RICHWOODS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING
CONSTITUTION
GOALS:
1. The cheerleading program will strive to promote self-esteem, athletic skills,
responsibility, teamwork, and organizational skills.
2. We will strive to maintain enthusiasm, good sportsmanship, school spirit, leadership, and
a positive representation of Richwoods High School.
MEMBERSHIP:
1. Members are Richwoods High School students who will be selected through official
tryouts.
2. Members will abide by the rules of this constitution, the RHS administration, RHS
athletics handbook, National Federation of State High School Association, the Illinois
Cheerleading Coaches Association, and the IHSA.
3. Members must have a yearly medical exam and school insurance and/or a waiver on file
in the main office.
DUTIES OF THE FOOTBALL CHEERLEADERS:
Junior Varsity Football Cheerleader
1. Cheer all home and conference football games and other games as noted by the coach
2. Cheer the first half of the homecoming varsity game.
3. Assist with the clinic performance at the varsity game
4. Pregame routine for homecoming game
5. Make posters and signs to promote RHS events
6. Help with the craft show, craft show set-up, and rummage sale
7. Perform at Homecoming pep assembly
8. Acquire advertisements for the cheerleading clinic
9. Attend summer camp(s)
10. Other duties may include ways to promote school spirit such as baking goods, putting
together gift bags, and others as needed by the coach.
11. Attend all practices (may include summer practices)
12. Positively represent Richwoods High School in and out of uniform
Varsity Football Cheeleaders
1. Cheer all home and away games, including tournament games, for football season
2. Prepare all events for the clinic
3. Acquire advertisements for the clinic
4. Help with the craft show, craft show set-up, and rummage sale
5. Paint signs and posters to promote RHS events
6. Attend sumer camp(s)
7. Attend all practices (may include summer practices)
8. Prepare and perform a homecoming routine
9. Organize pep assemblies
10. Assist JV in game preparation.
11. Other duties include ways to promote school spirit as designated by the coach
12. Positively represent Richwoods High School in and out of uniform
In order to perform all of the duties of a football cheerleader, fall sports are prohibited. If at any
time any cheerleader is unable to perform all of the duties outlined above, a conference will be
held with the cheerleader to determime her future on the squad. All persepctive cheerleaders
need to be aware of the duties and the consequences (dismissal) of not fulfilling the duties of
being a Richwoods High School Cheerleader.
DUTIES OF THE BASKETBALL CHEERLEADERS
Junior Varsity Basketball Cheerleaders
1. Cheer all regular season Sophomore basketball games. These games preceed Varsity
games. (JV will travel with the varsity team)
2. Cheer pregame of the home varsity basketball games
3. Assemble and put away the shield for all home basketball games
4. Make posters and signs to promote RHS events
5. Help with the craft show and craft show set-up and work the day of the craft show
6. Attend summer camp(s)
7. Other duties may include ways to promote school spirit such as baking goods, putting
together gift bags, and others as needed by the coach.
8. Attend all practices
9. Cheer for designated girls’ basketball games
10. If chosen, prepare for and compete in an IHSA cheerleading sectional and other
competitions.
11. Positively represent Richwoods High School in and out of uniform
Vasity Basketball Cheerleaders
1. Cheer all home and away games, including tournament games
2. Be able to perform all of the athletic requirements of a varsity cheerleader, including
a standing backflip
3. Prepare for and compete in an IHSA cheerleading sectional and other competitions
4. Help with the craft show and the craft show set-up
5. Paint signs and posters to promote RHS events
6. Attend sumer camp
7. Attend all practices
8. Cheer any post season basketball games
9. Organize pep assemblies
10. Assist Freshman/JV in game preparation
11. Other duties include ways to promote school spirit as designated by the coach
12. Cheer Thanksgiving and Christmas/Holiday tournaments
13. Cheer for designated girls’ basketball games
14. Positively represent Richwoods High School in and out of uniform
In order to perform all of the duties of a basketball cheerleader, winter sports are
prohibited. The varsity basketball cheerleaders will cheer for both Thanksgiving and
Christmas/Holiday tournaments. These are required activities, so please make your plans
accordingly. Additionally, varsity juniors and seniors will be waived from P.E as a competitive
cheerleading squad. If, at any time, any cheerleader is unable to perform all of the duties
outlined above, a conference will be held with the cheerleader to determime her future on the
squad. All perspective cheerleaders need to be aware of the duties and the consequences
(dismissal) of not fulfilling the duties of being a Richwoods High School Cheerleader. An
alternate may be chosen for each position by the coach. If someone is unable to perform, she
may be replaced by the alternate until she can perform.
ATTIRE
1. Because you will be representing Richwoods High School, you must dress according to
the IHSA and RHS rules.
2. You will follow these rules each and every time you wear your uniform, including when
you wear the uniform at school.
3. No jewelry will be worn with your uniform at any time.
4. All cheerleaders must match. If one person wishes to wear their warm up jacket, all girls
must wear their jacket. (This includes socks, hair ribbons, beads on shoes)
5. PANTS or SKIRT – not both! Cheerleaders will NOT wear their warm up pants under
their skirts. If you think it’s going to be chilly, wear pants only.
