Lamphere Schools

2017

Spirit/Sideline
Cheer Program Rules

Coach's E-Mail:
LamphereCheerCoaches@Gmail.com


Changes to the Lamphere Schools Cheer Program Rules can be made at any time.
Written changes will be passed out to the program for review and signature of
acknowledgment of the changes.

Attitude/Behavior
It is our understanding that you are trying out and accepted a position with Lamphere Cheer
because you WANT to be a part of the team. This means you WANT to work hard at every
practice and game. We will not accept slackers, bad attitudes, an I cant attitude or just
the girls that want to wear the uniform

Athletes must realize they as a representative of Lamphere Cheer Program, all

cheerleaders must conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in school, on the field,
traveling to games, at games, on social media, and out in the community at all times.
Anything deemed unbecoming of an athlete will be reviewed and proper consequences will be
determined by the coaching staff.

Any team member who does not act in an appropriate manner through alcohol or drug use or
any other type of illegal activity will be subject to punishment under the rules of the team,
athletic department and school. This could result in removal from the team. This regulation
is in effect 365 days a year.

Positive attitude, good sportsmanship, and being a team player are qualities expected of
each team member. Any behavior that is detriment to the team aspect or an individuals
well being will not be tolerated. All team members must function as a team unit in order to
succeed. Failure to exhibit any of these qualities will be subject to consequences
determined by the coaching staff.

Coaches have the right to add or take away performance, or Games for any team member at
any time they see fit. This can be based on performance, attitude, attendance, school,
social media, or anything determined by the coaching staff.

Insults, disrespectful behavior, or dishonesty towards a teammate or coaches in any way will
not be tolerated from any member of the program. Consequences will be determined by the
coaching staff.

Social Media sites are monitored by the coaching staff and is expected to be monitored by
parents and guardians as well. Anything deemed unbecoming of an athlete or any
unsportsmanlike talk will not be tolerated. Think before you post!!!

Communication
Following of the provided Guide for Parent/Coaching Communication pamphlet is required.

If the athlete has a problem, question, or concern they will discuss this with the coaching
staff FIRST. After doing so, then a parent/guardian if needed may contact the coach
regarding the issue.

If an issue arises where a parent feels they need to speak with the coach the 24 hour rule
is expected to be followed. If a parent/guardian needs to contact the coaching staff for
any reason they will do so via email (LamphereCheerCoaches@gmail.com). Coaches will do
their best to respond within 24 hours. Please DO NOT call coaches unless there is an
emergency.

Communication (Continued from previous page)

Reminder and Text messages will be sent by the coaching staff to keep the team and
program up to date with any changes. As much as possible coaching staff will try not to use
this communication after 10pm unless it is deemed necessary.

Practices/Events
All practices, gymnastics, games, workouts, strength training, and team events scheduled by
the coaching staff are mandatory. You are expected to be on time meaning (15 mins) before
call time of event.

Practice times on the schedule are the times the coaches will begin and end. Setup and
cleanup are on the athlete's own time. (Example: Practice is 6pm-8pm setup must be done
BEFORE 6pm and Clean up will start at 8pm until done).

You are to be ready to practice when practice is scheduled to begin. That means mats
rolled, stretching, All wrapping and/or taping by the trainer, hair and social conversation
should be completed by the scheduled start time of practice.

All athletes must come to events dressed appropriately including: assigned uniform or
clothes, shoes, hair tied back, no jewelry of any kind, and no long nails (acrylic , shellac or
natural).

Extra practices and camps will be deemed necessary by the coaching staff and are
considered scheduled practices and are MANDATORY. Coaching staff will try their best to
provide a minimum of 1 weeks notice of any extra practices.

Athletes may not leave any event without informing the coach in person. This includes but
not limited to practices, games, and events.

Coaching staff has the right to call or cancel any practices as deemed necessary.

Cancellations of events due to weather are made by the administration of Lamphere Schools
and the coaching staff.

Teams & Games

All team members will be re-evaluated throughout the season to determine their position
within the program. Your spot on a team is NOT guaranteed! Coaching staff reserve the
right to change the cheer program (Varsity & JV) if any rules are not being met or if it is to
benefit of the program. Coaches have the right to remove athletes as they see fit from
any/all events.

All members of the team are expected to be on time for every game, ready to go at coaches
call time. That includes: wearing the complete and correct uniform, hair and makeup done,
bow in, and shoes on. There may also be pre-game requirements for decorating the field and
bringing out equipment. Athletes that fail to bring a piece of required apparel or equipment
to a game will not be allowed to cheer at that game.

Teams & Games (Continued from previous page)

If an athlete is late for a game, they will sit out the first quarter.

Cheerleaders must be ready to begin the third quarter of the game 3 mins before half time
is over. Failure to return in the time requirement will result in partial/full suspension of the
rest of the game.

Athletes should always eat before games. They will be permitted to go to the concession
stand at halftime but no extra time will be given if lines are too long. They should bring a
snack and water bottle to games.

