BOARD APPROVED FEBRUARY 6, 2012
BLOUNT COUNTY SCHOOLS
CHEERLEADING GUIDELINES
SELECTION OF SQUAD
I. ELIGIBILITY FOR TRYOUTS
A. Good standing with the school
B. Grade level for tryouts(School Decision)
Option 1:
1. Junior - a present member of 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
2. Varsity - a present member of 8th*, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade
*NOTE:
A decision must be made prior to tryouts by each school’s administrators and the Cheerleader Coaches whether to allow 8th grade students to tryout for the varsity squad. If allowed, Varsity tryouts must be held first. The 8th grade candidates who are not selected for the varsity squad must then be allowed to tryout for junior varsity. The number of cheerleaders to be selected must be announced prior to tryouts. Again, allowing 8th grade students to tryout for varsity is a school decision!
OPTION 2:
1. Junior- a present member of 6th or 7th grade
2. Junior Varsity- a present member of 8th or 9th grade
3. Varsity- a present member of 9th, 10th or 11th grade
*NOTE:
All incoming sophomores will be allowed to tryout for varsity cheerleader. If the candidate’s score falls within the predetermined number of positions chosen for the varsity squad, the candidate will be a Varsity cheerleader. If the candidate’s score does not fall within that range but falls in the range for the junior varsity squad’s predetermined number of positions, the candidate will be able to cheer on the junior varsity squad, if such squad exists.
C. In order to tryout a student must have attained in the preceding
semester:
VARSITY –
- An 8th (if applicable), 9th , 10th or 11th grade student must have
passed at least six new half Carnegie units with a minimum
composite numerical average of 70 in those six units. The four core
curriculum courses (English, mathematics, social studies and
science) must be included in the numerical average.
JUNIOR -
- AN 8TH grade student or below must have passed at least 5 new subjects AND have an overall numerical average of 70 or higher in those five subjects and must have been promoted to the next grade.
CLARIFICATION-
· First semester averages must be checked for eligibility for tryouts.
· The yearly average will determine continuing status as a cheerleader.
NOTE:
- Only one unit in Physical Education per year may be counted.
- Students (ninth through eleventh grade) must be carrying at least six new units of work.
- A new unit/subject is one that has not been previously passed.
(Refer to the Alabama High School Athletic Association handbook for further explanations.)
D. Medical form (required by State Association)
E. Written permission from parent/guardian
F. Appropriate fee, as determined by coach
G. Attendance at a school based practice clinic held prior to tryouts
Parent Meeting:
Principals and/or Cheerleader Coaches should meet with parents of cheerleader candidates to ensure a complete understanding of the guidelines concerning academic eligibility and tryout prodecures. They should be made aware of the following:
¨ Their child’s grades will be checked again at the end of the school year.
¨ Failure to meet the academic requirements will: (1) require successful summer school attendance for a maximum of two credits with reevaluation at the conclusion of summer school; or (2) immediate dismissal from the cheerleading squad.
¨ There will be no refund of expended funds.
¨ Review Tryout Procedures.
II. TRYOUTS/ELECTION
A. Students who wish to try out for cheerleader will be given a letter
for their parents to read, sign, and return with the required fee. This letter will explain some of the requirements and procedures, which shall include an explanation of the teacher evaluation, for cheerleader elections.
B. A student's grades will be checked by the Cheerleader Coach to
determine eligibility for tryouts in accordance with guideline I-C.
C. Teachers of each candidate’s first semester subjects, that are
used to determine eligibility per item I-C, will complete a Blount County School’s Teacher Evaluation Form (Attachment B). The highest and lowest evaluations per each cheerleader candidate will not be counted. The remaining evaluations will be averaged to account for twenty-five percent of each cheerleader candidate’s total tryout score.
D. Candidates will be judged on physical performance by a panel of
judges from outside the school. Tryouts will be closed to everyone except the coach, participants, judges, and graduating cheerleaders.
E. Gymnastics cannot be required for tryouts. If tryouts include an optional category, gymnastics may be one option along with other choices, i.e. made up cheer. Gymnastics cannot be the only skill available for extra points. All options must carry the same point value.
