September 23, 2013
Dear Spirit Squad Candidates & Parents/Guardians,
Thank you for your interest in trying out for the 2013-2014 Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad. We appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in our program. In addition to supporting our fellow athletic teams, we will promote school spirit within the community by participating in community events and a dance exhibition.
This club is only available to current 7th and 8th grade students. Eligible students must meet certain qualifications in order to try-out for the spirit squad. Squad member rules are located on the attached document entitled “Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad Rules”.
This can be a truly rewarding experience, but it also requires a tremendous time commitment. A squad member must be willing to practice on his/her own time to perfect skills. Additionally, a squad member must be able to work well with others, as cheerleading is a team sport! Please be aware of this as you prepare to take on the challenges and responsibilities of becoming a member of the Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad.
Please read the following packet carefully and return all necessary forms to Coach Marcia Johnson on the clinic date of Tuesday, October 1st.
Thank you and good luck!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Marcia Johnson, Head Coach (301) 774-0799
Mrs. Laura Sandell, Assistant Coach (484) 201-8742
Tryout Procedure
Mandatory Clinic
(we strongly suggest attending the clinic session as we will be teaching the material that will need to be performed during tryouts)
When: Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Time: 2:50 – 4:00 PM
Where: Main Gym
Tryouts
When: Wednesday, October 2, 2012
Time: 2:50 – 4:00 PM
Where: Main Gym
The tryout process will consist of:
¨ One day of clinics, at which skills/routines will be taught
¨ A single tryout day
Suggested attire to be worn to the clinic and tryouts:
Shorts or spandex/bikers (NO DENIM)
Tee shirt
Socks and athletic shoes
Hair pulled back from face
No jewelry or earrings
No gum
Tryout Checklist:
All prospective candidates must turn in the following items on the clinic date of October 1st:
¨ Personal Information Sheet
¨ Medical Card for Athlete
¨ Teacher & Administrator Recommendation Form
Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad Personal Information Sheet
Please fill out all the following information clearly and completely. We MUST be able to read your writing. Thank you!
Name: / Home Phone:Student Cell Phone: / Student Home Address:
Student Birthday: / Student Email:
Parent/Guardian Name: / Parent/Guardian Contact #:
Parent/Guardian Email: / Emergency Name & Contact #:
Current Grade: / Previous Cheer Experience:
GPA from previous year most recent report card: / Previous Dance Experience:
I, ______, have read and understand the material in the 2013-2014 Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad packet.
Sign: ______Date: ______
Parental Consent:
I, the parent/guardian of the above mentioned student, have also read the material in the 2013-2014 Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad packet. I give permission for my child to participate fully in this tryout. I understand that the school and coaches will take every reasonable precaution to prevent injuries, but that MCPS, Parkland Middle School administration and anyone in the Parkland athletic department will not be responsible if any accident occurs.
In case of emergency, I can be reached at ______.
Sign: ______Date: ______
Printed Name: ______
Staff/Teacher Recommendation
Dear Fellow Teacher,
Your student, ______, is trying out for the Spirit Squad at Parkland. In order to be a positive member of a spirit group one must display enthusiasm, self-discipline, cooperation, reliability and respect for peers and adults. We are looking for respectful and respected students to represent Parkland. Please sign at the bottom of this form if you feel this student would be an asset to our team and feel free to make any remarks you feel we need to know. Your comments will be kept confidential. Your recommendation is important and will be taken into consideration when the squad is selected. Thank you!
Sincerely, Marcia Johnson and Laura Sandell
Subject you teach this student: ______
Signature: ______Printed Name: ______
Comments:
______
Adult Recommendation
Student Name: ______Grade: ______
This student is trying out for the Spirit Squad at Parkland. If selected, this student will represent Parkland in and out of uniform. Therefore, we wish to be aware of any administrative disciplinary action that has taken place in the past year regarding this student. Thank you for your cooperation in this manner.
