Sideline Cheer

Cheerleaders on these  squads cheer for the players of the Mount Lebanon Football Association which is part of the South Hills Youth Football League. The cheer season will begin with a cheer camp held at the beginning of August.  This is where cheerleaders will learn the majority of the material they will perform during the season.  The football games are typically on Saturdays with times and locations varying. 

Note that games vary in timing. Some games could be an hour, some could last 1.5 hours. Cheerleaders should arrive promptly and be picked up promptly. 

The MTLYCA goal is to teach the basics of cheerleading, team building, good sportsmanship and of course having fun.
Termites - Grades 1/2    
JV - Grades 3/4  
Varsity - Grades 5/6  

These squads will also participate in community events (pending restrictions) such as Community Day, Youth Night, and the Mt. Lebanon Pumpkin Patch Parade.

Registration Fee: $85

**Registration fee does NOT include the cost of the uniform and accessories. Please see Uniform Requirements located under the Registration Info tab. 

                                                        MTLYCA Cheerleader Guidelines
Each one of you makes a commitment when you chose to sign up at registration. This commitment is the key to a positive team experience. As cheerleaders and parents, it is our responsibility to encourage this dedication by adhering to the rules set forth below. 

ATTENDANCE:
Cheerleading is a UNIQUE TEAM sport! Each position is dependent on one another. Every cheerleader has a role and if someone is missing, it places a hardship on the whole squad. This hardship can become frustrating to the team and may affect them from fully participating. It also becomes a safety issue.
● Cheer Camp is held before the football season starts. The material used for the season will be taught during this camp. Cheerleaders will be responsible for learning any missed material on their own if they miss a portion of camp. Any cheerleader not able to make camp when halftime routine is being taught will not be included in the stunting routine for their safety and the safety of others. 
● For safety reasons, being late to or missing a pre-game practice will result in the cheerleader sitting out that game’s half-time routine and sitting out for any sideline stunting and tumbling during that game.
● TWO absences from practices will result in the cheerleader being removed from the halftime routine and stunting.
● If a cheerleader will miss a game, it must be communicated to the coach prior so adjustments can be made.
● THIRD absence from a football game will result in the cheerleader being terminated from the squad.
● A cheerleader may leave after halftime ONE time during the season but it must be communicated to the coach prior to the game. Further requests to leave after halftime will follow the same guidelines as missing games.

GAMES:
•Games are played on Saturdays Sept - Oct. Playoffs can stretch into the first weekend of Nov. GAMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE (time/ location), sometimes with short notice. Cheerleaders are required to cheer the entire game, including overtime.
• GAME CANCELLATIONS - Come sunshine, rain, cold or snow – football games will be played. Please be mindful of this, and come prepared with all appropriate uniform pieces in cheer bag. If the football teams play, the cheer squads will cheer.
• In the event of extreme weather ONLY, game cancellations will be left up to the discretion of your squad’s coaching staff. Please check your email/ app before leaving for the game.
• Scrimmages are by definition “a practice game” and are meant to instruct and to be used as a learning tool. Therefore, we will NOT cheer preseason scrimmages. 

APPEARANCE:
• Cheerleaders are responsible for owning all pieces of the mandatory uniform requirements: shell top, skirt, bodysuit, socks, hair bow, pink hair bow, rain poncho, briefs, poms and warm-up: all purchased through the Association.
• Shoes need to be purchased EVERY YEAR and should only be worn with the cheerleading uniform to cheer events only until the season concludes. Be sure to wipe off cheer shoes regularly to keep neat and clean.
• Hair is to be fully pulled back away from the face at all times. This should be done prior to arriving at practices, games, or events.
• Jewelry: NO jewelry is allowed. Including friendship bracelets. This is a safety concern. Please refrain from getting new piercings during cheer season.
• Please keep all uniform pieces neat and clean. Be sure to hang up the rain poncho after it has been used so that it can dry properly and fold it neatly when dry.
• Cheer Practices: Dress appropriately and have hair fully pulled back away from the face. Provided camp shirts and cheer shoes should be worn.
• During games, the uniform combination will be worn as directed by each squad’s coaching staff. All cheerleaders are to be uniformly attired.
• During events such as Youth Night, the uniform will be worn as directed by the MTLYCA Board of Directors. • All other uniform pieces not directed to be worn need to be kept in a LEBO Cheer bag and brought to all games & events. Be prepared for weather changes.
• Only approved uniform pieces can be worn during games and events, as listed above. No substitutions and/or additions (such as socks, gloves, hats, scarves, etc.) are permitted.
• During the month of October, we will have a “Pink Out”. The pink hair bow is required to be worn in place of the gold hair bow that is required to be worn during the rest of the season.
• On Fridays during football season, the uniform can be worn to school at the discretion of the cheerleader’s parents. 

CONDUCT:
MTLYCA Cheerleaders are expected to:
• Show respect for others. It is okay if someone has a different opinion than yours.
• Be polite to everyone and use good manners. Including the opposing team.
• Treat everyone equally. Do not be rude to others.
• Always show good sportsmanship.
• Be respectful and helpful to other cheer squads.
• Be a “good sport”. Have fun cheering even if your team does not win.
• Listen to your coaches and follow their direction.
• Arrive on time for all practices, games, and events.
• DO NOT practice mounts, stunts, tumbling, or flips without a MTLYCA Coach.
• In the event that a football player gets injured, immediately stop cheering and be silent. Kneel until the injured player has left the field. If it is not possible to kneel (example: muddy field), cheerleaders should stand still instead.
The following will NOT be tolerated and Violations will result:
• Not listening to a coach / back talk.
• Undesirable, inappropriate and/or vulgar language.
• Bullying or hitting will be an automatic removal from the program.
• Yelling remarks to the opposing team.
• Chewing gum.
• Eating while cheering.
• Leaving the cheering area.
• Use of electronic devices.
• Practicing mounts, stunts, tumbling, or flips without a coach.
Violations:
1. First violation - Warning & parent notified
2. Second violation - Sit out remainder of current game & parent notified
3. Third violation - Dismissed from program with no financial reimbursement Any cheerleader dismissed from the program or chooses to leave because of violation of conduct will not be permitted to participate in the following season. 

FOOD AND BEVERAGES:
• Chewing Gum is prohibited during all cheerleading activities.
• Cheerleaders are responsible for bringing a clear drink in a plastic bottle with them to all practices and games. All drinks must be labeled with the cheerleader’s name.
• We kindly ask parents to feed your child BEFORE coming to an event.
• Cheerleaders are prohibited from eating once practices and / or games begin.
• Cheerleaders are not permitted to eat concession stand food or snacks during a game. This includes during halftime.
     ❖ Diagnosed medical conditions will be the only exception. 

Competition Squad:
This squad is by invitation to experienced MTLYCA cheerleaders in grades 3 through 6 in good standing from previous season
● Any cheerleader who wishes to participate on the competition squad must also be a member in good standing on a sideline squad and follow sideline guidelines.
● When there is a football game and competition in the same weekend, missing the sideline game forfeits the opportunity to compete in that competition. 
● Removal from one squad will result in removal from all participating squads.
● Attendance is mandatory at all fall competition practices and competitions.
Tentative competition dates provided during registration.
Revised: 12/4/23.