SSOOUUTTHHRRIIDDGGEE CCHHEEEERR TRYOUT APPLICATION
SSC—You and Me!
Southridge Cheer 2017 Family. Fun. Pride. Spirit. Stunt. Tumble. Compete.
For more information, contact Liz Stiles, coach, via email: [email protected]
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Southridge Cheer Team Information
Team Philosophy Support Southridge athletic teams, events, etc. o Boost school spirit, promote good sportsmanship, develop good, positive crowd involvement and help student participants and spectators enjoy and maximize the spirit of the athletic events. Represent Southridge and the student body in an exemplary manner. o Be amongst the most visible and recognizable representatives of the school. The squad is in the position to greatly influence the school’s image as well as that of school pride and involvement; therefore, high standards of conduct and appearance are essential. Promote positive socialization and team cohesiveness. o Practice and promote a cooperative spirit among members of the team to create positive memories of high school life as well as enhancing the cooperative spirit in our school community and community at large. You are REQUIRED to bond and work with ALL team members. You WILL refrain from negativity within and about the team. Performance of cheers and routines is an essential role. o Members will work to achieve effective execution of cheers and routines as they play a key part in rallying the crowd and showcasing the squad’s abilities. To this end, all spirit squad members are considered athletes and are expected to condition and train in a manner befitting a strong, motivated and proud athletic team.
Cheer Team Structure The Head Coach and Assistant Coach work together to make all decisions. Coaches work under our Athletic Director. Captains have authority, under coaches, to help facilitate coaches’ decisions and plans. Team members will follow the Captains’ directions with cooperation and respect. Team numbers will be 12-24 freshmen to seniors in good academic and citizenship standing. Male cheerleaders may be included. Candidates must be willing to work on spirit-building, school pride and involvement activities as much as game and event performances. A parent booster group is encouraged to get organized and will work with the coach to help make financial decisions and help schedule participation and activities. Have your voice heard by getting involved and being a part of decisions being made that affect the team financially.
Season Activities Cheer performs at assemblies, football games, basketball games, school activities, and community events. The cheer team will be hosting a variety of spirit activities and will be decorating locker rooms, making posters, helping advertise and promote spirit.
Competition Team The Southridge Competitive Cheer team will be chosen in late summer/early fall. All team members are eligible to try out but must be in good standing with team expectations and financial obligations. The competitive team is additional costs and additional time. More info to come.
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Cheer Requirements and Coaches’ Expectations
I. Attendance Attendance is vital to a team’s sense of trust and success. Much time goes into practice and game preparation and when team members are missing, certain elements of practice and preparation cannot be done. In addition, team members missing will not be included in team decision making and communication. Attendance is one of the most important commitments to cheer.
*Excessive absences or tardiness to practice may result in removal from the squad.*
It is the cheerleader’s and family’s responsibility to be aware of schedules, practices, and activities ahead of time. Therefore, any known conflicts can be discussed with the coach in a timely manner and unexcused absences can be avoided.
Excused Absences: Parents must contact the coach to excuse absences. REQUIRED academic purpose: This needs to be communicated to Coach Stiles immediately and pre-excused by the coach. Illness: If a team member is ill, she should be home. Therefore, she cannot “sit out” at practice or a game. *Note: The school’s policy regarding attendance on a game day is that the student must attend at least 4 periods in order to participate in practice or the evening’s athletic event. If afternoon classes are missed, they cannot participate. o If you are not at school for illness, you will not cheer. Appointments: Pre-excuse doctor appointments. Multiple missed practices due to “appointments” will not be excused. *Note: They must have been pre-excused with the school if any classes were missed in order to participate in practice and/or cheer that day. Family Emergencies: Please notify the coach as soon as possible if a family emergency arises and a practice or game must be missed. A parent must contact the coach to excuse.
Unexcused Absences: Any unexcused absences will result in benching the cheerleader from cheering and/or performing in routines. After 3 unexcused absences, the cheerleader will be removed from routines, performances, and will be removed at the end of the season. Any reason other than above. Failure to provide parent communication excusing the absence results in an unexcused absence. If a team member does not give the coach prior notice it will be construed as an unexcused absence. Work is not acceptable for missing any cheerleading function. If a cheerleader has a job, they must to be extra proactive in looking at the calendars and schedules ahead of time, managing the conflicts and communicating with the coaches. Cheer must come first if you are on team. All-Star squad cheerleaders must be sure to attend all Southridge practices, scheduled games, and performances. Any conflicts must be discussed with the coach prior to the start of the season and during scheduling. Bondings, team activities, events, are all included in the attendance expectations.
Coming late and leaving early: Important team business and planning is done at practice. To ensure everyone has the information they need and are included, being on time and in attendance during the entire practice is vital to our success as a team. Tardiness and leaving early is unacceptable and will be dealt with at the coaches’ discretion.
