Cheer Information & Regulations
Cheer Information & Regulations Revised April 1, 2015
(Drafted 3-10-06 / Revisions: 01-19-08 / 02-16-09 / 01-14-10 / 01-19-11 / 04-04-12 / 04-03-14) Please read this information carefully and contact any of our cheerleading committee with questions. The following Rules & Regulations are meant as a reminder to stress the importance that within the excitement of cheerleading, you as a cheerleader and you as a parent and or guardian need to be aware of the time and personal commitment involved in this team sport. CONTENT Guidelines ; Points to Remember ; Code of Conduct ; Attendance Policy ; Squads (Spirit and Competition) ; Games ; Practices ; Camps & Clinics ; Expenses ; Refund Policy ; Website & Contacts GUIDELINES Cheerleaders are expected to set a good example for their fellow teammates and spectators. To achieve this, the cheerleaders are to: Abide by the Code of Conduct Maintain good studies Attend all scheduled practices and games Cooperate with each other and follow the instructions of the coach Strive to have ATTITUDE that is positive and upbeat RYSI &
Participants will follow the Seven Principles of Fair Play as stated in the RYSI By-Laws: Make it fun. Limit standing around Everyone plays Teach every position to every participant Emphasize the fundamentals Incorporate a progression of skill development for every participant Yell encouragement, whisper constructive criticism
GUIDELINES RYSI has a Code of Conduct that each participant, family member and coach will be expected to adhere to. If any participant, family member or coach violates the Code of Conduct or is shown to exhibit conduct deemed improper and unsuitable, this action will result in one or more of the following consequences, administered at the discretion of the cheerleading coach and/or Cheer Committee: Verbal warning; parent conference; written reprimand; temporary exclusion for specific number of days; or exclusion from cheerleading squad. Cheer Committee’s decision is final.
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Cheer Information & Regulations POINTS TO REMEMBER Participants will not be allowed to participate in the season without a completed Physician’s Form, Power of Attorney Form and Work Bond Check. Forms are due August 1. No Exceptions. All Cheer coaches will be Rutgers Certified. Each competition team has 2 AACCA certified coaches (Head coaches along with one assistant). RYSI Cheerleading program follows Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) rules for competitions. Our game and practices follow rules from American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA). CODE OF CONDUCT Code of Conduct may be found on our website www.ridgeyouthsports.com ATTENDANCE POLICY Cheerleading is a team sport and attendance is important to meet key safety components of the sport. A cheerleader's absence from a practice, game or competition negatively affects the team's ability to practice safely and inhibits the team from being able to perform their cheers, stunts or routines in an optimal fashion. The August practice sessions, hereby referred to as August Pre-Season Camps, are crucial for teaching the building blocks of cheerleading, especially stunting, so that all teams follow the widely recognized progression of skills needed to perform stunts safely. RYSI Cheerleading instituted a revised attendance policy for the Spirit program. This policy applies for Spirit cheerleaders in grades 2 through 8. Grades K and 1 are not subject to this policy but extended absences at any age are strongly discouraged. The following is for Spirit teams only: Stunting instruction/evaluation will take place during the first week of preseason camp (August 17th – 21th). Stunt group positions will be available to cheerleaders who will not miss more than 2 of the preseason practices. Stunt group positions will be assigned during preseason practices (August 17th – 27th ) Cheerleaders who miss more than 2 of the preseason practices will be given an "alternate position" in a stunt group. The only allowed absences beyond those two days are for religious holiday observance or serious illness Cheerleaders who miss a weekly practice after school begins, your position in a stunt group will be at the coach’s discretion. Cheerleaders who miss the pre-game warm up will not be allowed to stunt in the halftime routine of that game. Competition Squads attendance policy stays the same: All practices and competitions are mandatory. Missing practices and competitions for reasons other than illness or religious obligations will result in action determined by the Head Coach and Cheer Board. General Attendance information for all teams: Game attendance for all squads is required, barring serious illness or religious holiday observance. You are required to notify your coach as soon as possible if you are going to be late or absent from any practices, games or events. Any other necessary absences are at the discretion of the Head Coach and/or the Cheer Board. Page 2 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
