cheering.
All bags and belongings will be put in the locker rooms during the game and can be picked up at the conclusion of the game. This includes cell phones.
No bright or noticeable nail polish should be worn. You will be asked to sit out until it is removed. Acceptable colors are clear, white French tip, or pale pink/nude. Examples of unacceptable colors includes, but are not limited to, black, neons, pinks, prints, etc.
Poms are required. A cheerleader without poms will sit the game and have a consequence for being unprepared.
Each squad is required to stay for each game (7th and 8th) to support the other squad throughout the games. This includes sitting during quarters and cheering.
Cheerleaders are to return from halftime with 2 minutes remaining on the clock, poms in hand.

Transportation

It is the responsibility of all members to find transportation to practices and home cheering events, or any other activity in which a bus is not provided.
In case of tardiness from a practice or game, a cheerleader is to notify Coach Kristen immediately.
For competitions, all cheerleaders will ride the bus to and from the location. There will be no exceptions

Uniforms

Uniforms will be fitted and distributed prior to the first game or competition of their season. This year, there will be an option to purchase your own uniform to keep.
Uniform selection for games will be the responsibility of the coach.
Uniforms are only to be worn on the day of competitions, games and during games, unless approved by the coach. Failure to wear proper uniform will result in disciplinary action by the coach.
Care of uniforms is the responsibility of each cheerleader. Uniforms must be clean, pressed, and in good repair for every cheering event. If a uniform is damaged or misplaced, the cheerleader is responsible for replacing or repairing it.
ALTERATIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE COACH PRIOR TO THE ALTERATION
If a uniform is to be altered, it cannot be cut, only sewn.
Uniforms must be returned to the coach, cleaned, and in good condition by the specific time given by the coaches.
You may be subject to purchasing a new piece if not returned in good and original condition.
Cheerleading shoes, socks, briefs, bodysuits, bows, and warm-ups must be purchased by the cheerleader. A cheerleader may reuse any item that is in good condition as long as those items stay in good condition.
Cheerleading shoes will be chosen prior to the beginning of the season and must match the entire squad. They should only be worn at practices, on game days, and during other cheering events as designated by the coaching staff.
Briefs are boy-cut style and bodysuits are half bodysuit style. A set of bows will be put together for each girl so everyone will have matching bows. Do not purchase these on your own.
Bags may be purchased. If you choose not to purchase a bag, we have some that may be provided.
Any time your uniform is on, you need to wear your cheer shoes and hair up, matching, with a bow.

Conduct

Warning and discipline will be issued for failing to follow any of the rules listed in the constitution. Disciplinary action will result when the coach/athletic director deems it necessary.
Disciplinary actions may be in the form of extra workouts, loss of game time, conference, suspension period, dismissal from squad, or anything the coaches/athletic director deems appropriate.
A cheerleader must:
Follow rules in the AMS student handbook.
Follow rules in the AMS cheerleading constitution.
Attend school regularly and maintain the academic requirement of athletics.
Perform all duties assigned by coach/athletic director.
As role models, cheerleaders must monitor any outside sources or images that may jeopardize the reputation of themselves, this cheerleading program, and Avon Middle School South. This includes monitoring Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and all other social networks.
Consequences for misconduct such as the use of tobacco, alcohol, other illegal substances or criminal activity will be enforced according to those defined in the student handbook.
When a cheerleader is sitting out due to injury or as a cheer consequence, he/she should be in full uniform or warm-up, sitting with the coach. No cell phones or socializing, but cheering with his/her squad.
When a cheerleader is sitting out due to athletic code violation, he/she should not be in any cheer apparel and sitting with the coach.

Financing

The first payment of $180 is due at the parent meeting on May 22. After the fitting is complete, I will submit individual invoices for remaining balance, which will be due by June 6. If payments are not submitted, the cheerleader will not receive the items until payment is made. The school closes for the summer on June 6, so any payments received after will not be recorded until mid-July
There is a form designating estimated costs for the program. Again, this is a close estimate. There are also optional items that are available that will be added to the balance as well.
In July there will be a fee of $25 for food, snacks, and prizes for camp. This will be paid in cash at uniform and practice pack pick up. Payment Due Dates

May 22, 2013: $160