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II. Practices We understand that cheerleaders are busy and need time during the week for other aspects to their lives. Practices scheduled are there to ensure the team progresses through safe execution of stunts, technical elements, game material, and routine practice for assemblies and timeouts. In order to keep our practices at a minimum, it is important team members are at all practices when scheduled so we don’t have to add time because people were gone or had to leave early, etc. Practice times will be discussed with the team and then scheduled by the coach and captains. Southridge cheer will meet for practice 3-4 days a week before major events and 2-3 days a week during the season. Calendars will be set at the beginning of each month to give cheerleaders plenty of notice of the schedule. It is your responsibility to ensure you have copies and stay posted. Proper practice attire should be worn EVERY practice. Hair must be worn up off of shoulders if stunting and must be held away from face during practice. Jewelry must be off, spacers in piercings. No gum or candy may be in the mouth during practice. Proper shoes must be worn. It is imperative that cheerleaders give the coach and captains their undivided attention during all parts of practice. Team members should not be talking, socializing, etc., during direction. Cheerleaders should put 100% effort into practice for personal and team improvement. *Practices are also times that coaches will be evaluating team members for stunt and skill level, leadership, knowledge and execution of material, and enthusiasm.
III. Games, Assemblies, and Special Events Cheerleaders are held to high expectations by their peers and by the school due to the high profile element of representing the school at public events like games, events, and assemblies. Therefore, cheerleaders need to be on their best behavior and look professional at all times in uniform.
Arrival: Before game begins cheerleaders are “performing.” Cheerleaders must be 5 min. early to the scheduled time for event, or they will be considered tardy. Tardies will result in conditioning and consequences. Cheerleaders must be in full uniform (exception of shoes) when entering game venues, when coming into the gym for the assembly or any other scheduled event. This includes hair and makeup. Go to the bathroom immediately. Have ASB with you upon entrance. Once pre-game starts, cheerleaders must remain with the team until the end of the game, event, or performance (unless pre-arranged due to an irregular conflict).
During Game: Cheerleaders are being watched at all times, “performing,” so we take appearance and behavior seriously. No leaving the team unless approved by coach or captains; this includes half-time. We stick to the game plan (which is determined at that week’s practices); no new material is introduced during a game by team members, including leadership. No social taking during the game. You are watching the event to determine “situations,” which help determine the correct chants or cheers to start. Your “spot” will change due to your sideline behavior and performance. Cheerleaders should always remain positive, enthusiastic, a good role model of sportsmanship, even when the environment may not be ideal. No yelling at referees, members on the field, spectators, etc. This includes assemblies and other events.
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Leaving games, performances, events: Cheerleaders are still being watched. If a cheerleader is still in uniform in public (i.e. going to Dairy Queen, etc.), she or he must be on her or his best behavior. She or he must take care to watch language, attitude, actions, and conversations. If coaches are notified otherwise, a cheerleader may be removed from the team. Cheerleaders should be positive with each other and others, as he or she is representing the team and the school.
*Attending game but not cheering: If a team member is unable to cheer (due to illness, injury, or ineligibility), she or he is expected to sit the bench with the coach to support and assist. She or he is still expected to follow cheer behavior expectations. This includes being positive, enthusiastic about cheering, a good role model in the crowd, supportive of the cheer team and other teams, and no negative or inappropriate cheering to the referees and other cheer teams or team members.
IV. Uniforms and Appearance In our appearance, we represent the team and school, so looking professional, polished, and classy is the Southridge Way. Cheerleaders must have specified bows, poms, socks, shoes, sports bra, and briefs, in order to participate; they may not substitute other items or go on the floor without. Cheerleaders must adhere to NFHS and WIAA rules for cheering which include the following expectations: hair is to be pulled back and up off of the neck for stunting, away from the face for tumbling and cheering, no glitter on courts, no jewelry of any kind is allowed to be worn (plastic spacers only for piercings), no gum or candy in mouth, etc. Cheerleaders are to adhere to coach and captain choices on game and event hair, makeup, and uniform choices. Failure to adhere to choices will be dealt with as insubordination. Team items such as poms and warm-ups must be kept in good condition or the cheerleader is responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items. *Smiling is considered a vital part of the uniform. This will be evaluated as you cheer and perform. Failure to smile when cheering may affect where you are in formations and being on the sideline.
V. Transportation All cheerleaders are required to travel to and from contests and events in a safe manner. Cheerleaders are not to travel to and from contests out of town with anyone except approved adults.
VI. Attitude and Behavior It is the expectation that a cheerleader at all times displays behavior that positively represents Southridge High School and the community both in and out of uniform. Cheerleaders are expected to follow all rules as outlined in the Southridge High School Athletic Handbook. Cheerleaders must maintain good rapport with Southridge High School staff and administration. Your behavior in class may result in benching if it breaks team expectations for representing the program.
