Canton Chiefs Cheerleading
*2010 REGIONAL QUALIFIERS*
Team Guidelines & Expectations
2. Attendance at all mandatory practices and events is required. Only in the case of severe illness as documented by a physician or death in the immediate family will absences be permitted. Absences of these natures will be the only acceptable reason for absence. Please be aware that any absence may result in not participating in the material. If you are not there when it is learned, a spot may not be created for you. Please keep in mind jobs, studying, appointments, and other things of this nature are not legitimate reasons for absences. You have the practice schedule well in advance; please make your plans around this! In the event of any absence, the athlete or their parent must notify the coach of the absence before the practice or event. If the coaching staff is not informed of the absence before practice a parent meeting will be called. A second incidence of this may result in removal from the team. The absence policy is as follows:
1st absence—15 minutes conditioning following the next 2 practices
2nd absence— ½ game suspension
3rd absence— 1 game suspension
3. Being late to practice is not acceptable. The time spent practicing during the week is very limited and we cannot afford to wait for people. It is the athlete’s responsibility to arrange for and make sure their rides are on time to all practices and events. The cheerleader will be held solely responsible regardless of the reason for being tardy. The tardy policy is as follows:
1st and 2nd tardy—conditioning after practice (1 minute for every minute late)
3rd tardy—conditioning after practice and ½ game suspension
4th tardy—conditioning after practice and 1 game suspension
Continued absences or tardies may result in removal from the team at the discretion of the coach.
4. Cheer team members represent the school and the community. Any team member who does not act in an appropriate manner through alcohol or drug use or any type of illegal activity will be subject to punishment under the rules of the team, athletic department and school. Be aware this could result in removal from the team. This regulation is in effect 365 days a year. The Canton Cheerleading Code of Conduct for Alcohol and Drugs is:
1st offense—student is required to sit the next two games.
2nd offense—removed from the team for the remainder of the season.
3rd offense—removed from all athletics.
5. All cheerleaders are expected to show respect towards the coaches, teammates and themselves. In addition, we expect all girls to display a positive attitude. Repeated instances of poor attitude or disrespect will result in punishment to be determined on a case by case basis including suspension from practices, games and other events, or removal from the team.
6. Fighting and bickering is not tolerated amongst the teams, amongst teammates or amongst parents. Everyone will be treated with the same respect you expect to be treated with. All problems regarding the teams or teammates must be brought to the attention of the coach so they can be addressed and dealt with immediately. Threats and/or acts of violence against others will not be tolerated.
7. There will be no public displays of affection while student athletes are in uniform or while representing their school at any event.
8. In accordance with MHSAA regulations, no one in the CHS cheer program may participate in any group or event that purports to be ―all-star‖ regardless of the season. (MHSAA Cheer Manual)
9. Appropriate practice clothes must be worn during practice. Clothing should not be baggy or too revealing. Spandex shorts or briefs are highly encouraged under your shorts. Jewelry is never appropriate. All piercings are to be removed. Proper athletic shoes are necessary and must be worn at all times unless otherwise directed by the coach. Hair must be pulled back out of the face and off the shoulders. Cheerleaders should not have painted, acrylic or nails that are visible past the fingertips. (MHSAA Cheer Manual).
10. The uniforms are the property of the Canton Cheerleading Booster Club. It is the athlete’s responsibility to keep it in excellent condition. Uniforms must be neat and clean at all times. Failure to keep a neat appearance will result in having to sit out at games and other events. Never loan your uniform to anyone. Athletes are financially responsible for lost or damaged uniforms. All uniforms must be clean and in good repair when returned. Uniforms that are dirty or in need of repairs will be assessed a $25/piece fee. Lost uniforms will be assessed a $50/piece fee.
11. Quitting a team is highly discouraged in Canton athletics. It speaks clearly to an athlete’s commitment and character. Once placed on a team, athletes are expected to fulfill their commitment to that team.
12. Athletes that fail to maintain skills they were able to perform at tryouts or anytime throughout the season may be moved down to a lower level team or removed from participation in games/events. This could ultimately result in removal from the team.
13. The use of cell phones during practice is not permitted. This includes talking, texting, emailing or any other use. All cell phones should be silenced during practice.
Cheering requires a commitment involving time and dedication to yourself, your team, and your school. All rules will be strictly enforced. Athletes that choose not to follow the team rules will face suspension or may be removed from the team.
All other school-wide rules and regulations are stated in the Student Athlete Handbook. Please refer to this for additional information.
If you have any further questions please feel free to email the coaching staff at coaches@cantoncheerleading.com. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We are looking forward to another great year in hopes of building a great tradition!
GO CHIEFS!
Requirements for Earning a Varsity Letter or Sub-Varsity Certificate
1. Must fully participate in 8 out of the 9 scheduled games for the season at the team level (Football Season) or 90% of competitions (Competitive Season).
2. Complete the season as a team member in good standing.
3. Return all uniforms and equipment in good condition.
4. Have no outstanding debts owed to the cheer account.
Parent Expectations
1. Follow the guidelines established in the Parent-Coach Communication Guide.
2. Participate in the cheer program by volunteering for various committees.
3. Understand that by volunteering you do not have any expectation of personal benefit. It will not promote your athlete’s standing in the program. Athletes themselves earn their position through hard work.
4. Realize that team levels are established by ability not age. The freshman team is the exception. This team is based on ability and age. As a general guide, the Varsity Team may be comprised of 10-12 grade athletes. The JV Team may be comprised of 9-11 grade athletes and the Freshman Team will consist of 9th graders only.
5. If you have a concern it is your responsibility to address it with your team coach. Do not ask others to do it for you. It is not their issue. Your best source of information is the coach.
6. Communications between the coach and parent are just that-between the coach and a parent. These communications do not impact the athlete/coach relationship. Do not share private communications with others.
7. The purpose of the Cheer Booster Club is to give parents a positive way to support the program through volunteering on various committees. All plans must be approved by the coaching staff.
8. The best way to support your athlete is to support the program and coaching staff. Athletes bring their attitudes from home. If a parent is negative, demeans the ability of other athletes and questions the authority of the coach, the athlete will mirror this. Negative begets negative, positive begets positive.
9. Do not compare your athlete to others. Celebrate their accomplishments and applaud the achievements of others.
10. Let the athletes cheer, let the coaches coach, let the parents be positive. Remember that this is not about you or your individual athletes; it is about the team and ALL the girls on it. The coaches are in charge of developing and implementing the program. The parents should help in ways that make it easier for the coaches to focus on coaching the teams.
