Competitive Rules/Expectations

Philosophy

The major objective of the spirit program is to provide a variety of experiences to enhance the development of positive student habits and attitudes that will prepare them in adult life. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition, and how to win and lose gracefully are integral parts of our athletic program. Competition Cheer is a privilege that carries with it responsibilities to the school, other students, community and to the athletes themselves.  These experiences contribute to the development of learning skills, leadership training, and emotional patterns that enable the student to achieve maximum benefit from her education. The most important thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please anyone else-it has to be yours. This is what will justify the hard work needed to achieve success. Compete against yourself, not others, for that is truly your best competition. 

“A successful team beats with one heart!”

Competition State Rules and Regulations

Section 7:

A student who is a member of a high school team may not participate in any practice, competition, tryouts, etc during that particular sport during the same season on an independent or non-high school team or as a member of any “All-Star” team or completely unattached on an individual basis. 

Violation: Violation of this rule causes the student to become ineligible for the high school team for the remainder of that sport season unless a waiver occurs. 

Tryouts

Objective: To offer a focused, 3-4 day tryout for all interested students to demonstrate required skills, athletic abilities, spirit, leadership and teamwork for coach’s evaluation.

Evaluation and Selection:

The ongoing evaluation will be based on the following characteristics:

1. Self direction and discipline

2. Punctuality

3. Demonstrates camaraderie

4. Willingness to help others

5. Classroom performance

6. Motions

7. Jumps

8. Dance/Cheer routine

9. Basic Stunting

10. Tumbling

**The competitive team will be selected by the coaches based on performance throughout the tryout week. 

Tryouts to be held:

The week of May 12-15

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Monday: → Learn Routine, stunting, motions, jumps

Tuesday: → Learn Routine, stunting, tumbling, jumps

Wednesday: → Review, Mock Tryout

Thursday: Tryouts begin at 4:00

Location: High School Green Gym (old pool)

Attire: Please wear tennis shoes, workout clothes, hair off shoulders

Practices

In Season:

Our 2022 season begins on Monday, August 4th! Practices are MANDATORY and will be 3 hours a day until school starts. Competitive Cheer is a team sport that requires every athlete to be a part of a stunt/pyramid. It is important that everyone attends, as safety is a top priority. If all cheerleaders are not in attendance, it hurts the team, they are not ready, and safety becomes an issue. However, I do understand that situations do arise and are not under our control. It is important to know the differences between an excused and an unexcused absence. 

Excused Absences: Illness, injury, funeral, family emergency, other reasons to be approved by coach

Unexcused Absences: skipping practice, vacations, shopping trips, work, other sports, concerts, etc. 

Penalty: If a student athlete has an unexcused absence she will not be able to compete in the next competition and will not letter. 

Out of Season (June and July):

Open gyms and workouts will be held throughout June and July for stunting and conditioning. It is important to attend. Work is not excused! However, family vacations, illness, funerals, weddings, and other reasons approved by the coach are excused. 

Workouts - Arrow Strength and Conditioning Program

Stunting, Tumbling, Jumps Open Gym- with coaches (see calendar)

When: 

Where: 

Time: 

Choreographer:

Our choreographer will be here  

We will have camp from 8:00-5:00 each day. It is mandatory that you attend! This is when we will learn our routine for the season. 

Rules and Expectations

Training Rules: All athletes must sign the training rules. If you break training rules out of season, you miss the first contest. If you break training rules during the season, you are off the team. Breaking the rules includes: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and vaping! 

Cheer is a TEAM sport and it hurts everyone if you make poor choices. When someone gets kicked off the team the whole team has to make changes to the routine. EVERYONE has an important job/role on the team!

***All athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file with the athletic office. ALL athletes must be registered through the Activity Registration tab on the Watertown Arrow Activities website. 

Social Media Policy: It is understood that as an Arrow Cheerleader, one will hold themselves to Arrow Pride standards in all settings- this includes all social media platforms. Any cheerleader who is not representing the program appropriately will be in violation and consequences will be determined by coaches. 

Attendance: Cheerleaders must have good attendance at school. If the cheerleader is gone from school on competition day, they will NOT cheer at the event that evening. Athletes MUST attend school on time the day after a competition unless they are sick or have an appointment. If attendance and/or tardies at school become an issue, the athlete will not be allowed to cheer and may be removed from the cheer squad. 

Recognition/Awards

Just as other athletes in school are recognized for their service and contributions, the competitive team will be honored as well. The cheerleaders will vote on the following awards.

Most Spirited: The cheerleader who has the greatest and most upbeat personality throughout the season. She never complains and always stays positive. 

Most Improved: The cheerleader from the beginning of the season until the completion who has shown improvement in attitude, ability, and skills. She works hard to benefit herself for the squad. 

Arrow Award: The cheerleader who has been a great leader, strives for great technique in her motions and jumps, has selfless dedication, cooperates with all squad members, accepts constructive criticism, displays enthusiasm, energy and spirit throughout the competitions, works to keep academics high and upholds high personal standards.

Technique Award: The cheerleader who best exhibits cheer skills. Sharp, tight motions, loud voice, good stunting technique, strong, facials, good jumping technique and height, quickly learns routines and changes to routine, ability to step into several positions when needed, and dance skills.