Lecanto High School Cheer Tryout Packet

Lecanto High School Cheer Tryout Packet 2017-2018 *****Tryouts will be held March 27-30 ***** YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRYOUT OR PARTICIPATE IN THE TRYOUTS IF ALL FORMS ARE NOT SIGNED AND DELIVERED ON or BEFORE March 24th! Tryout Checklist: o 4 Current teacher recommendations** o Cheerleading Application o A copy of a current physical packet filled out COMPLETELY(cannot participate without!) o LHS Cheerleading Guidelines Agreement (signed by parent and student) Tryout Attire: - PLAIN WHITE SHIRT (no cheer clothing allowed) - SOLID NAVY OR BLACK SHORTS-NO SPANDEX BY ITSELF - ATHLETIC/CHEER SHOES - WHITE NO-SHOW SOCKS - NO JEWLERY - HAIR MUST BE IN PONYTAIL AND OUT OF FACE Schedule: Monday March 27. Tryout begins at 3:30-5:00 Tuesday March 28. Tryout clinic begins at 3:30-5:00 Wednesday March 29..... Tryout Clinic begins at 3:30-5:00 Thursday March 30.. Tryout Day! Begins at 3:30-?...

**Anyone interested in trying out for the 2017/18 school year needs to attend ALL cheer clinic dates and times following with tryouts** Friends and family are NOT allowed in the gym while tryouts or tryout clinics are in progress. Absolutely NO one other than the coaches, judges, and students trying out will be allowed in the gym or with the candidates during the actual tryouts. Please remember that being on a cheerleading squad last year in no way guarantees placement on the squad for the following year. Every student must go through the same selection process each spring, which includes teacher recommendations that reflect the student s attitude and performance from the previous years. **Teacher Recommendations**: 4 current teacher recommendations must be turned in for each candidate. All teacher recommendation forms MUST be turned into LHS main office Marked ATTENTION Cheer Coach NO LATER THAN March 24th AT 3:30PM- NO LATE FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED! Good Luck to ALL candidates! Please keep the LHS Cheer Guidelines section at home for your later reference.

DUE TO LHS BEFORE March 24th! Teacher/Coach Recommendation for Potential 2017-2018 Lecanto High School Cheerleaders: Teachers, it is imperative that we receive a recommendation from you concerning the students who plan to represent Lecanto High School as a cheerleader. Please answer the following about the student whose name is on this sheet and return this form to LHS in a sealed envelope (through courier is fine) attention Cheer Coach. Please DO NOT return this form to the student! This form and any information will be kept confidential. Please answer truthfully! Thank so much you for your time and assistance. Sincerely, Lynee McKinney Cheer Coach STUDENT NAME (please print clearly) TEACHER NAME (please print clearly) Class you have them in THIS year (or sport you coached them in) Grade Student will be in the 2017-2018 school year Please Circle 0-5 for the following questions. 5= outstanding, 4= excellent, 3= good, 2= fair, 1= poor, and 0= nonexistent How responsible is the student? How well is this student able to work as a team member? Does this student show respect for adults and peers at ALL times? Does this student possess a work ethic appropriate for LHS? How cooperative is this student with you and others? Is this student s personality conducive to becoming a good representative for LHS? In the space below please express any other positive or negative comments: Teacher signature

LHS Cheerleading Application Please complete the following: Applicant Name: Father/ Guardian s name: F/G work #: F/G Cell #: Mother/ Guardian s Name: M/G work #: M/G Cell #: Home Address: Zip Code: E-mail Address: Emergency Contact other than parents: Relation: Cell #: Work #: Special Medications or medical conditions: Previous Sports Related injuries or which may reoccur with cheerleading: School Attended Last Year: Grade in currently: Applicants Date of Birth:

