PJC 2011 In-House Coaches Handbook
Vice President:
Christine Roman
[email protected]
Commissioners: Margaret Kantor
[email protected]
Michelle Strle
[email protected]
WELCOME
Welcome to the world of PJC Cheerleading and Poms! Whether you are a new coach or you are
experienced, this guide should help you with some of the many questions you may have. Together
we will succeed at our common goal of making this experience fun and exciting for our daughters
and their friends. Keep in mind that this is a learning experience for the girls, from working together
as a team, to learning the game of football, or competing for the very first time. It is also a learning
experience for us as well. Be patient with the learning process, it will come together period.
Throughout the year there are PJC Board Meetings the second Tuesday night of every month.
These meetings are open to all at 8pm and are not mandatory, but highly encouraged to keep you
in the loop.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SQUAD
Your first order of business should be to contact your helpers so you can work out your practice
schedules with both their summer and school availability. If there are issues with transportation you
should attempt to work those out as well. Many helpers are not yet licensed drivers yet.
Then upon receipt of your team roster, your next responsibility is to contact your girls and parents to
tell them they are on your squad and who the coaches are. At this time you may want to find out if
any of your girls have ERE on a certain night to try to avoid scheduling conflicts.
To start out the year, it’s always a good idea to have the helpers play some games with the girls so
everyone involved can learn and get to know each other’s names and personalities.
Many coaches have preseason picnics or swimming parties that coincide with a parent’s meeting so
the girls can have fun getting to know each other while you cover information about the season with
the parents. It is a good idea if you are entertaining the girls at your home to have the parents
present. While having a parent meeting is imperative, it can be held at your practice location either
before practices begin or the first night of practice while the helpers and girls are learning.
PRACTICE
Be sure to start your season in an organized manner, therefore teaching the girls and helpers
organization skills as well. The purchase of folders for each of the girls and helpers to put daily and
weekly information, newsletters, reminders, notes (next week’s schedule, location of next game and
time, score of last game) etc in will help them along this path. Always put a name on top of
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everything you intend to hand out – this way you know who did not receive it or who left it behind. It
will be incredibly helpful if you have your girls always be prepared and have a bag for
practice/games. Things like bug spray, a towel for wet situations, rainy or cooler weather gear,
poms, their folder, cell phones, drinks, etc. belong here and not scattered all over the practice area.
This will keep your bag and car from becoming a lost and found.
Scheduling practices can be quite a jigsaw puzzle. Try to keep practices as consistent as possible
with the day, time and place in accordance with your own and your helpers’ availabilities. You must
convey to the girls that they are a team and as such they depend on each other to be there. Every
girl has a role and needs to be present! Because the girls must attend practice to be eligible to
perform for the game, you must create the best schedule possible for ALL involved. You will
practice 2-3 days per week. Three per week is recommended for the summer practices, and then
you can see where you stand when school starts.
There are attendance/evaluation sheets for you to use. It is very important to keep a written record
of attendance and other factors in case a disciplinary situation should arise.
Excused Absences
Family emergencies by individual case
Family pre-planned vacations in writing
Church activities
School activities
Illness
Unexcused Absences
Another sport or class
Birthday parties
Missed because “I forgot”
Relative visiting from out of town
Children at practice: you cannot run a successful practice and properly watch your younger children
at the same time.
All practices must be held at a Plainfield public park, and in some instances a Plainfield school. Our
insurance will not cover a practice at someone’s home or business. If you have practice at home,
you will be dismissed from coaching. Since all squads are made up from girls from all over
Plainfield, and the helpers have to come or get a ride from their high school, it is recommended that
you pick a central location to practice for the summer. We highly encourage squads to use the
parks at Village Green and Settler’s Park as they are centrally located and have ample space. This
would also make speaking to other coaches, receiving materials and orders, etc.
Watch the weather. Remember they play football in the rain, so rain does not necessarily need to
cancel a practice – it is okay as long is there is no lightening. From about mid-September until the
end of the season the practices will be moved into the school gyms. Of course at this time we have
to take whatever space the school district is able to set aside for us. You may not acquire gym
time on your own.
Please try to refrain from chatting or doing a lot of paperwork during practice. Watch the practice
whenever possible. Give kids that are having trouble a little one on one attention so the practice
can keep moving forward.
Please refrain from smoking in front of the girls. Remember that we all need to set an example.
Smoking and drinking is prohibited at all school and park district property. This especially includes
game fields.
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It is very important to stretch before each practice. Stretching prevents injuries and promotes a
healthier body. Maybe bring special music that you use just for stretching. Have girls take turns
leading stretches WITH the helpers. Try to keep it interesting, as it is mandatory. Your helpers will
know the appropriate stretches as they are all on high school teams.
