JUMP TUMBLE CHEER! COMPETITIVE CHEER. M-I Family YMCA 301 S. Main Street, Independence

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1 JUMP TUMBLE CHEER! The Y is the starting point for many youth to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing healthy habits they ll carry with them throughout their lives. And the benefits are far greater than just physical health. Whether it s gaining the confidence that comes from learning a new skill or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out. COMPETITIVE CHEER Sept Feb. 28, nd - 8th Grades M-I Family YMCA 301 S. Main Street, Independence

2 Dear Parents and Participants, The Monmouth-Independence Family YMCA welcomes you to the Competitive Cheerleading Season! A goal of the M-I Family YMCA is for all youth sports participants, both parents and children, to have an enjoyable sporting experience. Skill development is the main component of all YMCA Youth Sports. At the YMCA we strive to offer a variety of levels of cheerleading for all levels of ability. Of course, a FUN and friendly environment is characteristic of all YMCA programs. This is the Youth Sports Parent & Coach Handbook. It describes the M-I Family YMCA s youth cheerleading program. Please take a few minutes and read the information inside this handbook. This material may answer some of your questions, as well as give you the information you need to make this a successful season. Youth Sports programs are possible by the dedication of volunteer workers. Many volunteers put in several hours of work to make the YMCA programs a success. Thank you to all of the YMCA volunteers who invest time and energy into the lives of young people today. If you are interested in future volunteer opportunities, please contact us. Monmouth-Independence Family YMCA Youth Sports believes that great coaching is at the core of a great sports program. All of our coaches have been selected because we believe they are qualified and bring unique talents to our program and our kids. One of the most important aspects of coaching youth sports is having good communications between players and their parents. We understand that cheerleading can be an emotional sport and sometimes parents are prone to issue instructions from the stands. If these instructions are contrary to those of the coach, this will only cause confusion for the athlete. Please encourage your athlete to follow their coach s instructions and leave the coaching to the coach. We believe that parents need to align themselves with the coach in teaching their player how to cope with the natural frustrations of being a member of a team. Sports provide an excellent opportunity to teach young athletes about the realities of competitive situations. They must be taught how to be a cooperative team member, how to make use of both positive and negative feedback, how to cope with adversity, how to achieve mental toughness, and how to be a gracious winner or loser. The parents and families of our M-I Y youth Sports Program have been very supportive in the past, and we hope that support will continue to grow each year. We hope that parents support their athlete(s) by attending their competitions and giving positive encouragement. Families are very important to the M-I Family YMCA! Thank you for believing in this program! Natascha Cronin M-I Family YMCA Branch Director ncronin@theyonline.org Brent Turner M-I Family YMCA Program Director bturner@theyonline.org M-I Family YMCA 301 S. Main Street, Independence

3 YMCA CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT The YMCA believes that character development, focusing on the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility is an essential element of all its programs. Everyone who participates in any aspect of our sports programs (participant, spectator, coach, official, or staff) is expected to adhere to these core values. Coaches are strongly encouraged to work with children in developing these character traits. Please use team huddles, water breaks and other moments to review these values with your players. Caring To love others and be sensitive to the well being of others involved in the sports program. Caring is not only reflected in words, but actions as well. Would your players consider you a caring coach? Do you use kind words to express your pleasure and displeasure to others? Are you courteous and sympathetic towards your fellow coaches, officials, participants, spectators and parents? Honesty To have integrity, making sure that one s actions match one s values through participation in sports. Can you consider all the facts and then render a final, fair ruling? Are you honest in your dealings with the players and their abilities? Do you play every player equally and give everyone a chance to succeed and learn from others? Can you play by the league rules and not bend them to create an advantage? Respect To value the worth of every person, including oneself, one s teammates, opponents, and officials. Do you show respect to the officials and split second decisions, even if the decision might be different than your own? Do you show honor, courtesy and respect to everyone in your daily life? Responsibility To be accountable for one s behavior and obligations. Are you responsible in attending practices and games and show up prepared? Do you act as rolemodel for your child and expect them to act as you do? A responsible parent loves, nurtures, disciplines, and guides a child.