Cheer Information & Regulations SQUADS (SPIRIT & COMPETITION) Registration and placement will be based on the participant’s grade for Spirit and ages for Competition as of August 1, 2015. Confirmation of squad assignments will be sent once teams are formed after registration closes. Competition candidates will be notified of try out results by week of April 6, 2015. All cheerleaders will cheer at regular and post season games. Spirit (non-competition) K-8th grade ~ team determination will be by grade and dependent on interest at registration All who are interested (except 6 years old and under) in Competition Cheerleading will have an opportunity to try-out. To participate in a competition squad, you must try-out, be offered a spot, participate in all camps, clinics and practices. Participation in other travel level sports is not compatible with competitive cheerleading. A schedule of practices will be distributed in early June and the competition schedule will be released as soon as it is available. We ask that you take into account your commitment to competition cheerleading when scheduling your other social activities (i.e. travel soccer, Gotta Dance, etc…). GAMES All games will be played on Saturday, with some K-2 Spirit Squad games on Friday evening. Make up games may be played during the week. We are in the process of formally securing fields for our practices and games. Fields for practices and games are within Bernards Township and immediate surrounding towns. Directions to all fields (home and away) will be posted on RYSI website. All games will be played, rain or shine, hot or cold. Should conditions exist that are possibly harmful for the cheerleader, then you will be notified as soon as possible of the game cancellation. Only cheerleaders and coaches will be allowed on the sideline. All cheerleaders will be required to arrive one (1) hour before the game for warm-up. Cheerleaders who miss the pre-game warm up may not stunt in the halftime routine of that game. You are expected to phone your head coach if you are unable to arrive at the designated time for the pre-game warm up. The one (1) hour arrival pre game is subject to change based on each squad’s need and coach’s discretion.
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Cheer Information & Regulations Game expectations: Warm-up will be for the first 15 minutes and review necessary material for the next 30 minutes. Cheerleaders will have a 10 minute break for food & bathroom and be expected to arrive on the sidelines 5 minutes before the start of the game. Have complete uniform, neat and clean Control and lead the crowd through organized cheers and chants Must follow the coach’s directions without question Do not chew gum or have nails longer than the tips of your fingers or wear nail polish Do not wear jewelry. Notify your coach should you need to wear ID jewelry for medical purposes. All hair MUST be back in a ponytail and off the face In cold or inclement weather, you are expected to bring a team jacket (or solid black jacket) along with black jazz type full length pants. Cheerleaders must remain on the sideline until the game is completed There will be NO food during the game PRACTICES Practices will begin Monday August 17, 2015 All practices will be held rain or shine, hot or cold. Should conditions exist that are possibly harmful for the cheerleader, then you will be notified as soon as possible of the practice cancellation. Continually check your email if threatening weather is imminent. Practice locations are to be determined based on field availability. Prior to the start of school in September, practices will be held Monday thru Thursday 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with the K-2 practices shortened as needed. There will be NO evening practices for squads attending Choreography Camp in August. Further detailed information can be found on the Competition document. After the start of school in September, practice times will vary by squad but will be within the parameters of Sunday thru Thursday. Your coach will advise exact days and times. If a participant is planning on missing all or a portion of August practice, we ask that you please refer to the Attendance Policy section of these Rules and Regulations for further direction. Coaches will not be teaching the participants tumbling skills. Each participant will be allowed to tumble to the degree that the coach feels the participant is capable of achieving safely without a spot. Be ready at all practices with hair back off of face, shoes for workout, no gum, no nail polish, proper attire *, good attitude and on time. * Proper attire: No skirts; dresses; blue jeans; flip flops; sandals; shorts w/ pockets; anything with a zipper or
ruffles. Suggestions: tee shirt, sport shorts and cheer shoes.
