File - Flat Rock Cheerleading

Flat Rock Cheerleading Handbook
All Sideline and Competitive cheerleaders will be held to the standards within this handbook for the four
years that they attend Flat Rock Community High School. Unless there are any updates, cheerleaders and
parents will only need to sign this handbook one time within those four years. Although Sideline is not
considered a sport, sideline cheerleaders must still adhere to the rules of the FRCS Athletic Handbook.
COMMITMENT
When you try out for this team, you are committing to the coaches and your teammates of
your complete dedication to fulfill your part with respect and honor. This commitment is
from today through the end of your high school cheerleading career. This includes daily
practices, clinics, camps, game nights, competitions and team events, etc.
RESPECT
Both your team and your coaches expect your respect in everything that you do. You now
represent yourself, your family, your friends, Flat Rock, your team and your coaches! That
is a lot of people to disappoint OR impress with how great you are! We have high standards
and expect athletes to uphold these standards to the best of their ability! Think about how
you represent yourself both in person and online. Adults, peers, and kids will be watching
you when you are out and about in your daily life. They will see you at school, at the mall,
at dances, and see what you post online, etc. And people talk! Let them only have positive
things to say about you.
Your team is like your family. You do not have to be friends with every one of them but you
do have to respect them. What happens within in the team should stay within the team.
Support your teammates both in and outside of practice.
BEHAVIOR
Your behavior in and out of school, in season and out of season, can impact your
participation in this program. Coaches have the discretion to determine the consequence
for any incident both in and out of practice based on the severity of the behavior. Coaches
will use a “three strikes and you are out” policy as needed. You are a reflection of this
program.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Remember that EVERYTHING you post on social media sites reflects who you are and is a
reflection upon your team. Even when your settings are set to “private”, you never know
which one of your online “friends” will report back to your coaches. Improper use of social
media could result in dismissal of the team. This could include negative talk about your
team or coaches or other inappropriate uses of social media.
Updated May 2015
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory every day. Each cheerleader must be in school for at least 4 class
periods in order to participate in any cheerleading event that evening. Missing school does
not excuse your absence from practice so come to school! It is crucial to the progress of
your success and your team’s success that you are at practice every day. If you miss
practice for any reason you may lose your spot in a round. If you are going to miss
practice/gymnastics, you MUST call/text your coaches BEFORE practice starts (even if you
weren’t at school). A parent may NOT call/text for you unless you are severely ill. If you are
going to be tardy, please call/text out of respect. DO NOT send a message with a fellow
teammate.
Examples of an excused absence would be an emergency doctor appointment (with a note),
funeral, etc. Please discuss planned summer vacations with a coach ASAP. Work, drivers
training, feeling under the weather, and other routine appointments are not excused.
If an athlete is getting behind in school, she should develop a plan with her coach to try to
avoid missing practice.
MORE THAN 3 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES FROM PRACTICE WILL RESULT
IN YOUR DISMISSAL FROM THE TEAM. 2 Tardies/Early departures is
equivalent to 1 absence.
Sideline Absentee Consequences
2 Tardies/Early departure = 1 absence
1 absence = sitting ¼ of that week’s game
Missing a game = sitting ½ of the next game
3 absences = next absence and you are no longer part of the team.
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GAME DAY EXPECTATIONS
Cheerleaders who have diminished game cheering skills may sit out during a
performance.
During games, cheerleaders may not have food or drink with them on the sidelines.
Cheerleaders will be given breaks, as necessary, for water, or snacks.
Cheerleaders may not leave the team for any reason without permission from the
coach. This includes trips to the restroom or meeting friends and family.
Cheerleaders are also not allowed to step out of the chant line to talk with members
in the crowd.
Cheerleaders are not allowed to make or receive phone calls/texts during a game
unless approved by the coach.
Captains/seniors will lead stretches once we get there.
You MUST sit with your team if you are not cheering.
Updated May 2015
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COMPETITION DAY EXPECTATIONS
Since this is a performance sport, you will be expected to wear makeup (including
lipstick).
Captains/seniors will lead stretches when we get there
Cheerleaders may not leave the team for any reason without permission from the
coach. This includes trips to the restroom or meeting friends and family.
Purchase competition apparel after the competition or have a parent do it for you.
Cheerleaders are not allowed to make or receive phone calls/texts during a
competition unless approved by the coach.
Encourage our competition and congratulate them afterwards.
PRACTICE POLICIES
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Be on time.
Eat a healthy snack prior to practice. NO FAST FOOD! Bring your own water or
sports drink to practice. Pop and tea are not permitted.
Wear appropriate practice clothes
o Shorts/spandex/yoga pants (no baggy pants)
o Short sleeve T-shirt/tank top
o Cheer shoes
o All jewelry taken out
o All hair back
All cell phones are to be turned to a “silent” mode. Cheerleaders should not be on
their phones during practice. Every parent should have the coach’s phone number in
case they need to get a hold of their daughter at a cheer function in an emergency
situation.
Work on something at all times. If you are not in a round/cheer, you should be
practicing that round or doing a coach approved work out. You should never be
sitting.
Have a positive attitude. Encourage your teammates to be better. Remember, we are
only as strong as our weakest link!
*If any of these rules are broken, the entire team will run/condition.
Updated May 2015
FLAT ROCK CHEERLEADING HANDBOOK AGREEMENT FORM
It is your responsibility to be aware and understand this handbook in its
entirety. If you do not, please ask questions before you sign.
Although sideline cheerleading is not considered an MHSAA sport, Flat Rock
Sideline Cheerleaders are also expected to follow the guidelines stated in the
Flat Rock Athletic Handbook.
Cheerleader Signature
I, ________________________________ (print name) have read the handbook and agree to abide
by the policies set forth by the coach throughout my four years cheering at Flat Rock High
School. I understand that by doing so, I will help myself improve and help my team to be
successful. I understand that I represent my team and will do everything I can to make
sure that I represent myself, my team and my school to the best of my ability.
Signature ______________________________________________________Date ____________________
Parent Signature
I, __________________________________ (print name) have read the handbook and understand
what my daughter is agreeing to. I understand the commitment that she has made to the
team and I will support my daughter so that she can grow as a cheerleader to be successful
and help her team be successful. Whenever possible, I will try to show her my support by
being in the stands and cheering for her and her team. I will also try my best to help out
the team in whatever way I can. (Ex. Sending food, driving, making signs, etc.) I
understand that my daughter is trying out for the cheer team and if placed on the team, is
committed to the team with her time, energy and support. She will also be committed
financially and be required to purchase the items listed on the information distributed.
Signature ______________________________________________________Date ____________________
*Electronic Signatures are now accepted*
Updated May 2015