Code Of Conduct

Amherst Youth Cheer is a volunteer organization. Please be respectful of the coach’s time and
effort. All athletes, parents, and coaches are responsible for adhering to the Code of Conduct
guidelines. Not doing so may result in removal from the program.

1. Amherst Youth Cheer has​ zero tolerance​ for bullying. All girls should be attentive and
   respectful to their coach and other team members at all times. Appropriate behavior is expected at all times from ​coaches, cheerleaders, and parents​. Bullying will result in immediate dismissal from the Amherst Youth Cheer program.
2. Parents are permitted to attend practices, however, they cannot interfere with practices, games, or any other Amherst Youth Cheer event. Interfering with cheers, dance routines, or formations is not permitted, as these are decided at the coach’s discretion. If your presence becomes a disruption, the coach reserves the right to ask you to leave and will report the behavior to the cheer board.
3. If you have an issue you wish to discuss, do not try to discuss it with your coach during
   practices, games, or an event. Open lines of communication are available at other times with
   your coach or the Amherst Youth Cheer Board. Excessive calling, texting, and/or emailing are not permitted.
4. Parents are not allowed to stand or sit on the track/sideline with the coaches unless the coach has explicitly asked for your assistance during the game.
5. Smoking and/or foul language are not permitted at any Amherst Youth Cheer event. Parents, coaches, and cheerleaders are expected to behave with integrity and respect.
6. If unexcused absences or excessive tardiness become a hardship for the team, the athlete may be asked to sit out of routines, cheers, or other activities until the coach, at his/her discretion, has determined the issue is no longer detrimental to the other team members. Please know that like all other team sports, cheerleading involves other members of a team that are adversely affected by attendance issues.
7. Appropriate attire is expected at all practices. This includes athletic shorts or pants, a shirt or sweatshirt, and gym shoes. Hair should be pulled back out of the face. No sandals.
8. No cell phone, gum, candy, or food while cheering at any practice or game.
9. Water bottles, clearly labeled with the athlete’s name, should be brought to all practices and games.
10. No tumbling, mounts, partner stunts, or pyramids are permitted at any time.
11. Any activities or extra events outside of cheer practices and games must be cleared by the
    Board for insurance purposes.

Consequences for violation of the above-stated rules:

1st Violation – A warning will be issued to both the cheerleader and the parent.
2nd Violation – Your child will not participate in the game subsequent to the incident.
3rd Violation – Your child will be dismissed from the AYC program.
NOTE: Bullying will result in immediate dismissal from the AYC program. There will be no
warnings.