I Tried Out For Cheer! (Journals From Hopefuls & Parents)

Try out season can be one of the most stressful times of the cheer season – for coaches, cheerleaders and parents! This season, we recruited 2 cheerleader hopefuls and their parents to record their try out experience and share their tips with our readers! We followed a high school cheerleader hopeful and an All Star cheerleader hopeful (and their parents) through the process and here’s what they had to say before try outs: High School Cheerleader’s Point of View Q. Why did you choose cheerleading as your sport? A. It’s a lot like my current sport, synchronized swimming, but on land, so I thought it would probably be an easy switch, and a lot of the girls in my club switch to cheer. Q. How did your parents and friends react when you told them that you want to be a cheerleader? A. My parents were surprised that I decided to try something new, since I have been doing synchronized swimming for 6 years. I haven’t told my friends that I am trying out, so I wonder what their reaction will be. Q. What type of squad is it that you are hoping to join? A. It’s a high school team with JV and Varsity squads. Q. What did you know about cheerleading before you made the decision to try out? A. Nothing, really. I’ve watched a couple of YouTube videos, but I don’t know much. Q. What are you expecting try outs to be like? A. I’m expecting it to be really stressful, and I don’t expect to make the team. Parent’s Point of View Q. What is your reaction to your daughter choosing to try out for cheerleading, and why? A. I am surprised and a little anxious, given the negative stereotype-aspect of cheerleading. Q. Do you have experience with cheerleading, dance or gymnastics? A. No. My experiences with sports are from playing volleyball in high school and college. Q. What kind of materials/information has the school given you to help you and your daughter prep for tryouts? A. The school has provided a half-sheet parent cheer meeting invitation to come learn about try-outs and what is expected from the girls and parents. All Star Cheerleading Cheerleader’s Point of View Q. Why did you choose cheerleading as your sport? A. I think that I like cheerleading because of the amount of enthusiasm and energy that it requires! Q. How did your parents and friends react when you told them that you want to be a cheerleader? A. I’ve been cheerling since I was 2 years old, but when I decided to try out for this team, mostly they said “oh my gosh, you’re really going to?” Q. What type of squad is it that you are hoping to join? A. It is an All Star team at a local gym. Q. What did you know about cheerleading before you made the decision to try out? A. I felt pretty confident that I understood most everything about cheerleading since I’ve been cheering for so long. Q. What are you expecting try outs to be like? A. I’m hoping that I get a chance to throw advanced skills, so that I can land my tucks and try one of my new skills – a layout! Parent’s Point of View Q. What is your reaction to your daughter choosing to try out for cheerleading, and why? A. I was happy because I know how much she loves it, but I also started to think about what the cost of an All Star team would be – I know that it is expensive. Q. Do you have experience with cheerleading, dance or gymnastics? A. Yes! I’ve actually coached all three sports for over 20 years! Q. What kind of materials/information has the school given you to help you and your daughter prep for tryouts? A. We received a try out packet that detailed the commitment that the team would expect from us, as well as a breakdown of the costs associated with All Star cheerleading. Will they ‘wow’ the panel at try outs? Will they make the team? Will their parents survive the whole ordeal? Find out what went down at try outs in next week’s blog! (And in the mean time, share your try out experience and tips in our comments!)