R.H.S. Fall CHEERLEADERS
 Guidelines, Rules & Regulations
 

1  PURPOSE

1.1   to promote and uphold team/school spirit,
1.2  to develop good sportsmanship among the student body,
1.3  to support good relations between teams
1.4   to promote community spirit

2   ELIGIBILITY

2.1   All candidates fall under the authority of the rules and regulations of the
        VHSL Athletic Handbook.         http://www.vhsl.org/forms.htm
2.2 Candidates must have a completed physical form to tryout, practice and participate.
Physicals dated after May 1, 2007 are good through June 30, 2008. Candidates who make the squad will need a physical dated after May 1, 2007, for the 2007-2008 school year.   
[See your guidance counselor for details on school physicals.]
2.3  A cheerleader who quits mid-season will not be reinstated that season and must submit a written statement as to why they quit and address what coping skills they have acquired to be eligible to try out again.
2.4 A candidate who has not turned in all uniforms and gear from a previous sport season, and who has not paid all outstanding fees forfeit their right to try out.

3   GENERAL

3.1   Acceptance of a candidate shall be based on eligibility requirements, athletic (cheer) ability, and the acceptance of the squad rules.
3.2   There will be one Varsity and one JV team. 
3.3   The squad(s) will cheer at all football games, pep rallies, and will be asked to attend some of the girls’ home volleyball games.  Locker Tags will be made weekly for football and at least once for other fall sports.   
3.4   JV Cheerleaders will be required to take a turn being the Mascot for Varsity. 
3.5   Selection to the JV squad is for the JV squad!  Some JV cheerleaders may be asked at times to cheer with Varsity (at pep rallies and at some Varsity games, Homecoming for example). JV’s may even be invited to move up to Varsity. This should be considered an honor. And that honor will be earned.  Selection to cheer with varsity will be based on cheer knowledge, stunt ability, cooperation and leadership as will as an assessment on what they have to offer the Varsity squad.
3.6   We will again host a camp for our young fans in late August, early Sept. Participation is mandatory.
3.7  All cheerleaders must clean up after all games and practices.

   4   TRYOUTS

4.1   Candidates will be judged during Tryout week (weeks) on cheer ability, ease at learning new skills, willingness, cooperation, teamwork, discipline and knowledge. 
4.2 Final cuts will be made by the end of the first week of practice.

5   LETTERING (VARSITY)

5.1   Point system---Every activity (practice, games, locker tags, banners, etc.) will be given points.  At the end of the season, the total number of points available will be calculated.  Cheerleaders will need to have acquired 94% of points to letters.  Points are acquired by being on time, being prepared, and cooperating, etc.

6   ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

6.1   An absence is an absence.  Any and all may prevent you from cheering, building and/or lettering.
6.2  First day of practice   July 31st.
6.3   Cheerleaders must arrive at least 45 min. before each game to put up banners and warm up. 
6.4   Cheerleaders must travel to and from away games in transportation provided by the school.  Times for bus departure for away games will be announced. Permission to travel home with parents will only be granted when a parent is present at an away game and talks to the coach. 
*Cheerleaders may not ride home with someone else’s parent.
6.5   All cheerleaders will participate in all fundraising project. The money raised will be used to fund expenses during the year.  All fundraising activities will be approved by the coach and school administrators.
6.6  If any other activities or opportunities arise, the coach shall decide if the event is mandatory or optional. Reasonable notice of all such activities/opportunities will be given for mandatory events, and as early as possible for others.

7   INJURIES/ILLNESSES

7.1    All injuries, no matter how minor they are, must be reported to the coach.
7.2   In extreme cases, a doctor’s waiver may be needed before a cheerleader may resume working out and performing with the team after an injury or illness.

8  PRACTICE/GAMES

8.1   Practice schedule to be set by the coach.
8.2  Summer open gyms may be held. Open Gyms are not mandatory but are encouraged.
8.3  All regular season practices are mandatory.  
8.4   As of now…Only 10 cheerleaders may cheer at a time during away district games.
8.5 Warming Up, stretching is not optional --- you must participate in order to cheer.
8.6 You must have permission to build. Never build a stunt without the coach being present or without spotters!!!.
8.7 Uniforms are to be worn appropriately.
8.8 Hair must be worn away from the face. No large plastic or metal hair decorations. VHSL RULE
8.9 No jewelry (includes earrings, belly rings etc.)  No long fingernails. VHSL RULE
8.10 No gum or candy during practice/game. VHSL RULE   
8.11 Wear appropriate clothing.
8.12 Tattoos must be covered while cheering. VHSL RULE
8.13 Material covered at practice must be practiced at home.


9   UNIFORMS & PRACTICE WEAR

9.1 Each cheerleader must remember that these uniforms are not your personal property; they are the property of Radford High School.  You are to maintain the uniforms according to these standards:

  1. All uniforms are to be washed or dry cleaned.  Please do not wear dirty, stinky uniforms to games.  Your appearance is very important.
  2. DO NOT  use BLEACH.
  3. Skirts and Vests are to be washed with mild detergent in cold water ~ it is better to let them hang dry instead of putting them in the dryer.  Use a spray, if you wish, to get out spots.
  4. Please keep your uniforms on hangers in your closet so you can find them at all times. 

9.2 *** DO NOT have anything cut out of the uniforms.  You may have them taken in, let out, or a piece added, but you are not to cut out anything or you will be charge for a new uniform!
9.3  You are required to care for your uniform and have it in good condition at all times.
       [ Do not let ripped seams and hems go untended. ]

9.4 These uniforms are your responsibility while you are a cheerleader during the season.  Take care of them!  They must be in good shape when you turn them in at the end of the season.  You will have to pay for any damages to them and for anything lost.
9.5  Shoes should also be kept clean. Wipe them with a clean soft cloth + a little detergent, such as 409.
9.6 Uniforms are only to be worn at games, competitions, or rallies, unless special permission is granted by the advisor.

10   CONDUCT

10.1   All cheers and chants must be of a positive and sportsmanlike manner.
10.2  Members will make every attempt to ignore or dissuade negative responses at events and not become involved in such action themselves.
10.3  RHS cheerleaders must conduct themselves properly at all times, cheerleaders are expected to follow the rules set forth in the RHS code of conduct handbook.  Suspension from school will result in a suspension from the squad.
10.4  Classroom conduct should set a good example to other students. Disciplinary action from a teacher will result in disciplinary action from the coach.

11  DISCIPLINARY ACTION
 
11.1   A cheerleader may be suspended from games/events for the following reasons:
Unexcused absence, excessive absence or tardiness (including excused), out of uniform, failure to cooperate with coaches/managers, failure to abide by squad rules and regulations or failure to abide by the Radford High School Code of Conduct booklet.
11.4  A cheerleader may be dismissed from the squad for the following reasons: Excessive and irreconcilable disruptive influence on the squad, conduct likely to bring the squad, team, or school reputation into disrepute, suspension from school, and as otherwise deemed necessary by coach.


 

 
*note…  Every effort has been made to set down basic rules and guidelines.  Please try to understand that as new ideas are brought forth, expectations may and often do change.