Now that practice is set up, let the helpers teach the basic techniques first. Example: high V, low V,
½ T, full T, candlesticks, table tops, buckets, goal posts, etc. Once the girls all know the basic
techniques, it is much easier to teach them cheers and dances. Please do not make the mistake of
assuming they know something they have not been taught.
While the helpers should have a good grasp on placement in formations, be sure that the tall or
bigger girls are not in the back only because of their size. The girls should know it is an honor to be
in the front row. Then they will work harder towards this privilege. Having the same girls in the
back would be a failure on our part. However, should you feel after doing everything in your power
to help them along, or they are not practicing at home, some girls may need to be in the back, or at
least not in the front so they have someone to watch. Make sure that everyone gets a chance in
the front row during the season.
VERY IMPORTANT: Throughout the season, guard your music like it is gold. Under no
circumstances should you ever have just one tape or CD – this is guaranteed to cause you grief.
Whenever music is decided upon or put together, make multiple copies immediately for coaches
and helpers. Following this guideline will eliminate many headaches and embarrassments.
You will find that as a coach you will be dropping a little money here and there on your squad.
Every coach wants her girls to have the best season yet! However, for major purchases, please
collect from the parents. At the beginning of the season you should tell them you are taking a
collection of $25 per girl and when it is due. This money will go towards things like: hair bows,
batteries, hair ties, printing, music, run throughs, blank CD’s, gifts for the girls, whatever team
expenses you should run into. It may be fair to warn them that depending, you may be asking for
another small collection at the end of the season for end of year parties. However, any collection
beyond the original $25 must be approved by the parents. So ration your collection money wisely.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
When it comes to conflict (and you will have them), give advice on how to resolve it or a
compromise, but do not get involved in the conflict yourself. Lead by example how to work through
issues with parents and other coaches.
Be careful how you speak to the children, or to parents about children. Always try to keep it
positive, even when trying to explain negativity.
“Mary, your turns and facials were fabulous today. How about practicing some extra toe touches at
home and before you know it the will be as great as your turns and facials!”
Positive reinforcement will get you everything! If you see a girl that you or the other girls have
struggled with during practice, take her afterwards and give her a big hug – it will be healthy for both
of you! “I realize this was a tough practice for you. Keep working at it and everything will fall into
place before you know it!”
Never criticize a coach, helper, or parent in front of the girls. Show them that pettiness is not
acceptable. When dealing with parents, you have to be patient and understanding – they see a
smaller picture than you sometimes. Sometimes just pointing that out with a full explanation of the
situation will be enough to avoid conflict. Choose your battles wisely. Be careful and considerate
when asking for parents for money. Remember that everyone is on a different budget. On the
other hand be more demanding when asking them to be timely.
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Unfortunately, there may be times when you have a disciplinary problem. This could result in the
child being benched for the next game. Please notify the Commissioners and VP as ANY conflicts
begin to arise. It will be much easier on all if we are all apprised of the situations as they develop
than to try to go back in time.
A great form of positive reinforcement could be awards. Printing something fun on the computer
and having handy for practices can go a long way (as long as you are fair!). Awards can be for
anything: effort, attitude, showmanship, facials, turns, jumps, straight arms, best smile, etc. A
sucker or piece of candy could make them even more special and fun. Everyone loves recognition!
DISCIPLINE
1. All cheer participants are expected to attend all scheduled practices wearing appropriate
practice clothes: tennis shoes (or if you require their cheer/pom shoes), socks, shirt, stretch
type shorts/sweats and absolutely no jewelry of any kind. Each team sets its own practice
times (don’t forget about your helpers schedules). If a participant is absent from a
scheduled practice the following disciplinary action will take place:
a. Excused absence (The coach must be notified PRIOR to practice) With one or more
excused absences in a week, the performance time may be affected. Three excused
absences count as one unexcused absence. Preplanned vacations must be
discussed with coach at least one week prior or it will be considered unexcused.
b. Unexcused absence
May affect performance time – verbal warning. This is not fair for their team mates as
perfromances are affected by absence or tardiness.
2. Child is chronically 10 minutes or more late for practices and her parents are
10 minutes or more late to pick her up after practices – this includes early dismissals. After
two occurrences this will be counted as an unexcused absence.
It is encouraged that you to find out what the true reason for the tardiness is – young girls
that get rides can’t control their parents, it may be resolved by a simple carpool.
3. Any school or law enforcement punishment will be upheld by PJC with any child. That is, if
a child is suspended from school, that child will also be suspended from the PJC program
for the same amount of time. Dependent on the length of suspension or circumstance, it
could result in removal from the program.
4. If a child is late for her pregame practice and doesn’t notify the coach, it will be taken for
granted that they are not coming and the routine will be reworked without them. Therefore,
they will be able to do sidelines, but not the halftime routine. You are strongly encouraged
to give the parent’s cell a call at 15 minutes late. At 30 minutes late you can bench them for
a quarter or the halftime. Please take their situation into account when making your
decision and should you have to make a decision that affects anyone’s performance time,
please notify Travel VP and Travel Commissioner.
