OFHS JV & Varsity Pom Dance Team Tryouts Informational Meeting Wednesday, March 7, 2018; 7:00pm-8:00pm- OFHS Café Clinics and Tryout Dates Clinic 1- Tuesday, March 20, 2018; 5:00-8:00pm- OFHS Café Clinic 2- Wednesday, March 21, 2018; 5:00-8:00pm- OFHS Café Tryouts- Thursday, March 22, 2018; 5:00-8:00pm - OFHS Café DANCER PRE-TRYOUT CHECKLIST IMPORTANT: In order to participate in dance clinics and tryouts, every dancer must turn in a current physical (not more than 1 year old) to the OFHS Athletic Office & parents/guardians have to complete the "Sports Participation" on or before Monday, March 19 th at 3:30PM: Go to the OFHS Athletics website. Scroll down to "Registration Instructions for Athletics" on the bottom left-hand side of the main page. Click on the link and follow the detailed instructions. You will be able to register for tryouts by clicking on the 8to18 hyperlink in the document (https://oakforest.8to18.com) o a completed OFHS Pom Dance Team Application (see attached) by tryouts on Wednesday, 3/21. o 3 completed teacher applications must be turned in to Coach Bajer s mailbox (located in the athletic office) or in person by Wednesday, 3/21. o Make sure you wear a plain, fitted white top and a fitted black bottom to tryouts. If you have any questions, contact Coach Bajer at: jbajer@bhsd228.com
Frequently Asked Questions What styles of dance does the OFHS Pom Team focus on? OFHS Varsity and JV Pom Dance Teams primarily focus on open pom and kick styles of dance, specifically during competition season. Technical skills (turn, leap, and other skill sequences) continue to advance each year and are embedded within each routine to match the skill set of each team. How much time is required of me if I make either team? BEING ON POMS IS A COMMITMENT. If you make either team, practices start at the beginning of June and will continue through the end of February. Expect to practice 3 days a week throughout the season. Currently, practices have been 3 hours long and additional practices are always added during competition season. You are required to be at EVERY practice for the ENTIRE time. Work, doctor and/or orthodontist appointments will NOT be excused. In addition to practice, it is expected that ALL dancers take an outside technique class, if they aren t already doing so. Enrollment in technique class held once a week at a local dance studio is an expectation of all dancers. Fundraising options will be built in this year to completely cover this cost and will be at a discounted rate if you choose to go to a studio we recommend. Both JV and Varsity teams will be asked to attend the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Summer Camp at Northern Illinois University. Plan on going to camp during the last week in July (subject to change). More information will be provided after the teams have been chosen. Both teams currently compete with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Competition season starts in late November and finishes at the beginning of February. This requires you to be at all-day competitions that fall on some Saturdays and Sundays. Varsity dancers may compete at the National level as well, pending qualification through the Universal Dance Association. Nationals will require additional fundraising. Our JV Pom Dance Team performs at all home sophomore and the Varsity Pom Dance Team performs at all home Varsity football and basketball halftimes. Both also perform at school assemblies, including Homecoming, as well as community events. Can I be on a fall or winter sport and dance at OFHS? If you make our JV or Varsity Team, you may NOT tryout for another fall or winter sport without quitting Poms first.
Can I dance competitively for a dance studio in addition to dancing for OFHS? According to IHSA (the governing board for all athletics in the state of Illinois), dancers cannot compete with an outside studio during the high school dance competitive season. However, once competition season is over (spans through early February), you may dance competitively with a studio. All dancers can take class at a studio throughout competition season, though. Can incoming freshman make Varsity? While some freshman may make Varsity because they have demonstrated the maturity and skills needed to be on the team, our coaching staff believes that the JV team is a great place to perfect skills and learn about what is needed technically to dance at OFHS on the Varsity level. The most skilled and highest scoring dancers are chosen for the Varsity team. What should I wear to try-out clinics and tryouts? Dancers can wear any athletic apparel that enables the coaching staff to see their movement and placement at clinics. Tank tops, fitted shorts, tights, and/or yoga pants are acceptable. Please do not wear sweatpants, jeans, or baggie t-shirts. To tryouts, wear a plain, fitted white top and a fitted black bottom (shorts with tights underneath or yoga pants). Jazz shoes are the coaching staff s preferred shoe of choice, but athletic gym shoes are also acceptable. NO JEWELRY, please. How much does it cost to dance for OFHS? There has to be a financial commitment from each dancer and family if you tryout and make either team. Fundraising is essential to our success. Start-up fees for NEW DANCERS on either team will approximately be $1,300. Payments are broken down (UDA camp cost (4 days/3 nights), practice apparel, warm-ups, gym shoes, dance shoes (Bloch & jazz), tights, backpack, duffel bag, garment bag, make-up palette, earrings, etc.) Payment plans are utilized to assist families with payment as needed. Returning dancers have a lower start-up cost because many items can be used from year to year, if in good condition (i.e., duffel bag, backpack, weights, Bloch shoes, warm-ups, etc.). We try to keep the finances away from the family as much as possible by fundraising for most of the season. However, summer camp, practice apparel, shoes, warm-ups, and bags that are needed are each family s financial obligation. These items belong to each dancer and will not be returned.
