Cheerleading Guidelines & Rules I. Eligibility and Requirements (What are we looking for?) A. Academics - a C grade average or better must be maintained at all times B. Skills 1. Coordination & rhythm 2. Coachability (How well do you listen and take direction?) 3. Poise, positive attitude, responsible, respectful, hard working 4. Well executed jumps 5. Intermediate to advanced tumbling skills (form of a back tuck is required for varsity level) 6. Tight, stiff motions in correct placement II.Grade Level and Squad Size A. Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are all eligible to try out for any level team. IHSA dictates the number of Varsity members. All lower level squads (Freshman and JV) are chosen based solely on the coach s decision. III. Practices A. Attendance - There will be at least 2 practices per week after school on top of weekly games. At times there are late night practices from 6:00-9:00. Unexcused absences are not tolerated and will result in dismissal from the squad. B. Tardiness is not tolerated and will result in laps or dismissal from the squad. C. Poor conduct or lack of motivation at practice is not tolerated and will result in dismissal from the squad. D. Excused Absences - During cheerleading season, cheerleading is your first priority and comes before all other sports/activities. In case of an illness or special school matter, an absence can only be excused by the coach. Family vacations are NOT an acceptable excuse. According to IHSA regulations, teams cannot practice from August 1st - 10th, so family vacations are encouraged during that time. E. Cell phone use during practices is prohibited. IV. Games A. A cheerleader must attend school the day of an athletic contest in order to cheer at that contest. B. Attendance at all regularly scheduled games is required, whether eligible to cheer or not. This includes games over the holidays.
C. A cheerleader must ride the school-sponsored bus to and from a game when provided. NO EXCEPTIONS will be granted unless a parent makes a personal request before the day of the game. D. Conduct, sportsmanship, and appearance at games are crucial. Failure to represent Shepard cheerleading positively will result in and/ or dismissal from the squad. E. Cell phone use during games is prohibited. V. Uniforms A. All uniform parts must be cleaned and well-kept by the cheerleader. B. According to IHSA guidelines, no jewelry may be worn at games. C. It is the cheerleader s responsibility to purchase all of their own uniform parts and additional practice wear. D. Uniforms should only be worn at games, competitions, or to school on the day of a function per request of the coach. VI. Appearance A. Outrageous hairstyles or colors are unacceptable. B. Wearing jewelry during practices, games, and competitions is prohibited according to IHSA guidelines. C. Artificial nails at practices, games, and competitions are prohibited according to IHSA guidelines. D. Visible tattoos which detract from the appearance of a cheerleader are unacceptable. E. A healthy physical condition must be maintained. All cheerleaders must have a current school physical on file. VII. Alternates A. Anyone on the squad can potentially be an alternate. Alternate positions are based upon an athlete s: 1. stunting position 2. level of tumbling 3. attitude and work ethic B. Any athlete who does not want to be an alternate at any time must let coaches know prior to trying out, or it will be assumed that you are content knowing you might be placed as an alternate at any point. Need a Physical Form? Go to: athletics-page.chsd218.shepard.schoolfusion.us/
Practices 8 laps (2 miles) unexcused absence Penalties 1 lap per minute of tardiness to practice 4 laps (1 mile) Inappropriate apparel for practice 2-12 laps Inappropriate behavior that interferes with a successful practice (laziness, poor attitude, lack of seriousness or focus) Games All level teams must be at games at least one hour before start of game, or as determined by the coach. 1 lap per minute of tardiness, including after half time 2-8 laps inappropriate apparel (no bow, socks, briefs, jewelry) 2-8 laps soiled/wrinkled uniform, dirty shoes, messy hair/makeup 4 laps (1 mile) gum chewing while cheering 2-12 laps inappropriate behavior (excessive talking, laughing, etc.) 8 laps (2 miles) missing a bus departure 4 laps per quarter unexcused absence from a game Additional Penalties / / / frequent unexcused absences frequent tardies to games or practices GPA below a C average for more than 4 weeks inappropriate behavior in or out of school (fighting, foul language, rude comments, etc.) smoking, drinking, or illegal drug use inside or outside of school or while representing Shepard H.S. in any way inappropriate Internet use (posting personal information that negatively reflects Shepard cheerleading, or the students reputation)
Things to Buy & Other Costs REQUIRED Briefs (Varsity) - $21.00, Briefs (JV) - $13.00 Shoes - Approximately $60.00 JV Uniform - Approximately $200 Varsity Uniform - Approximately $200 Warm-Up Jacket (Varsity) - Approximately $85.00 Warm-Up Pants (Varsity) - Approximately $18.00 Warm-Up Pants & Jacket Set (JV) - Approximately $52.00 Traditional Orange T-Shirt - $8.00 Orange SHS T-Shirt - $8.00 Black Cheer T-Shirt - $8.00 *Returning cheerleaders might already have some of these items. Camp/Music/Choreography JV Levels - $225.00 per athlete Varsity - $325.00 per athlete *Athletes unable to attend camp are still required to pay the full amount. Tumbling Lessons - A form of a back-tuck is required for Varsity level. It is highly recommended that cheerleaders take lessons from a qualified, experienced professional. Coaches will arrange for group lessons, or individuals can pursue lesson on their own. Prices Vary. 3-D Gymnastics - 5012 W. 123rd St., Alsip (708-396-2642) Tumbling and Cheer Academy (TCA) (708-226-1447) TwiStars (708-532-7626) United Gymnastics Academy (UGA) (815-469-8282) Attire (Optional) Black cheer sweats: boy style pants - $22.00, girl style pants - $20.00 Hoodie - $28.00 Large cheer bag with stitching - $30.00 Small cheer bag w/ stitching - $20.00 Friends/Family Orange T-Shirt Shepard Cheerleading - $12.00 Orange Polo - $16.00 *Athletes dismissed from the cheerleading program for any reason will not receive a refund of any kind.
Parent Commitment Being a member of Shepard Cheerleading is not just a large commitment for the student, but for parents/guardians as well. Parent Duties: Toyota Park Volunteer Supervise Car Wash Surprise set-up night before homecoming Work Homecoming Concessions Pick up/arrange for rides to/from practices and games ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fundraisers We provide several fundraisers in order to off-set the costs for Shepard cheerleaders. Please take advantage of them. Most people that participate in these fundraisers pay very little of the total costs for cheerleading. Some of these fundraisers include: Candy/Pretzel Sales Lone Star Shepard Day Tag Day Car Wash Kiddie Camp Additional fundraisers might be added throughout the season ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information Any questions? Feel free to email Coach Staehlin - nicolestaehlin@gmail.com