I'll first say that I went to a school that was small enough to not have to make cuts for sports and extra curricular activities. We also didn't have to pay to play.

The team manager was never allowed to practice with the team. They were responsible for getting the water, equipment, etc. They were always aware of that.

I'm sorry, if she didn't make the team I don't think she should be able to practice with the team because she's a manager. That's not fair to the other girls that didn't make the team or manager spot. The manager is part of the team but has a different place. The coach is also part of the team but isn't actually out there when it comes down to performing.

You could talk to the coach about if a cheerleader is kicked off the squad but is there really a big chance of that?

I'm sorry she didn't make the team.

I agree with Shee. As far as sitting out, is she supposed to be going to practice? Is that part of the duties of manager? If so, just because she is bored is not reason to sit out.

I'm not clear here as to what is expected from each side. What was agreed on?

tina

I hope I didn't sound harsh because that wasn't my intent.

I am curious what is expected of her as a manager? What is she responsible for?

Hello and thanks for your reponses.
There could be a chance that a girl is kickedoff for ISS during school (2nd offense).
And the reason she is bored at practice is because there is nothing for her to do! The coach did (has not) told her what her duties would be for practice and so she does not want to
go because there is nothing to do.
My perception is if she is part of the TEAM should she not be there and what is the harm if she practices?
Oh and I guess this is the first that time that anyone has accepted this position so it is new to us and the coach.

Just lost my post!

I hate to bring this up but it's something we have to deal with just about everywhere these days - what happens if she gets hurt while practicing? The school's insurance company can cite the fact that she isn't on the team and deny coverage. I don't think she should practice with the team unless there is some official 'stand in' or substitute category.

However our team managers were involved in the other activities - pep rallies, sign making, fund raising, team parties etc. and they never paid any money. What did your money go for? I'm not sure why she's paying anything unless she had to pay for summer camp before the team was officially announced.

First, I don't think she should be practicing with the squad. She didn't make it through tryouts. If someone is kicked off the squad, your daughter may have a good advantage at subsequent tryouts for that position because she's been at practices observing.

This is a great opportunity for her to create the manager position, since no-one seems to have a "job description" for it yet. Having never been a cheerleader, I'm not sure exactly what is needed but a few things come to mind: she could create a chart of games the squad is scheduled for and indicate home/away games to keep everyone (cheerleaders, coach, parents) on top of what's coming up. She could organize supplies needed for away games and make sure they're on the bus. If the cheerleaders are not transported by bus, she could coordinate transportation.

Just a few thoughts. Perhaps if you and your daughter put your heads together you could come up with additional duties like this that she could present to the coach.

This looks to me to be a great learning opportunity for your daughter. Future employers are going to want someone who can think this way and not have to be told everything she is supposed to do.

I also agree that she shouldn't do the cheers at practice. The team manager on the football team doesn't do plays on the field.

It's hard to not make the squad, but I think she and the cheer coach need to figure out a role for her and if she's not needed at practice - then she shouldn't go. I was a cheerleader for a few years in HS and we didn't have a manager - can't really figure out what her role would be anyways?? Perhaps our coach did all the things a manager would do.

Another thing to keep in mind is having an extra person can throw off the dynamics of cheer practice - formations etc. If she had been offered the spot of team alternate - someone who would fill in in the case of illness, suspension etc. then I'd see her needing to practice etc.

I agree with everyone above but I'd tell your daughter to sit down with the cheer coach and simply ask what her duties are at practice.

I'm also curious as to where the money goes that you paid. As a mom, that would concern me.

One suggestion though, if she's given duties that still bore her to tears, don't let her quit. Have her tough it out until the next school year. This is a way to teach the kids not to be quitters.

One other thing, why do you think she could be a cheerleader if the other girl gets kicked off? Is she first in line?

Our HS always had A and B Cheerleaders. Different uniforms but the A team would let the B team cheer a few times at the games. It was really sweet, both teams were all buddies.

Marie cate - tryouts were in March for the upcoming season. School has her insurance and the required physical. So the school would not be held liable. Also money went toward camp/campwear and jacket. We paid the same as cheerleader so before camp I made sure that she could participate in all activities as we paid the same as all others. I would love for the coach to let her be involved in pep rallies, and sign making. She is afterall in charge of putting them and taking them down.
Caroleoh - I don't know if the football team manager would want to play football - she's a girl! Yes, this is the HS team and I don't think anyone has had this postion before, the coach talked with DD after tryouts and offered her this position. I don't know what her intentions were for during season, because during the summer months it was different and she wanted her to practice. I don't know if she just wanted DD to feel better or what.
Oakleyok - Yes, I and her father do not want her to "quit." I think it would harm her for next year tryouts. That's my whole point and situation. I also don't know if someone leaves/kickedoff team if she would be the replacement, it is something I have thought about. Oh, how I wish we had the A & B option now we had that in school too. Our Junior High is even smaller (another DD there who did make the team).
And finally Pugga - What you said is the whole trouble - "job description" - I searched and searched internet and found nothing. I am sure there must be something out there but I couldn't find it and that's why I spoke up today. You all have been so helpful and I have a new outlook for her and will have some good tallking points for when we see the coach. Thanks again everyone!
That's my trial today - who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Lolita

Not sure how old your DD is, so her age would depend on the level of how her team operates. Did the coach "make" the manager job in order that your daughter be able to be a part of the team?

