To be an LAHS cheerleader is an honor.  It requires a large commitment.  That commitment includes being at all practices and games, showing respect for coaches and team members, and displaying the school spirit that embodies cheerleading.  You will be expected to cheer at all football games, home basketball games, home wrestling duels, and all major tournament events both home and away.  You will be expected to participate in every practice, take tumbling classes, participate in competition, camp, and fund raisers.

 

     The main focus of the cheerleading program is to promote spirit and enthusiasm for the school and all of its athletic programs.  Cheer its self is a competitive athletic program.  Cheerleaders will be expected to prepare and compete as such.  Physical conditioning with stretching, running, calisthenics, aerobic work outs, and weight lifting will be required so that we can perform safely. 

 

Every cheerleader will be required to participate in every group fund raiser which will assist in raising money for mats, uniforms, competitions, and other group needs.

 

A weakness we are still working to improve in our squad is tumbling.  Cheerleaders need to be able to tumble in order to be competitive.  This is not an over night skill; it will take time, but we will make it a top priority focus. Each cheerleader who does not have a solid, throw any place standing handspring and round off handspring MUST attend bi-monthly tumbling classes. Although I will not make it mandatory at this time, all cheerleaders who already have handspring skills and are committed to getting better and achieving in their sport SHOULD attend weekly tumbling classes to advance every skill they have. We will not be effective and competitive until we have at least several back tucks and at least one or two full twisting layouts.  This squad is moving towards being more competitive with tumbling skills. Very soon it is my goal to make a qualification to even try out for competition team, a minimum of a running and standing back handspring.

 

Cheerleaders must stunt and jump as well as tumble.  These are not easy skills to master. You will be bruised, cut, and scratched, you will get hit with elbows and have fat lips and black eyes, you will sprain wrists and develop over use pains, sore muscles and fatigue are frequent complaints, concussions, torn tendons, ankle rolls, and breaks rarely but occasionally do happen. This is a sport and like any sport injuries and pains are not only possible but likely. We will do our best to follow safety guildlines and help you take care of your body and keep injuries to a minimum, but realize that minor pains are common and you WILL have some, you'll live and you will still have to practice full out unless you are under doctor's care or seriously injured. You will have to be tough, put a band aid on the blood, ice the bruises, and shake off the mild discomforts associated with athletic activity. Cheerleading is not a sport for the faint hearted, fear is a common problem, practice will help control that. 

 

High School cheerleaders perform advanced level stunts. This means one legs and full twisting dismounts. They are scary and hard and require sweat and practice and a good attitude and extreme strength and flexibility and much effort.

Squad members will be expected to learn to function in multiple positions within stunts. You may be asked to perform skills that are not "your favorite thing to do",however, as a team member, you will be expected to do what you are asked, when you are asked to promote what is best for the team. To be a part of a varsity, competitive team requires this in any sport!

 

     Attendance at all practices, games, competitions, camp, and tumbling classes are mandatory and grades will be based in large part on your attendance!  A calendar of events will be issued as far in advance as possible.  Absences due to lack of transportation, homework, and previous engagements are NOT excused! You will be permitted an excused absence with a doctor's note or a funeral memorial.  You may be excused in a few other instances, but you are NEVER excused if you don't speak DIRECTLY to me or my answering machine PRIOR to the absence!  Make sure you have a call list and my phone number in a safe place! (Sending word by another cheerleader is NOT acceptable!) 

     I realize that many of you have jobs and some of you may elect to participate in other athletics as managers or athletes.  I will work with you to reach a compromise in these situations.  Please use your calendar of events to try and arrange your work schedule around activities and practices.

    

     In the event of an unexcused absence from practice you will be issued a warning and a grade of zero for the day.  Unexcused absences from cheer events and games will result in a one letter grade deduction.  Three unexcused absences from events and games will result in a failing grade and dismissal from the squad.  If you do not attend practice, I will offer very little tolorance with the exception of previous school activity committments, and real illnesses, and pre-arranged family vacations in the summer. If we can't practice with you, you won't have a spot, and will therefore be dismissed at my disgression! (**If you quit or are dismissed, you will automatically fail the semester; this is athletic department policy! Additionally, you will not be allowed to tryout the following school year. )

     You will be expected to make up any conditioning, running, calisthenics, etc. that you missed during practices missed with unexcused absences at the end of the next practice. (Cheerleaders who are not in shape are a danger to themselves and other squad members. To skip out on conditioning is NOT an option.)