4 At the Monmouth-Independence Family YMCA, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY is our cause. We make a difference by focusing on three key areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. By investing in our kids, our health and our neighbors, the Monmouth-Independence Family YMCA ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to thrive. Parent Orientation Meeting: This is your opportunity as a parent to get all your questions answered, receive a schedule, receive coaches information and understand how our leagues work. This is not mandatory, but we highly encourage parents to attend this meeting especially if you are new to our leagues. Competitive Cheerleading Parent Meeting: September 22nd, 2014, 7:30PM Henry Hill Elementary School Gym 750 S. 5th Street, Independence Who are the coaches: Coaches are YMCA staff and parent volunteers who have generously agreed to volunteer their time to make these teams happen. Coaches range in experience. Coaches will sometimes ask for help to cover practices or if they will be gone during a match, so please be ready to help support your child s coach. We wouldn t have the league without the volunteer coaches, so please support them in any way you can. Practices Practices are determined by the coaches and to when and where they are held. Generally, there are two practices a week. How are teams organized? If there are no requests to play with a specific teammate or team, we organize kids into teams based off their age. If there are not enough kids from one age group, we may group children together with a large age difference. Are teams coed? Generally, all our teams are coed. Registration forms and advertisement will show if there are any leagues that are not coed. Can I play on the same team as a friend? o Yes, please make the request when you are registering your child. o Any requests for teammates, coaches and/or teams must be done before the registration deadline. After the registration deadline, teammate or coach requests cannot be guaranteed. We will do our best to get them on the same team, because we know it s more enjoyable for kids to play with their friends. However, if the team that is requested is already full, we will put your child on another team. o If you have requested teammate, coach and/or team that is not registered by the deadline time, we will try to accommodate your request to our best ability. When does the season start? September 22nd, 2014 The week of September 23rd, 2014 March 3rd, 2014 Parent Meeting Practices Begin End of Season Pot Luck and Team Awards at Henry Hill 6PM When are the competitions? There will be a showcase at South Salem High School on Saturday, December 6th. This will not be a judged competition, but a chance for the team to get in front of a crowd and practice their routine. Competitions will be on Saturdays (one competition may be on a Sunday) in January and February. The competition dates are not currently set, and the coaching staff will be announcing them once the schedule is released. We are aiming to compete at 3-4 competitions this season.

5 Depending on which competitions the team commits to, competitions will be held in the Eugene/Salem/ Portland areas. Competitions do charge for spectators. The average entrance fee is 5-10 dollars. Parents are responsible for driving/arranging transportation for their children to competitions. I want to coach and have questions about coaching. Please go online or to the YMCA to get a coaches packet. Uniforms Uniforms are an added expense to competitive cheerleading. The cost of our uniform is around $ Included in our uniform is cheerleading shoes, these shoes are to be worn ONLY at practice or competitions. There may be an opportunity to purchase a gently used uniform from a returning cheerleader for a discounted price. Please talk to the coaches if you want more information on this option. What equipment does my child need? 1. T-shirts or tank top long enough to tuck in. 2. Stretch shorts or athletic pants. No denim or materials that are considered slippery. 3. Socks and sneakers/athletic shoes must be laced up with good support/fit. 4. No jewelry other than stud earrings. (All jewelry needs to be removed for competitions.) 5. Hair must be pulled up off of shoulders. Absences Cheerleading is a team sport and it requires commitment. Because we function as a SQUAD, and everyone is necessary for our routine, attendance is MANDATORY at practices and competitions. Not only is attendance necessary, but we require that all cheerleaders report on-time to both practices and competitions. If your cheerleader is late or not at a practice then the stunts, dances or cheers cannot be practiced/performed as they should and safety is a concern. The cheerleaders count on each other to be at practices and games. The coaches understand that competition cheer is a huge commitment and ask that you consider this commitment before signing up for cheerleading. Missing for reasons other than illness/religious obligations is unacceptable and will lead to a discussion with the cheerleader and parents. What is your refund policy? A joint commitment is made when you register for a YMCA program. We commit to provide the program so that you may participate. If the YMCA is providing the program, refunds are not available. General Youth Sports Information: 1. If a cancellation occurs, make-ups will be scheduled when possible. 2. Schedules will be available at the Parent Meeting, online, and at the YMCA. 3. Uniforms will be handed out by the coaches. 4. Team pictures are taken and will be passed out to the coach to pass out to the players. Purchasing your pictures is an option, not an obligation. However, please have your child present for the team photo. All picture concerns are handled by the photographer. 5. Team uniforms should be worn on picture days and at all competitions. Please have your child dress appropriately for the sport and the weather. 6. We ask that you would be respectful to the property. Please do not smoke on the premises. If a mess of any kind is made, please clean it up prior to leaving. Some locations do not have trash containers available, so please bring trash bags.

