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Over 12,400 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year. That's a classroom full of children every single day, year after year.

Support Childhood Cancer by purchasing a Gold Ribbon from The Boise Noon Optimist Club.

Gold Ribbons for Childhood Cancer

Visit The Boise Noon Optimist Club for more info.






Boise Noon Optimist Youth Cheer 2006!
P.O. Box 44859, Boise, Idaho 83711
Boise, Meridian, Eagle
Email: Cheer (quickest response time)
Phone: 208 - 375-9965



Cheerleader Constitution 2006

Cheerleaders are in a position of great influence, therefore high standards of conduct are essential. Positive personal behavior and squad cohesiveness demonstrate these standards. Cheerleaders are expected to be well-mannered, courteous, respectful and considerate at all times.

Purpose of Cheerleading
1. Promote and uphold team spirit.
2. Encourage good sportsmanship among participants and spectators.
3. Promote unity within the crowd during games.
4. Strive to build relationships between other cheerleading squads.
5. Uphold the highest personal and cheerleading standards.

Values of Cheerleading
1. Leadership
2. Physical fitness, coordination, healthy lifestyle
3. Respect, courtesy, tolerance, self-control
4. Sportsmanship and citizenship
5. Sports appreciation
6. Communication skills (patience, responsibility and respect)
7. Self-confidence and personal expression
8. Character
9. Moral development

Squad Membership
1. Cheerleaders should cheer at games for the respective teams and at other events, as determined throughout the season.
2. The sizes of squads and squad placement of individuals shall be determined by the Boise Optimist Cheer Director and Cheer Coordinators.

General Cheerleader Guidelines
1. Attend practices and show cooperation with other cheerleaders and Cheer Advisor.
2. Be on time to all games and practices.
3. Show respect and be courteous to cheerleaders, administration, Cheer Advisors, officials, coaches, players, parents and visitors.
4. Attend Cheer Camp.
5. Learn cheers, chants, and routines for games.
6. Must adhere to the rules as listed in the Cheerleading Constitution.
7. Throughout the season cheerleaders will be learning new cheers and should keep a good attitude about improving cheerleading skills.
8. Responsible for providing positive leadership both when cheering and when not cheering.
9. Be aware of appearance at all times, using good grooming and dress habits.
10. Must abide by all rules and regulations of the Boise Optimist Football Program.
11. Should strive to be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
12. Should always remember that the primary responsibility is to support the athletic program.

To Cheer or not to Cheer!
Cheer…
1. “Hello” to the other team and squad.
2. Whenever play is stopped and nothing else is happening. (Football teams can take a maximum of 25 seconds between plays. The average huddle lasts about 15 seconds.)
3. Before the game, starting line-up, between quarters, time-outs and halftime.
4. Individual players entering/leaving the game, not necessarily every time defense/offense switch.
5. Injured player (either team). Wait until player is helped from the field or indicates he will remain in the game.
6. If your team is winning or losing by a wide margin, general sidelines are much more appropriate than “fight” type sidelines. A “fight” sideline is one that encourages your team to do better, even if it doesn’t have the word “fight” in it. General sidelines focus on team pride.

Don’t Cheer…
1. While an injured player is lying on the field.
2. While someone else is performing, including other cheerleaders. Try to take turns.
3. If the ball is in play, the crowd will be watching the team, not the cheerleaders.
4. If an announcer or official is speaking.

Cheerleader Conduct and Responsibilities
1. A cheerleader shall cooperate with the Cheer Advisor, game officials, and other cheerleaders.
2. A cheerleader should be enthusiastic and prepared.
3. A cheerleader should not eat, drink, or chew gum while on the field.
4. A cheerleader should not sit in the stands or on the field.
5. A cheerleader should promote good sportsmanship and team spirit. Profanity will not be tolerated, the cheerleader will be removed from the field immediately.

Cheer Advisors: Remember why we are all here
1. Fun – if it’s not fun, the kids won’t participate.
2. Skill development and fitness is a crucial aspect of fun – even more than winning. If a cheerleader is pleased with his or her performance it’s more fun!
3. Promoting being courteous and respectful to everyone.

Cheer Advisor Responsibilities
1. Attend and supervise all practices and performances. Give positive feedback to the cheerleaders, remember some cheerleaders are learning cheers for the first time.
2. All Cheer Advisors will have a background check, paid for by the Boise Optimist Club.
3. Develop agendas and run practices.
4. Keep injury records.
5. Have an emergency plan, including names and phone numbers, in case of accident or injury.
6. Help maintain adherence to the Cheerleader Constitution.
7. Work with administration.
8. Communicate with parents. Let parents know what you expect out of each practice and/or game. Identify any problems that may be occurring and deal with it right away so that it doesn’t become a bigger problem.
9. Have first aid kit at all practices and games.
10. Attend camp, when possible, to improve skills.
11. Provide motivation, consistency, and organization for squad.
12. Handle the following circumstances, some which must be evaluated with input from the Cheer Director and Cheer Coordinators and/or board:

· Failure to uphold Constitution
· Violations of rules and regulations
· Anything that harms the reputation of the program or the team/squad.


Warming up and Stretching
Cheerleaders should never perform prior to properly warming up and stretching their muscles. Please be sure to allow time for stretching for each game and practice in order to safely prepare the cheerleaders bodies to cheer.
The book Coaching Cheerleading Successfully, by Linda Rae Chappell includes the following important details regarding stretching:

Your cheerleads should do their stretching exercises as a group to keep everyone focused on the task at hand and so that you can observe the quality of each person’s involvement. This session should last at least 15 minutes… The stretching program should be organized, consistent, and thorough. All major muscle groups should be included in the stretch, such as neck, arms, shoulders, back, trunk, hamstrings, groin, hips, quads, abdominal, calves and ankles. Remember these basics for any stretching routine:

· Relaxed, sustained stretches should be held for 10-20 seconds. To increase flexibility, hold for 20-30 seconds.
· Never bounce a stretch.
· Know your limits. A small amount of discomfort may be expected. Do not over-stretch. If you feel mild tension, then relax.
· Relax the neck when bent over and never jerk the neck to any position.