     As far as tardiness goes, I expect you to be dressed and ready to go before practice starts. There will be a sign in sheet available at all practices. Notes and reminders will be posted near the sign in. You are responsible for signing in and reading all postings each practice, before practice time begins!  You will need to be at all home games 15 minutes before they start. You will also need to arrive at the bus barn/"bull pen parking area" 10 minutes before the departure time for all away events.  If you are going to be more than 10 minutes late call me!  If you are late for away events you could be left behind and counted for an unexcused absence.

 

Cheerleaders should not display bad habits and behaviors.  Lewd or inappropriate displays of affection at events, (including display of hickeys: If anyone has one we will ALL wear our turtlenecks.), bad mouthing others, talking back, poor attitudes, and threats will not be tolerated. Remember all the stereo types and how things get blown out of proportion? If you think that something could cause a lot of talk or be taken the wrong way.....it will probably happen. Stay on the side of caution and don't say or do it! 

     You will be positive, critique team members for the purpose of improvement only, and function as a team member. If you can't get along, you DON'T beling on this squad!  If you have a problem with another squad member follow the proper chain of resolution:

 Dragging parents and me into a fray over petty behaviors will only make matters worse for all involved.  If you are a gossip, or too immature to work out a difference, you don't belong on any high school team.  You don't have to be best friends with everyone on the squad, but you must tolerate people with respect. 

 

     Referrals, reports of misconduct at school, ISD, and suspensions from school will be monitored.  If behavior is a constant problem you will be dismissed.  If you are suspended from school, you may not attend events.  You will receive an unexcused absence for each practice or event that you miss while you are suspended.  Remember that unbecoming conduct reflects on the reputation of the school and the squad.  I expect you to represent this team positively!

 

     Students who have a failing grade and appear on the ineligible list will not be allowed to participate at games/events/competitions.  If you may not attend due to eligibility, you are expected to attend in plain clothes and sit on the side lines with the coach. You will not be allowed to ride the bus to away events and must find your own transporation arrangements or you will be counted for a full unexcused absence. This will count against you as 1/2 an unexcused absence; 1/2 a letter grade deduction.  If your name appears four times on the ineligible list in any one semester, you will be removed from the team and fail cheerleading for the semester.

     Although I am not at liberty to regulate your participation in athletics beyond making sure that you are passing, I am particular about your grades and will frequently ask to see report cards or for your grade point average.  I am proud to say that during the 2004-2005 school year we maintained a cumulative GPA of over 3.6! With an outstanding GPA such as this we can qualify for academic state and scholarship opportunities for senior squad members through the state Cheer Coaches Association.  If your grades appear to be falling into the C range or lower in your classes, you will be expected to bring class work during in school cheer practices, stay after school for help, and possibly bring weekly drag sheets to practice with you.

 

*An additional word on conduct: Please do not use cheerleading as an excuse for not being where you are suppose to be to your parents!  If you do not go home after a game when you are suppose to and your parents call me wondering where you are at, believe me when I say that I WILL BE HONEST with them; when you left, who you left with, and what time games were over! Also I will be very angry next time you and I meet up! Keep in mind that I am not fond of being awakened by worried parents at 1 AM, I care about each of you very much and will also spend a worried evening after I get the news, and last but not least I AM A PARENT ALSO, one of them, I know where they are coming from, understand their worries, and will side with them!

 

     As school representatives, cheerleaders will maintain an above average, neat, clean, healthy, well conditioned look.  No dangerous piercings will be worn at practice, during events, or while in uniform. Hair, make up, and finger nails will have a "natural appearance".  Hair long enough to be pulled back will be.  Long nails will be trimmed back for safety in stunting.  Uniforms and shoes will be neat, clean, and well kept.  Lost or damaged uniforms will be replaced at the cheerleaders expense.

