Dance Team Rules
Responsibilities
Dancers will perform for all HOME games, both BOYS and GIRLS basketball, as well as all playoff games both HOME and AWAY.
Dancers are expected to be positive role models in AND OUT of school. You are expected to maintain passing grades in all subject areas and should not be involved with any type of inappropriate behavior and/or discipline problem.
You must dance in ¾ of all games to receive recognition.
The dance program serves as a support group for the Cherokee Basketball program. The team will strive to boost school spirit, promote good sportsmanship, develop positive crowd involvement, and develop proper skills and techniques as they relate to dancing.
Your commitment to the team is made at the time of tryouts and continues until basketball season is officially over. It is your job to communicate if you cannot make a practice/game. Failure to let coaches know will result in disciplinary action. See "Disciplinary Actions" for information on consequences of missing games/practices.
Alcohol/Drugs have no place in the diet of a dancer. Being under the influence, having possession of, or distributing alcohol/drugs on school property or at school-sponsored events is a serious violation of BOE policy and will result in suspension and possible removal from the program.
Dancers are to be humble and gracious in both their actions and their words. Thus, the internet is not to be used to put down or demean any other school, sport or activity program, and/or team or squad at Cherokee or any school.
Attitude comes before skill. No outside drama will be permitted on the team and those involved will be subject to removal from the team.
Safety
An adequate warm-up including stretching shall precede all practices and games. You must be present for stretching in order to practice for the day.
Jewelry and gum chewing is prohibited during practices and games. This includes body piercing such as tongue, navel, cartilage, etc. If not able to remove, they must be covered properly.
All injuries must be reported to the coach immediately. If your injury limits your performance of any dance skills, tumbling, jumps, etc. in any way, you will NOT be permitted to dance at the games until you can return to full capacity and doctors approval.
All training room visits must be completed during L&L or before the start of practice.
Uniforms
Standard uniform includes leggings, top, sneakers/shoes/socks, and dance poms.
Uniforms will be collected after the season. If items are damaged or lost, the dancer will be responsible for their replacement.
At the start of the week, coaches will decide and let dancers know which uniform/hairstyle they will be wearing to that weeks games. Do not deviate from standard uniform or you will have to sit from the game.
Captains/Co-Captains
Captains are responsible for ensuring both groups understand the goals of the practice and the plan of action for the day. (before practices and games) Direct questions pertaining to formation and or moves to the captain first.
Captains are responsible for leading stretching, keeping the team on task, and leading game day routine.
Co-Captains are responsible for stepping in if captain(s) are absent from a practice or game.
Captains are to articulate individual/squad concerns to the coach as they arise and are responsible for maintaining a productive and safe practice/game environment.
Practices
Practices will be held according to the calendar posted on our dance website.
You should be dressed (hair pulled back securely), jewelry removed, and be ready to practice at the start of the scheduled practice time.
Arriving to practice after the scheduled time will be considered an unexcused late and the dancer will be disciplined accordingly.
You must be at school by 11:00 am to attend that day’s practice/game. Dancers must attend the last practice before their game in order to cheer in the respective game.
If you are absent from school, you should notify your coach prior to 2:00.
Talking, display of poor attitude, and other distractions, that disrupt practice, will not be tolerated. Dancers will be verbally warned no more than two times per day of the infraction. On the third infraction, the dancer will be dismissed from the practice and will required to sit out but be present.
Homework, bags, and cell phones are to remain away during practices.
Games
Attend every game. Whether dancing or sitting out.
Arrive to all home games dressed and ready to dance.
If a dancer sits out a game due to an injury or illness, she may dance in the next game provided she has a written note from a physician.
Cell phones should remain in your bags during games. You may use it at halftime and when the game is finished.
When you are dancing at a game, you are NOT to be talking with anyone who is at the game unless we are on a planned break time. This includes friends, family, etc. You are there to dance and support your fellow athletes.
Disciplinary Action
In school and missed game for unexcused reason (including teacher detention)
Sit all dances next game
2 lates to practice
Sit for 1 dance
Not dressed appropriately for game day at school
1st time- Warning
2nd time- Sit 1 dance
Not dressed in full uniform for the game
1st - Sit 1 dance
2nd time - Sit all dances
Unexcused absence to practice (excused absence is a doctors appointment with note, driver’s test, or funeral)
1st time- Warning
2nd time- Sit 1 dance
All Dancers must be picked up by 30 minutes after the end of practice
1st time- Warning
2nd time- Sit 1 dance
4th time- Meeting with Athletic Director
** REMEMBER: THE ONLY EXCUSED ABSENCES ARE WITH A DOCTOR’S NOTE OR THE UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER. NO EXCEPTIONS!!