Preparing Yourself Before Tryouts:
? Eat healthy and be sure to get plenty of rest the week before.
? Get in shape. If you aren’t already on a workout plan, be sure to start one at least a month prior to tryouts. You’ll need strength, endurance, and flexibility to be a successful cheerleader or dancer.
? Be sure to find out the time span of tryouts. Is it two weeks or two days? Also, find out if there are any special events that you should attend or at least be aware of (i.e. a stunt, tumbling, or dance technique class, mock tryouts, etc.).
? Talk to past or present team members. They can be an excellent source of information about the style of cheer or dance the coach is looking for. Most people would be flattered that you’re asking for their help.
? Take a blank tape or CD to record the tryout music.
? Every time you practice, even while you’re just learning, do all the moves full out and sharp. This will help it become natural.
? Have confidence in yourself - at clinic and on the day of tryouts. A simple smile and a great attitude can show a great deal to the judges.
The Day Of:
? Dress to impress! If you feel good about the way you look, it’ll be easier for you to concentrate on what you need to do. Make sure your attire is appropriate - some teams require a specific outfit, so be sure to check that out. It’s always a good idea to wear your school or team colors.
? Your hair should be neat and pulled away from your face.
? Don’t lose your professionalism, especially for those trying out for a college team, by stopping to fix your hair, scratch an itch, or smile at a friend in the audience. And never wear jewelry (unless you’re instructed to) or chew gum.
Know your technical stuff. Again, make sure you’ve done your research on what the judges/coaches are looking for so your style can match.
? If you make a mistake, don’t panic and stop what you’re doing. Show your leadership abilities by handling mistakes graciously and with confidence. Pick up where you left off, and take slow, deep breaths to keep yourself calm and relaxed.
? Smile! Be peppy and energetic. Always show enthusiasm.
? Always keep your head up, and never look down. Make eye contact with the judges.
Tryout Checklist
? Don’t stress out! Even if this is going to be your first tryout experience, all you can do is your best.
? Stay healthy!
? Have you done your homework on the squad you’re trying out for? Do they mainly concentrate on competition, cheering at games, etc.?
? Can you devote a significant amount of time to this squad? What are your other obligations (school, athletic, extracurricular, etc.)? Cheerleading is a huge commitment, and coaches want people on their team who are dedicated and willing to put in the time.
? Know what skills are required of you at tryouts (i.e. standing/running tumbling, stunts, etc.). Talk to the coach before or during the clinic and find out the main things he or she will be looking for. ? What are you required to wear during tryouts? Ask someone who has been on the squad before. What does the coach or what do the judges prefer you to wear?
? Does the squad have an open gym for tumbling and/or stunting? If so, have you been going? If not, are you taking tumbling or stunting private lessons? Look for a gym that has cheerleading tumbling classes, not just regular gymnastics.
? Are your parents supportive of you trying out? Along with emotional support, there will be the occasional expense while on the team including coaching, uniform, camp, and competition fees. Be prepared to participate in fundraising events, collect sponsors, or pay a little out of your pocket if they aren’t willing to help. Most teams are really good about working with budgets though.
? Practice/master your skills before tryouts. Don’t injure yourself trying to learn a new skill the week before tryouts. Find something you can do really well, like a stunt or tumbling pass, and perfect that.
? If you have to perform a dance routine, try to get a copy of the music so you can practice at home.
? Be prepared to give your all at clinic, the coaches are always watching!
The Big Day:
? Do you have all the necessary forms filled out/signed? Make sure you remember to bring them with you!
? Know your material!
? Already have what you are going to wear picked out so you aren’t freaking out five minutes before you’re supposed to leave.
? Relax! If you’ve prepared yourself, that’s all you can do.
? Remember: If you mess up, pick it back up and keep going. Coaches like to see that you can handle the pressure.
At my tryouts we walk out on the floor and spirit , tumble , toe touch , cheer , dance , then your done ! But , you NEED to spirit after everything you do ! Be peppy ! So it should be like this . Spirit , tumble , spirit , toe touch , spirit , cheer , spirit , dance , spirit ! In case you don't know what I mean by spirit is jump around and say let's go (your schools mascot) . Like mine is owls . So I'd say "let's go owls ! " it is very very very important to not say woo in cheerleading ! Look on YouTube at some good ways to spirit and how to be tight and make your motions pop !
You want your toe touches high but your technique is more important than hight . Point your toes and roll your hips out !
Also when you walk out on the floor walk with a purpose . If you don't know how go to YouTube . And DON'T stop smileing !
You don't have to be good at tumbling just don't walk out there and do a cartwheel . At least do a round off .
Wear lots and lots of make up ! Pink lip gloss ! Be glittery ! And wear a bow !
Every school is different . At mine we have to wear white shirts and black shorts but could be diff . at yours . And at some schools they are in front of people but at mine we are just in front of judges .
It's okay if you don't know everyone and its fine if you can't do the splits .
I hope this helps and I wish you the best !
1. Get your jumps solid, and stretch for your splits. 2. Just get your left, right, or middle splits 3. It's usual a roundoff back handspring 4. Just wear an old tee shirt, athletic shorts, cheer shoes or athletic shoes and your hair up 5. Little to no make up 6. It's usual a cheer, dance, splits, and jumps 7. There's usually around 30-60 girls trying out at least for my school. 8. Tryouts are usually in a room with only you and another two people with a few judges. 9. Yeah of course you'll meet new people at try outs and if you make the team 10. Just smile and be energetic and positive
1.) Try to focus on being tight, loud, and positive. This is what most schools focus on at tryouts.
2.) You don't need to be flexible although it does help with you're jumps.
3.) You don't need to do any tumbling but it would boost your score. At my school most girls have a backhand spring, half have back tucks, and a few have layouts and fulls.
4.) They should have a meeting telling you what you need to wear. Usually it's cheer shoes, shorts, and t shirt in school colors.
5.) Usually you can wear makeup if you want to. I didn't wear makeup to mine but some girls do. I don't think that it really matters. Just make yourself presentable!
6.) At the clinics you learn a cheer, chant, and dance. Sometimes they let you pick your numbers for the order you tryout in at the clinics or the day of tryouts. There are usually two or three days for clinics, but sometimes there is only one. On tryout day, you tryout in order of your number and sometimes the list is posted that day or the next.
7.) It usually depends on the size of the school, at one school I went to, over 100 girls tried out. At my new school, only 40 girls tried out.
8.) Sometimes you try out in pairs with another cheerleader and other times it's just you and the judges. At my tryouts, the coaches and senior cheerleaders not trying out were there too.
9.) After tryouts, I was able to see my scoresheet. Some of the judges told me to be tighter and sharper, and smile more.
10.) It's ok if you can't do a split. I don't think that they will ask for that.
11.) On my scoresheet, tumbling was only worth 5 points while everything else was worth 10 or 20 points. Tumbling can help boost your score, but it won't affect it that much.
12.) It's ok not to know anyone at tryouts. It would be a great opportunity to make new friends.
13.) Always smile, be positive, be tight and sharp, and loud! Good luck! :)