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Cheer Information & Regulations CAMPS & CLINICS You will be advised of all camps and clinics that will be available. www.ridgeyouthsports.com for further information.
Also, check our website,
EXPENSES Registration fee includes socks, bows and poms. Cheerleaders new to the program in 2015 will receive a set of poms with her registration fee. 2014 returning cheerleaders will use poms from 2014 or have the option to purchase a new set online. New Uniform sale – Saturday May 2, 2015 - 8:00-3:00 PM We have a new uniform day to purchase uniform & additional items. Everyone needs a midriff, bloomers and shoes that are not offered thru resale. RYSI operates an on line store for other team items. This is run through Sneakers Plus. The store will open several times throughout the season to purchase practice clothing, team jackets, team bags, shoes and accessories. RYSI provides a bow and one practice t-shirt. Check our website for updates and information. An email will be sent to all registered participants at the beginning of April with relevant uniform New Sale information. There will be additional expenses for Competition Squads are Camps, Clinics and Competition fees. Additional (Optional) items include Jackets, Pants, Duffel Bags, Tees/Tanks, Shorts, Pictures (team or individual) and are available for purchase through our online store (except Pictures). You will be informed of all costs as soon as possible. Refund
REFUND POLICY
of Registration Fee – From registration to August 17 ,2015 – Full refund less a $25.00 processing fee August 17, 2015 to August 21, 2015 – 50% refund less a $25.00 processing fee August 22, 2015 and after – 0% refund Duplicate registrations – Anytime - $25.00 processing fee.
Uniform – There is NO refund for uniform fee Bounced Check fee – A fee of $20.00 will be expected for a bank returned check. WEBSITE & CONTACTS Website – www.ridgeyouthsports.com Contact
- CHEER COMMITTEE Kim Grimaldi Lisa Baum Debbie Zuccalmaglio
604-9787 306-0340 227-9789
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Page 5 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
(Drafted 3-10-06 / Revisions: 01-19-08 / 02-16-09 / 01-14-10 / 01-19-11 / 04-04-12 / 04-03-14) Please read this information carefully and contact any of our cheerleading committee with questions. The following Rules & Regulations are meant as a reminder to stress the importance that within the excitement of cheerleading, you as a cheerleader and you as a parent and or guardian need to be aware of the time and personal commitment involved in this team sport. CONTENT Guidelines ; Points to Remember ; Code of Conduct ; Attendance Policy ; Squads (Spirit and Competition) ; Games ; Practices ; Camps & Clinics ; Expenses ; Refund Policy ; Website & Contacts GUIDELINES Cheerleaders are expected to set a good example for their fellow teammates and spectators. To achieve this, the cheerleaders are to: Abide by the Code of Conduct Maintain good studies Attend all scheduled practices and games Cooperate with each other and follow the instructions of the coach Strive to have ATTITUDE that is positive and upbeat RYSI &
Participants will follow the Seven Principles of Fair Play as stated in the RYSI By-Laws: Make it fun. Limit standing around Everyone plays Teach every position to every participant Emphasize the fundamentals Incorporate a progression of skill development for every participant Yell encouragement, whisper constructive criticism
GUIDELINES RYSI has a Code of Conduct that each participant, family member and coach will be expected to adhere to. If any participant, family member or coach violates the Code of Conduct or is shown to exhibit conduct deemed improper and unsuitable, this action will result in one or more of the following consequences, administered at the discretion of the cheerleading coach and/or Cheer Committee: Verbal warning; parent conference; written reprimand; temporary exclusion for specific number of days; or exclusion from cheerleading squad. Cheer Committee’s decision is final.
