Key Takeaways
- Trying for a competition cheerleading squad is a little different than trying out for a sideline team.
- Prep work before tryouts includes focusing on stamina, strength, and flexibility.
- The day before tryouts, you should make sure to choose an outfit that makes you stand out and get a good night’s sleep.
- Tryouts are all about being prepared. Start your prep work far in advance to build the skills you need to succeed.
Competitive Cheerleading Tryouts
Whether you’re trying out for a school squad or a semi-professional competition team, competition cheer tryouts are a pretty big deal. Prep work should start far in advance of tryouts, and you should focus on very specific skills to prepare yourself for competition-style cheerleading.
Ready to learn more about what it takes to have a successful tryout for competitive cheerleading? Follow this Omni Cheer guide to get concrete tips, guidance, and advice that adequately prepare you for audition day.
What Is Competitive Cheerleading?
Competitive cheerleading is when squads compete against each other instead of cheering on a sports team. During competitions, teams typically perform a 2-3 minute routine, which is judged and scored to rank them. Competition cheer tryouts are unique from sideline cheer tryouts since this type of performing requires a different skill set.
Sideline cheer tryouts focus on engaging the crowd with chants and spirit gear. With competition cheer, you’ll need to focus on learning longer routines and impressive tumbling passes to impress the judges on competition days.
What Skills Should You Train For?
If you’ve decided that competitive cheerleading is the right choice for you, it’s time to hone in on the types of stunts and skills you’ll need. This type of cheerleading won’t require spirit gear or megaphones! Instead, you’ll need to learn about everything from toe touches to backflips that you may need to perform as part of your competition choreography.
The team’s level determines which skills will be allowed during the competition. Level 1 teams focus on the basics, while Level 7 teams perform everything from free flipping stunts to back handspring full-ups. Knowing your team level will help you figure out which skills you should train for competitive cheerleading tryouts. There’s no point in training for tougher tricks that won’t even be part of your team’s choreography during competitions!
Pre-Tryout Prep
You should start training for competition cheer tryouts as soon as possible, ideally months in advance, to build the strength and skills you need. When you start early, you can also form a practice squad with other hopefuls to train for group stunts. A few other ways to prep for tryouts include hitting the gym for cheerleading-focused workouts, practicing as much as possible, and finding a mentor to guide you.
1. Focus On Form
As a competitive cheerleader, you’ll need to balance strength, flexibility, and endurance to ensure the best form possible. Strength training and stretching are essential for competition cheer tryouts, so focus on exercises that work the same muscles you use in stunts and tumbling. You should also devote a couple of days each week to cardio to build your strength for longer routines.
If there’s a specific position you think is a good fit for you, like flyers or bases, you’ll also need to practice the position-specific abilities you may be asked to showcase during competition cheer tryouts.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
The gym is one way to build strength and flexibility, but practicing the skills themselves is the best way to become more comfortable performing them during competitive cheerleading tryouts. We recommend practicing choreography, tumbling, and stunts with other people so you have spotters to keep you safe. You should also record yourself practicing to better spot areas for improvement.
3. Find a Mentor
The best way to prepare for competition cheer tryouts is by talking to someone who’s been through them. Finding a current squad member, former coach, or other experienced community member can be your most valuable resource. They can help you train, answer your questions, and give you pointers that are specific to the team you’re trying out for.
What to Do the Day Before Tryouts
Most of the time, you’re still in school when trying out for a competition squad, so you have other responsibilities to take care of before you can focus on tryouts. Make sure you get your homework done right away so you can get the rest you need to perform at your peak. You’ll also need to choose an outfit and turn in early for a good night’s sleep.
When choosing your outfit, keep in mind that you must balance style and practicality. Here are some top tips for choosing an outfit for competitive cheerleading tryouts:
- Wear your team or school colors
- Choose form-fitting clothing to show your technique and prevent tripping hazards
- Pull your hair back and attach a bow or scrunchie for extra flair
- Keep your makeup subtle so it stays on through sweat
- Skip jewelry
You’ll also need to buy performance shoes and socks, specifically designed for competition cheer tryouts.
What to Do During Tryouts
Arriving at competition cheer tryouts isn’t the end of the line; it’s a culmination of all the effort you’ve put in so far. Make sure you put on the best possible show when you maintain a professional, confident demeanor. Don’t fidget, slouch, chew gum, or otherwise disrespect the tryout process. You should also stay positive at all times, even when you make a mistake. Simply smile and keep going from where you left off to show your perseverance and graceful attitude.
Omni Cheer is Here for You
At Omni Cheer, we’re more than just a place to buy cheerleading uniforms and accessories; we’re here to support cheerleaders, coaches, and families with advice and solutions to cheer-specific concerns.
With our guide to improving your chances during competition cheer tryouts, you can put your best foot forward as a cheerleader. Looking for coaching guidance? We’re here for that too. Check out our blog for more tools and support today.