Uniforms and Appearance
1. Each cheerleader is responsible for care and maintenance of her uniform. Do not alter the uniform. Skirts are the property of the Boise Optimist Football league and must be returned at the end of the year.
2. As a squad, cheerleaders first names may be “screened” inside the cheer megaphone on the shirts. No other alteration may be done.
3. Cheerleaders must wear the sanctioned uniform during games. NO EXCEPTIONS.
4. NO LOANING OR RENTING UNIFORMS OR EQUIPMENT. Loss is possible, LIABILITY is a big issue. Uniforms may only be worn in conjunction with approved Optimist events. Uniforms should be cared for very carefully in the manner specified by the maker. Please read the labels on the shirt, sweatshirt and skirt before washing and/or bleaching. Shoes should always be clean, ribbons not frayed, etc.
5. Keep hair styled neatly and out of the face.
6. Cheerleaders may wear bows, barrettes or “scrunchies” in their hair.
7. Chewing gum and wearing jewelry are prohibited at all practices and games. Earrings need to be removed before practices and games – it is a local, state and national rule for cheerleading.
8. Make-up if any, should be minimal, subject to the Cheer Advisor. We must abide by WIC and NFHSA rules that glitter is NEVER allowed as a cosmetic.
9. Nails should be manicured and kept at a length no longer than tips of fingers (again, a nation-wide safety rule). Nail polish must look natural or be a modest color.

Crowd Success
SMILE, SMILE, SMILE! Even if a cheerleader forgets a cheer, performs it sporadically, etc., what the crowd wants to see most is a cheerful, happy face and that girls are having a good time. If a cheerleader “messes up” she should not react/be dramatic. This would distract from the other girls and be “unprofessional”. Instead, she can catch up right away or simply clap along and shout the words to the end of the cheer. Thus, it keeps the focus on the squad’s performance as a whole.
One of the best ways to get your crowd to have enthusiasm is to be enthusiastic and peppy yourself. Sooner or later it will spread to the fans. Keep smiling, no matter what happens.

· Any crowd will participate, given the right situation and motivation.
· Plan ahead for which cheer will be performed next and be sure each cheerleader knows which cheer that will be.
· Cheerleaders shouldn’t demonstrate the cheer to each other while standing in front of the crowd, prior to performing it.
· Always stand in proper position with proper posture at all times. Never lean, fidget, play with hair, chatter, goof off.

Have a problem or concern?
If a situation occurs that is in need of disciplinary action or if you have a concern as a parent, please contact your Cheer Advisor. The sooner this is done, the sooner the situation can be resolved. The next person to contact will be your age group Cheer Coordinator (if you are cheering for a 9-year old football team, your Coordinator is the 9-year old Cheer Coordinator). The Cheer Coordinator will try to resolve the problem and if necessary will contact the Cheer Director/Asst. Cheer Director. If absolutely necessary, we will involve the Boise Optimist Liaison. Disciplinary action will follow the Boise Optimist Football program’s procedures.
Please remember that this program has been developed for the cheerleaders to learn and have fun through cheerleading. Parents need to be mindful of their words and actions around the cheerleaders at all times.
Cheerleading Organizational Chart:
Boise Optimist Liaison
Cheer Director
Assistant Cheer Director
Cheer Coordinator
Cheer Advisor

Games
1. Please give plenty of notice if your cheerleader will not be attending a game or practice.
2. Check practice/game time to make sure you arrive on time so others won’t have to wait on you.
3. Never leave the area without permission/notifying the Cheer Advisor. Take a parent with you whenever you must leave the field area (for restroom, etc.).
4. Wear Boise Optimist Cheerleading uniform. Always bring pompoms. Always bring a water bottle. Make sure you have warm clothing underneath if necessary. Tights can help keep legs warm.
5. Make-up and hair must be finished before going on the field.
6. Listen to the Cheer Advisor for which cheer to perform.
7. Greet the opposing team’s cheerleaders. Remember your squad name and that you are an important part of Boise Optimist Football. Please be warm and welcoming.
8. Ask Cheer Advisor any questions you may have concerning your cheerleader or the other members of the squad.
9. Help organize a spirit line and motivate the crowd.
10. Follow up after every routine/cheer by rallying.
11. Never talk negatively about anyone. You are one of the most visible representatives for Boise Optimist Football program. There will be differing personalities – just remember this is supposed to be fun!
12. Half-time – go to the restroom, drink water, visit. Be sure to be back on the field on time. That is at least 2 minutes before kick-off for the second half.
13. Clean up your trash at all times.

The previous are merely guidelines to promote courtesy, professionalism and respect. Any issue not mentioned in this document will fall under the Idaho High School Activities Association Sportsmanship Manual and the National Federation of State High School Associations Spirit Rules Book.

We want the cheerleaders to grow into reputable athletes and cheerleaders. It’s the fun that keeps them coming back because their experience was positive. So, let’s all have a great time experiencing cheerleading as a “Cheer Family”.


2004 Volunteers
We would like to extend a special thanks to all the 2004 volunteers who helped out at camp, jamboree, and throughout the season. Thank you for your participation. We hope to see you all again this year.