Cheer Info

VCYFC CHEER RULES 2012

OVERVIEW:

All personnel decisions that involve cheerleading will be made by the Cheer Director. Players are under the direction and supervision of their coaches. The goal of this league is to teach respect for self and others, teamwork and responsibility for ones own actions. During the season cheerleaders shall follow the rules of the team, town and league. Any cheerleader who doesn’t follow the rules will be subject to disciplinary actions.

AGE:
All Cheerleaders must be at least 6 years old by December 1st and entering 1st grade but not 9th grade of the current season. Cheerleaders will be placed on teams according to their grade level. There is no moving up or down to be with siblings.

Mighty Mites = 1^st & 2^nd Grade

Division 1 = 3^rd & 4^th Grade

Division 2 = 5^th & 6^th Grade

Division 3 = 7^th & 8^th Grade

MASCOTS:
Mascots are not allowed to participate. No one except registered cheerleaders and coaches are permitted on the game fields and practice areas.

A. Cheerleader cannot fulfill registration requirements (see registration policy).
B. Cheerleader refuses to abide by league rules.
C. Once a cheerleader quits she may not return for that season, for that town or any other town.

Registration:
Each cheerleader shall furnish the following in order to be placed on a team.
A. Registration Form – signed by either parent/guardian.
B. Medical Release Form – signed by physician that the cheerleader is physically fit to participate.
C. Proof of Age – a copy of birth certificate.
D. Parents Code of Conduct – signed by parent/guardian

E. Cheerleader Code of Conduct
F.. Proof of residence; ie utility bill or school issued ID.

G. Volunteer bond - A $20.00 volunteer bond will be paid at registration and will be refunded upon completion of a volunteer duty.

Practices:
A. Pre-season practice shall not begin until August 1st.
B. Every cheerleader must complete at least 15 minutes of warm up exercise prior to participation in any practice or game.
C. Practices shall not exceed the following

> After pre-season practices are limited to 6 hours per week.
>No more than 2 hours of practice may be scheduled on any one day.
D. No practice, stunting or participation at games shall be permitted without the head coach or pre-approved adult.
E. Proper attire - T-shirt, shorts, sweatpants and Cheer Sneaker ONLY. NO JEANS of any kind!

F. Girls must be checked in with a coach and picked up promptly at the end of practice.

G. Each player will be issued a sports water bottle with their name on it. This will be the ONLY acceptable bottle allowed on the practice or game field.

VCFYC needs an attendance policy for several reasons:
1. In fairness to the families that make sacrifices to get their children to practice.
2. The physical requirement that your child attend practices to prevent injury.
3. The physical risk that other children are put at because of a child missing practice.
4. A group in the squad may suffer if a timely substitution is not able to made.

If a cheerleader misses one or more practices it is the decision of the coach and director to allow the cheerleader to participate in that week's game. As follows:

Late to game = May not perform Hello cheer of that game. Halftime performance will be at the coach and directors discretion.

Missed more than 1 practice = Cheerleader will not perform Hello Cheer, Halftime or participate in any stunting at that weeks game

Any practice that a coach is not notified prior to the absence is considered an unexcused absence. (Extraordinary circumstances, of course, excluded) There are many accepted reason for absences: illness, vacations, and any logical circumstances that are beyond the parents’and the child’s control. Non-school activities in the Fall are not acceptable reasons for missing practices. We allow children to finish their summer time obligations like baseball, but do not want new fall activities to interfere. It is not fair to the children who attend all the practices to allow someone to miss practices for another sport or organization. You will have to make a family decision on what activities your child will participate in. We understand the difficulty of getting your child to practice. Please consider making carpool arrangements with another family to assist in getting your child to practice when transportation is a problem. Lateness is also an issue that the coaches have to enforce in order to have the team ready to practice on time. Excessive lateness will also be enforced with benching for all or part of a game. Athletes are expected to attend all practices. Religion class requirements are excused. A practice session missed by athletes has an ill effect on the entire team. Please do not use practice time as a method of punishment. It is the team that suffers. We do not intend to dismiss the expectations that your child needs to be responsible in all aspects of their life. We too agree that all the girls need to perform well in school and it needs to come first. We are just asking that another form of punishment is given. The stress that is created by possibly pulling an athlete from the squad during the season is immeasurable. That stress is not only felt by coaches and teammates but by other families as well. We are asking this consideration to be given in the best interest of the team

Appearance:
A. All cheerleaders must wear the required uniform as determined by the town in order to cheer that week’s game. The uniform is to be worn only at VCYFC organized functions.

Socks, Spankies, Crop Top, Hair bow and Cheer sneaker are mandatory personal items purchased thru the league.

>During colder weather the sweat suit purchased thru the league will be the ONLY acceptable addition to the uniform. (Layering under is recommended)

>Complete uniform should be carried at all times to be prepared for any changes ie weather.

>There is NO EATING in a VCYFC uniform. It is recommended a change of clothes be brought to every game or event.

B. All hair must be pulled back in a neat like fashion (safety). Use hairspray or gel to keep back growing out bangs.
C No Jewelry. ALL piercing must be removed (Medical ID’s are allowed but must be taped to body)
D. Makeup is prohibited for all youth functions other than Cheerfest.

Safety:
A. No pyramids shall be higher than 2 persons.
B. NO Tucks or flips may be used when dismounting

C. No seat, knee or body drops directly onto floor/ground.
D. Back spotters are required for all stunts. Front Spotters are required for all stunts higher than a thigh stand but can be removed at the discretion of the cheer director. Spotters must remain in position until the dismount is completed.

