If you want to be part of a cheerleading team, you have to audition through the tryouts. While it can be an exciting time for a cheerleader, the tryouts can also be a stressful experience. Note that you’ll have to show your skills in front of a group of judges, who are mostly the squad captains and coaches.
Cheer tryouts include a variety of gymnastic exercises meant to test one’s flexibility and upper-body strength. Judges also observe the aspirant’s attitude in order to ensure that they will not cause drama within the team. Many tryouts have a score sheet that can be reviewed beforehand.
For those with experience in cheerleading, they’ll be asked about stunting and tumbling and be required to demonstrate. But if you don’t have experience, don’t be scared as you’ll be taken through it. However, you’ll have to perform some cheers, basic jumps, dance, stunting, and tumbling.
Cheerleading tryouts usually take place after school or in the evening, depending on the coach’s availability. They can be held in school, auditorium or gym. So ensure that you know the venue early enough. Learn from this guide about everything involved in cheerleading tryouts.
How Do You Prepare for Cheerleading Tryouts?
If you’re thinking of auditioning for cheerleading or have an audition coming up, preparing for it will boost your chances of being successful. Every squad requires one to either learn their group cheer or make theirs up and perform it. Plus, most judges will want to see your tumbling and splitting skills. That means that preparing early for all these. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for a cheerleading tryout.
Know What Is Required
It is important that you know the requirements of a tryout before attending one. You can find out about them from the clinics and meetings held before the audition day. Make sure that you take some notes at these meetings and figure out the score sheet so that you can prepare well. If there are any clinics offered, you should also attend them to learn from the coaches and figure out the skills you need to learn before your tryout day. We also encourage individuals to use this opportunity to ask the questions they have.
Practice As Much As You Can
The saying “practice makes perfect” strongly applies here. After knowing what is required, you then need to practice as much as possible. Your performance can not be impressive if you haven’t practiced. So make sure that you give it your all.
Although one can learn the dance, cheer, and chants at the clinics, this isn’t enough to prepare them for their big day. Make sure that you practice on your own and with friends so that you can correct each other where you’re wrong.
Stay Flexible and In Shape
You can’t be a good cheerleader if you are not flexible, which means that stretching your muscles regularly is paramount. Judges will want to see how flexible you are. But, if you’ve not been practicing, you’ll probably end up overstretching during the tryout, which can lead to injuries. Note that flexibility and stretching are built slowly over time. So start training now before the cheerleading tryouts.
Additionally, you have to stay in shape. Do fitness and strength exercises regularly and add jogging and lifting lightweight to your fitness routine.
Get Someone to Mentor You
Past or present cheerleaders can advise you on the things judges and coaches look for in a cheerleader. You can find out from them any extra tips that will help you give a remarkable performance during your tryout. And if they are willing to train you, don’t resist the offer.
Make Your Personality Shine
Sure, great cheerleading skills are important when auditioning for cheerleading. However, judges are also looking for people with great personalities. So make sure you maintain a good attitude.
Remember that no one wants a person with a nasty attitude on their team. Once you become a cheerleader, there’s no whining or complaining.
Additionally, you should give out 100%. Note that coaches choose people who are serious to be part of their squad. So giving it your all will make you stand out from the cheerleaders who are also auditioning.
It’s also important that you plan your outfit early. Consider the specific requirements for hair, socks, makeup, and shoes, needed by your particular tryout. However, if they haven’t issued a guideline for the outfits, keep your hair out of your face, maintain a natural look, and make sure that you look clean from head to toe.
What Can You Not Do at Cheer Tryouts?
During the tryouts, you have to showcase your skills and stunts in a pretty and effortless manner. While this can be a stressful time, doing some things can instantly put you out of the competition. Here are some things not to do at the tryouts.
Overdoing Your Makeup
Eyes, looks, and cheeks should look stunning for a cheerleader. However, slow down on the makeup. Allow the judges to see your inner beauty without being distracted by your lipstick, eyeshadow, or blush. So, keep the makeup subtle and try to create a fresh natural look.
Going Unprepared
Some cheerleading programs have specific requirements about what to wear during the tryouts. Make sure that you are aware of the attire needed in advance before going to the tryout. Plus, if the program will have an interview, ensure that you have some knowledge about it, including its history and a few alumni. This will help you sound knowledgeable and informed.
Frowning at the Tryouts
Smiling is what cheerleaders do. So make sure that you smile, or else the judges will think that you have a negative attitude. Introduce yourself with a smile and smile again once you are done with your audition. Remember that your attitude is as important as your skills.
Trying to Be Perfect
Many people think that they have to be a tumbling master to make it into the cheerleading squad. This thus makes those who aren’t, feel intimidated. However, rather than doing advanced stunts at the workout, which not only embarrasses you if you don’t know how to do them but can also lead to an injury, perfect the skills you currently know. It is better to show a coach that you are flexible than to attempt performing a move that could injure you.
Wearing Too Many Accessories
The tryout is a time to show off your skills and not your neckpieces or earrings. So don’t wear jewelry to your tryout. This also applies to male cheerleaders. Try to keep things simple and neat.
What Should I Bring to Cheer Tryouts?
Now, that you’re mentally and physically prepared to audition, fill your cheer bag with these items on the day of your tryout.
- Clothes- carry a pair of practice shorts and a fitting T-shirt. But note that some programs may need you to wear specific clothes and colors.
- Indoor performance shoes designed for cheerleaders- make sure that they are clean and white, that is, if you’ve not been given color recommendations.
- Sports bra- that you should change into before your audition begins. Also for those doing tumbling or stunting, make sure to carry a pair of cheer briefs.
- A decorating cheer bow- preferably one that is in your school color. However, determine whether the current cheerleading team wears a bow so that you don’t look out of place.
- Pompoms- if they are used by the cheerleading team.
- Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss- if you’ll have to do other things first before your evening audition.
- Basic makeup items like concealer and powder for a small touch-up before your audition.
- Reusable water bottle
- A notebook
- Music, if it’s a requirement
How Do You Tryout for Cheerleading with No Experience?
Even if you don’t have tumbling or stunting experience, you can still fulfill your cheerleading dream. Here are some steps that will help you during a tryout if you have no experience.
Look nice– make sure that you are presentable during your audition. Wear a fitting shirt, tie your hair into a ponytail, and keep your makeup subtle.
Showcase what you know– judges aren’t looking for a perfect person. So, don’t try too much to be perfect. Showcase your current skills the best way you can.
Have good facial expressions– smile, wink, stick your tongue out when performing. You are a cheerleader, putting a smile on people’s faces is your duty.
Be audible and confident– judges want to hear your voice easily since that is what cheerleading entails. Plus, always be confident whenever you are cheering.
Final Thoughts
Well, now you know of all the fundamental things required during a cheerleading tryout. If you have an audition coming up, make sure that you prepare yourself well and try not to panic. We understand that this can be a stressful time. However, panicking will not make things any simpler. So be confident and do what you know.
Lastly, you should start developing good habits as soon as now. Note that, being a cheerleader is being a role model. Cheerleading is about leadership, confidence, dedication and hard work. While you can teach and hone your skills, you can’t fix your personality that easily. So make sure that you start developing good habits to increase your chances of making it to the squad.
