Varsity and Junior High Cheerleader Selection: Process andContractWelchHigh School

Purpose:

The purpose for the cheerleader is to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the students, to promote unification of the crowds’ participation and to strive and build better relationships between schools.

Prerequisites:

A student planning to try out for cheerleader must comply with the following prerequisites:

Participation Guidelines

  1. All currently enrolled and attending students are eligible to tryout.
  2. At each level (JH and HS) there will be 2 squads, one for basketball and one for football. A player who makes varsity basketball cheerleader will cheer during the boys’/girls’ basketball games only.
  3. If a cheerleader quits or is dismissed because of disciplinary reasons, s/he may not tryout the following year.

Cheerleading Candidates/ Parent Meeting

Each year a parent meeting will be held in the gym prior to tryouts. All students must attend and must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian to be eligible for tryouts.

Tryout Clinic

  1. Tryouts are closed to the public.
  2. Each candidate will wear a randomly picked number designating the order of tryout.
  3. The first stage of the tryout will consist of the cheer candidate rotating through three performance stations to be judged including Station 1: the tryout cheer; Station 2: 1-2 tumbling skills, one herkie jump, one toe touch jump, and one double jump of choice; Station 3: the tryout chant.
  4. The second stage of the tryout will consist of the candidates performing the tryout dance routine in randomly selected groups.

Clinic and Tryout Uniforms

Comfortable shorts, shirts, and shoes must be worn to the 4-day clinic. Any combination of blue and white T-shirts and shorts, athletic shoes, and white socks must be worn during the Friday tryout. Candidates may NOT wear clothing that would identify them as a previous cheerleader. Hair MUST be worn so that it will not obstruct candidate’s face during clinic and tryout.

Team Membership

  1. Varsity Squad: maximum of 12female members and 5 male members. (Bask/Football)
  2. Jr. High Squad: maximum of 7 members. (Basketball/Football)
  3. If a sufficient number of candidates are not available or if the candidates score is below 60 points of the 100 possible points, the cheer coach will determine the number of team members.

Judges

A. The candidates will be judged on the day of tryouts by collegiate cheerleaders or other outside judges.

B. Candidates will be evaluated by all their teachers in the areas of: willingness to work with a group, dependability, participation, attendance, and general attitude.

C. One collegiate or outside judge will evaluate the candidates on jumps and tumbling, one on the chant, one on the cheer, and then collectively on the dance.

D. All judges will be selected according to their knowledge, training, and expertise in the areas of tumbling, motion technique, dance, and jump technique.

Restrictions for Judges

  1. No judge can be related to a candidate for cheerleader.
  2. Judges will not talk to candidates before, during, or after tryouts.

Score Breakdown/Possible Points

JUMPS10These scores will represent 45% of the total points.

TUMBLING 5

CHANT10

CHEER10

DANCE10

----

45

TEACHERThese scores will represent 45% of the total points.

`EVALUATIONS

COUNSELOR AND/OR CHEER COACH EVALUATIONS

These scores will represent 10% of the total points.

Candidates will be asked to leave the site after the tryouts have been completed. Following the completion of the tabulations, the new squad members’ names will be posted on the front doors of the High School.

Continuing Eligibility

A. PHYSICAL: A physical examination will be required for all cheerleaders after selection. A date will be selected for the physical exam to be administered. If the cheerleader is unable to attend on the assigned date, it will then become the responsibility of the cheerleader to obtain a physical exam.

B. GRADE POINT: During the school year, a cheerleader must maintain eligibility as regulated by Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Rules. This will apply to participation in all cheerleading functions. A cheerleader will receive a 10 point deduction per week of ineligibility during the school year with a limit of 2 weeks of ineligibility allowed before being dismissed from the cheer squad.

C. CODE OF CONDUCT: Cheerleaders are representative of their school. Appropriate behavior is expected at all times. Violation of cheerleading rules will result in benching or dismissal from the squad. Each cheerleader starts with 30 points per cheer season. If 30 points are earned against the cheerleader, the cheerleader will be dismissed from the cheerleading squad.

D. CHEERLEADING RULES:

CHEERLEADERS MAY NOT:

  1. Loaf at practice.
  2. Have an unexcused tardy for practice.
  3. Have an unexcused absence from practice or scheduled event.
  4. Chew gum while cheering.
  5. Have an untidy uniform.
  6. Wear improper attire or not wear what is designated for that game day.
  7. Wear jewelry during practice, competition, tryouts or games.
  8. Have a hair color dyed other than a natural color. (orange, blue, green etc.)
  9. Use profanity or obscene gestures.
  10. Have unnecessary conversation with crowd or teams.
  11. Leave during a game or practice without being excused by the coach.
  12. Cut classes.
  13. Exhibit insufficient knowledge of cheers, etc., at the game or other events.
  14. Bad mouth other members of the squad.
  15. Return late at half time or between quarters.
  16. Exhibit an unsportsmanlike manner or attitude.
  17. Miss or not participate in a fundraiser.
  18. Fail to meet designated guidelines.
  19. Be academically ineligible for more than 2 weeks.
  20. Be suspended from school.
  21. Smoke, drink, or use any illegal substance at school or a school event.