Cheerleaders are at Games as a member of the program. Unless permission is given

cheerleader are NOT to be in the stands or talking to friends or family. They must be with
their program at all times.

At the conclusion of every game there will be a mandatory team meeting. Athletes will then
be expected to clean up the track and any signs that have been posted. No team member is
allowed to leave until the area is clean and the coach dismisses the whole team. Any team
member who does not help clean up or leaves before the team is dismissed will be benched
from half of the next game.

Cheerleaders suspended from a game or portion of a game will sit in uniform on the sideline
with the coaches. Failure to comply with this will result in immediate dismissal from the
team.

Grades
School is the athlete's first priority. MHSAA grade guidelines will be followed to ensure
eligibility. Athletes must also maintain satisfactory in citizenship.

If an athletes grades drop below eligible level, they will have one week to bring their grade
up. IF the grade does not improve, the cheerleader will not participate in ANY team events
or performances. On the third consecutive week of ineligibility, the athlete will be removed
from the team to focus on their education.

Absence Policy
Every team member is expected to participate in all program fund-raisers, practices, events
and team activities. Students will not be excused for other activities unless arrangements
have been made between them and all coaches/advisors involved. By choosing to be on the
team, athletes are making a commitment to their teammates and coach. Athletes are
expected to be available 100% of the time required by the sport. This may mean making
difficult choices

The athlete must contact the coach personally prior to missing any event. Failure to do so
will result in a NO-Call absence.

Absence Policy (Continued from previous page)

DO NOT make medical or personal appointments on scheduled practice/competition days.
Make sure parents/guardian are aware of your schedule to avoid this occurrence.

To be eligible to participate in any event the athletes must have participated in the prior
week's practices and events unless previously approved by the coaching staff.

Tardiness will not be tolerated and athletes must be ready on time. Not arriving at
designated time and habitual tardiness will be dealt with at the discretion of the coaching
staff.

Absence: When you are not at a scheduled practice, competition or event. Multiple
absences will be dealt with at the discretion of the coaching staff. Possible discipline may
include by not limited to: Player/Coach Conference, Parent/Coach Conference, Extra
Conditioning, Suspension from the team, Removal from the team.

NO-Call NO-Show: When you do not show up and did not inform COACHES. This may result
in removal of the team on the first occurrence. Consequences will be deemed by coaching
staff.

All Vacations must be provided to coaches in writing 2 weeks prior to the first day of
vacation to be considered for excuse.

Per school rules to participate in a competition the athlete must be in school the last three
hours of the day of the event.

A headache, stomachache, or cold does not constitute missing practice. If you are in school
a half a day you are required to be at practice.

You must contact coaching staff prior to the start time of event if you are going to be
missing on each day of the missing event. Example -- If you are sick on Tuesday dont
assume that the coach will know you're still sick on Wednesday. Contact any time you're not
going to be where youre expected.

Uniforms / Equipment
Uniforms are for cheerleading activities ONLY. You may not wear them unless instructed
by coaching staff.

Uniforms are property of Lamphere Schools and must be returned to the school at the end
of the season clean. If this is not adhere to the cost of the replacement uniform will be the
responsibility of the cheerleader it was assigned to.

Any damage or illegal tampering of the uniforms or Lamphere Cheer Program equipment will
result in the athlete paying for all damages or repairs. Additional consequences may follow
at the coaching staffs discretion.

During the cold michigan weather games the coaches will permit cheerleaders to wear
cotton gloves and earmuffs with NO METAL in Black, White or Royal Blue color.

Transportation
Cheerleaders must follow the limited transportation school transportation policy to and
from away games. Students must arrange own transportation to all practices and home
events.

Finances & General Rules

Money or payments arrangements for expenses of the competitive season will be due before
the items ordered. No money/payment arrangement = NO ORDER.

Coaching staff will do their best to provide payment arrangements. If at the end of the
season arrangements are not paid in full the amount will be moved to the student fees and
finds and the athlete will be unable to try-out for another season until resolved. If athlete
is a senior they will not be able to walk at graduation until its resolved.

Fundraising opportunities are given every season. It is mandatory that each athlete
participate in some way with all provided fundraising.

Fundraising money of any kind is non-refundable

All School rules will be enforced according to the Lamphere handbook

If for any reason an athlete is dismissed, removed or quits the team all money and account
balances are due immediately. All funds raised and paid money is non-refundable

Awards
To earn a JV award the athlete must be eligible to participate and compete 90% of the
Games that season and their finance account must be paid in full one week before the
awards are issued.

To earn a VARSITY award the athlete must be eligible to participate and compete 90% of
the Games of the season and also be eligible for Districts, Regionals, and States along with
their finance account must be paid in full one week before the awards are issued.

Immediate Suspension or Removal from the Team

Blatant disrespect for the coaching staff or any other team member
Poor moral conduct
Insubordination
Failure to adhere to absence rules
Alcohol or drug use