E. Mighty Mites may not exceed Thigh stand level. Division 1 may not exceed Prep level with bump down only. Division 2 and Division 3 may do fulls with cradle down. Division 3 may do 1 leg stunts (lib, arabesque, scale etc) at prep level only with bump down or if connected by preps on both sides.. All cradle dismounts must be approved by the director.

F. Basket tosses, elevator tosses and similar multi-based tosses are prohibited.
G. The total number of twists in a dismount from a stunt cannot be greater than one rotation and is limited to Division 3.
Exception to this rule: Side facing stunts (i.e. arabesque, scorpion, etc) may add a quarter twist in
order to cradle to the front.
H. No stunting or tumbling during rain or on muddy ground. NO Stunting on hard surfaces

I. Coaches, trainers or helpers are not allowed to participate in stunting.
J. Jewelry: With the exception of religious and medical medals , NO JEWELRY IS ALLOWED (i.e. necklaces, bracelets, rings, all body piercing, wrist bands, corsages, and hair ties on wrists).
NO JEWELRY MEANS NO additional accessories other than hair bow

In general, All stunting is at the discretion of the cheer director but may not exceed the above levels.

Games:
A. The home team will do the “Hello” cheer first.
B. A coach from each team will travel with the team during the “Hello” cheer.
C. Each team will cheer on their own side of the field.
D. Half time to be shared by both cheer teams,

E. At half time the visiting team will use the field first for their routine.
     >Each team’s performance should not exceed 2:30.
     >Each team will watch each other’s routine, cheer and support each other.
     >Remaining time is to be spent with coach regrouping for the next half of the game.
F. No eating or wandering the field during the game or halftime.

G. During an injury of a player on either team, all cheerleaders will stop and take a knee while the player is being administered to.
H. A cheerleader’s job is not only to cheer, it’s to observe the game, get involved, and know where their team stands.

J. Must arrive 1 hour before the start of a game to practice, and set up for that day’s game.

K. At the completion of the game congratulatory handshake by both teams will be done prior to any traditional spiriting.

Camps:
A. All cheerleaders may attend camp as an individual, group, team with or without their coach.
B. Camp is defined as a meeting of one or more training sessions provided by an outside organization.
C. Camps are optional and not a requirement.

All regular season rules will apply in addition to those set forth by the cheerfest directors.

Competitions: VC will sponsor a squad at the discretion of the director.

C. Teams will be grouped according to competition divisions.
D. League uniforms may be used.

Appointment to the competition squad will be made by the director and current coaches and will be based on the following criteria that is demonstrated during the regular season:

Coaches:
A. The head coach of each team must be at least 21 years of age.
All coaches must be approved by the board of directors each season. A high school demonstrator may be used to teach cheers, stunts this individual shall be under the supervision of the head coach.

B. Coaches are responsible for all cheers their team performs. No negative or inappropriate cheers.

C. Coaches are responsible for completing accident report forms for every injury that occurs during practice or games.
D. If a teams head coach cannot attend a game than they are to notify the town Cheer Director.

E. The coaching staff is under the direction of the Cheer Director.
F. No coaches, trainers may participate in any type of stunt.
G. Coaches should remember they are role models and dress appropriately for practice and games.

Coaches Code of Conduct:
A. No smoking allowed on school grounds, around players or at any league activity.
B. No criticizing in front of spectators.
C. Emphasize that good athletics strive to be good students.
D. Strive to make every cheering activity serve as

F. Together with game officials, be responsible for the conduct and control of fans and spectators.
G. Abusive and profane language is prohibited.
H. Do not allow an ineligible cheerleader to cheer.
I. Coaches do not receive any monetary payment for coaching.
J. Do not allow unsportsmanlike behavior to occur.
K. Alcohol is prohibited on playing or practice fields or at any league activity.
L. Remove from the game or practice any player if you are in doubt about her/his health.
M. Coaches are expected to uphold all league rules and regulations.
a training ground for life and good mental and physical health.
E. Refrain from excessive sideline coaching.

>Have a positive attitude and warm smile at all times
>Have an open mind and be willing to learn and accept new ideas.

>You are a team and do things as a team.
>Coaches will evaluate to the best of their ability what role a cheerleader will have in formation. During stunting guidelines are needed to avoid injury, therefore positions cannot be constantly changed as it takes many practice hours to perfect each position.

>Practice begins promptly at the time scheduled. Your coach MUST be notified if practice or a game will be missed. Excessive lateness or absences can result in being benched at the next game. (You MUST still attend the game!) Your squad may suffer if a substitution is not able to be made.

>When in uniform remember you are representing your town. All cheerleaders must wear the required uniform as determined by each town in order to cheer that week's game.

>All hair must be pulled back in a neat like fashion. No jewelry or any kind. Earrings MUST be removed. Coaches will not be responsible for any jewelry. Please leave it at home.

>There is NO eating during a game or halftime. A change of clothes should be brought to every game or event for before or after. Any lost or damaged uniforms must be compensated for immediately.

>Hand shake after all games with opposing team
>Watch and applaud opposing team after their "Hello Cheer" and "Half-Time" routines.

2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.

3. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.

6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.

7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.

8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

10. I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.

11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.

12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.

13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also deemphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.

14. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.

15. I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.

16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.

17. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

•Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved

Any Physical contact made by one person on another person at any OCYFL event will result in an immediate suspension pending an investigation by the board. Assault will be defined as a punch, kick, slap, spit or any physical contact upon another person.