F. Potential cheerleaders may only perform gymnastic skills that have been mastered. This must be verified in a letter from their gymnastics teacher/instructor and the letter must be on file in the school office prior to cheerleader camp.
G. Cheerleader Coaches must have training in proper spotting of gymnastics or acquire qualified assistance prior to including gymnastics in tryouts.
H. If a cheerleader has been dismissed from the squad for disciplinary reasons during the previous year, they will not be eligible to tryout the year following the dismissal.
I. A pre-determined number of varsity and junior cheerleaders will
be chosen on the basis of the final scores. The number must be announced to all candidates prior to tryouts.
J. Procedures for tryouts should be reviewed thoroughly for complete understanding.
K. Consistency is imperative.
III. SELECTION OF CAPTAIN AND/OR CO-CAPTAIN(S) FOR NEW SQUAD
Announce to squad prior to selections how selections will be made, A or B, and how many positions will be filled.
A. Election by the squad
1. Secret ballot
2. Tie vote will be broken by the coach;
OR
B. Selection by the Cheerleader Coach
ELECTED CHEERLEADER CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for cheerleader activities, a cheerleader must have passed during the preceding year in attendance:
¨ Those Entering the 10th, 11th and 12th Grades - at least six new full Carnegie units with a composite numerical average of 70 in those six units. The four core curriculum courses (math, English, science, social studies) must be included. Any student who accumulates more than four courses per year may earn less than the four core courses during the next school year and be eligible as long as that student remains on tract for graduation with his/her class.
¨ Those entering the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades – at least a passing score of 60 or higher in each of five new subjects and have a numerical average of 70 in those five subjects. Seventh and eighth grade students must be carrying five new subjects.
NOTE: (1) Only one unit in Physical Education per year may be counted.
(2) No more than two Carnegie units earned in an approved summer
school program may be counted.
(3) To be eligible for interscholastic athletics, students (ninth
through the eleventh grade) must be carrying at least six new
units of work (three per semester on a 4X4 block schedule).
Seniors, who are on track for graduation and have earned more
units than is required, must be carrying a minimum of four units
of work for the school year. (In a 4X4 block schedule, this would
translate to two units per semester).
(4) A new unit/subject is one that has not been previously passed.
(5) Academic eligibility will be determined before the start of each
school year.
CHEERLEADING PRIORITIES
1. A cheerleader's first responsibility is to his/her academic program. Participating in cheerleading should not compromise the educational process.
2. The primary function of a cheerleading program is to support interscholastic athletics and to promote school spirit.
3. A cheerleading squad has the responsibility to uphold, to reflect, and to project the goals and ideals of their school and community.
4. Cheerleading squads engaging in cheerleading gymnastics and competitive programs should adopt and execute a comprehensive safety program.
5. The school cheerleading squad must take priority over other non-school squads, i.e., All Star Cheerleading.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
All Blount County cheerleader squads must follow the current National Federation of State High School Associations Spirit Rules Book and the Alabama High School Athletic Association rules.
MEDICATION
Cheerleader Coaches/Sponsors are NOT allowed to give cheerleaders medication unless they have completed the 24 hour Medication Assistant Training Program (State Department of Education and Alabama Board of Nursing Guidelines).
SPECIFIC CHEERLEADING SAFETY GUIDELINES
1. A cheerleader Emergency Response Plan (Athletic Venue) will be developed and drilled.
2. Proper spotting techniques will be used at all times.
3. Toe pitches, knee drops, tension drops, and free falling flips from partner stunts are not allowed.
4. All pyramids and partner stunts are limited to two persons high.
"Two high" is defined as the base (bottom person) having at least one foot on the ground. The top person in a partner stunt, pyramid or transition may not be in an inverted (head below the waist) position.
5. Use of mini-tramps, springboards, or any height increasing apparatus is not allowed.
6. "Hands-on" spotting and safety equipment (mats, etc.) are required until new skills are mastered.
7. All cheerleaders will receive proper training before attempting any form of cheerleading gymnastics (tumbling, partner stunts, and jumps).
8. Cheerleaders trained in gymnastics may perform skills mastered if a letter from their gymnastics teacher/instructor is on file in the school office.
9. Gymnastics, tumbling, stunts, and pyramids are allowed at basketball games only during timeouts, between quarters and halftime when the floor is clear.