Lecanto High School Cheerleading 2017-2018 Guidelines Cheerleading provides a rewarding experience and a fantastic avenue to get involved in athletics at Lecanto High School. This activity, and its coaches, will strive to instill self-discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, character and qualities that will last a lifetime. Accompanying these advantages are also many physical, financial and time demands that you must be aware of. These guidelines are set up to help you understand the commitments that are involved when one becomes a part of this program. This will serve as the official set of expectations from which the program operates for the football and basketball seasons, as well as any other activities we are asked to participate in. These rules will be strongly adhered to for the benefit of the team. The coach and the administration of LHS reserve the right to modify these guidelines as deemed necessary throughout the season. CANDIDATES-PLEASE READ AND INITIAL EACH SECTION! DISCLAIMER: Any event, situation, or problem that may arise that is not specifically stated in these guidelines, will be acted upon at the discretion of the coach and school administration for dismissal from the squad. ACADEMICS: High academic standards are very important for Lecanto High School Cheerleaders. Cheerleaders must pass all subjects in the spring semester of 2017 to remain on the squad. The coach will check grades each 9 weeks. If you are still failing any class at the end of the 9 weeks, you will be dismissed from the squad. You should plan ahead as much as possible for large projects and assignments that may cause a time constraint with the cheerleading schedule. ATTENDANCE: This year s season begins March 30th and ends the date of the following season s tryout. Attendance is mandatory and is extremely important to how the squad thrives and performs. Members are required to be at every scheduled event and to be on time. Events include: practices, games, summer camp, meetings, and any community service events. Practices will be scheduled by the coach. The number of practices scheduled in a given week will depend on upcoming event schedules (i.e. pep rallies, sign painting, games, performances, etc.). Parents are responsible for their students punctual transportation to and from practices. Cheerleaders will not be allowed to miss any scheduled athletic event without prior permission from the coach otherwise the cheerleader is subject to suspension and/or dismissal from the squad. Family vacations, work, birthdays, church trips, or another school or sporting activity will be an unexcused absence unless prior arrangements have been made and approved by the coach. Minor headaches, cramps, simple colds, etc. will not be considered reasons to miss practice. It helps the squad to have everyone in attendance, even if the cheerleader just watches for most of the practice. If the team qualifies for and participates in playoff games you will be required to cheer at those games. You will be informed as soon as these game days and times are available. This is still part of the regular season and is mandatory. NO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. Cheerleaders are expected to be at each athletic event and be ready to cheer (meaning hair already fixed properly, jewelry off, make up on if worn, etc.) 30 minutes (or what the coach deems appropriate) before the game starts.

Cheerleaders are expected to be organized to lead cheers. Also be on time to practice ready to cheer (have clothes with you and on, hair fixed properly, jewelry off, proper shoes on, gum out, etc). PHYSICAL FITNESS: Cheerleading is not a popularity or beauty contest, it s a sport! Cheerleading is an athletic sport and the cheerleaders will be participating in a conditioning program. Physical fitness is necessary for a successful squad. Conditioning will be warranted and cheerleaders will comply with respect and dedication. This will include running, exercising, stretching and strength training. This may be indoors or outdoors depending on the practice location. You will be expected to condition during practice time and on your own as well! ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR: Throughout the training and performance season everyone is expected to have a positive attitude and proper work ethic at all times. Cheerleaders are not allowed to conduct conversations with their friends who are in the stands or on the sidelines while cheering. Friends/family of cheerleaders are not to congregate in the cheering area. Cheerleaders represent the school. Exemplary behavior is mandatory at all times in the community and at any function where students can be recognized as representatives of Lecanto High School. Each team member must constantly be a strong representative of the program and a positive reflection of his/her teammates. Cheerleaders must be friendly to opponent s cheerleading squad and fans during games and breaks. Cheerleaders must stand at attention with eyes focused on the flag during the national anthem. There should be no talking, laughing, etc. Cheerleaders must show respect for each other at all times. All members may not be best friends; however, all members must be respectful to one another. Cheerleaders WILL NOT post any comments or statements detrimental to the character of the squad or the school on the internet or in the newspaper and or social media, etc. This may result in immediate dismissal from the squad. Moral standards and character expected of representatives in the community are of the utmost importance to this organization and will be regarded as a high priority of all its members. A cheerleader may face immediate dismissal from the squad if the cheerleader or the parent exhibits negative or abusive behavior that is damaging to the squad in any way. Cheerleaders are to behave in a respectable manner to all students, teachers, parents, principals and others. Conduct will result in consultation with the coach, which may lead to disciplinary actions, suspension and/or dismissal from the squad. Discipline offenses for the previous school year will be reviewed for each candidate prior to tryouts. Since cheerleaders are representatives of the school, they are expected to dress appropriately, using the school dress code as a guideline.

