Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
What is PAFA Spirit - Cheer, Poms
and Flags?
We are an instructional
cheerleading, poms and flags organization. Our squads
cheer or perform at PAFA football games in support of the Palatine Amateur Football Associations travel football program.
We teach sidelines, motions, jumps, and halftime routines to cheerleaders in grades 3-8. We also teach motions and halftime routines to our Flag Corps for girls in grades 6-8 and dance steps, motions, and halftime routines for our Poms squads. Our goal is to help prepare the girls for junior high and high school cheerleading, flags and poms opportunities.
Is this a competitive cheerleading, flags and poms organization?
We are mainly instructional however, older cheer
and poms squads have an opportunity to compete locally to provide a taste of competitive skill level cheering and Flags may participate in an optional exhibition at the end of the season.
At what age can my daughter participate in PAFA Spirit?
PAFA Cheer is for children going into grades 3-8. PAFA Flags
and Poms is for children going into grades 6-8.
When does the PAFA Spirit season begin?
The season begins in
late July/early August. A
week long mandatory clinic
week
typically kicks off the season. Practices are held twice a week. Regular season games begin in late August and will continue through playoffs and championship games in mid November for all squads.
SIZING DAY
What is Sizing Day?
Two sizing days are offered each
season. At sizing day you may register your daughter if you have not previously done so. All registered and pre-registered girls must attend sizing day. Your daughter will be fitted for her uniform and her mandatory supplies.
When is Sizing Day?
Sizing days are in May. Exact
dates can be found on our calendar.
What should my daughter wear to Sizing Day?
Your daughter should wear a leotard or similar type outfit to make try-on easier.
What if I miss Sizing Day?
If registered, your daughter may make an appointment to be sized. There is a $25 sizing charge for this. Please contact PAFA
Spirit via our website to set up your appointment.
SUPPLIES
When do I purchase my daughters supplies?
Supplies are purchased during
either of our 2 Sizing Days. Your
daughter should wear a leotard or
similar type outfit to make sizing
easier. Supplies are also available
at Clinic Week; but not all
sizes may be available.
When do I receive my daughters supplies?
Supplies are received during
Clinic Week.
UNIFORMS
What makes up the uniform?
The uniform deposit covers the PAFA skirt and the PAFA shell. The complete uniform is the PAFA skirt, PAFA shell, PAFA hair bow, white no show socks and white cheer shoes. In the winter, a PAFA
mock turtle neck crop top is worn as well as PAFA warm ups, black
ear warmer headband and black gloves.
POMS uniform may be slightly
different each season.
When does my daughter receive her uniform?
Uniforms are handed out during
Clinic Week.
How should the uniform be washed and dried?
Uniforms can be washed in the washing machine in cold water, on the gentle setting. To preserve the uniform,
DO NOT PUT IN DRYER. Please lay both the shell and the skirt out flat to dry. Do NOT dry clean or iron.
How and when is my daughter sized for her uniform?
Your daughter is sized for her uniform on Sizing Day. She should wear a leotard or similar type outfit to try on the uniform.
When should my daughter wear her uniform?
Your daughter should always and only wear her uniform to PAFA football games.
My daughters skirt does not fit right.
The skirts are designed to sit at the waist and this means at the belly button. Please make sure the skirt is pulled up to the belly button and then assess the fit. You should be able to put two fingers into the waist band.
My daughters shell does not cover her stomach, should she have a larger size?
Shells get wider not longer as you go up a size. Please make sure the skirt is pulled up to the belly button and this should alleviate the problem.
What should I do if my daughters uniform still doesn't fit right?
Please notify your squad's team mom and she will address the problem.
PICTURE DAY
When is picture day?
Picture day is scheduled for
early in the season. Date TBD. Make ups are
not available.
What does my daughter wear?
Your daughter will wear her PAFA shell, skirt, spankies,
white no-show socks and cheer shoes.
Hair may be worn any way for
pictures.
SQUAD ASSIGNMENTS
Do you put multiple grade levels on the same cheer squad?
No. All squads are divided by grade level. All 3rd graders cheer with 3rd graders and so on.
Do you put multiple grade levels on the same flag or poms squad?
Yes. Depending on the size of the squad, 6th, 7th and 8th graders may be on the same squad.
Do you honor special requests?
There is a place on the registration to note special requests. We try to honor special requests whenever possible however there are many other factors that determine squad placement and this may not always be possible.
How and when do I find out what squad my daughter is on?
When squads have been assigned, you will receive a letter in the mail. Squad assignments are usually mailed in July.
CLINIC WEEK
What is clinic week?
Clinic week is an opportunity for your cheerleader to learn cheers, stunts, motions, and sidelines in preparation for the football season. If your daughter is participating in Flags it is an opportunity to learn the flag routine.
If your daughter is participating in
Poms it is an opportunity to learn
motions, leaps, dances, and routines
in preparation for the football
season. Fundamentals are taught and emphasized. Pictures are taken and uniforms and supplies are handed out.
When is clinic week?
Clinic week is held late summer. Please see the calendar for the exact dates.
Is clinic week mandatory?
We like to say yes but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
PRACTICES
How are the teams coached?
The teams are coached by high school cheerleaders,
poms or flag participants. All practices are attended by PAFA Team Moms to ensure the safety of all participants.
How many times per week will my daughter practice?
Two
days a week.
When will I know what day(s) my daughter will practice?
Practice days will be announced in July with your squad assignment letter. Practice days are not changeable and are determined based on coach availability.
What should my daughter wear to practice?
Your daughter should wear her PAFA t-shirt or another close fitting t-shirt, cheer shoes, and cheer shorts. Long shorts are a safety hazard for stunting and are not allowed. Jewelry and earrings are not allowed.
How should she wear her hair?
All hair is to be tied back securely in a pony tail. Fly aways and bangs are not allowed. Please use flat push clips instead of barrettes.
COACHES
How do I communicate with my daughters coach?
All communication with the squad coaches is to be done through your squads Team Mom or the Coach Coordinator.
BANQUET
What is the banquet?
The banquet is an annual event that is held to celebrate the successful completion of the season. All girls receive a participation trophy.
When is the banquet?
The banquet is held in November. Please see our calendar for exact date.
Is there a dress code?
There is not a dress code however the banquet is a celebration so girls normally wear party attire dresses, skirts, etc.
Are there assigned seats?
Tables are assigned by squad. Each squad will sit together and the parents of each squad will sit together.
Can more than one parent attend the PAFA banquet?
No. Unfortunately due to space limitations and expenses, we ask that only one parent attend the banquet with their daughter.
If I have more than one child participating in PAFA can more than one parent attend the PAFA banquet?
If more than one child is participating in PAFA then both parents can attend. The parents will be split up and each parent will sit at the table that represents each child's squad.
PARADE
Does PAFA Spirit participate in the 4th of July parade?
We have participated for the last few years. Information on the parade is available at Open Registration/Sizing Days or on our website. The parade route is long and the weather is normally hot so parents should carefully consider their daughter's participation.
RALLY
What is the Rally?
The Rally is an optional event sponsored by PAFA Football. It is held in August and is the kick off rally for the season. Information will be provided at Clinic Week.
HOMECOMING
What is Homecoming?
Homecoming is a football celebration. It is a fun filled day when all participants and parents are recognized. Additional information is provided at Clinic Week.
Why does my daughter cheer at 2 or more games?
Homecoming is a celebration.
There are many more PAFA football
teams than spirit squads. Our goal is to provide cheerleaders,
poms or flags to as many football games as possible to cheer on and support our teams. It can be a long day but the girls have a great time.