No disciplinary action
Disciplinary Action/Date: ______
Administrator Signature: ______Date:______
Comments:
Parkland Middle School Spirit Squad Tryout Criteria
Judge’s Score Sheet – Explanation of Criteria
The below criteria will be used to evaluate you during the clinic and during tryouts. Become familiar with them. As you practice, you may want to have someone, a parent/guardian perhaps, evaluate you as the judges would in each of the five categories. Your evaluation actually starts the very first day – ATTITUDE, appearance, form, timeliness, following instructions, etc. Candidates will lose points for being late, disrespectful and/or not following instructions given!
Appearance
Confident and enthusiastic
Neatly dressed; good posture; hair away from face; no jewelry/gum/colored nail polish
Knowledge
Confidently exhibits cheers/chants/jumps/motions/dance
Knows the sequence and precision of movements
Does not look around to others for help
Few mistakes; recovers quickly without drawing attention
Jumps
Knows four required jumps (Toe Touch, Herkie, Side Hurdler)
Good height, straight back, exact position of legs
Smooth prep, execution, and landing
Chant/Cheer
Sharp, precise movements
Loud, audible voice projection
Synchronized with other members
Energetic and full of enthusiasm
Correct arms, length hand position
Has correct rhythm and timing
Dance Routine
Synchronized with other members
Energetic and full of enthusiasm
Has correct rhythm and timing
Knows the sequence and precision of movements
Does not look around to others for help
Few mistakes; recovers quickly without drawing attention
Jumps Required
Toe Touch
-Both legs remain straight with knees facing up
-Sit into the jump while keeping chest and head up
-Reach for the arch of the foot, rather than the toes
-Keep back straight
- Arms in a T motion
Herkie
-One leg bends while the other remains straight
-The bent knee faces down while the straight leg knee
faces upward
Side Hurdler
-One leg bends while the other remains straight
(similar to herkie)
-Bent knee faces crowd while the straight leg is in
a “chorus line” kick
-Sit in hurdler position in the air
Basic Cheer Motions
Beginning Stance
(feet together, hands down by the side in blades)
Clasp
(Hands clasped, under the chin, elbows in)
/ Ready PositionHands behind back, feet shoulder width apart.
/ High V
Arms are at a 45 degree angle to the body. Pinky fingers are to the back.
/ Low V
Same as a High V, but arms are down.
/ T
Arms are at a 90 degree angle to the body. Pinky fingers are to the back.
/ Broken T
Same as a T, but arms are bent. Do not bring it forward. Pinky fingers are to the front.
/ Touchdown
Arms are straight up, in-line with the body. Bring arms to ears, not ears to arms. Pinky fingers are to the front.
/ Low Touchdown
Arms are straight down, in-line with the body. Arms should be tight to the body and slightly forward. Pinky fingers are to the back.
/ Daggers
Arms are bent, hugging the body. Pinky fingers are to the front.
/ Right L
Right arm is in a T and left arm is in a Touch Down. Left L would be the opposite of this.
/ Right Punch
Right arm is in a Touch Down and left arm is on hips. Left Punch would be the opposite of this.
/ Left Diagonal
Left arm is in a High V and right arm is in a Low V. Right Diagonal would be the opposite of this.
/ Left K
Left arm is in a High V and right arm is in a Low V across the body. Right K would be the opposite of this.
Remember:
1) All moves should be performed sharply. Imagine hitting a brick wall that is behind you.
2) Wrists should not be cocked, but in a straight line with your arms. Thumbs should be on the outside of your fists, with your pinky fingers in back.
3) Although you want to hit a brick wall, your arms should not be way behind you. You should be able to just barely see them out of the corner of your eyes when looking straight ahead.
4) Shoulders should be relaxed for every motion, not up at your ears.
5) Shortest distance- rather than swinging your arms around, up into your High V, bring your arms straight forward in front of yourself and hit. This is true for any motion.
6) Practice in front of a mirror. You may feel like you're doing the moves correctly, but you may not be.