Cheerleading is an athletic sport and demands time and dedication. Transportation will be provided for all away games. All cheerleaders are required to ride with the squad to the games, but may be picked up by a parent, via sign out sheet at the end of the game. In the event the cheerleading coach is absent from the school and/or athletic event, a designated teacher, assistant principal, coach or principal with the assistance of a parent representative will be in charge with full authority. Cheerleaders will follow safety guidelines in accordance with FHSAA rules: An adequate warm-up must precede all activities. Jewelry is prohibited with the exception of religious or medical medal. Cheerleaders shall wear athletic type shoes, which are appropriate for cheerleading activities. Tumbling and partner stunts should not be performed on wet surfaces. Tumbling, partner stunts and pyramids should not be performed on concrete. Use of mini-tramp, springboards or any apparatus that increases the height of a stunt is not allowed. All pyramids and/or mounts are limited to two persons high, meaning the base(s) is/are in direct contact with the floor or ground. Stunts higher than a shoulder stand (i.e. above the shoulder extensions) must have a spotter/spotters. All members of these squads including mascots must be enrolled in school and under the supervision of the school principal. The above regulations apply to all FHSAA regular season contests as well as any playoff or tournament games. Fundraisers may assist with extra costs, so these fundraisers are highly emphasized and we strongly encouraged attendance. We would like to participate in some fundraisers, the exact number, type, and dates will be decided by the coach. Items chosen to be purchased for cheerleading must be paid for in full by the cheerleader and/or parent/guardian. If total money amount is not paid items will not be given to cheerleader or must be returned if already in cheerleader s possession.

PARENTAL RELATIONS: Parents and family members are a very important part of our program! We hope to establish a great rapport between our parents and cheerleaders to ensure the success of our program. Please respect that family and friends are not allowed at practice sessions. If the need should ever arise to discuss anything with the coach, please schedule an appointment to do so. The lines of communication are ALWAYS open. Decisions made by the coaches regarding dates and times of practices, camp, fundraisers, and all other activities are final. Though we respect family time, it is impossible to work around the schedules of every family. One of the values of any athletic program is the opportunity for the students to accept more responsibility. To own this trait, cheerleaders must keep track of their own deadlines, fundraisers, practice times, etc. It is the cheerleader s responsibility to keep their parent informed. Parents should serve as examples of good sportsmanship at all games and competitions by supporting the team in a positive manner. Parents should be respectful to the captains and coaches. In addition, parents may not use the coach s personal phone as a line for negative communication. Help from parents concerning non-coaching matters is imperative for the program as a whole to be successful. SQUAD SELECTION: Being on a cheerleading squad previously in no way guarantees placement on the squad for the following year. Every student must go through the same selection process each spring. Selections are based on 3 areas- Tryout scores: cheer voice and motions, jumps, dance, chant, tumbling, spirit Teacher recommendations: 4 current teacher/coach forms Coaches impression: attitude, enthusiasm, ability to learn quickly, leadership, etc. Judging sheets and teacher recommendations will be kept confidential and not available for review or discussion. The number of girls that will be chosen for each squad will not be determined until the scores are tabulated on the day of tryouts. The number will be decided based on turnout, quality, and score breaks. This decision will be made by the coaches and will be final. If you quit cheerleading during the current year/season or are dismissed from the squad, you WILL NOT be allowed to try out for the following year, nor will you earn a letter/pin for that season. UNIFORMS: Any uniforms, accessories and/or equipment provided with squad/school funds and will remain property of the squad/school. Lost, stolen, damaged or unauthorized alterations to uniforms will be replaced at the cheerleaders expense. If a cheerleader is removed from the squad, all items must be returned immediately. Uniform care will be discussed at a squad /parent meeting. It is an honor to be a cheerleader and a privilege to wear cheerleading uniforms and other related clothing, so at no time should a cheerleader let someone who is not a cheerleader where any cheerleading clothing. Uniforms should be cleaned prior to returning them to the school.

Lecanto High School Cheerleading Guidelines Agreement My child,, has my permission to be a member of the cheerleading program at Lecanto High School. I understand and agree to abide by the policies and guidelines listed in the LHS Cheerleading 2017-2018 Guidelines. I have read the guidelines and I understand what is expected of members of the LHS cheerleading program. I recognize that if the guidelines are not followed consequences will occur. I am aware of the physical, financial, and time demands that are involved with cheerleading. I understand that my child must attend all practices, classes, camps, games, and events. I also understand from the nature of the activity, cheerleading carries a risk of physical strain and injury. I understand these risks and will not hold LHS or any of its coaches, or personnel responsible in the case of an injury or accident. I also understand that photos may be taken of groups or individual participants at any cheer activity or event. Parent(s) signature Date I have read the Lecanto High School Cheerleading 2017-2018 Guidelines, and I understand what is expected of me as a member of the LHS cheerleading program. I realize that if they are not followed consequences will occur. Student signature Date