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Team Standards
EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2009-2010 CHEERLEADING SEASONS
STANDARD #1: TEAM MEMBER WILL BE HONEST.
Team members uphold a rich tradition of honorable behavior. Wherever they are, they are part of an elite team that proudly represents the best this school has to offer. Their honesty and good conduct are the most important contributions they make to the team.
Team members never steal anything from anyone. When they find a lost item, they try to return that item to its owner. From minor items to valued possessions, any instance of stealing will result in suspension from the team. A second offense may result in removal from the team.
Team members are honest in all they say and do. If they’re late for a practice for no good reason, they admit it. They don’t invent “cover stories.” Their coaches and teammates know they can count on them to tell the truth at all times. Violating this trust by lying (or committing other dishonest acts) will result in suspension from the day’s activity and assignment of additional duties. Repeated offenses may result in removal from the team.
STANDARD #2: TEAM MEMBERS WILL BE LAW-OBIDING CITIZENS
Team members take good care of their bodies and respect local laws regarding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. They do not commit the following violations:
• Possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs
• Attendance for more than five minutes at a gathering where alcohol or drugs are being illegally used or possessed
Penalty for committing these violations will follow the BGHS Student Athletic Handbook. Any team member who is removed based on these violations will need permission from the school principal and athletic director in order to tryout the following season.
STANDARD #3: TEAM MEMBERS WILL DEMONSTRATE RESPECT AT ALL TIMES.
Team members respect others and strive to represent the team and school in a positive manner. Use of profanity (bad words) is not allowed, nor will it be tolerated. Words that are unacceptable in school are considered profanity. First offense: warning. Second offense: additional conditioning. Third offense or offense at any competition: A special meeting with parents and the athlete could be called to help solve the problem. Suspension or dismissal from the team may result.
Team members respect and appreciate all officials who give their time to make competition possible. Our athletes never argue with officials and never make a disrespectful comment toward them. Breaking this rule will result in extended bench time. Repeat offenses may result in suspension and possibly removal from the team.
Resignation: Resignation is defined as a choice made by an individual cheerleader to no longer participate in the Bishop Guertin Spirit Program. The resignation procedure involves a conference with the coach and a letter of resignation signed by both the cheerleader and the parent/guardian. All property of the school and all financial obligations must be cleared at the time of resignation. It is not acceptable for an athlete to quit through a teammate! If proper resignation is not followed, the student will not be permitted to participate the following season.
Team members behave in a manner that is becoming to the individual, as well as to the organization they represent. They are aware that in or out of uniform they are representatives of the cheerleading squad and the high school they attend and act accordingly. Anyone sent to detention or given out of school suspension for any reason will be subject to the following actions: first offense will result in a game suspension, second offense will result in a suspension from all activities for a week, third offense = recommended removal from the team.
STANDARD #4: TEAM MEMBERS WILL PLACE ACADEMICS AS PRIORTY.
Team members place academic performance as priority one! Athletes are not allowed to fail a class. Doing so will result in removal from the team.
STANDARD #5: TEAM MEMBERS WILL USE PRACTICE TIME EFFECTIVELY.
Team members make effective use of practice time. They arrive on time, ready for a great practice. Being ready means dressed in practice gear, including sneakers, and being taped and ready to begin to run at the designated start time. This means that all the mats are laid out before hand and bathroom has been used. It is advisable to bring a refillable water bottle to practice as water and bathroom breaks will be brief and limited.
If you are running late to practice, you must call your coach immediately upon knowing that you will arrive late. Any member tardy to practice will need to run 1 additional lap for every minute they are late.
If you need to leave early from a practice, the coach must be notified at least ONE WEEK before the day of the practice. If the coach is not notified in the specified period of time, the athlete will be required to sit out one half of the game following that particular practice.
If you are going to be absent from practice, you must call or text the coach BEFORE practice. This includes if you are absent from school. WORK OR OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE NOT EXCUSED PRACTICES! No team member leaves practice or the practice area without permission from the coach. If you are absent from the practice before a game, you will not be allowed to cheer at the game, but will be required to sit in uniforms or warm ups with the coach during the game.
If absenteeism or being tardy is excessive, the coach may use their own discretion on further courses of action which may include removal from the team or competition squad.
If an athlete is tardy (the only exception is doctor/dentist appointment with a note from Dr. office) or absent from school they cannot participate in that days event (practice/game/competition/choreography). If they are absent on a Friday and the next scheduled event is a Sunday competition - they cannot participate.
A note about illness:
It is expected that all athletes will make it to school/practice/game with the following conditions…menstrual cramps, headache, stuffy nose, sore throat, fatigue, stomach ache, nausea, etc. We will modify your activity if needed! The only reason an athlete should stay home is in the most EXTREME illness – fever, vomiting, etc.