Page 1 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
Cheer Information & Regulations POINTS TO REMEMBER Participants will not be allowed to participate in the season without a completed Physician’s Form, Power of Attorney Form and Work Bond Check. Forms are due August 1. No Exceptions. All Cheer coaches will be Rutgers Certified. Each competition team has 2 AACCA certified coaches (Head coaches along with one assistant). RYSI Cheerleading program follows Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) rules for competitions. Our game and practices follow rules from American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA). CODE OF CONDUCT Code of Conduct may be found on our website www.ridgeyouthsports.com ATTENDANCE POLICY Cheerleading is a team sport and attendance is important to meet key safety components of the sport. A cheerleader's absence from a practice, game or competition negatively affects the team's ability to practice safely and inhibits the team from being able to perform their cheers, stunts or routines in an optimal fashion. The August practice sessions, hereby referred to as August Pre-Season Camps, are crucial for teaching the building blocks of cheerleading, especially stunting, so that all teams follow the widely recognized progression of skills needed to perform stunts safely. RYSI Cheerleading instituted a revised attendance policy for the Spirit program. This policy applies for Spirit cheerleaders in grades 2 through 8. Grades K and 1 are not subject to this policy but extended absences at any age are strongly discouraged. The following is for Spirit teams only: Stunting instruction/evaluation will take place during the first week of preseason camp (August 17th – 21th). Stunt group positions will be available to cheerleaders who will not miss more than 2 of the preseason practices. Stunt group positions will be assigned during preseason practices (August 17th – 27th ) Cheerleaders who miss more than 2 of the preseason practices will be given an "alternate position" in a stunt group. The only allowed absences beyond those two days are for religious holiday observance or serious illness Cheerleaders who miss a weekly practice after school begins, your position in a stunt group will be at the coach’s discretion. Cheerleaders who miss the pre-game warm up will not be allowed to stunt in the halftime routine of that game. Competition Squads attendance policy stays the same: All practices and competitions are mandatory. Missing practices and competitions for reasons other than illness or religious obligations will result in action determined by the Head Coach and Cheer Board. General Attendance information for all teams: Game attendance for all squads is required, barring serious illness or religious holiday observance. You are required to notify your coach as soon as possible if you are going to be late or absent from any practices, games or events. Any other necessary absences are at the discretion of the Head Coach and/or the Cheer Board. Page 2 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
Cheer Information & Regulations SQUADS (SPIRIT & COMPETITION) Registration and placement will be based on the participant’s grade for Spirit and ages for Competition as of August 1, 2015. Confirmation of squad assignments will be sent once teams are formed after registration closes. Competition candidates will be notified of try out results by week of April 6, 2015. All cheerleaders will cheer at regular and post season games. Spirit (non-competition) K-8th grade ~ team determination will be by grade and dependent on interest at registration All who are interested (except 6 years old and under) in Competition Cheerleading will have an opportunity to try-out. To participate in a competition squad, you must try-out, be offered a spot, participate in all camps, clinics and practices. Participation in other travel level sports is not compatible with competitive cheerleading. A schedule of practices will be distributed in early June and the competition schedule will be released as soon as it is available. We ask that you take into account your commitment to competition cheerleading when scheduling your other social activities (i.e. travel soccer, Gotta Dance, etc…). GAMES All games will be played on Saturday, with some K-2 Spirit Squad games on Friday evening. Make up games may be played during the week. We are in the process of formally securing fields for our practices and games. Fields for practices and games are within Bernards Township and immediate surrounding towns. Directions to all fields (home and away) will be posted on RYSI website. All games will be played, rain or shine, hot or cold. Should conditions exist that are possibly harmful for the cheerleader, then you will be notified as soon as possible of the game cancellation. Only cheerleaders and coaches will be allowed on the sideline. All cheerleaders will be required to arrive one (1) hour before the game for warm-up. Cheerleaders who miss the pre-game warm up may not stunt in the halftime routine of that game. You are expected to phone your head coach if you are unable to arrive at the designated time for the pre-game warm up. The one (1) hour arrival pre game is subject to change based on each squad’s need and coach’s discretion.
