Key Takeaways
- Be prepared for a variety of skills. Tryouts may include cheers, short dances, jumps, tumbling, and stunting. Coaches are typically looking for well-rounded cheerleaders.
- Focus on technique and clean performance. Clear vocals, confident facial expressions, sharp movements, and a synchronized group performance are essential.
- Stretch beforehand, know your limits, and follow instructions carefully, especially for stunts and tumbling.
- Relax, have fun, and give your best. Coaches value enthusiasm, teamwork, and a positive attitude as much as skill.
How to Prep for Cheerleading Tryouts
So you’re on your way to trying out for cheer. Maybe you’ve been a Pop Warner girl since you were old enough to compete, or maybe you’ve never cheered in your life. Everyone has to try out, and everyone should have a fair opportunity to be part of his or her school’s squad. Here’s what to expect at cheer tryouts. Follow along to learn how to try out for cheerleading with no experience!
Who Attends Cheer Tryouts?
Aside from potential new members, coaches and squad captains always attend tryouts. They’re the tryout judges who ultimately decide who makes the team. Sometimes assistant coaches, a school’s athletic director or advisor, or other members of the squad may attend.
What Happens at Cheer Tryouts?
Coaches and captains are looking for new squad members who will work well with the team. They ask about previous cheer, dance, and/or gymnastics experience. If you have cheered before, they’ll ask you about stunting and tumbling and may ask you to demonstrate. If you haven’t, have no fear. They’ll walk you through it. A standard tryout will include learning and performing a few cheers and possibly doing a short dance, basic jumps, stunting, or tumbling.
When & Where Are Tryouts Held?
Cheer tryouts often take place either after school or in the evening, depending on when the coaches are available. They may be held in a school gym, auditorium, or field. Be sure that you know where and when you should arrive, and that you have a ride to and from cheerleading tryouts. Sometimes parents and guardians are invited to stay, but not always, so make sure your ride is okay with dropping you off or waiting for you. Tryouts can take up to a few hours, so plan accordingly.
Why Are Cheer Tryouts Held?
Tryouts are held to add new members to the team. Sometimes squads are only looking to fill one spot, and other times everyone (including returning members) tries out. Most tryouts are somewhere between these two points, in which squads are looking for a handful of new cheerleaders. For competitive squads, choosing new members who work hard and mesh well with the team is especially important.
For those of you who are new to cheering, here are some pointers on what to expect from tryouts and how to prepare for them!
Cheer Tryout Tips
Every tryout will include potential members learning and performing at least one cheer. Senior members of the squad or a coach will demonstrate, and you’ll be expected to do the cheer yourself as part of your cheer tryout. Usually, you’ll be given time to practice. Here are a few key tips to remember.
1. Project a Strong, Clear Voice
When you cheer, try to pull a deep, loud voice from your stomach instead of just yelling from your throat; your words will be clearer and stronger, and you won’t have a sore throat after trying out. Be sure to enunciate.
2. Show Personality with Facials
Smile and show off your confidence! Everybody trying out will be nervous, but smiling can boost your energy. Cheerleaders have to smile and rock cheer facials through tough games and competitions, so the cheerleading tryout is good practice.
3. Keep Motions Sharp & Uniform
When you perform the cheer, be aware of how you are standing. If the cheerleader showing you the moves has her feet together or shoulder-length apart, that’s where your feet should be. While you’re practicing, it’s most important to learn the steps, but once you’re trying out for cheer, keep your motions as tight as possible. Remember, when the whole squad cheers together, everyone’s arms and legs have to be uniform to give the cheer a clean look.
4. Polish Your Cheer Dance
Some cheer tryouts may include learning a few counts of a dance, which is usually something short and easy that the squad might do with a cheer during halftime. Like with the cheer, you want to follow the example cheerleader’s moves precisely; dancing is less rigid than doing cheer motions, but when the group performs together, cleanness is still top priority.
5. Show Off Your Jumping, Tumbling, & Stunting Skills
If cheerleading tryouts involve jumping or stunting, the senior members will walk you through the steps. For tumbling, you may be asked to do somersaults, cartwheels, or handstands. Don’t worry, first-time cheerleaders, nobody expects you to whip out a back-handspring on your first day! Stunts are done in a group, so you will probably be working with an experienced group if you’re asked to try it.
FAQs
What should I wear to cheer tryouts?
You should dress in fitted cheer practice or warmup clothing that won’t get in the way of any routines or stunts. Shorts or leggings and a tee or tank top in school or team colors can show a little extra spirit and earn you bonus points.
What should I bring with me on cheerleading tryout day?
In addition to appropriate clothing and shoes, you should also bring water, a towel, snacks, hair ties or bows, and deodorant. You never know when your hair will need a touch-up! You can skip out on any jewelry or makeup on tryout day.
What skills should I know for cheer tryouts?
Cheerleading requirements may include knowing specific tumbling tricks, like cartwheels, roundoffs, and handsprings (if you can tumble). You should also practice various cheerleading motions, including:
- High V
- Low V
- Daggers
- Touchdown
Make sure your moves are clean and sharp!
What do coaches look for beyond technical skills?
There are many intangible skills that make you a better candidate for the cheerleading squad. Focus on maintaining a positive attitude, especially if you mess up. You should also showcase your performance presence with good posture, sharp motions, and stable posing. Most importantly, try to show that you’re coachable. If anyone gives you a correction or calls out a request, jump on it right away to show that you’re listening and improving all the time.
What happens if I make a mistake during my cheer tryout?
What do you do at cheer tryouts if you make a mistake? Don’t stop! Maintain your smile and keep moving forward. Coaches are looking for that resilience and positivity, so keeping your head up shows that you’re mature and ready for the stage.
Additional Cheer Tryout Tips For Success
To prepare for trying out for cheer, be sure to stretch every day for a few days in advance to make sure that you won’t hurt yourself. Even hitting a motion can leave your arms sore if you haven’t stretched. Drink tea or water before the tryout to soothe your throat, and take deep breaths to calm yourself if you start getting nervous. If you haven’t been told, ask what to wear to your cheer tryouts.
Don’t Stress, Do Your Best
The most important thing when trying out for cheer is to relax and have fun. Tryouts can be intimidating, but whether you make the squad or not, coaches and cheer peers will respect you for doing your best and putting yourself out there. Going out for the cheer team is the first step towards new experiences and friendships, and it takes a lot of guts. Remember that you are a superstar and strut onto the mat with confidence! Good luck!