A note about injury:
Any cheerleader unable to perform at practice, games, or competition because of an injury must still be present at the event in full uniform, arrive on time, etc. If you need to sit out, you will need a note from a trainer or doctor to return to practice. Any cheerleader that is injured during practice time is required to see the school trainer the next day, regardless of the extent of injury.
A note about vacations:
Understand that to be involved in a sport requires a huge commitment from the athlete, and sacrifices will need to be made in order to manage their time. During the season the team is a high priority, and sometimes family events will need to be missed. It is the coaching staff’s hope that this will not be a common occurrence, but it is a reality. The coaching staff as well has to make sacrifices and miss events with their families during the season, as the team is a high priority. Athletes that miss an extensive amount of practices and commitments due to vacation may be removed from the team or competition squad.
STANDARD #6: TEAM MEMBERS WILL DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR EVENTS
Team members arrive at practice with all necessary safety equipment and in clothing that ensures a great practice. Team members will not take the practice mat unless they follow these required clothing and equipment policies:
• Hair out of face and off shoulders.
• All jewelry is removed. NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Practice wear is comfortable and flexible, and appropriate for exercise and stunting. Shorts are required for practices since pants are too hard to lift flyers in. No sports bras without a t-shirt over it will be accepted.
• Team athletic shoes must be double-knotted.
• Fingernails must be sports length. Nail polish, if worn, must be clear or natural color.
• No gum chewing during practices, performances or games.
• No cell phones are to be on during practices, performances or games.
Team members will be dressed and ready for a game one hour prior to the start of the game. Appropriate attire includes:
• Hair in ponytail with a ribbon.
• All jewelry is removed.
• Uniforms on and completely zipped. No pants, sweatshirts, warm-ups or other apparel is allowed. (Exception: If a team member is sitting out, they may wear their warm-ups.)
• Team athletic shoes on and double-knotted.
• Fingernails are trimmed to sports length. Nail polish, if worn, is clear or natural color.
• All gum is thrown away and all food/snacks are put away.
• All cell phones are turned off and put away.
TEAM MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE UNTIL ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.
STANDARD #7: TEAM MEMBERS WILL REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS A TEAM.
Travel: Team members must travel to away games or competitions on the team bus to be eligible to cheer. Athletes who want to leave a game site with their parent or parents needs to request written permission from the athletic director prior to the event. There are no exceptions - we cannot let athletes travel by any other method without the AD's permission.
Half-time Meetings: All athletic teams utilize halftime to evaluate the progress of the game, and cheerleading is no exception. We will meet in the designated area at halftime to review and discuss plans for the second half. No athlete will be allowed to leave the meeting until permission is granted by the coach.
Team Bonding: This is one of the most important factors in a successful season, and needs to be a priority for all. During the season team bonding activities will be planned, involving time in and outside of practice/games. It is EXPECTED that all athletes and families understand that missing these planned events is unacceptable, and doesn’t aid in team bonding when an athlete is missing. If for an excused reason an athlete won’t be able to make an event, then the event will be rescheduled to accommodate all teammates! This should not happen often, as it is the intent of the coaching staff to have athletes eager and available for all such team bonding events.
Competitions: Team members sit together throughout the entire competition. Team members are not allowed to leave the group to socialize or get something to eat (exception: the whole team agrees to get food together). Permission to leave for a short period of time may be granted with the coach’s permission.
STANDARD #8: TEAM MEMBERS WILL REPRESENT BISHOP GUERTIN HIGH SCHOOL IN A POSITIVE MANNER.
During games and pep rallies, team members maintain proper sideline behavior at all times. This includes:
No excessive talking among team members
No talking to people in the crowd.
Pay attention to the game/pep-rally.
Stand in correct formation/stance.
Cheer/spirit, jump and tumble the entire game or pep-rally.
No taunting the other team.
Team members show respect during the National Anthem and school song
Team members stay to clean up after each game/pep-rally and will be dismissed by their coach.
Team members do not publicly display affections for significant others.
Team members always demonstrate the highest standard of sportsmanship.
Any instance of a team member not representing Bishop Guertin High School in a positive manner will be required to have a parent meeting with the coaches and athletic director before allowed to return to an event.
OTHER ITEMS
Varsity letters will be distributed based on Bishop Guertin High School policy.
Financial Issues: If, for any reason, and at any time, an athlete feels that he/she cannot participate in cheerleading because of costs, please contact the coach ASAP. All special arrangement plans are held in the strictest confidence.
Team members complete all required paperwork and forms issued by the school or coach on a timely basis. Any paperwork not completed and turned in when required will result in a suspension from all activities until such time all paperwork is turned in.
Bases will never let a flyer hit the ground. The first time a flyer touches the ground dismounting or coming down from a stunt, the entire team will do 50 push ups. Each subsequent occurrence will result in doubling the amount of pushups from the previous occurrence.
**Standards are subject to change and modification as seen fit by the coaches at Bishop Guertin High School**
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