For this year’s Gym Day, a recently added festivity is drawing some hype: “Powder Puff” football is coming, and the students are all about it.

Powder Puff football is a much-loved game at many schools: it features a 7-on-7 girls football match, bolstered by the guys who serve as cheerleaders.

Gym day is coming up Friday, March 23rd. Gym day, or “Gym Block” as the students call it, is the length of three class periods (3rd, 4th, and 5th), in which students take part in spirit events to compete for class dominance.

Hype is beginning to build behind this year’s “Powder Puff” game as some grades, like the Sophomore’s, have begun practices during lunch at school.

Since this is the first year Saint Stephen’s is hosting a “Powder Puff” game, here are some do’s and don’ts to make sure your class crushes the competition.

Do’s:

1. Coordinate uniforms. Everyone loves being decked out in cool gear for the games. Make sure everyone coaching, playing and cheering coordinate their uniforms so they match each other in some way. This is a great way to earn some additional spirit points.
2. Practice before the game Nobody wants to watch their team get beat. Hold some practices after school or during lunch to make sure your team is ready to execute on game day. It also doesn’t hurt to have your cheer squad practice so they can be on point when game time comes.
3. Have skilled coaches. Football players are always a good choice as they have the experience to give good pointers as to how to play the game. Another way to pick coaches is to pick the most spirited person in your grade and let their spirit and hype move the team to victory.
4. Cheer your squad on. If you’re in the stands feel free to cheer on your team from the stands and root them on to victory. Everyone knows how much fun it is to cheer louder than the other grades and get hyped up supporting your team.
5. Pick the best players. It is never fun to lose, especially to another class. Go out and find the best players you can for your team, don’t just put the players out there that complained enough.

Don’ts:

1. Be too confident. Please don’t think you’re going to beat the Seniors because it will not happen…. look at the spirit scoreboard and remember their sweep of Spirit Week. 
2. Cheer against other teams. Sportsmanship is always important. Even though it is fun to laugh at and make fun of the Freshmen for being as bad as they are, it is better if we are all constructive. Remember what Coach Paoletti always says, “Cheer for, not against”.
3. Go too hard. This is not a full-blown varsity football game, it’s a light-hearted fun spirit competition. We do not need people de-cleating others like they’re Sydney Brown.
4. Argue with the officials. You’re wrong and always will be…. And no, the game is not rigged in favor of the Seniors, you just can’t beat them.
5. Cross-dress. Cross-dressing is still not allowed. The cheer squad will have to wear appropriate costumes as cross-dressing is a dress code violation.