If the manager has carved out a spot for your DD, I think she would/could have some good ideas of things to do to add to her responsibilities for the team overall. I know she feels like it isn't "fun" at this point, but not all of the jobs on a team are always fun.

I'd always been adamant about not allowing my own DD quit anything she's been interested in starting. Once signed up, DD had to stick it out till the end of the season, session, whatever. If she chose not to re-sign with the activity that was fine, but I wanted her to learn to keep a commitment once made.

I will say I made an exception and that was with a cheerleading squad she joined in 8th grade. The sport can be downright dangerous. DD was one of the girls on the team who stood to catch the gal who was tossed into the air for a stunt. Long story short, the tossed girl fell and it really shook my DD. The girl wasn't injured, but could have been severely injured. DD didn't want any parts of being at all responsible for another's injury. I allowed her to quit the team. The team had just been assembled and she had only been practicing for approx. 2 weeks or so when the incident took place. DD had absolutely zero experience at this type of thing, but the coach put her in a position that she really wasn't equipped for. Also, everyone on the team who was my DD's weight and height was expected to be "tossed" at some point during the season. There was no way I wanted my child "tossed". I thought the team was reckless and the sport too dangerous for my taste. I couldn't stand to watch them practice.

It's your call. If it is just that your daughter is bored because it isn't fun being the manager, then I think perhaps she could come up with additional duties or responsibilities. I don't think sitting on the sidelines is ever going to be as much fun as actually being involved in cheering, but all jobs on a team are important. That would be my motivation and explanation to my DD if she faced your DD's situation.

Sorry your DD didn't make the squad, but it may be a blessing in disguise. JMHO

I agree with the advice Pugga gave. I think the coach would be totally impressed if your daughter came up with ideas for what she would do in the manager role. Since the manager position is new, she would have the distinction of creating and developing a new position. She'll have the opportunity to suggest things she would enjoy.

I thought there was a thread some time ago about the 'unhappy experiences' children sometimes have to face, but I couldn't find it. The point is, the majority who posted thought kids need to learn how to deal with experiences of all types. This is only *one* of many times where things might not go the way she might like, and that's just real life~~we all have had our share of such experiences and survived.

I would also encourage her not to be involved w/cheer this year and find other areas of interest~~there's lays next year. It's very important for you to be there emotionally for your DD, but not take sides and possibly put down other girls who did make it. She needs to learn from this, and like I always say, everything happens for a reason~~another thing i've taught my kids.

I have 3 DD's, and only two were cheerleaders~~the oldest was in cheer from jr. high thru sr. high, second one tried out 2 years in a row, and made it the second year, and third one was interested in other things altogether.

A mother of a girl in TX who did not make the team decided to take matters into her own hands. Taking your child's side to an extreme is clearly not the right thing to do.

Here is a link that might be useful: mom in TX.....

I am sorry she didnt make the squad - I am sure she is disappointed.

But now she has a new position - she is the team manager. She is NOT a cheerleader, and so should not practice with them. I agree that she could easily be a part of the sign making, etc. In fact, it would seem to be her place to purchase the supplies. At pep rallies she should be sitting, ready if someone needs a drink of water or has a problem with their uniform. She should have safety pins and a needled and thread, bandaids, kleenex, and feminine hygiene products in a carrycase to meet the needs of the team.

I think all the advice about her thinking of ways to be helpful to the coach and the squad are where her focus should be now. She should think of things to make herself valuable and an asset. Because like it or not, next year she may not make it either - and then would she want to have the opportunity to manage again? If she doesnÂt make the position of manager valuable, that may not be an option next year.

Finally, I noticed in your latest response that you said Âwhen we talk to the coachÂ. IMO, that is her job to do. This is a place where she can learn to make decisions and set her own direction somewhat - a place where parents should not tread.

I guess I wouldn't have written this post if the coach had given DD a list of her responsibilities in the beginning, she would have known what to expect. And for that it upset my daughter and me to hear "there's nothing for me to do, I don't want to go", staying committed is hard to understand.
So now that I have some words of wisdom, advise from the GW members here it will be valuable for her.
We made a list and she will talk with the coach.
I am hoping the outcome will be valuable for the next girl who is in this position!
Oh, and I am not going "extreme" with her not making the team.
Les, she needs the carrycase, great idea.