Page 3 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
Cheer Information & Regulations Game expectations: Warm-up will be for the first 15 minutes and review necessary material for the next 30 minutes. Cheerleaders will have a 10 minute break for food & bathroom and be expected to arrive on the sidelines 5 minutes before the start of the game. Have complete uniform, neat and clean Control and lead the crowd through organized cheers and chants Must follow the coach’s directions without question Do not chew gum or have nails longer than the tips of your fingers or wear nail polish Do not wear jewelry. Notify your coach should you need to wear ID jewelry for medical purposes. All hair MUST be back in a ponytail and off the face In cold or inclement weather, you are expected to bring a team jacket (or solid black jacket) along with black jazz type full length pants. Cheerleaders must remain on the sideline until the game is completed There will be NO food during the game PRACTICES Practices will begin Monday August 17, 2015 All practices will be held rain or shine, hot or cold. Should conditions exist that are possibly harmful for the cheerleader, then you will be notified as soon as possible of the practice cancellation. Continually check your email if threatening weather is imminent. Practice locations are to be determined based on field availability. Prior to the start of school in September, practices will be held Monday thru Thursday 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with the K-2 practices shortened as needed. There will be NO evening practices for squads attending Choreography Camp in August. Further detailed information can be found on the Competition document. After the start of school in September, practice times will vary by squad but will be within the parameters of Sunday thru Thursday. Your coach will advise exact days and times. If a participant is planning on missing all or a portion of August practice, we ask that you please refer to the Attendance Policy section of these Rules and Regulations for further direction. Coaches will not be teaching the participants tumbling skills. Each participant will be allowed to tumble to the degree that the coach feels the participant is capable of achieving safely without a spot. Be ready at all practices with hair back off of face, shoes for workout, no gum, no nail polish, proper attire *, good attitude and on time. * Proper attire: No skirts; dresses; blue jeans; flip flops; sandals; shorts w/ pockets; anything with a zipper or
ruffles. Suggestions: tee shirt, sport shorts and cheer shoes.
Page 4 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
Cheer Information & Regulations CAMPS & CLINICS You will be advised of all camps and clinics that will be available. www.ridgeyouthsports.com for further information.
Also, check our website,
EXPENSES Registration fee includes socks, bows and poms. Cheerleaders new to the program in 2015 will receive a set of poms with her registration fee. 2014 returning cheerleaders will use poms from 2014 or have the option to purchase a new set online. New Uniform sale – Saturday May 2, 2015 - 8:00-3:00 PM We have a new uniform day to purchase uniform & additional items. Everyone needs a midriff, bloomers and shoes that are not offered thru resale. RYSI operates an on line store for other team items. This is run through Sneakers Plus. The store will open several times throughout the season to purchase practice clothing, team jackets, team bags, shoes and accessories. RYSI provides a bow and one practice t-shirt. Check our website for updates and information. An email will be sent to all registered participants at the beginning of April with relevant uniform New Sale information. There will be additional expenses for Competition Squads are Camps, Clinics and Competition fees. Additional (Optional) items include Jackets, Pants, Duffel Bags, Tees/Tanks, Shorts, Pictures (team or individual) and are available for purchase through our online store (except Pictures). You will be informed of all costs as soon as possible. Refund
REFUND POLICY
of Registration Fee – From registration to August 17 ,2015 – Full refund less a $25.00 processing fee August 17, 2015 to August 21, 2015 – 50% refund less a $25.00 processing fee August 22, 2015 and after – 0% refund Duplicate registrations – Anytime - $25.00 processing fee.
Uniform – There is NO refund for uniform fee Bounced Check fee – A fee of $20.00 will be expected for a bank returned check. WEBSITE & CONTACTS Website – www.ridgeyouthsports.com Contact
- CHEER COMMITTEE Kim Grimaldi Lisa Baum Debbie Zuccalmaglio
604-9787 306-0340 227-9789
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Page 5 of 5 / 2015Rules and Regs.docx
