As we kick off this season, we want to take a moment to remind you of the importance of upholding our code of conduct. This was created to help us maintain a positive and respectful environment both on and off the field. It outlines the values and expectations that we hold ourselves to andsets the standard for how we interact with one another, our coaches, opponents, and the community. We ask that each of you take the time to familiarize yourself with the rules and commit to upholding its principles throughout the season.
Umatilla Pop Warner Rules:
1. This is a Pop Warner Association. Board Members, Team Moms, and Coaches are volunteers who choose to donate their time. Parents, children, family members, and guests are expected to communicate and interact with members of the board, team moms, and coaches in a respectful manner as more fully set forth in the Code of Conduct.
2. By joining Umatilla Pop Warner and signing this contract, parents are acknowledging and committing their time for the entire season. Completing the entire season and adhering to participation until the last competition is mandatory. Any failure to do so will lead to the immediate disqualification of their child from returning for the next season.
3. Attendance at all practices is mandatory for all cheerleaders. Any unexcused absences may result in consequences determined by the Cheer Coordinator, including but not limited to a demerit, suspension from performances, or dismissal from the team.
4. Parents are obliged to adhere to the UPW 24-hour rule, which stipulates that if any issues arise, parents’ consent to wait 24 hours before bringing it to the attention of the cheer coordinator. The Cheer coordinator will then address this complaint in accordance with our internal coaches' rules and regulations. The cheer coordinator will then inform the parents of the resolution. This decision will be final.
General Cheerleading Rules:
5. Parents/guardians are expected to have their cheerleader at all practices, games, and events on time. If you’re running late due to an emergency, notice must be given to the coaches.
6. Parents/guardians must be prompt in picking up their cheerleader from games/practices/events. Children are not to be dropped off. A parent or guardian must always stay on premise.
7. If you exceed a 15-minute delay in picking up your child without prior communication with the Coach, the coach is instructed to contact the local police department for assistance.
8. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide/arrange transportation for his/her cheerleader to and from all practices/games/events/competitions. Coaches, Team Moms, and Board members are prohibited to provide transportation unless authorized by the Cheer Coordinator.
9. If someone other than the parent/guardian is picking up your cheerleader, prior arrangements must be made with the coaches and/or team moms.
10. Parents/Guardians are required to inform the coaches and/or team mom if their cheerleader will be absent from practices, games, or events.
11. Cheerleaders must arrive prepared for practice, having already used the restroom and have a full water bottle, ensuring that practice can commence promptly.
12. Cheerleaders are required to maintain a minimum "C" average to remain on the team. It is imperative for the cheerleader to uphold satisfactory academic performance to be eligible for participation.
13. All Pop Warner Cheer teams must complete 20 hours of conditioning practice before engaging in regular practice or stunting sessions. If a child misses practice during the first two weeks of the season, they will not be permitted to participate in stunting or tumbling until the missed hours have been made up.
Practice Rules:
14. All cheerleaders are required to warm up and stretch before they can begin stunting, tumbling, and choreography.
15. Attire for cheerleading practice must consist of 'cheer' shorts/leggings, T-shirts (must be able to tuck into shorts), socks, and cheer appropriate tennis shoes. Jeans, whether short or long, are notallowed.
16. Cheerleaders must wear appropriate cheerleading shoes, as they are critical for safe stunting. We strongly advise against wearing the cheerleading shoes provided in your spirit pack, as these shoes are required to be kept in good condition for games and competition. We recommend purchasing an extra set of cheer shoes specifically for practice purposes. Failure to wear appropriate cheerleading shoes will result in the cheerleader required to sit out of practice.
17. Hair must be securely tied back with a rubber band to prevent any hair from falling into the cheerleader’s face. Claw clips, scrunchies, or hair accessories that require constant fixing are not permitted. If a cheerleader needs to consistently readjust their hair, they will be required to immediately find a more suitable hair tie or sit out of practice.
18. Long nails are strictly prohibited for all cheerleaders, no exceptions will be made.
19. Absolutely no jewelry, including earrings, is permitted under any circumstances. Cheerleaders will not be allowed to cover newly pierced ears with band-aids. Exceptions will not be made for new piercings. Please plan accordingly around our cheerleading season.
20. Every athlete must arrive at practice with a full plastic water bottle with their name clearly labeled. Parents are responsible for refilling their child's water bottle if it needs to be refilled. Consider bringing more than one water bottle to practice if constant refilling is required. The use of glass bottles is strictly prohibited.
21. Repeatedly failing to follow directions given by coaching staff.
22. Displaying a disrespectful attitude or behavior toward coaching staff or teammates. This also includes demonstrating unwillingness to learn or make necessary changes and disrupting practices or games through unnecessary talking, playing, etc.
23. No cell phone use at practice by cheerleaders; phones must be kept in cheerleader’s bag even during breaks.
24. Gum and candy are not permitted to be eaten by cheerleaders during any game or practice. A small snack may be allowed only during designated breaks.
25. Parents/guardians are encouraged to observe practices. However, they are strictly prohibited from interrupting, providing feedback, or making comments during practice sessions.
26. Parents are required to ensure that smaller children do not disrupt practice sessions.
Stunting Rules:
27. No stunting will be permitted when the ground is wet.
28. No stunting will be permitted on pavement.
29. No stunting will be permitted if a coach is not present and there next to the stunt to spot.
Game Rules:
30. All practice rules must be followed during games, with the sole exception being that cheerleaders must be in full official uniform. This uniform includes a two-piece Umatilla skirt and top, black cheerleading sneakers, bloomers, black no-show socks, designated UPW backpack for all cheerleading items, and the UPW-issued game day bow for hair.
31. Home and away games are scheduled on Saturdays. Regular season games may take place anywhere in the Mid-Florida area and involve travel. In case of a cancellation, makeup games may be scheduled ona weeknight. All cheerleaders are required to attend every game and makeup game unless a parent contacts a coach and gets a written approval for this excused absence. The game season generally spans from late August to October. If the football team advances to playoffs, the cheerleading squad will participate in all playoff games, which may extend into the first week of December. Competition season generally spans from late October to December.
32. Cheerleaders must arrive at the field one hour prior to the scheduled game time. As per National Pop Warner Rules, cheerleaders must undergo a Book Check process before each game. This time will also be utilized for warm-ups, practice, and to accommodate any last-minute adjustments due to absences.
33. Rain or shine, attendance is mandatory. All cheerleaders are expected to report to the field unless notified otherwise by coaching staff. Cheerleaders will only be released from a game if it is called off by the referees.
34. Following each game, cheerleaders must remain with their assigned coach until they are dismissed into the custody of their parent/guardian. If someone other than a parent/guardian is responsible for picking up a cheerleader, prior notice must be provided.
35. Cheerleaders are required to stay during the entire duration of the game.
Demerit System
Our objective with this demerit system is to establish transparent and well-defined guidelines, setting clear expectations for the behavior we expect from all athletes.
▪ A first offense for any violation outlined below will warrant a verbal warning to the cheerleader.
▪ A second offense for any violation as outlined below will necessitate a meeting involving the parent/guardian and the cheerleader. Additionally, the cheerleader will be required to sit out the first quarter of the next game.
▪ A third offense for any violation as outlined below will result in the cheerleader sitting out of the next game for its entirety. However, attendance will still be required.
▪ Subsequent offenses, beginning after the third occurrence and onwards, for any violation outlined below will initiate removal from the team