RMS Cheer Team Tryout Checklist and Overview In order to participate in RMS tryouts, all applicants MUST submit the following paperwork by Wednesday, May 11 th. Clinic and Tryout Application ***signed by both student and parent Copy of most recent report card; minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 Any grades of F in the recent grade period render the participant ineligible to tryout $30 tryout fee made payable to Ruckel Middle School Tryout t-shirt, DVD, CD, printed cheer words, judging costs The following Sports Participation Forms can be found together in one attachment on the Ruckel website under the Athletics tab. Entire packet must be turned in to the office prior to picking up try-out materials. Pre-participation physical evaluation form This form must be signed by a physician and notarized. Students who do not have this document will NOT be allowed to participate in clinic Parental Permission and Emergency ***must be notarized Okaloosa County Rules and Regulation forms FHSAA concussion and heat related illnesses release form Consent for ImPACT Neurocognitive Testing and Release This form is not in the packet, but is available on the athletics page as well Late or incomplete applications will have a 10 point deduction off of the judges final score Tuesday April 26 Mandatory Parent AND Participant Meeting more extensive info 5:30pm in the Ruckel Cafeteria Saturday May 14 Optional Open Gym and Prep Clinic (Grades 4-7) 9am 12:00pm in the Ruckel Gym Mon May 9 /Wed May 11 Mon May 16 - Wed May 18 Thursday May 19 Mandatory Paperwork Submission and Material Pick Up 2:30 4:00pm at Ruckel Middle School in Room 103 Mandatory Tryout Clinic All days 3:30 5:30pm in the Ruckel Gym Mandatory Tryouts 4:00pm until finished Gym will be open at 3:15 for stretching and tumble warm up **UCA Traditional Camp (6/24-28) and Stunt Camp (7/8-10) are MANDATORY Clinic and Tryouts are closed to spectators **CANDIDATES MOVING TO THE AREA AT A LATER DATE MAY TRYOUT VIA SKYPE. ALSO HAVE THE OPTION TO ATTEND TRYOUTS. TRYOUTS MAY NOT BE ON A SPRING FLOOR AND MAY NOT BE PRE-RECORDED. COORDINATE TIME ON THE AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING OF MAY 19TH WITH COACH AHEAD OF TIME***
RMS CHEER TEAM TRYOUT ATTIRE Clinic: Any combination of black, white or gold. No oversized T-shirts. White cheer shoes. Hair up high and tight with a bow Tryouts: Black shorts, white sports bra, provided t-shirt. Hair high and tight with a white bow. White cheer shoes with white no show socks. ABSOLUTELY NO JEWELRY OR GUM TEAM SELECTION A maximum of 18 will be selected for the 2016-17 squad. A natural break in scores may result in a selection of less than 18. A maximum of 16 will be on the competition floor with two alternates. The coach will determine this breakdown at a later date. Priority will be structure of stunt groups, followed by tumbling. 85% of the team must complete the team tumbling elements, at least 13 of the 16. Alternates are required to attend choreography, competitions, and practices as a contributing member of the team. You will receive a selection letter upon the end of tryouts. Letters must be opened off campus. The final results will be posted online via the Ruckel Middle School website on the Athletics page under the Cheerleading tab approximately 1 hour after letters are distributed. You can see the entire team listed there, as there will not be a gathering following try-outs. **No grandfathering clause is in effect. A position on the squad for the current year does not guarantee a position on the squad the following year. FUNDRAISING, SPONSORSHIPS & EXPENSES Our program provides many fundraising opportunities to help with expenses, and cheerleader participation is required. For all mandatory fundraisers, a parent or adult representative from each family will need to attend. These fundraisers supplement team purchases like uniforms, choreography, music, cheerleader event t-shirts, coaches fees and transportation to camp and competitions, stunt coach, buses, cheerleader Christmas gifts, etc. All team members are required to raise $250 in sponsorships to go to the general cheerleading fund. If a team member does not raise the $250, you will incur the fees. You are highly encouraged to continue raising funds after $250. Any additional funds raised will go towards the individual s personal costs such as competition fees, nationals travel, practice apparel, etc. Competition costs are $500 per cheerleader. Keep in mind that this does not include your personal family travel and accommodations. Each cheerleader can expect to pay anywhere from $1500 - $2000 to cover summer camps, practice apparel, and other needed apparel. Keep in mind that returning members may incur less as they may not have to re-order everything. Further details will be discussed at the parent meeting on April 26 th