6 Cheerleading Practice Schedule: Practices: Competitive Cheerleading practices twice a week. Tuesdays 5:30PM - 7PM Thursdays 5:30PM - 7PM Independence Elementary School - IES Independence Elementary School - IES Coaches: Megan Ross Meross10@mail.wou.edu Nicole Cyphers nicolecyphers@hotmail.com Two practices a week with competitions on Saturdays!

7 PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT: M-I Y Youth Sports is committed to all of its players exercising good sportsmanship at all times. Our program philosophy is that our athletes should represent their team in a positive and respectful manner. 1. I will treat the coaching staff respectfully at all times. 2. I will respect the game and give it my all during practice and games. 3. I will be respectful and courteous to my teammates. 4. I will be respectful in public and display good character as a representative of the YMCA. 5. I will not participate in any horseplay, which may injure my teammates or me. 6. If I have a problem with a teammate, I will talk to the coach to attempt to solve the problem. 7. I will be committed to being a team player, always remembering we goes a lot further than I. 8. Poor conduct such as: foul language, physical or verbal intimidation of any individual, fighting with other teams/players, vocal outbursts are not permitted. 9. Demonstrate sportsmanship. Play fair. Set an example. Rise above poor behavior. The way in which you conduct yourself has a long lasting effect on everybody around you. That s what practicing good sportsmanship is all about. 10. Value the instruction of your coach. You may think your coach is the best, the worst or somewhere in between. It makes no difference. If you re on the team, your job is to listen attentively to what your coach is saying. Coaches volunteer their time to work with your team. Don t waste that time. 11. Appreciate your teammates. Every player on your team has certain strengths and weaknesses. Be patient with your teammates as they improve their games just as they will be patient with you improving your game. Volleyball is a team sport. Success can only come when the entire team works and plays well together. 12. Never question an official or express your feelings at a call. Officials are part of the game. It is your job as a player to overcome adversity whether it is the opposing team, the physical facilities or the officials. Never talk back or show lack of respect for an official. Remember being an official is not an easy job and mistakes happen. Enjoy the journey! Win or lose, enjoy every moment at practice and at the competitions.

8 PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT: As with our players, parents also represent the YMCA. We expect parents to act with a higher set of standards than we expect from our players. Parents are the role models. 1. Act as a leader. Leaders are people whose actions inspire others. A leader treats their children s teammates, your peers, the coaches, opponents and officials in the same manner you would like to be treated. That means respect, dignity, and total sportsmanship at all times. If you set the example the players will follow the example you set. 2. Do not draw attention from the players. Youth Sports are for the kids. If you find yourself becoming too emotionally involved in what s happening on the court, take a step back and relax. 3. Value your child s commitment. Get your kids to practice and games on time. Make sure they have the proper equipment. Help them eat and drink right before, during and after the game. The more your children see you acting responsibly, the more they will do the same. 4. Act in a respectful manner. Nothing is better for a young player than having their parents on hand to watch them play. And nothing is worse for a player than hearing a parent using foul language, booing, taunting, screaming or making comments at, or about, players, coaches, fans or officials (that includes your team as well as your opponent). Offer applause and cheers of encouragement for both teams following a good play or a great effort, otherwise keep quiet. 5. Never question an official or express your feelings at a call vocally. Officials are part of the game. Parents should demonstrate proper behavior to the players. It is not the parent s job (or the players) to officiate the game. Accept the call and move on. Remember being an official is not an easy job and mistakes happen and are part of the game. 6. Total motivation through confidence. Try and identify a positive from every game or practice to help build confidence. A young player s sense of achievement is the greatest motivator. Don t analyze your young player s performance following every game. They know how they played and if you give them the opportunity and situation they will open up to you. If you do, chances are they will avoid talking to you at all after games or worse yet, not want you at the games at all. Let your children come to you for advice. 7. Allow the game to be fun. So help make it that way. Keep smiling. Encourage enjoyment and participation over results. If it s not fun, something s wrong. 8. Good communication is key. If you must, talk with the coach after the game. Or better yet, wait until the next day if you have an issue to discuss. Let the heat of the moment pass. Never make a scene in front of the team, as it s embarrassing for you, your children and the coach. And chances are nothing will get resolved. 9. Enjoy the journey and put winning and losing into perspective. Games have winners and losers. Keep reminding your child about this reality and the need to deal with both outcomes.

