Cheer Team Attendance Policy and Consequences

Do your cheerleaders keep missing practice? Without a cheer team attendance policy, you might find yourself constantly rearranging stunt groups, line ups, and choreography. Oftentimes this means watering down stunts and the team will feel frustrated when teammates are always missing.

I coach a high school cheerleading squad and I made the mistake my first year as head coach by not having an cheer team attendance policy. I always had cheerleaders absent! But once I implemented our cheer team attendance policy, we almost never had a cheerleader missing from practice. 

Whether it be a doctors appointment, the flu, or a family emergency. Absences happen. There is no way to fully avoid absences. However, you can set your team up for success by implementing a fair and consistent cheer team attendance policy. 

Write Out Your Attendance Policy Clearly

Include your cheer team attendance policy with your list of rules. We have a cheerleading contract that includes the cheer team attendance policy. Your cheer team attendance policy is implemented to ensure the safety and preparedness of your squad. Emphasize this to your team. Make sure to have your cheer team attendance policy reviewed and approved by your administration.

Explain your cheer team attendance policy and the consequences at your Cheer Tryout Parent Meeting before tryouts so they know what to expect.

Have Cheerleaders AND Families Sign the Cheer Team Attendance Policy

Have your cheer team attendance policy ready to be signed right after cheer tryouts by both the cheerleader and a parent/guardian. 

What is considered an absence?

Look at your school’s website to see what they consider an absence. I pulled the verbiage directly from their student handbook. It is up to you what you consider ‘excused’ or ‘unexcused’. I tell my team that whether an absence is ‘excused’ or ‘unexcused’, they can still ultimately be removed from performances due to the safety and preparedness of the team. It comes down to safety. 

Consequences for the Missed Practice NOT the Cheerleader

It can feel frustrating when a cheerleader misses practices, however it is important to not harbor those feelings toward cheerleaders. 

We all have busy lives and they are learning to juggle several responsibilities at once. Having a structured cheer team attendance policy provides clear guidelines for them to make the best choice for their situation.

I have cheerleaders who tell me, “I know I missed practice which means I know I won’t be in the upcoming performance.” This is exactly the response I am looking for. No hard feelings!

Sample Cheer Team Attendance Policy

If you are looking for a cheerleading contract that includes a cheer team attendance policy, check out my resource: Editable Cheer Tryouts Score Sheets and Packet.

• Summer Cheer Practices
  • 3 Summer Practice Absences Allowed
  • 4 Summer Practice Absences = cheerleader must sit out of one halftime performance
  • Summer Cheer Camp Absences = cheerleader must sit out of halftime that the team learned at cheer camp
• School Year Cheer Practices (Based on 3 Practices Per Week)
  • 1 Absence = cheerleader does not stunt during upcoming halftime performance
  • 2 Absences = cheerleader does not perform in upcoming halftime performance

Be Consistent

You have to follow through with the consequences. This will be difficult at first, but once your cheerleaders see that you mean what you say, you will not be questioned on the cheer team attendance policy. The cheer team will know what to expect.

Cheerleaders prefer to have structure! They feel frustrated when their teammates are missing or that someone isn’t held accountable. Your team will respect you for having those boundaries and fairly implementing your cheer team attendance policy. 

Offer Grace

There will be situations that will fall outside of the cheer team attendance policy. Tragedy may strike in a cheerleader’s life that is unavoidable. Cheerleading should be a safe space for them to return to, so there will be times when you will bend the cheer team attendance policy. 

What if You Can’t Require Practice?

If your school district does not allow you to mandate practice for your cheer team during parts of the year, make sure to follow their direction.

If you have ‘optional’ practices that you would like the team to show up for, make it fun! Ask the cheerleaders what they want to work on to create buy in. We had optional spring practices and most of the team came! We focused on stunting and tumbling. 

If you can post on social media, post what they are working on! Post the new stunts they are hitting or group photos of who showed up to practice. If your cheerleading team is like mine, they love to post new skills! Maybe the cheerleaders who are missing practice just don’t know what to expect. Seeing photos from optional practices will encourage them to attend.

Once the time of year comes when you can mandate practice, your team will be stronger because of the work they put into off season.

Plan for Breaks!

Your team needs breaks and so do you, coach! It is okay to take some time off during off-season of cheer. Giving your team, yourself, and your coaches some time to rest and regroup will encourage them to come back refreshed and excited for the following season. Don’t underestimate the power of a break.

Reflect 

At the end of the season, reflect on your cheer team attendance policy. What worked well? What can be improved? What was common feedback you got? Make any necessary adjustments for next season. You got this!

As your preparing for your next season, check out my Editable Cheerleading Tryout Packet to help you have the best season yet!

What is your cheer team attendance policy? Comment below!

Feel free to ask any questions or advice, I am happy to help. Wishing you a great cheer season!