IMPORTANT DATES April 26 Mandatory Parent and Participant Meeting May 14 Optional Open Gym/ Prep Clinic (4 th -7 th ) May 9 or 11 Tryout packets due, tryout material pick up May 16-18 Tryout clinic May 19 Tryouts May 20 Ruckel Issued Uniform Sizing and Distribution @ 4:00pm in Room 103 May 21 Stunt and Home Pom Clinic 9:00am 3:00pm Pack a Lunch, Team trip to Bippy s after practice May 23 Varsity Fittings @ 3:00pm in Room 103 Specific times will be assigned and communicated on Friday 5/20. May 24-26 Practice 3:15 5:30 May 31 Practice 3:15 5:30 June 1 Practice 3:15 5:30 SUMMER SCHEDULE All TBD practices and events will be finalized before the meeting on Tuesday April 26 th June 2 June 2-9 June 10-11 June 13-23 June 24-28 Last Day of School NO CHEER Tumble Clinic TBD, Date may change Practice Days and times TBD UCA Traditional Camp at Auburn June 29-July 5 NO CHEER July 6-7 Practice July 8-10 UCA Stunt Camp at FSU July 12-22 Practice Days and times TBD July 26-28 Niceville Little League Camp July 30 Stunt and Pyramid Choreography July?? Cram the Van August 1-8 August 10 Practice Days and times TBD Readiness Day Orientation First Day of School SCHOOL YEAR PRACTICES Schedule TBD by mid summer Practice minimum of 2 days per week Tumble 1 day Details TBD, contracts will start in July Football games are on Thursdays Occasional extra practices on Friday and Saturday **After football season we will add practice on Thursdays to prepare for competition
JUDGING Candidates will be judged on their performance in the following categories: SKILLS max of 140 points 70% 20 points - 2 sideline chants 20 points - UCA style Cheer o Rally start with skill incorporation 30 points - Jumps o Toe Touch o Pike o Triple Jump (pike, hurdler, toe touch) 30 points - Dance 15 points Running Tumbling o Best Running pass Clean pass ending in a correct layout for max points 25 points Standing Tumbling o Single Skill Clean standing back tuck for max points (5) o Long Skill Clean standing 2 to layout for max points (10) o Jump Skill Clean toe touch tuck for max points (10) **Technique will have an effect on scoring in all elements** GRADES max of 30 points 15% TEACHER RECS max of 30 points 15% Applicants will receive 6 teacher recommendation sheets, each worth a maximum of 5 points. These forms must be completed by 5 of the student s current teachers. The 6 th may be a previous teacher or coach AT RUCKEL. To ensure confidentiality, the teachers have instructions of where to return the evaluation forms. 5 th graders need to provide 4 teacher recommendations. 2 for classroom teachers, and 2 to other teachers AT their school PE, Art, Music, etc. Applicants will provide teachers with leadership recommendation sheets that the teachers will turn in directly to the coach if they feel the student demonstrates excellence in all leadership skills like: dependability, determination, diligence, respect, cooperation, work ethic, and overall great attitude. Recommendations turned in by parent or candidate will not be accepted. Teacher recommendations turned in after May 13 will not be accepted.
General Responsibilities and Expectations - Cheerleaders are expected to serve as ambassadors of Ruckel Middle School and should conduct themselves as exemplary school representatives, being model students and peers both IN AND OUT of uniform ON AND OFF campus. - Cheerleaders are expected to be leaders, not followers. This includes social media, serious consequences for unacceptable behavior on social media outlets including group text messages and photos that end up on other students phones. - Cheerleaders are selected to represent all sports designated by the coach - Cheerleaders are selected to represent Ruckel Middle School in cheerleading competitions - Cheerleaders are to accept all responsibilities assigned by coaches or school administration without negative comment or complaint. - Cheerleaders are to be pleasant, respectful, courteous, and considerate of the members of their own squad, their captains, and their coaches. - Gossip and drama will not be tolerated. If your drama interferes with practice, there will be disciplinary action - Be your own advocate. If you are sick or hurt, you must let the coaches know. - Cheerleaders are expected to participate in all practices, games and performances. If an absence is necessary, the coach must approve it 48 hours before the absence occurs. - Not all absences that are approved will be considered excused. Any unexcused absence may result in suspension from an upcoming performance, pep rally and/or game. - Cheerleading is always first priority extracurricular after academics. If a cheerleader chooses to participate in another sport or all-star cheer team, Ruckel cheerleading will remain primary concern. - Cheerleading is a one-year commitment, tryouts to tryouts. If a cheerleader is removed from the squad or quits at anytime, she will not be permitted to try out the following year. Pertaining to Grades - Cheerleaders must maintain a 2.0 GPA - Cheerleaders with a D or lower at anytime in any class will be unable to participate until the grade comes up, with may lead to suspension from performances and games. - If a final grade of a D is obtained at the end of a 9 week grading period, cheerleader will be on probation until the grade is brought up and consistently maintains for 2 weeks. If grade returns back to a D, cheerleader is on probation until the end of the 9 weeks. - If a final grade of an F is obtained at the en of a 9 week grading period, cheerleader will be on probation until the end of the next grading period. If the grade is not improved, cheerleader will be removed from the squad. Pertaining to Participation - Cheerleaders are expected to attend: o All football games both home and away, including pre-season scrimmage and play offs o Home basketball games, any away games assigned by coach, play off games o Pep Rallies o Community Activities and Fundraisers o Practices (including camps) o Competitions - Cheerleaders must be on time and performance ready upon arrival, including correct uniform/apparel, bow, shoes, etc. This pertains to practice, performance, 3 rd quarter of games, and fundraisers.