FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the 2023 CYF Cheerleading program include?
Cheerleaders will be outfitted with a a cheer uniform (to be returned at the end of the season) and a hair bow to keep.
New cheerleaders receive pom-poms and cheer briefs to keep.
Cheerleaders will attend a three-day cheerleading camp where they will learn cheerleading skills and fundamentals. All cheerleaders will receive a CYF cheer T-shirt. Camp sessions typically last about 2 hours.
Cheer squads will perform at CYF regular-season and playoff games from late-August thru late-October.
Cheer squads will perform their routines at our annual Cheer Expedition in October, a fun cheerleading exhibition that showcases our CYF cheerleaders. Girls can also showcase their jump & advanced tumbling skills. Medals are awarded to all participants.
Cheerleaders receive a gift at their end-of-season banquet.
What can I expect my daughter to gain through this program?
Our program is designed to (1) encourage physical activity and fitness; (2) build self-confidence; (3) help girls become comfortable performing in front of large crowds; (4) teach girls about teamwork & sportsmanship; and (5) teach girls focus as they work toward set goals.
Our program teaches the fundamentals of cheerleading: cheer motions with correct arm placement, jump technique, voice projection, showmanship, etc. Girls will learn many sideline chants and the motions to the Chardon Fight Song. They will also learn a halftime routine consisting of a cheer and short dance.
What is the game attire? Will I need to purchase anything other than the items provided?
The cheerleading uniform consists of a sleeveless shell and skirt. These two items need to be returned at the end of the season in reasonable condition in order to avoid being charged for their replacement. Cheer briefs & poms are provided to new cheerleaders and are to be reused each year they return. Returning girls can purchase replacement briefs and replacement poms. Girls are given new hair bows each year.
It is up to the cheerleader to supply her own cheer/athletic shoes and socks. Many squads require white athletic shoes and no-show socks. This is at the discretion of individual coaches; they will let you know their requirements at the beginning of the season.
When it gets cold, many cheer coaches suggest various items to be worn under the cheer uniforms such as a turtleneck, yoga pants, leggings etc. Your cheer coach will let you know which items are preferred at the beginning of the season so you have ample time to acquire these items before the weather gets cold.
We sell two items at registration and at the clinics that are very popular with the girls. The first is a red drawstring pom bag embroidered with the cheerleader’s first name. These are great for protecting their poms. We also sell a black hooded full-zip windbreaker with the girls last name on the back. Many girls wear these to games. Purchase of these items is not required.
We also sell additional cheerleading spirit wear throughout the season. Proceeds from apparel sales will be used towards the purchase of new uniforms for our league. Purchase of these items is not required.
How many cheerleading squads are there? What is a typical squad size?
The number of squads is determined by the number of football teams. In 2022, we had 5 cheer squads. Squads ranged from 16-24 girls.
How are cheerleading squads determined?
When placing cheerleaders, first consideration is given to siblings of football players to ensure that sisters are cheering for their brother’s team. We also ensure that sibling cheerleaders are placed on the same squad. When possible, we will honor requests for specific cheerleading coaches. Once those considerations are made, we do our best to even out squads in terms of size and age range.
When will I hear from our cheerleading coach?
Cheerleading squads are determined by mid-July once the CYF football draft has occurred and sibling placements are made. You can expect to hear from your cheerleading coach during the second half of July.
When & where will my daughter have cheerleading practice?
The cheerleading practice schedule is determined by individual cheerleading coaches. Practice usually begins in late July or early August and is typically twice a week during the summer. Once school begins, cheerleaders will continue to have practice once or twice per week up until the Cheer Challenge in early/mid-October. After the Cheer Challenge, squads no longer practice, but continue to cheer at games for the remainder of the season.
How many games are there? How long are the games? Do we cheer the entire game?
CYF football games are once per week on either a Saturday or Sunday. There are typically 6 games in the regular season beginning in mid-August and running through mid-October. Playoffs begin in mid-October. If your team makes it to the Super Bowl, you will cheer for that game as well. The 2023 Super Bowl will be in late-October.
Games typically last 90 minutes. Cheerleaders cheer for the entire first half and perform a half-time routine. Girls get a break for the remainder of half-time. It is up to individual coaches to determine whether the girls take a break through all or part of the third quarter. Girls are expected to cheer the entire fourth quarter.
Where do the games take place?
Half of the regular season games typically are played at home on the Chardon High School Football field. The other three games are played in the cities of our fellow Great Lakes Youth Football League (GLYFL) teams: Kirtland, Willoughby, Wickliffe, Willowick, Painesville & Mentor. The GLYFL website posts addresses for the football fields in these cities. For the two playoff games, typically one game is home in Chardon & the other away. The Super Bowl is held in Chardon.
What can I expect from the Cheerleading Camp?
The Cheer Camp will be the last week in July. Expect an hour and a half, early evening each day. This camp serves as a kick-off to our cheerleading program each year. New cheerleaders will be introduced to cheerleading fundamentals. They will also be introduced to the Chardon Fight Song motions. More experienced cheerleaders will work on fine-tuning their skills and will be exposed to more advanced cheerleading techniques. All participants will learn 5-7 sideline chants.
What is the Cheer Expedition?
Our annual Cheer Challenge is a fun event for the girls, giving them a chance to be in the spotlight and showcase what they learned throughout the season. CYF Cheerleading is the host of this event; it is held at Chardon High School at the football field (back up is the CHS gym), typically in early-/mid-October. All CYF squads participate in the Cheer Expedition, each performing their unique halftime routine. All participants receive a medal.
In addition to squad performances, individual girls will have the option to participate in the jump-off and/or tumble-off. Girls are grouped and ranked by age. Jump-off participants perform a toe-touch. Tumble-off participants perform the minimum of a bank handspring. All participants are awarded a medal.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Email us with questions at chardoncheer@gmail.com or contact Christine Weidig 216-314-3060