• Rec cheerleading is meant to be a fun, safe and positive experience for all cheerleaders and coaches.
• Head coaches are responsible for ensuring all practices run smoothly and effectively.
• All Head and Assistant cheerleading coaches must be approved by the HPMF board. Proof of coaching NAYS certifications and background checks (every 2 years), must be presented prior to the start of practices.
• Head coaches are the first in line to handle and issues or conflicts that may occur.  If an issue or conflict cannot be resolved with the Head coach, please contact the Cheer Director. 
• Head coaches are responsible for making practice schedules for their team.
• Teams can practice up to 3 times per week in the season (August - November).
• All practices will be held at Woodbourne Park unless noted by the Cheer Director in advance.
• Assistant coaches are to assist head coaches in making sure all of the above rules are followed. 
• HPMF Recreation cheerleading follows the National Federation of High School Cheerleading rules.  Coaches must use their best discretion when having cheerleaders practice and perform stunting and tumbling.
• Attendance at all cheerleading practices, events and games is essential to have a successful team! Not having a complete team at practice makes it very difficult to practice half time routines and stunting.
• All cheerleaders must attend all practices and games for the duration of the season.  Missing practice should only be due to illness or extenuating circumstances.  If a cheerleader misses a practice regardless of circumstance, changes to the routine may be made resulting in the cheerleader not performing at halftime for the upcoming game.  They will however be allowed to cheer with the team on the sidelines during the game.  If missing practice becomes excessive the Cheer Director must be notified.
• If a cheerleader will be missing a practice or game, please contact the head coach as soon as possible so changes can be made for the routine.
• Please be on time for games and practices so they can start promptly. Many coaches require the team to arrive one hour prior to the start of the game. Please keep this in mind when making your schedule during the season.
• During all games, cheerleaders must be in proper uniform which includes:
  Uniform Top, Uniform Skirt, Red briefs, white no show socks and white cheerleading sneakers.  Uniform body liners and black leggings should be worn depending on the weather at the discretion of the head coach.  Hair must be pulled off the face in a ponytail with the HP Cheer hair bow.  Poms must be brought to all practices and games and used at the discretion of the coaches. 
• Jackets may be worn on the sidelines only for cold/rainy weather.  Jackets or sweatshirts should match HP Colors.
• Jewelry is not allowed to be worn during any practice or game. This is for the safety of your cheerleader and his/her teammates.
• Cheerleaders will line up in two lines in the designated area for cheerleading at all games. Sideline cheers must be performed for the entire game. 
• Cheerleaders must stay with their team and coaches for the duration of the entire game.  Cheerleaders may not go to the snack stand during their game.  Snacks will be provided at half time for the team after they perform and watch the opposing teams cheerleaders.
• Please make sure cheerleaders use the restroom before practices and games to avoid interrupting practices and games.
• All coaches and participants must understand that games may be played on hot, cold, rainy, and/or snowy days.  HPMF will take players health and safety into consideration in determining whether or not games will be played.  If games are being played, all teams/squads should be in attendance.
• If weather causes a practice or game to be cancelled the coaches will notify the team as soon as possible.
• All participants cheering, including coaches, must conduct themselves in a well behaved manner.  Any profanity, unsportsmanlike conduct towards other players, coaches, officials or staff will cause the participant to be asked to leave.  The Cheer Director and/or any HPMF board member must be immediately notified.
• Our goal is to ensure safe and respectful participation in social media involving HPMF. Participation should be conducted with respect and safeguards of confidential information of our participants.
• Social Media is certainly a big part of what is happening today. It is important that any parent, player, family member, and coaches involved with the program who contribute to blogs, wikis, social networks, virtual worlds or any type of Social Media conduct themselves in a positive, respectful, and safe manner. (Examples: Twitter, Yelp, Wikipedia or Facebook, etc.)

1. Postings should not disclose any information that is confidential pertaining to individual, volunteer parent, children, etc that are in the HPMF program or any other teams in the league.
2. Negative comments or pictures regarding any aspect of our program or an opposing team should never be posted; this includes but is not limited to coaching, officiating, parents, staff or participants.
3. Comments that are posted that can be construed as harassment or bullying will not be tolerated.

**Failure to comply with guidelines may result in removal from the program**

Uniforms:

Uniform hand outs are held prior to pictures & pep rally at a location that will be communicated to each cheerleader by their coach. Each uniform is labeled and tracked.  There is a $150 uniform deposit which will be held until the uniform is returned, at the end of the season, in the same condition.  Your check will be returned to you at uniform returns in November.  If we do not get the uniform back or it is damaged the check will be cashed.  Cheer uniforms are hand wash ONLY. Please do not put any uniform pieces in the washer machine or dryer. If the uniform is not returned or HPMF can not cash the check that child will not be able to attend the banquet and/or receive their award.  They also will not be able to participate  in the program the following year until the uniform is returned and/or paid for.

Team Gear

Each cheerleader is responsible to secure ALL mandatory gear.  A complete listing is below and they are also identified as necessary items during your cheer registration process.  Items in good condition can be reused if the styles have not changed.  All items are available at registration.

Team Gear Includes:

Practice/Camp T-shirt (provided by league) and black shorts 
Uniform Body liner (mandatory item)
Red Briefs (mandatory item)
Chasse cheer sneakers (mandatory item)
Pom Poms (same as 2022 season. Mandatory purchase for new cheerleaders).
White no-show socks
Black leggings
Hair bow (mandatory item)

All levels/squads MUST have the same team gear! The white no-show socks, black leggings and black shorts can be purchased at any store.  Uniform body liner, red briefs, cheer sneakers, poms and hair bow are available to order at registration.

Practice Dress Code

All cheerleaders must come dressed appropriately .  Clothing must fit correctly not too big or small.  No belly shirts, no jewelry, no fake nails, no slip on sneakers.  Practice/camp clothing is available to be purchased.  All cheerleaders must come to practice in cheer sneakers, proper clothing, and hair pulled up and back.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  Proper shoes and dress code is an important factor in insuring the safety of the cheerleaders.

Game Schedule:

Posted on our website when available. ALL levels cheer at home and away games. Directions to all fields are on the website.

Forms

The following forms and paperwork needs to be in before cheer camp:

Registration form and fee
Doctors Release
Signed Parents Code of Conduct
Signed Volunteer Form and deposit check
Received 15 mandatory raffle tickets to sell