CHEERLEADER DEMERIT LIST:

1. Unexcused absence from practice-5

2. Excused absence from practice-3

3. Not practicing (without doctor’s note)-3

4. Excused absence from game or event-3

5. Unexcused absence from game or event-10

6. Ineligibility from game or event per week-10

7. Late for practice -5

8. Leaving practice early-2

9. Incomplete uniform at game or event

(top, skirt, bloomers, socks, shoes, ribbon) -5 per item

10. Leaving items at practice or games-2 per item

11. Wearing jewelry during practice or games-5

12. Chewing gum during practice or game-5

13. Not participating in fund raising-15

14. Return late from half-time or quarter breaks-5

15. Hair down during the day-5 each time

THE CHEERLEADING COACH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO BENCH OR DISMISS ANY CHEERLEADER FROM THE SQUAD WHEN AN INFRACTION OF THESE RULES OCCURS.

*A benched cheerleader will not be allowed to perform but will be required to fulfill all regular duties and attend games or events scheduled within that time.

Attendance

Cheerleaders will regularly attend school in accordance with school board policy. If a cheerleader is absent part of or all of the school day when an event is scheduled, the cheerleader must check with the cheer coach, who will determine if the cheerleader will participate that day.

*The cheer coach and the school administration shall decide any questions of procedure not outlined in this contract. Changes in this contract can be made only with the approval of the cheer coach and the building principal.

Cheerleading Costs

CAMP/CAMP CLOTHING: All cheerleaders will be required to attend camp with their squad during the summer. Each cheerleader will be given advance knowledge of camp dates and cost. Cheerleaders will wear uniforms, and must purchase 2-3 matching short sets to wear during camp. Camp clothes may also be worn for cheerleading practice during the year. Every effort should be made to hold down the cost of these items.

*IF A STUDENT CHOOSES TO WITHDRAW FROM THEIR POSITION AS CHEERLEADER, HE/SHE WILL BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF CHEER CAMP!!!

Uniforms: Any uniform item purchased with WelchSchool funds belongs to the school. Cheerleaders will be charged the new replacement cost of any items lost or destroyed.

Accessories: Each cheerleader will be required to purchase one pair of shoes, blue briefs and white socks as chosen by the squad.

Fundraisers

Cheerleaders are required to participate in all fundraisers voted on by the squad and approved by the board of education. Minimum requirements for each fundraiser will be determined by the coach. If those minimum requirements are not met, the cheerleader will either pay the amount/ difference or will be dismissed from the squad.

Transportation

All cheerleaders must ride in school provided transportation to out of town scheduled events. Exceptions must be approved before hand by the cheer coach. Cheerleaders may be released to a parent/legal guardian upon parents’ personal signature on a sign out sheet. A cheerleader will only be released to someone other than a parent with a notarized letter before handsigned by a parent/legal guardian prior to the event and given to the cheer coach.

Competition

Cheerleaders will have the option of competing at Conference, Regional and State Competitions(if qualified). Cheerleaders will make the individual decision to compete. Competition team membership will be at the coach’s discretion. The cheer coach may elect other students to fill his/her spot for competition only. The school will pay entry fees for the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Competition and provide school transportation.

Practice

Practice is required in the summer to prepare for camp and for OSSAA competition which occurs at the beginning of September.

WELCH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED MARCH 11, 2003.

I have read the Cheerleading Contract and understand the responsibilities of my child if he or she should be chosen for the position of cheerleader. I understand that he/she is obligated to serve in that capacity for the entire season. I also understand that failure to cooperate and to fulfill all the requirements written in this contract will result in benching or dismissal.

______PARENT SIGNATURE

______DATE

I have read the Cheerleading Contract and understand my responsibilities

upon being selected as cheerleader. I agree to uphold the requirements

outlined in this contract. I also understand that failure to cooperate and to

fulfill these requirements will result in benching or dismissal.

______STUDENT SIGNATURE

______DATE

I AM TRYING OUT FOR:

______FOOTBALL______BASKETBALL

______BASKETBALL (ONLY IF NOT SELECTED FOR FOOTBALL)

Are you taking any medications? ______

If so, will it affect your performance or your duty? ______

Do you have any allergies? ______

Do you have any other medical conditions we should know about?

______