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Good sportsmanship is conduct which imposes a type of self control involving honest rivalry, corteous relations and graceful acceptance of results. School spirit is a reflection of these attitudes and behaviors. If a school is to succeed in one of its prime functions, that of developing good citizenship, it is necessary that student groups radiate proper sportsmanship conduct. Sportsmanship is good citizenship in action. The promotion of sportsmanship is a primary responsibility of the school Spirit Squad.
Sportsmanship is taken very seriously. You MUST follow the guidelines outlined below at all times as a member of the Pinkerton Academy Cheerleading program.
Any form of taunting with is intended or designed to to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances including on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin is prohibited.
Your role as a cheerleader for our athletic teams is an important one. The support you provide can help shape the atmosphere of our contests.
As a student-leader, the benefits of athletic involvement are the same for you as for those participating on the playing surface. Integrity, fairness, respect and the principles of good sportsmanship are lifetime values. With them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of the results.
A cheerleader who is a good sport is a true leader within the school and the community. A good sport knows that athletic competition builds character and shapes lifetime attitudes.
As a cheerleader at our school your sportsmanship goals should include:
**Realizing that athletics are part of the educational experience, and the benefits of involvement go beyond the final score of a game;
**Leading our spectators in positive cheers that encourage our athletes, and discouraging any cheers that would redirect that focus – including those that taunt and intimidate opponents, their fans and officials;
**Learning,understanding and respecting the rules of the game, the officials who administer them and their decisions;
**Respecting cheerleaders and athletes from opposing schools as fellow students, and acknowledging them for striving to do their best;
**Developing a sense of dignity under all circumstances; and
**Educating other students and fans to understand the rules of the game, and the value of sportsmanship.
In order for sport to serve a purpose in the educational system, students must obtain positive educational benefits from athletics such as: responsibility, self discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, work ethic, integrity and personal sacrifice for the good of others.
What You Can Do
Stimulate the desired crowd response using only positive cheers, signs and praise without antagonizing or demeaning the opponents.
Keep the crowd focused with positive cheers, especially in tense situations.
Treat opposing spirit groups, players and fans with respect.
Recognize outstanding performance on either side of the playingfield or court.
Know the rules and strategies of the contest in order to cheer at theproper times.
Maintain enthusiasm and composure, serving as a role model.
Objective
As a cheerleader you should have some major objectives for which you should strive:
To promote the type of sportsmanship that will help students acquire the basic attributes of good citizenship.
To develop a wholesome school spirit.
To develop loyalty to your school and team regardless of the outcome of the game.
To promote a cooperative spirit among the student body, the faculty and the school administration.
To help your school achieve the most worthwhile objectives of its interscholastic athletic activities.
To promote good pep rallies.
Helpful Hints
The most important thing for you to remember about sportsmanship is to always cheer positively. It is never appropriate to cheer against the other team or to cheer an opposing player’s mistake; it is much more effective to cheer for your own team.
Some people feel that the first yell at every game should be a “welcome yell.” If you have exchange yells, encourage students from your own school to welcome the opposing cheerleaders and to cooperate with them. You will be a strong influence in the success of such an exchange.
It is a good idea to make an agreement with cheerleaders from the opposing school on when to cheer. A suggestion is for one school to have the privilege of cheering first during the timeouts for the first and third quarters, the other school going first during timeouts of the second and fourth quarters.
When to Cheer
As your team comes on the floor or field.
When your own team or a player makes an exceptionally fine play.
When a substitution is made on your team. (Cheer outgoing player and incoming player.)
As an encouragement and tribute to an injured player of either team.
When an opponent, who has played spectacularly, leaves the game. Such a cheer would be recognition of a fine exhibition and a concrete example of good sportsmanship.
As encouragement to your own team in its drive for a score.
As encouragement to your own team in defense of its goal.
When Not to Cheer
As team signals are being called.
During the huddle of either team.
When an opposing player makes a mistake or the opposing team is being penalized – this is poor sportsmanship.
When an opposing player is injured. (Any expression of pleasure or joy over the injury of an opponent is bad taste.)
If opposing rooting section has already started a cheer or the opposing school band is playing. (A pre-game conference of opposing cheerleaders can help to avoid conflict with each other’s effort.)
As important announcements are being made over the public address system such as the giving of lineups, etc.
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