*The coaches reserve the right to: 1. Suspend an athlete from participation (“bench”) due to violation of expectations. 2. Release an athlete from the squad due to excessive violation of expectations. 5
Tryout Specifics
Application Process
_____ Athletic Clearance—Applicants must get “cleared” through the Southridge Activities office prior to trying out (you may not participate until you are on the cleared list). This includes a cleared, up-to-date physical.
_____ Packet--Applicants and parents must sign off on the “Southridge Cheerleading Application” pages (the next pages) to show that they have read, understood, and agree to adhere to team information and coach expectations. The signed pages must be returned at tryouts. Keep expectations for future reference.
_____ 3 Teacher Recommendations—Must be placed in coach’s mailbox or given to coaches at tryouts.
_____ Judging—Judges will be scoring candidates against a scoring guide of the following elements: Rally On and Off— Energy, smile, enthusiasm, presence on court. Overall Spirit—will be judged throughout the tryout period on attitude and enthusiasm. Chants and Cheer--Judged on motion technique, precision and placement, timing, vocal projection. Fight Song—Must sing and perform part of the Fight Song. Judged on memory, motions, jumps, kicks and potential for growth in inexperienced candidates. Dance—Judged on timing, coordination, showmanship, and rhythm. Jumps—Two jumps judged on precision, execution, height. Flexibility—judged during Fight Song and other elements. Tumbling—optional and should be demonstrated in rally demonstration Stunting—we are looking for potential stunt positions as you participate in stunting at tryouts
Tryout Results—Will be posted in the Activities Office the morning after tryouts and posted on the team website.
Once Make the Team…
Team meeting Monday, April 17th, 3-5pm., Southridge Library. MANDATORY parent meeting Monday, April 24th, 7-8:30pm in the Southridge Library. $100 camp deposit due this night. Parent Meeting Monday, March 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Southridge Library. Camp is required and is July 6-9 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Centralia, Wa.
Tryouts are closed to everyone except judges and candidates.
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Please keep, for your records, pages 1-6 and return this page, front and back signed. Thank you.
Southridge Cheerleading Application Sign Off Head Coach: Liz Stiles [email protected]
Applicant Name ______Team Before? (circle) Yes No
Current grade level:______Current school (middle schoolers) ______
Parent Phone ______Parent email: ______
Student Phone ______Student email: ______
I ______, am interested in being a cheerleader at Southridge High School. I clearly understand the team expectations, time commitment, costs, and the risks stated in the cheer packet. If selected, I promise to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the coaches. I promise to cooperate and follow the instructions of the coaches.
I understand that the minimum GPA requirement for trying out is a 2.0. I understand that if selected to the squad I must maintain a minimum GPA of a 2.0 at all times (this includes progress reports and end of the semester report cards) to remain on the squad. Failure to maintain a 2.0 will result in an automatic suspension from games and may result in possible removal from the squad.
Student Signature ______Date ______
Parent Signature ______Date ______
Cheerleading Application Continued 7
My child, ______has my permission to participate in the cheerleading tryouts at Southridge High School.
I understand that the coach will evaluate my daughter/son based on technical skills, and ability. Skills to be evaluated may include: flexibility, jumps, motions, dancing, tumbling, and stunting. As the parent(s) I/we agree to abide by any/all final decision made by the coach during and after the tryout selection process.
I understand that being a cheerleader at Southridge High School requires a major time commitment. Cheerleaders are required to cheer at both home and some away games, attend all practices, participate in fundraisers, and attend team activities. Cheerleaders should anticipate having 6-15 hours of cheer related activities per week. This time commitment may or may not be compatible with jobs, club cheer or other commitments. The coaches will be open to working with athletes and families in regards to practices and performances IF it does not conflict with the team calendar and schedule.
I understand it is the responsibility of the cheerleader to purchase all portions of their uniform. The cost breakdown is an approximate cost (to help understand the commitment), based on previous seasons.
Shell $160 Skirt $85 Motionflex liner $95 Briefs $25 Hair Bows $10-$20 each Poms $60/pair Shoes $70-$100 Jacket $160 (jackets can be purchased in August)
All approximate expenses have been discussed at the parent meeting. I understand that if my daughter/son is selected to the team/program that we are financially responsible for all personal expenses once any uniform order has been placed, even if she/he quits, transfers to a different school or moves after the orders or registrations have been placed, or before it arrives. Once production has started on uniforms it cannot be stopped or changed.
Risk of Injury: I understand that by the very nature of the activity, cheerleading and gymnastics carry a risk of physical injury. No matter how careful the participant(s) and coaches are, how many spotters are used, or what landing surface is used, the risk of injury cannot be eliminated. The risk of injury includes injuries such as muscle pulls, dislocations and broken bones. They also include catastrophic injuries such as permanent paralysis or even death as a result of landing or falling on the back, neck, or head.
Student and parent signatures below acknowledge that all material in this packet has been read and is clearly understood.
Student Signature ______Date ______
Parent Signature ______Date ______
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