9 Hints for keeping happy, healthy kids hydrated! Please make sure your kids are prepared for practices and games. Drink WATER! Water is a vital ingredient for keeping body temperature in check. Water lost as sweat needs to be replaced to avoid dehydration. Thirst doesn t kick in until approximately 2% of body weight is lost as sweat, so make sure that kids are drinking BEFORE they get thirsty! Dehydration, left untreated, can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and very serious heat stroke. Closely watch kids for signs of dehydration - including fatigue; dry lips and tongue; low energy; grayish skin; and lack of tears. Since children s body temperature rises faster than adults, it is essential that kids get plenty of fluids to keep them cool especially when it s hot and humid! What you can do to keep kids hydrated Make sure that kids drink fluids at every meal and snack time throughout the day, and during every period of physical activity. During physical activity (and especially on hot days), make sure that kids drink frequently, even if they are not thirsty. Every 20 minutes, give younger kids 5 ounces of cold water (about the size of a small juice box or 10 gulps). Offer cold water it s absorbed faster! Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks these are absorbed more slowly. Choose wisely to really beat the heat! Cold Water! Water flavored with fruit slices or frozen fruit Juice ice cubes Sodium-Free Seltzer Diluted 100% Juice (4oz water and 4oz juice) Juice Spritzers (juice and seltzer water) Why not juice, soda or sports drinks? Because they often contain sugar, caffeine, phosphorus and artificial sweeteners. Even very small amounts of sugar slow down fluid absorption by the body. The acid in juice can cause stomach upset, especially when combined with heat and exertion. Caffeine increases the amount of water lost by the body, and speeds up dehydration. Phosphorus in carbonated soft drinks limits the body s ability to use calcium to build bone. Artificial sweeteners condition kids to expect sweetness in drinks and foods, and kids may reject healthful alternatives that don t provide the same sweet taste. Since their long-term safety is not fully understood, it is best to avoid them. Sports drinks are helpful only for highly intense activity that lasts longer than 1 hour, when the ability to keep going is required for competition. In normal play, stopping for a healthy snack and cold drink is a better way for the body to refuel. Keeping kids energized with snacks Growing kids, even teens, need a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack to maintain their energy this is especially true when outdoor games are the way of the day. A 15 minute rest in the shade for a healthy snack and cold drink is essential on hot days. When kids spend a full 8 hour day away from home, they need at least one good meal and two snacks. A snack or meal every two and a half hours is a good standard.

10 Do Select Steer Clear Water Soda: regular or diet 100% Juice: Drinks with added sugar and/or artificial sweeteners Apple and Eve Sports Drinks: Gatorade, Powerade Mott s 100% Juice Fruit Punch Libby s Juicy Juice Capri Sun Hansen s Junior Juice Kool Aid Minute Maid 100% Juice Crystal Light Welch s 100% Juice Minute Maid Coolers Ocean Spray 100% Juice Newman s Own Sodium-Free Seltzer Sunny Delight Juice Cocktail Vitamin Water Iced Tea Schweppes Seltzer Water Lemonade Snack Sense Tips Create snacks that include choices from each of the following groups: Fruits and Vegetables: frozen grapes, berries, or melon chunks; precut orange wedges; apples; pears; bananas; applesauce; pepper strips; carrot sticks or baby carrots; sliced cucumbers or squash; pea pods; green beans or jicama sticks. A quick ranch dressing or plain yogurt and honey dipping sauce make it fun! Proteins: Peanut or other nut butters; hummus or chick peas; cheese; yogurt; hard boiled eggs; tuna fish (the new pouch preparation is great!); a handful of unsalted nuts (peanuts, cashews, walnuts or almonds); soybeans (edamame) with or without the pods (find them in the frozen foods aisle; simply defrost and eat!). Whole Grains: whole wheat pita or flatbread; whole wheat or graham crackers; RyVita crisps; whole wheat toaster waffles; trail mix or granola; oat bran mini muffins; fig bars; or dry whole-grain cereal. A note about trans fats: Many snack foods tend to be high in unhealthy trans fats, especially crackers and grain-based products. Purchase products that have no partially hydrogenated oils or shortening present in the ingredient listing. Products labeled Zero Trans Fats may have up to.5 g of trans fats per serving, so a quick label check helps to avoid these unhealthy fats. Information Provided by the Prevention Research Center at Harvard School of Public Health