Having alternates on a cheer squad.

[p-tcheer]

I am having my try outs tomorrow and I can see that I will have some girls that do not make the squad.  I am at a small school, we do not compete-- we are strictly sideline, halftime performances, pep rallies, sign makers, candy sacks--you know kind of like the old days.

Well anyway, do any of you have guidelines for alternates that you have on your squad.  I was thinking these girls could go to camp with us and learn spotting techniques and spot with our stunt groups, they could hold up signs, and help with sign making and candy sacks.  What are some other areas in which alternates are used?  What are some drawbacks and some areas that need to be explained or spelled out before I offer this opportunity to these girls.  Thank You.

[LCSD1 coach]

I use my alternates just like a squad member.  They cheer every home game but do not travel with the team unless I have a member out illness, injury, grades, ect.  My alternates go to camp, learn every chant,cheer, dance, stunt ect.  They do everything just as if they had made the squad.  That way if she is needed to fill in she knows the routine.  I do not see any drawbacks to having an alternate.  It is just like the basketball teams bench warmers.  They are there at every practice and when needed they go in the game.

[coolcoach]

I typically take on 3 alternates.

They are responsible for doing EVERYTHING that the regular squad is responsble for.

The only difference is that they do not compete unless needed (if someone is injured, quits, is dismissed, etc).

[Coach C]

My alternates are for competition only.  I decide in mid to late November who will be on the floor and who will be an alternate for competition, which can change at any time, based on performance.  In my opinion, it's probably not really necessary to have alternates on a sideline only cheer team.  If they're good enough to be an alternate, couldn't you just make them a full team member?   

[coolcoach]

My alternates are for competition only.  I decide in mid to late November who will be on the floor and who will be an alternate for competition, which can change at any time, based on performance.  In my opinion, it's probably not really necessary to have alternates on a sideline only cheer team.  If they're good enough to be an alternate, couldn't you just make them a full team member?   

Yeah I don't get why a team needs alternates if they aren't competing. I thought the point of having them was to fill in at comps for emergencies?

[candcrew]

We are strictly sideline but I don't take alternates.  First I only have so many seats for transportation, school-provided uniforms (and I refuse to fundraise more than we do in a small town that is already WAY fundraised to death), and there are limits on how many can cheer during post-season play.  Secondly, there are those that tryout who would not be good representatives for our school and community--if they're borderline in PR and have decent cheer skills, I'll take them if there is room.  I'm all for giving people a chance but if their history shows a pattern of behavior that would be a deteriment to our squads, school and community that's too bad.  I'm not an intensive rehab program.

I'd say if you can do like the PP suggested (cheer only home games) or can actually take them, do.  Make sure everyone is aware though, that just because you didn't cut that doesn't mean there aren't responsibilities.  I know of 2 programs in our conference that went to no-cut policies.  One still has it and one doesn't.  The one that still does has been plagued with cheerleaders/parents that don't get it's still a responsibility and privilege to cheer for the school and be a representative.  Many don't think they should have rules and follow them--and the admin hasn't been great at backing the coaches up.  The other school that stopped the no-cut policy did so because of the previously mentioned problem and the headaches it caused.