Alternate Program o The Alternate Program s goals are to enhance our dancers technical ability as well as to assist both JV and Varsity teams by remaining competitive with dance teams throughout the state. Alternates SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE their technical skills! o Alternates will attend every practice and are considered a member of the team. This enables the alternates to improve upon their technical skill set with the team throughout the entire season! J o Alternates are chosen after both the JV and Varsity Teams attend Universal Dance Association (UDA) Summer Camp held at Northern Illinois University at the end of July. Remember, if chosen to be an alternate, it s a great opportunity to grow as a dancer and help make our team better! o Alternates will attend and perform at camp in the summer, perform at all home football games, and any basketball game in which the team does not perform a competition routine. Alternates must be present at all basketball games, regardless of the routine chosen to perform. o Alternates can perform during competition season for injured and/or sick dancers (they are required to be present at every competition). They may also replace dancers that are not growing technically or dancers that are having issues with grades and/or behavior. o Fact: Alternates performed numerous times throughout last year s competition season... we wouldn t have been successful without them! o Alternates are held to the same financial responsibilities that every team member has on the OFHS Pom Dance Team.
Required Physicals Every incoming freshman is required to have a full physical before the first day of school. If you are currently an 8 th grade student, and you were on a sports team during the past year, bring a dated copy of your sport physical to the OFHS Athletic Office, and you will not need another physical prior to tryouts. FORMS: You will need the following BEFORE clinics/tryouts: o a stamped copy of current physical to the athletic office by Monday, March 19 th at 3:30pm (cannot be dated more than 395 days old) o complete your Sports Participation form online o Go to the OFHS Athletics website. o Scroll down to "Registration Instructions for Athletics" on the bottom left-hand side of the main page. Click on the link and follow the detailed instructions. o You will be able to register for tryouts by clicking on the 8to18 hyperlink in the document (https://oakforest.8to18.com) o YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CLINICS OR THE ACTUAL TRYOUT without completing the above bullet points! o You have to keep your athletic physical current; this will mean getting a physical every year PRIOR to tryouts and/or before it expires. *Returning Team Members* Please see Mrs. Andersen, our athletic secretary, for the exact date your physical expires! It is your responsibility to know when you need another one. Being on the team last season does NOT excuse you from getting cleared!
OFHS Varsity/JV Pom Team Application 2018-2019 Name: Address: Year: FR/SO/JR/SR Circle one- 18/19 year Home Phone #: Cell Phone #: Interested in being an alternate? Check one or both options below. V Alt. JV Alt. 1. Do you currently work? Yes/No If yes, how many hours per week? Can you schedule your work around practice? Yes/No 2. Do you have any previous dance experience? Yes/No If yes, please describe. 3. Why should you be considered for the OFHS Pom Team? Return to Coach Bajer at Tryouts on 3/21/18!
OFHS Pom Team Tryouts: 2018-2019 Teacher Evaluation Name of Student Each member of a performing group must have ability, but in addition, he/she must be a responsible and cooperative individual. The student named above is trying out for the Oak Forest High School Pom Dance Team for the 2018-2019 school year. Please rate the student in the following areas: 1= poor 2= average 3= excellent Attendance/Punctuality 1 2 3 Respect of Authority 1 2 3 Respect of Peers 1 2 3 Effort/Quality of Work 1 2 3 Honesty and Integrity 1 2 3 Based on your evaluation, would you recommend this student for a position on the OFHS Pom Team? 1 2 3 4 5 do not recommend highly recommend As of today, is this person academically eligible in your class? YES NO Please return to Coach Bajer s mailbox in the OFHS athletic office or in person at tryouts by Wednesday, 3/21/18. Teacher s Signature: Total Score:
OFHS Pom Team Tryouts: 2018-2019 Teacher Evaluation Name of Student Each member of a performing group must have ability, but in addition, he/she must be a responsible and cooperative individual. The student named above is trying out for the Oak Forest High School Pom Dance Team for the 2018-2019 school year. Please rate the student in the following areas: 1= poor 2= average 3= excellent Attendance/Punctuality 1 2 3 Respect of Authority 1 2 3 Respect of Peers 1 2 3 Effort/Quality of Work 1 2 3 Honesty and Integrity 1 2 3 Based on your evaluation, would you recommend this student for a position on the OFHS Pom Team? 1 2 3 4 5 do not recommend highly recommend As of today, is this person academically eligible in your class? YES NO Please return to Coach Bajer s mailbox in the OFHS athletic office or in person at tryouts by Wednesday, 3/21/18. Teacher s Signature: Total Score:
