Constitution and Rules

Purpose of Cheerleading is
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.

General Cheerleader Guidelines
1. Attend practices and show cooperation with other cheerleaders and Cheer Coach
2. Be on time to all games and practices.
3. Show respect and be courteous to cheerleaders, admin, Cheer Coaches,officials, 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. Cheerleaders should strive to keep a positive attitude.
8. Responsible for providing positive leadership both when cheering and when not cheering
9. Must abide by all rules and regulations of the Boise Optimist Football Program.
10. Strive to be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
11. Always remember that the primary responsibility is to support the football program

When to Cheer
1. Hello to the other team and squad.
2. Whenever play is stopped and nothing else is happening.
3. Before the game, starting line-up, between quarters, time-outs and halftime.
4. Individual players entering/leaving the game, not necessary every time offense/defense switch.
5. Injured player (either team).Wait until the 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 cheers are much more appropriate than fight type cheers. A fight cheer is one that encourages your team to do better, even if it doesn't have the word fight in it. General cheers focus on team pride.

When not to 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. Cooperate with the Cheer Coach, game officials, and other cheerleaders.
2. Be enthusiastic and prepared.
3. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum while on the field.
4. Do not sit in the stands or on the field.
5. Promote good sportsmanship and team spirit. Profanity will not be tolerated, use of which will be cause for immediate removal from the field and possible removal from the cheer program, pending a review by the Cheer Director.