If the manager job appears to be a made up position without clearly defined tasks, I wouldn't think it would be terrible if she were to resign from her position. It may be too painful for her to be reminded every day that she didn't make the team and she may want to move on...

If the manager job appears to be a made up position without clearly defined tasks, I wouldn't think it would be terrible if she were to resign from her position. It may be too painful for her to be reminded every day that she didn't make the team and she may want to move on...

I agree with golddust. But, I would insist that she find another activity to replace this one.

I agree she should find an activity to replace her current non-activity position. Cheerleading can be politically/socially charged and if the cheerleaders are being territorial about your DD wanting to improve her odds of stepping in if someone quits, gets injured or tossed, who in their right mind would want to stick around doing favors for them or just plain doing nothing while they practice?

Cheerleader clicks often remind me of this girl I knew in the 8th grade. She would wipe her ice cream coated fingers on my clothes while declaring how cute I looked. Yuck! Not saying all cheerleaders are like this but I've hung out at football games when my DS played and my DD was a cheerleader. Some cheerleaders think they are the cat's meow and can be catty!

I'm thinking your DD had a very different idea of what her job was going to entail and no one clarified it. I think there is no harm in releasing her from a very boring non activity to find a real activity.

My DD played sports year round and many of her high school teams had managers. With the exception of the football team they weren't required to attend every practice nor did they have to be substitute Moms. The cheerleading squad didn't have a manager.

I'm not familiar with how many hours the squad might practice but if it's anything like a sport team it's a major time committment - and not much 'glory.' She might find another school activity that she enjoys more. Don't forget cheerleading will be over in a few months unless the squad also cheers for basketball - I can't ever remember cheerleaders for a spring sport. This might be a good time to develop other interests and skills that she might be able to work on all school year. And if she's thinking ahead to college applications a leadership position in a club or service related group would probably carry more weight especially if she's been involved with it for a couple years.

I don't know anything about cheering other then it can get pretty catty. A neighbor of mine had 2 daughters that used to cheer - they used to use my daughter to toss during practice. I did find a few pages - some are hidden inside PDF files. Does your daughters team have parent volunteers?

What it looks like to me is that she won't be cheering. If it was me; I would print some of these things out & go with my daughter to a meeting with the coach to try to get a definition of what the job actually will be; then let my daughter take it from there. I doubt they would let her jump in to cheer if someone leaves because then her original job of "team manager" would be needed to be filled.

Team manager - Each year a team manager (mom or dad) is recruited for each football team and cheer squad once the teams are formed. The primary duties of manager include: (with a big list)

Manager duties soccer

About.com cheering -writing the rules

I also found a handbook PDF - but it listed captain & co-captain.
Captain and Co-Captain Duties (for each squad)
♦ Captain Responsibilities:
- Take attendance at each practice, activity, or game
- Create a cheer practice clothes calendar (noted in cheer calendar book)
- Select uniform for events/activities
- (Varsity Captain Only) Communicate pep rally ideas and agenda with the other
squad captain
- Assign game responsibilities to each squad member
- Organize and distribute all practice schedules and agenda with squad members
- Comprise a cheer, chant, and incorporate list for games
- Demonstrate a positive and motivating attitude at all times
- Be dependable and cooperative with the coaches and all squad members
- Have good organizational skills
- Be on time to all events
- Be responsible for transporting the gift exchange at home games
- Report ALL problems, confl icts, and concerns to the coach
- Keep communication open and fl owing with all squad members
- Use authority when necessary, but do not abuse it
♦ Co-Captain Responsibilities:
- Support the captain at all times
- Be on time to all events
- Fill in as captain when or if the captain is absent
- Help captain plan and organize pep rallies
- Demonstrate a positive and motivating attitude at all times
- Be dependable and cooperative with the coaches and all squad members
- Follow captain guidelines if necessary

---------------------------------------

another - Equipment Managers:
Create and Maintain Football Equipment & Uniform List
Create and Maintain Cheer Equipment & Uniform List
Create and Maintain Capital Equipment List
Assist with Board approved Fundraising events
Maintain all paperwork & tracking for all equipment
Organize and distribute equipment when needed and maintain the storage
Reports to Athletic Director

Why were you required to pay a fee to work for the team? I do not understand that aspect of this situation. I believe that our managers to not have to pay a fee. Your daughter does not have all of the uniforms, etc that the cheerleaders have does she? I would clarify why the same fee was required and what it was for. This may help delineate the line between backup cheerleader and manager.