OFHS Pom Team Tryouts: 2018-2019 Teacher Evaluation Name of Student Each member of a performing group must have ability, but in addition, he/she must be a responsible and cooperative individual. The student named above is trying out for the Oak Forest High School Pom Dance Team for the 2018-2019 school year. Please rate the student in the following areas: 1= poor 2= average 3= excellent Attendance/Punctuality 1 2 3 Respect of Authority 1 2 3 Respect of Peers 1 2 3 Effort/Quality of Work 1 2 3 Honesty and Integrity 1 2 3 Based on your evaluation, would you recommend this student for a position on the OFHS Pom Team? 1 2 3 4 5 do not recommend highly recommend As of today, is this person academically eligible in your class? YES NO Please return to Coach Bajer s mailbox in the OFHS athletic office or in person at tryouts by Wednesday, 3/21/18. Teacher s Signature: Total Score:
Dancer s Number: Memory 1-5 Sharpness 1-5 Showmanship 1-5 Appearance 1-5 Right Split 1-5 Left Split 1-5 Center Split 1-5 Pirouettes 1-15 Single 1-5 Double 1-5 Triple 1-5 Toe Touch 1-5 R/L Leaps 1-5 R/L Center Leaps 1-5 Tilt Jump 1-5 Turning Disc 1-5 C-Jump/Turning-C 1-10 C-Jump: 1-5 Turning-C: 1-5 Fouette Turns 1-10 Quality: 1-5 Quantity: 1-5 Kick Line 1-5 Extra Technique 1-5 Teacher Evals (30 pts) 10 pts each OFHS Pom Team Tryouts: Judges Score Sheet Routine Overall: (20 pts.) Technique Overall Skill: /85 pts: Grand Total (135 pts):
Dance Routine: Scoring Rubric Performance 1 2 3 4 5 General Appearance Inappropriate appearance Below average appearance Average appearance Above average appearance Hair pulled back, appropriate clothes, no jewelry, good posture Memorization and Recovery Forgot more than ½ of routine & no recovery Forgot 2-4 eight counts & average to no recovery Forgot 1 eight count & average recovery Forgot 1 to 4 counts and recovered very well Remembered entire routine Precision Very loose body movement, not sharp, no power Lacks all of the following: tightness, sharpness, & power Lacks one of the following: tightness, sharpness, and power Tight, sharp, and powerful throughout ¾ of the routine Tight, sharp and powerful movement throughout all of the routine Body Control Overextending/ underextending,lack of balance for the entire routine Overextending/ under-extending for most of routine & very little balance Average placement, controlled moves & balance for ½ of the routine Above average placement, control & balance for ¾ of the routine Perfect placement, total body control, & completely balanced for the entire routine Showmanship No energy or confidence shown Low energy level & very little confidence Average energy & confidence. Smiles for ½ of the routine Above average with energy, confidence, & smiles High energy, confident, & having fun!
Technical Skills: Scoring Rubric Skills 1 2 3 4 5 Splits Attempted but no flexibility, must use both hands to balance & toes are not pointed Below average flexibility, uses one hand for balance & toes are not pointed Average flexibility, uses hands for a brief moment for balance & toes are closer to pointed Above average flexibility, no use of hands for balance, toes are almost pointed Total flexibility, no use of hands for balance, toes are completely pointed & feet are turned out Jumps Toe touch Leaps Tilt Jump C-Jump Disc Attempted but no height, incorrect form & toes are flexed Below average height & form, toes are flexed Average height and form, toes are closer to pointed Above average height & form, toes are pointed Superior height and form, toes are pointed & turned out Turns Fouette Turns Pirouettes Attempted but no spotting, no control, heavy use on arms to rotate, incorrect form, heel is on floor, poor landing Below average: little or no spotting, little control, uses arms to rotate, incorrect form, heel is dropping, & weak landing Average: spotting is questionable, some control, little use of arms to rotate, correct form, up in relevé for most of turn, average landing Above average: uses spotting, controlled turn, barely uses arms to rotate, correct form, on relevé for entire turn & lands clearly Superior: full use of spotting, total control of turn, no use of arms to rotate, perfect form, on relevé for entire turn & lands completely Kick Sequence Attempted but incorrect sequence, no height, no head placement, feet are flexed & back is bent Below average: incorrect sequence, little height, minimal head placement, feet are mostly flexed, & back is bent at times Average: correct sequence with only 2 or less errors, average height, looked straight ahead, toes are sometimes pointed and back is straight at times Above average: correct sequence with 1 error, above average height, looked down and straight, feet are mostly pointed and back is straight Superior: correct sequence with no errors, excellent height, head placement involved looking down, straight and up, toes are pointed and turned out, back is completely straight