5. Parents must stay visible to the coach during the game or their daughter will be benched.
6. If a cheer/pom misses a game the following actions will occur:
a. At the Board’s discretion, a verbal warning to the child or a formal written warning to
the child and the parent(s) will be given; performance time may be affected.
b. For incidents following a WRITTEN warning, the parent and the child will be brought
before the Executive Board for suspension or removal.
c. To be eligible to continue participation, any child suspended from a game for
disciplinary reasons MUST attend all practices and games while suspended, even
though she is benched.
Excused or Unexcused, if a child misses 3 games she will be removed from the program.
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7. No participant is to verbally or physically abuse any Coach, Player, Parent, Helper, or Fellow
Squad Member. This will result in being benched. If problems persist, could result in
dismissal from the squad.
8. Each girl is under the direct supervision of her coach. The Coach has the authority to bench
any girl for disciplinary reasons or absences (of course notifying Travel VP and Travel
Commissioner). Any player that has an extreme disciplinary problem may be dismissed
from the squad.
9. At the end of the regular season, there is the opportunity for each girl to attend competition
as part of the team. This is not mandatory. Having used your evaluation sheets
consistently throughout the year can provide a good record of any girl(s) you feel would not
benefit from competition or spoil the experience for the rest of the team. So should the
coaches feel in absolutely necessary to “cut” someone before forming the competition squad
– please notify Travel VP and Travel Commissioner first for discussion. It is prudent to tell
the girls from the beginning that they are being evaluated at every game and practice and
on what points. If girls are involved in competition, practice must still be attended and all
rules followed. There will be additional expenses involved.
a. Any cheer/pom that misses two unexcused competition practices may be cut from
the competition squad provided the head coach has discussed it with the Travel VP
and Travel Commissioner first.
b. Girls participating in competition will have a commitment letter for themselves and
their parents to sign.
10. Girls must look and dress appropriate for games. They may not roll their skirts and
Pants. They may not have unnatural hair color, body piercings, or tattoos. No make-up with
the exception of a light coat of mascara. Parents may be sent home to retrieve any missing
part of her uniform – provided coaches communicated clearly what they game attire for that
week was to be.
HIGH SCHOOL HELPERS
While Coaches supervise and Helpers teach, both must work together. Ultimately it is the Coaches
who are in charge of supervision of the entire practice, as they are the adults. Please remember
that the helpers are someone’s children also. Should you have any problems or issues with your
helpers, please notify the Travel VP and Travel Commissioner.
The Coaches need to be cognizant of the routines and have the final say. If it does not feel right,
look appropriate, or look safe – do not do it no matter what kind of reaction you may get from the
team or the helpers.
Take note that helpers that are Juniors and Seniors usually work, in addition to school and their
own team games and practices so they may be unable to attend as many of your team’s games.
On the other hand, helpers that are Fresh and Soph may need more help with structure and
direction, and sometimes rides – especially if it is a game. Having one upper classman and a lower
classman would be a great combination. It is not advisable to use Freshman solely to help for JV or
Varsity teams. The ages are very close and that tends to come a lack of respect. In any case, we
actively recruit helpers to teach all our girls. They are required to be in good standing with their
high school, and currently on a high school squad.
It would be best for your squad if your helpers could make it to your games. Please encourage this
behavior whenever possible. While at games they need to set a good example for the girls like no
eating, and no practicing off to the side during games. Make sure they are respectful of the
National Anthem.
Ideally, each team will have at least 2 halftime routines.
TEACH THE GAME
The Poms and Cheerleaders are an extension of the football team. The players are in charge of
the field and we are in charge of the fans. Take the time to teach the girls some of the
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fundamentals of the game and help them get interested in what is happening on the field. This
would be a great way to get some Dads involved. Invite them to a special practice to help teach the
girls the game of football. Be sure that they keep it simple. Define things like offense defense,
special teams, end zone, touch down, field goal, 1st down, etc. Another way to teach the girls would
be to contact your head football coach and see if the girls could visit one of their practices or
scrimmages. In the process you will find they enjoy being there much more. It is easier to get
excited and show your spirit when you know what is going on!
Coaches and Helpers must teach together the appropriate time for a cheer. If your team is losing
28 to 0 with 1 minute left in the game, it is not a good time for “we’re going to the top and we can’t
be stopped”. It is however a good time for “we are proud of you” cheer. If the other team has the
ball, that is no time for “we want a touchdown”.
If at all possible, we would like the poms and cheer from each level to have a practice together
where cheer could go through the sidelines with poms and poms could teach cheer a sideline
dance. Working together the whole 4th quarter of the game will be more fun and lessen any “split”
between the girls.