10. Cheerleading squads will be placed under the direction of a knowledgeable Cheerleader Coach who has gymnastics training or will acquire qualified assistance. Certification of training should be on file in the school office.
11. The Cheerleader Coach will be in attendance at all practices and functions. In the case of an emergency and the Cheerleader Coach must be absent, no stunts, tumbling, or gymnastics will be allowed. A designated school representative will assume responsibility during the absence.
12. All practice sessions will be held in a location suitable for the activities of cheerleaders.
13. Warm-up and stretching will precede all practice sessions, pep rallies, games, competitions, and other physical activities.
14. All cheerleading squads will develop and participate in a conditioning and strength-building program to reduce the risk of injury.
15. The cheering surface, location, and weather conditions will be taken into consideration before engaging in physical activity.
16. Cheerleader Coaches will recognize the entire squad's particular ability level and limit the squad's activities accordingly.
17. Cheerleaders and parents will be informed of the risks involved and the possibility of injury. After reading the information, parents must sign and return the permission form provided by the Blount County Board of Education. (See Attachment A)
18. BASKET TOSSES – (Board Approved April 12, 1999) - Cheerleaders may perform a basket toss only if these safety guidelines are strictly followed:
· Cheerleaders and the Cheerleader Coach must attend a stunt clinic and obtain certification from professional instructors on performing basket tosses. Certification must be on file at the school.
· Basket tosses may only be performed on mats.
19. Cheerleader Coaches must be at all functions, games and practices, or in the event of an emergency, a designee* may substitute. Gymnastics and basket tosses will not be performed in the absence of the coach.
*Principal should approve the designee serving in the coaches’ absence.
COMPETITION SQUADS
Competition squads may be chosen by the Cheerleader Coaches from the current junior and varsity squads.
ALL STAR CHEERLEADING (non-school affiliated)
The school cheerleading squad MUST take priority. All Star Cheerleading cannot interfere with school squad practices, games, and/or competitions.
GLOSSARY
BASE - The bottom person of a partner stunt.
TOP PERSON - The top person of a partner stunt.
SPOTTER - A person who assists with any tumbling move or who is responsible for assisting or catching the top person.
HANDS-ON SPOTTING - Procedure where the spotter maintains continuous contact with the person executing a gymnastic stunt, tumbling move, partner stunt, or pyramid.
COACH - Official cheerleading coach.
ATTACHMENT A
BLOUNT COUNTY SCHOOLS
PARENT/GUARDIAN CHEERLEADING PERMISSION FORM
SCHOOL
Dear Parent/Guardian:
With your son or daughter participating in cheerleading in the Blount County School System, it is very important that you understand the risks involved and the possibility of injury during practice and/or games. The law requires that you should be informed that participation might cause crippling injuries and very rarely even fatalities.
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PERMISSION FORM.
********************************************************************************************
I give my son/daughter______
Name Of Athlete
permission to participate in cheerleading in the Blount County School System;
AND
I verify that my son/daughter has accident-medical insurance as listed below:
Insurance Carrier______Policy No.______
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
______
Home Phone Work or Emergency Phone
ATTACH COPY OF INSURANCE CARD
ATTACHMENT B
BLOUNT COUNTY SCHOOLS
TEACHER EVALUATION FOR CHEERLEADER TRYOUTS
Please complete this evaluation form and return it to the Cheerleader Coach in a sealed envelope by the date noted below. It is imperative that you assign ratings based on your observations of this student while in your class. These evaluations will not be shared with the student. They will be confidential and tallied by the Cheerleader Coach.
The highest and lowest evaluations per each student will not be counted. The remaining evaluations will be averaged to account for twenty-five percent of the cheerleader candidate’s total tryout score.
SCHOOL
NAME OF CHEERLEADER CANDIDATE
On a scale of 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent), please rate the cheerleader candidate in each of the areas listed below:
5 – Excellent 4 – Good 3 – Average 2 – Fair 1 - Poor
Ability to get along with others
Attitude
Leadership
Attendance and Punctuality
Dependability
TOTAL SCORE
Date form completed
Return this completed form to the Cheerleader Coach by
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!
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