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New Coach Information

WELCOME NEW COACHES TO WASHINGTON STATE DANCE AND DRILL!

It is highly recommended that coaches join the WSDDCA. The dues form is available on our homepage.
NEW Username and NEW passwords are issued for this website to paid members only at the Fall Conference.

• Join WSDDCA by completing and mailing in Dues Form. The Coach Handbook, Articles, and Newsletter are important files to start with.


• Order your new SPIRIT Rules Book from NFHS.com or ask your athletic director for a copy.
• Useful websites include Washington Interscholastic Activities Association www.wiaa.com (look under Activities, then Dance & Drill)
  
• More judges are needed this year. Training session will be held in September. See the homepage for intern information.
  
• WSDDCA New Coaches Contact is Lara Lindersmith of Tahoma High School, llinders@tahoma.wednet.edu
  

What Every Dance/Drill Coach in Washington State Needs to Know

* Download New Coaches Handbook(pdf)

Washington State Dance / Drill Coaches Association

1.Join the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association. WSDDCA helps coaches by providing a handbook, help for new coaches, networking, workshops, meetings and conferences. Most dance/drill coaches/advisors belong to the association and enjoy sharing with their comrades at meetings and conferences. A fall and spring conference is held for all dance/drill coaches in the state.
2.Dues form is on the website.

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

1.See Your High School Athletic Director or Activities Coordinator for this information about eligibility and other important rules. (Ask to have copies of the Dance/Drill pages.)
2.Be sure to ask the Athletic Director about the required coachac standards, clock hours and yearly rules clinic needed for all coaching, including dance/drill and cheer coaches in the state of Washington, which will be monitored.
3.Competition and Tournament Rules and Regulations are on WIAA Website www.wiaa.com. Go to Activities and look under Dance & Drill.

National Federation Spirit Rules

1.See your Athletic Director or Activities Coordinator for a rule book or make an order.
2.All Washington State Dance/Drill/Flag and Color Guard Teams are under all National Federation rules for safety during practices and performances.
3.You need your own copy. New books are available in July. You may order a copy from:
National Federation of State High School Assoc.
PO Box 690
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
www.nfhs.org

(Effective September 1994, at all WIAA / WSDDCA high school competitions point penalties will be deducted from final score for a NF safety violation. Updated point deduction regulations were modified in August 2000 for Washington State Dance/Drill by WSDDJA and WSDDCA with approval from WIAA.)

QUESTIONS: CONTACT WSDDCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WSDDCA OFFICER, OR WIAA OFFICE.

The Basics for Washington State Dance/Drill Team Coaches Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Dance/Drill a sport or an activity?

� Dance/Drill is considered an athletic activity in Washington State under the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Participants in dance/drill must meet all eligibility requirements for participation as listed in Article 18 of the WIAA Handbook, which are the same requirements for all sport participants. Local school districts can classify dance/drill as a sport or an activity and determine if dance/drill teams and coaches/advisors/directors are under the athletic or activity director.
� From WIAA per October 25, 1999- notification from Office For Civil Rights... If cheer and/or dance and drill have coaches, uniforms, and team selection based upon athletic ability similar to a sports team, and they prepare for and engage in competitions similar to a sports team, those participants will be defined as athletes.
� Local school districts will make the final decibon about their dance/drill programs becoming a sport or remaining an activity. Length of season and funding issues are governed by local school district policies.
� Currently Dance/Drill Teams may be considered a fine arts, physical education, or leadership activity and in many school dance/drill is a class for credit. Under local school district policies most dance and drill teams are under the athletic department for supervision and guidelines, but cross over between activities and athletics. Most schools consider the cheer and dance/drill programs an �athletic activity�. At this time according to WIAA there are no season limitations for cheer and dance/drill teams. Local school districts establish season requirements, usually using Fall and Winter as �seasons�. Most dance/drill teams host tryouts in April or May, attend camps in summer, begin practice with other fall sports, and continue through the winter sports season until the end of March. In Ocdober 2001 WIAA determined the competition season for dance/drill to be November 1 - March (WIAA State Championship date).

2. What are the requirements, qualifications, and rules for dance/drill coaches/advisors?

� All dance/drill and cheer coaches/advisors must meet the coaches standards and philosophy as describes in Article 23 of the WIAA handbook. All coaches must hold a valid First Aid Certification Card and maintain clock hours as described in WIAA handbook Article 23.3.0.
� Copies of these pages of the WIAA handbook can be requested from the school�s athletic director.
� All dance/drill teams in Washington are under the National Federation Spirit Safety Rules. Each coach should have a copy of the rule book, which can be obtained from school�s athletic director or by writing the National Federation, PO Box 690, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206. The cost of the book is $9 to order. Both cheer and dance/drill are under National Federation Spirit Rules for pbactices, performances, games, community events, camps or anytime a team is representing their school as a group.

