Takeaways:
- These tips for cheer tryouts can help you prepare yourself physically and mentally to perform at your best.
- Make sure you know everything about your specific tryout requirements and practice recommended poses and stunts.
- Most importantly, you want to properly outfit yourself for a long day of physical activity with sportswear, sneakers, water, and snacks.
Tips for Cheer Tryouts
Tryout season means we give endless advice on how to rock your tryout (even if you didn’t ask for it!). We’ll get right to the good stuff: what you should and shouldn’t do when preparing for cheer tryouts. Follow along to get the top tips for cheer tryouts from our experts!
1. Get All the Details
DON’T wait until the last minute to start training for tryouts. Start stretching and exercising months ahead of time.
DO ask current cheerleaders and/or the coach for advice on what to focus on and what you should know on the big day.
By asking around with the more experienced cheer team members, you can find out which stunts and tumbling routines will likely be part of tryouts. Most cheer squad members want to give you tips for cheer tryouts so you can show up and be your best! With all this information, you can practice the most common basic stunts and poses to feel more prepared on the big day. With enough practice for what to do at cheer tryouts, your movements will seem more natural, and you can focus on smiles and personality.
2. Know Your Limits
DON’T try to teach yourself advanced tumbling moves. You could end up seriously injuring yourself.
DO focus on cheer basics, like standard motions and stances, and stretching to build up your flexibility. With this tip for cheer tryouts, you can maximize your potential and prepare your body for everything the coach has to teach you.
Trying new skills without supervision can be dangerous. If you injure yourself, you won’t be able to participate in cheer tryouts, or you won’t be at your best. Take this cheerleading tryout tip seriously — no matter how much you want to practice a cool new stunt!
3. Work Slowly
DON’T force the splits or other moves that require flexibility. Splits and other flexibility-focused moves require time for your muscles to get accustomed to these positions.
DO give yourself enough time to build up your stamina, flexibility, and balance. These are three key skills cheerleaders need, no matter which position you’re trying out for.
Patience is often the most important tip for cheer tryouts, especially during training and preparation. If you don’t know what to do at cheer tryouts, there’s definitely no reason to push yourself into practicing skills you aren’t ready to perform. Let the coaches and captains tell you what to do and what not to do at cheer tryouts.
4. Show Your Spirit
DON’T be afraid to show your personality during tryouts. What you want to do at cheer tryouts is show your spirit by wearing a cheer bow or other accessories!
DO wear the right clothes to tryouts, including practice shorts and a tank or tee that is form-fitting, as well as white athletic shoes.
Wearing the right gear ensures you feel comfortable for the entirety of the cheer tryout and ensures the coaches can see your movements as clearly as possible. While you might be tempted by spiritwear, our tip for cheer tryouts is to focus on moisture-wicking, performance clothing and let your facials and accessories do the talking!
5. Confidence is Key
DON’T mumble or act shy during your tryout. Even if you’re feeling nervous or shy, you don’t want to give the wrong impression during tryouts.
DO speak loudly and coherently, all while maintaining a smile. Wondering what to do at cheer tryouts during chants? Speaking clearly is best, even if you forget a word or stumble.
How you speak showcases your confidence. If you can project your voice strongly during tryouts, you’ll be able to inspire the entire crowd on the sidelines too.
6. How to Speak to Coaches
DON’T ask the coach if you made the team! This is a big-time rule about what not to do at cheer tryouts. You’ll find out if you made it along with everybody else.
DO ask the coach when the final decision will be made or when you should expect to hear the results. But, again, just ask once! Being respectful of your coach’s time is an essential tip for cheer tryouts.
Tryout FAQ
What should I bring to cheer tryouts?
Your cheerleader tryout checklist should include:
- High-nutrient snacks for energy
- Water to stay hydrated
- Comfortable workout clothing
- Sneakers that you can perform in
- Accessories to step up your spirit
- Basic hair and makeup to keep your look slick
- Notebook for writing down coach feedback
- Music if you’re required to bring your own music
What do cheer coaches look for during tryouts?
The best tip for cheer tryouts is to try to figure out what your coach is looking for when building their cheer team. Some coaches just want to fill specific positions, while others are building a team from the ground up. The most common basics coaches look for include:
- Ability or potential
- Enthusiasm and positive attitude
- Coachability
- Technique
- Specific stunts
Do you need tumbling skills to make the cheer team?
The answer here depends on the level at which you’re participating. Most middle and high school sideline squads don’t need tumbling skills to make the team. However, competition squads and pre-professionals should know some more advanced tumbling techniques.
Get Out There!
Now that you know what to do and what not to do at cheer tryouts, you can prep your mind and body for the upcoming challenge. Make sure you review all of these tips for cheer tryouts to ensure you’re fully prepared for the big day!
