So You Didn’t Make the Team. Now What?

You trained for months and you gave it your all, but, nonetheless, your name wasn’t on the list. Not making the team (or not making the varsity squad) stings. As awful as you may feel, there are ways to get your spirits back up and find the motivation needed to create a Plan B. Follow our 10 steps: Step 1: Accept the decision. Don’t loudly complain that you should have made the squad or yell at the coach for her decision. This will only make things worse for everyone. If it makes you feel better, think of all the famous athletes and professionals who didn’t make the team the first time. Outside of the sports world, look at other individuals who faced rejection. J.K. Rowling was denied by countless publishing houses before Harry Potter was finally accepted. Step 2: Understand your feelings. Take a moment to figure out what you’re feeling. Are you angry? Are you sad? Are you embarrassed? Understand your emotions and let them happen. There’s no shame in crying or feeling angry. Don’t push away your feelings and try to convince yourself that you don’t care about what happened. Step 3: Talk with the coach. Once you’ve had time to accept the decision and understand what you’re feeling, ask the coach why you didn’t make the team. She may be able to let you know what skills were needed or where you were lacking. You can use this constructive criticism to help you train. Step 4: Rethink your goals. Look back on the tryouts and your training. Did you enjoy it? Or did it feel like a chore? Cheerleading isn’t for everyone and you should be honest with yourself about whether or not you still want to be a cheerleader. If you don’t, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. There may be a better sport or activity out there that’s better suited for you! If you do still want to be a cheerleader, continue on to the next step. Step 5: Create a plan of action. If you do still want to be a cheerleader, do you want to tryout for the same team next year? Or, are you interested in another team? Look into community or gym teams outside of your school. If you’re at the All Star level, research other teams within a certain mile radius. Once you decide on a squad you’re interested in, find out when tryouts will be. Start training at least three months in advance. Reflect back on what the coach told you were skills needed and incorporate those into your training. You can also ask those who did make the team what they did to prepare. Remember… Don’t give up just because you’re afraid you will be rejected again. Stay motivated by always keeping your goal in mind. If you really want to be a cheerleader, don’t let this rejection get you down. It’s okay to feel upset at first, but it’s up to you to conquer those feelings and use them to keep pushing. What are your tips for those who don’t make the cheer squad?