Girls cannot take off to the bathrooms (at game or practice) without their adult escort. You are
responsible for them and their behavior whether on the field or inside a school.
UNIFORMS
The Skirts belong to PJC. Because of this they needed to be cared for properly so they can last for
many years. They are obviously not ordered to fit each individual girl. No alterations are allowed.
They can be pinned provided the pins are removed before they are turned in. Uniforms should be
washed in cold water on gentle cycle and laid flat to dry. Uniforms should be clean and ready for
every game. If the uniforms are damaged in any way those parents are responsible for paying for
the replacement. Do not dry clean the uniforms.
The girls are not allowed to eat at games. This keeps the uniforms clean and unstained!). Please
advise parents that the girls are not to eat in their uniforms so they are properly fed before the
games. Also, only clear liquids are allowed for drinking while in uniform. No red stuff, no hot cocoa,
etc. Please have parents keep all these points in mind, even for the after game treats and drinks.
PREGAME
The squads are responsible for a “hoop” or “run through” for the beginning of each game. It is
easier on the squads financially to work together on them somehow. You can purchase PVC pipe
at a hardware store for the frame – they will cut it for you. They also sell elbows. Be sure not to
glue your frame together, it will be too difficult to transport. Copley News Press on Rt 30 and 135 th
sells end rolls of newspaper inexpensively. Put your run through together on the field where the
boys will run through it. The run through is for all girls at that game – it is a fun time. Try to allow all
girls (cheer and pom) opportunity to work on or decorate it if possible. If the same girls are only
allowed this will create bitter feelings. No matter who makes the hoop, all cheerleaders line up with
the hoop and do cheers as the boys run through. Cheer is also responsible for tootsies, which is
touchdown candy. So start saving your toilet paper rolls now, ask the parents for help. Fill the rolls
with candy and tie tissue paper around the ends with ribbons. The girls throw these out to the
home crowd when our team scores touchdowns.
Before each game you need to take a roster to the person who will be announcing the girls at
halftime. This person should head to the booth at the 2-minute mark. This roster should include
the title of the squad (i.e. 2011 Bantam Steelers Cheerleading Team), names of the girls on the
squad, the names of the High School helpers and the names of the coaches. If you run off several
of these at the beginning of the season, you will be set for all the games.
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Most teams do an alternating schedule for treats and drinks where each girl is responsible for
bringing enough for the squad and helpers. Take some time to think this through so it is split
evenly. This is to be done at the end of every game.
FRIDAY BEFORE GAMES
The girls are allowed to wear their uniforms to school, provided the fit the school dress code. This
most likely means they will need to wear their T-Shirt. Warm-ups are always acceptable. You may
need to remind the girls to wear PJC wear on the school day before games. The also need to be
reminded that the boys are not put on teams by age, but by weight and height. This means they
may need to be spirited and friendly to boys younger and older that they are. Wish all the boys with
their PJC jerseys on at school good luck for the weekend.
GAME DAY
Coaches need to bring:
Roster
Loud boom box with extra batteries
Music (extra copies)
Touchdown Candy
Run Through or Hoop
First Aid Kits
Girls need to bring:
Appropriate uniform (what you have told them to wear)
Drinking Water
Treats/Snacks if it is their turn
Inclement weather gear (shoes, rain gear, warm ups, etc)
Squads should be at their game 45 minutes before the scheduled start. This gives you time to
regroup, practice, put together hoop, etc. Make sure you practice in an out of the way area. Try to
let everyone know ahead of time where to meet. Make sure all parents know how to get there.
Always remember to stretch first. Your pregame practice should be like any other practice, with no
distractions.
If there is a football injury on the field, the girls should sit/squat/take a knee at their place. When
the injured player comes off the field, it is proper to clap for him.
Halftime is your time to show off your stuff! Cheer routines should take no more than 2 minutes if
doing both sides. No matter the game, all coaches should decide who will approach the girl’s
representative from the other team before the game as to the order of performances. Also, the
opposing girls may be of a different age or skill level then ours so please be sure your cheer squads
are courteous and respectful of their performances by sitting quietly and watching. Have music
queued and ready for performance. It works well if there is a coach on the field with the girls and
another in the booth to announce and play music.
All the girls must stay until the end of the game. Please try to collect your and your squad’s
belongings and move to another spot to regroup ASAP so the next teams can get settled in for their
game.
Try to avoid giving out information, paperwork, etc at the games as it is a busy time and usually will
be forgotten and/or left behind. And of course you have to be sure your squad has left no mess and
their spots are cleaner than when they arrived.
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HOMECOMING
While Plainfield has 4 Houses, we have one central Homecoming Parade that all of Plainfield’s
organizations can participate in. We have a great time showing all of Plainfield our stuff, having a
post parade get-together, etc. Football, Cheer and Pom from Travel and In House participate.
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