3. What is the purpose of dance/drill teams for high schools?

� The main purpose of high school dance/drill teams is to promote school spirit by enriching school climate by developing a sense of belonging and to support athletic teams. Dance/drill teams often perform at half-times with the marching band at football games, perform at many boys and girls basketball half-t`-es, and perform at school assemblies.
� Both dance/drill teams and cheer squads are responsible for the leadership of school spirit, therefore working together, while maintaining their own team�s identify and clarifying roles is a must for dance/drill and cheer coaches/advisors. Both dance/drill and cheer teams are visible groups in leadership roles with considerable influence therefore high standards of conduct are essential. (See Appendix 10 of WIAA handbook for �Philosophy of Dance-Drill teams�.)
� Dance/Drill Teams compete in local, state, regional and national competitions. Most local competitions are hosted by high schools throughout the school year. The Dance/Drill State Championship is hosted by the WIAA in late March. For information contact the WSDDCA or WIAA.

4. How can I start to build a successful team?

� Coaches/advisors need to present themselves in an educated and profebcional manner. Coaches/advisors are role models for the young people they work with, therefore setting and maintaining high standards are essential. Get to know and consult with other coaches at your high school, school administrators, athletic and activity directors, and fellow dance/drill coaches to understand rules, philosophy, and procedures.
� Establish a time and place to practice that is practical and safe for your team. Sharing gym space is a common problem for most h`gh schools. Many dance/drill team are allowed gym space in early morning, and often practice in cafeteria or multi-purpose rooms in afternoon or evenings.
� Participate in volunteer service activities, parades and other community activities. linics for younger children will serve the community and could be a developmental program for your team. Publicize your dance/drill program. PR is an important step for your team�s reputation, especially in the beginning. Students deserve recognition for their hard work and long hours, therefore short articles for the school or community newspaper, school video production program, or local radio station are important.

5. What are the basics of organizing a dance/drill team?

� In order to be a successful coach/advisor or effective teacher getting and keepg educ`ted on current rules, guidelines, and basic knowledge of dance/drill are essential to program developmef$ and organization.
� Be highly organized! Establish program philosophy, rules, guidelines, expectations before tryouts. Develop a constitution/code for all students and parents to sign to make sure all important information and dates are available before tryouts take place.
� Get support from parents by organizing a booster club, hosting a fund raising activity together, and by having meeting when necessary to rhare informat`n about the pbogram.
� Develop stude leaders in the program by establishing that the coach/adv`or is the �chairman of the board� and that the student leaders/captains are considered the officers. Various committees can be established throughout the year to help develop leadership and followership skills for all team members.
� Motivation of students for any program comes from being enthusiastic, positive, and committed. Establishing team building activities, high work ethic, and goals are imporpant for newly establish teams as well as older teams. A team freauently reflects the standards and even the personality of their coach/advisor. Having a sense of humor and good communication skills will help any team get through tough times.
� Organize your team like a business. Fund raisers are often a must for teams. Make sure collected money for uniforms is correct and that your �customer service� is friendly and productive. An example: Uniforms are not issued to individual team members until all monies or fines are paid. Make sure ALL monies are processed through the high school�s ASB account.
� Proper conditioning and warm-up, appropriate progression of skills, and emergency planning are fundamental to a successful dance/drill team.

6. Where can I get help?

�Dhe Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association (WSDDCA) helps coaches by providing a handbook, network list, workshops, meetings and conferences. Most dance/drill coaches/advisors belong to the association and enjoy sharing with their comrades at meetings and conferences. A fall and spring conference is held for all dance/drill coaches in the state. Information is updated in the WSDDCA website on a regular basis.
� The WIAA is the governing organization for all high school athletic and activity programs. Information from WIAA can be obtained from your athletic director or by calling the WIAA office at (425) 687-8585.
� Washington State Spirit Judges Association (WSSJA) hosts training for judges. Coaches/advisors are encouraged to attend the training for educational purposes. Contact Washington State Spirit Judges Association. www.wssja.com
� Joining national organizations such as the Dance/Drill Directors of America and attending summer camp with team can help increase the knowledge base of coaches/advisors.
� Subscribing to magazines such as �Dance Spirit�, �Dance Teacher Now�, �Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance� or �American Cheerleader� can increase knowledge base and education of the latest happenings in dance/drill across the country.