 

     Proper attire is required, including clean shorts, shirts, and cheer shoes.  Work out clothes should be free of belts, buckles, sharp snaps, big buttons, zippers, or anything else that could scratch or cut when stunting.  All cheerleaders, especially flyers, are required to wear full coverage underwear, their bloomers/briefs, or at least snug fitting, longer shorts.  The reasons should be obvious! Keep in mind that cheer involves stretching, jumping, bending, grabbing, and catching all in very personal ways.  Dress for it!

Cheerleaders will dress out in the designated changing room or the bathroom.  There is to be no changing of clothes, this includes slipping off warm ups while your bike shorts/cheer briefs are being worn to put on your skirt or even just quickly switching out shirts when you are wearing a sports/workout bra.  I know that many people wear these as outer wear to the gym and to jog, however, at school we will take the old fashioned view of  "underwear should stay under there". All changing, as innocent, harmless, and modest as some things would seem, will take place only in a designated changing area at all practices, games, and competitions!

 

Practices will be closed to public viewing! There are too many times when spectators, boyfriends, friends, and other well meaning individuals fill the bleachers and sidelines during our practices.  This is not only distracting, therefore making stunting and tumbling dangerous, but it is also difficult for you to learn new cheers and moves and for me to keep your attention with the extra noise, confusion, and people wanting to share your time. Additionally, students who are in the gym and not under the care of a coach or their parent, could become injury and/or behavior liabilities for the school. In addition to the current squad members, school employees, current squad member's parents, and siblings, (providing that they are under the care of their parent and well supervised) are allowed to view practices so long as their presence does not present a distraction, (Please ask mom to fuss at you for the condition of your room after practice.). Friends, high school students, boyfriends, and non-parents who are picking up squad members with permission may wait in the lobby or in the parking lot until practice is over. They are welcome in while we pick up after you've been dismissed.This is important, again for safety, liability, and to help stop the spread of rumors. Because...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      You are to be at each event 15 minutes before it starts. You should arrive looking sharp, clean, and ready to go. 

 

 

 

 

     

     The main thing that cheerleaders need to do at a game is cheer, involve the crowd, and look like they are having fun and enjoying the game.  If you feel a little under the weather you may have to do some acting! I do not want to see cheerleaders standing around talking and cutting up!!! This is a problem every year as the seasons draw to a close.  This is a special problem at basketball where you may have to cheer, tumble, and stunt for 3 or 4 consecutive hours. It is a long time to be at attention and on your feet, but I expect you to do a good job to the end. I expect my cheerleader athletes to go home tired, much like the athletes on the field/court.  You should be tumbling, stunting,cheering, and working with the crowd.  If you aren't worn out by the end of a game you haven't done your job.  If you don't do your job at a game, I assure you that you will be worn out at the end of the next practice!

     You must learn ALL sideline cheers before you will be allowed to participate at games.  If you don't know the cheers you will attend in uniform and sit with the coach.  You will receive 1/2 an unexcused absence for each event you are benched; that translates to 1/2 a letter grade deduction.

 

     This is a competitive team.  You will have after school practices and summer practices to prepare.  As a team member you are expected to condition and prepare so that you can function in a competitive environment.  You do not have the RIGHT to compete simply because you are on the squad.  If you are not up to the standards required with your tumbling skills, stunting skills, motions, memorization, attitude, and attendance, you will not function as a part of the competition team. If you want to compete, you will have to work and practice in a very dedicated way; and I expect ALL of you to strive towards being competitive!

     Cheer is about fun and school spirit, leadership, and athletic skill.  I am looking for a squad who will represent all of these qualities.  We will work hard, but follow the above all number one rule of cheer; having fun.  Cheer is a year around sport. We will spend a great deal of time together. We usually become very much like a family; if you plan to be a part of this team, you need to be willing to dedicate the time and maturity to be a productive and positive contributor, and a good cheer family member looking out for each other and representing one another in a good light so that this year will be a great experience for everyone.