6. Cheerleading shoes will be worn with the uniform – no Ugg boots or sandals. (it is
suggested to not wear your game shoes other than for games)
7. Hair must be pulled back, off the face. If your hair is longer than shoulder length, it must
be pulled completely up.
8. Nails are not to be longer than your finger tips. This is a safety issue!
9. GLITTER is not to be worn with or on the uniform.
PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
1. Cheerleaders are expected to be on time and prepared for practice.
2. Cheerleaders must be dressed appropriately in athletic clothes(no jeans etc) and shoes for
practice.
3. Be prepared with weather appropriate clothing (football). If it is supposed to be chilly,
bring sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc.
4. There will be a work out routine embedded in each practice (includes running, sit ups,
push ups, leg lifts, etc.)
5. Practices will be held after school until 4:45.
6. Additional practices may be required for special events. THESE AND ALL
PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY!
7. NO ONE MAY LEAVE PRACTICE EARLY FOR ANY REASON. Routine
appointments such as orthodontist, hair, dentist, and doctor must be scheduled after
practice or on days that there is no practice, or it will be an UNEXCUSED absence.
8. If you are in school, you are expected to be at practice. NO EXCEPTIONS.
9. No food or drink will be allowed in the practice area.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Transport your daughter to Richwoods, practice facilities, or other CONFERENCE
schools for games. Transportation to out of town and non-conference games will be
provided. In this case, the cheerleaders are required to ride to and from the games with
the team. The only exception to this rule is if you are leaving for an out-of-town trip
directly from the game. This must be pre-arranged.
2. Purchase shoes, socks, green briefs “greenies”, a white body suit, and possibly an
additional pair of briefs for your daughter.
3. Expenses will include camp (approx $300-$350)
4. Although you may be asked to help with clinic, the balloon launch or other
unmentionables, THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THAT YOU HELP WITH THE
CRAFT SHOW. THIS IS THE FIRST SATURDAY IN DECEMBER. WE NEED
HELP BOTH THE DAY OF THE SHOW AND THE EVENING BEFORE TO SET
UP.**THIS IS OUR BIG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR. RETURNING
CHEERLEADERS WHO HAVE PARENTS WHO WORK THE CRAFT SHOW GET
$$$ OFF OF THEIR CAMP COSTS.
5. Help with uniform alterations, repairs, and maintainance The parent/guardian of each
cheerleader is responsible for the restitution whenever an item is lost or damaged.
GAME/COMPETITION EXPECTATIONS
1. Cheerleaders must be at each assigned game 45 min. prior to the
start of the game to warm up and stretch. This time will be on
your calendar.
2. Each cheerleader will be expected to learn a list of chants by the first game.
3. Each cheerleader is expected to SING (or mouth) the National Anthem and school songs.
4. When not cheering, (halftime, before/after games, during Varsity game, etc.) each
cheerleader is expected to act appropriately in their uniform. No PDA, disrespect, or
obnoxiousness is allowed and will result in demerits.
5. Cheerleaders should be prepared for every game and every situation. You are to have all
warm ups, uniforms and accessories with you, even if you planned on wearing warmups. Illinois weather can change on a whim, and if the majority of the squad wants to
change, the entire squad changes. If one cheerleader does not have a particular item,
nobody will change.
6. Each cheerleader will be expected to stunt and spot with her teammates. This is a very
physical activity which requires that the student pay attention and follow instructions.
When you are not in a stunt, the expectation is that you are spotting for your teammates,
no exceptions. Spotting requires being in close proximity to the stunt, having your eyes
on the flier, putting your hands up, and keeping quiet to hear instructions.
RICHWOODS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING DEMERIT
SYSTEM
50 demerits=one game suspension
75 demerits=two game suspension
100 demerits=dismissal from the team
Demerits will be issued for the following offenses:
TARDY/ABSENCES
Tardy to a game…(less than 5 min)……….20
(This includes being late for the bus for away games)
More than 5 min. tardy to a game……...…..30
(This includes being late for the bus for away games)
Tardy to practice(less than 5 min.)………...10
More than 5 min tardy to practice………….15
Unexcused absence from practice………….25
Unexcused absence from a game…….…….50
IMPROPER ATTIRE
Games (make-up, glitter, jewelry, socks)….....20
(uniform, shoes)…………………..…..40
School (glitter, jewelry, socks, shoes, etc)……30
Practices (work-out clothes..not jeans, socks, tennis shoes only , jewelry,)…….15
BEHAVIOR
Insubordination………………………………...40
Disrespectful, inappropriate language or behavior(PDA)....25
Poor Sportsmanship……………………………30
Late turning in forms/$ etc…………………….10
Gum/Candy/Nail Polish……………………….10
Inappropriate Hair(must be up and out of face/no bangs below eyebrows) ..20
Leaving property/uniforms behind………………...……10
Continued insubordination will result in demerits, suspension, or immediate dismissal.
The coach’s decision is final. It is impossible to list every reason for discipline/demerits, so
the coach reserves the right to issue demerits for other inappropriate behaviors as well.
Cheerleaders may be given the opportunity to run off some of their demerits for first
offenses. The demerit list is being given to you as a guideline so that you may know and
understand the expectations set forth from the beginning of the year. To have a successful
cheerleading progam, it is important that everyone accept and and understand the rules.
Please take the time to carefully read the rules.