Becoming a highschool cheerleader. PLEASE HELP!?

Question

Hey. I'm currently in 8th grade and am planning on trying out for cheerleading next year in highschool. I dont know too much gymnastics, I can do a cartwheel and a handstand but thats pretty much it. I take dance if that helps. And I'm pretty good at it too (at least I think so, lol.) I've been to plenty of the highschool games to know some of the cheers. Also, when I watch them it doesnt seem as if they are lifting up people or doing any tumbling. So I'm thinking that our team isn't that hard to make? Or does it just seem that way because of the little that it seems like they do? Anyways I just wanted to know from current or past cheerleaders. What are the basic things I need to know for tryouts and such. Please help! Thank you soo much!!!
oxoxxo

Answer 1

As a current cheer coach, I can tell you what we expect from our girls.

First and foremost we stress academics. Being a good cheerleader requires a great deal of practice, and this can sometimes hurt your grade point average. We always stress that you can't go on in life to make a living at cheerleading....you have to have an education to do that.

As for the actual requirements:

Knowledge of routines, cheers and chants: Know them backwards and forwards....well enough to begin them anywhere in the middle of the cheer. I have seen many good candidates dropped due to the inability to start a cheer at any point in the routine.

Tumbling/Gymnastics to include cartwheel, roundoff, and back hand spring. Girls who can do a tuck usually get extra points. If you don't have your back hand spring or tuck down, nail the cartwheel and roundoff...lots of spring!

Flexibility and Posture: Be able to do splits and heal stretch. In a Liberty or heal stretch position, hold your balance for 20 seconds. Extra points are given for girls who can do arabesques.

Judges always look for personality and smiles. Be sure to let yours shine through on try out day! It never hurts to add a little wink or nod when the judges look your way!

Keep your movements sharp and in proper form! No sloppy arms, wrists etc. You can lose lots of points in this area. If you have never cheered, you might want to check out cheerleading.about.com for proper movement techniques. I would also suggest that you attend a couple of games to see how the cheerleaders move.

I have also advised many girls to take a video recorder to the game and video tape the cheerleader. You can then take that home and practice at your own pace...stopping and starting when you need to.

If you are able, demonstrate as many tumbling techniques as you have. Ditto for jumps. This is where you can out-shine the competition. If you do not have this ability, be super enthusiastic in high kicking and movements!

dance is great, it gives you poise and rythm, but don't rely on your dancing abilities alone. Your job will be to show the judges that you can work as a team member and engage the crowd to cheer on your team. Make the judges WANT to cheer with you!

On try out day, wear your hair in a pony tail and or off of your face. Not too much make-up and no jewelry. Let them know that you are a serious contender, not there for a beauty contest. Do some deep breathing exercises just before you try out...and remember, every one else is just as nervous as you! Just do your best and it will show!

Best of wishes to you!

Answer 2

If your family can afford it, call around to see if any gymnastics schools near you have special cheerleading classes. I know mine did. You should probably know how to do a toe touch, at least. From what my cheerleading sister-in-law said, you will need tumbling skills if you decide to pursue it at the college level.

I wasn't a cheerleader, but I was on my school's dance team. Since you're a dancer as well, you already know to practice, practice, practice for tryouts! Hold your shoulders back, head up, and smile! I believe someone else already said to keep your movements sharp in cheerleading. With your background, I think you'll have a pretty good shot of making it. :-)

Answer 3

Im a cheerleader in the 8th grade too, The team will definitly be doing stunts(lifting/throwing people in the air) and tumbling, epecially if its a high school team but its okay if you cant tumble,its not all that nessecary and you will easily learn how to do stunts and yes taking dance lessons helps. so just put a smile on be confident and try your best.
Good Luck.

Answer 4

Try to find out more about the team you want to make.
Most teams have different requirements.
But for the basic stuff just stick all of your motions (be tight and stiff), point your toes in splits and jumps, loud voices (please don't sound like a loud and dying cat), and just have a big smile on your face.
Being a good dancer helps too.
But just to be safe, take some tumbling classes.
Act like you're proud of what you are doing!

Answer 5

Ask the coach if you should switch from dance to gymnastics. Most coaches want to add tumbling skills to their routines, unless they are not allowed to have tumbling or stunting.

Answer 6

Make sure you plaster a huge smile on your face when you're trying out. And do that head nodding thing whenever you're cheering, and make sure you're REALLY loud whenever you're doing a cheer. And if they make you do a dance, make sure you're arms and legs are super straight, and make sure everything is crisp.

Hope I helped.

Answer 7

in general make sure that your:
-jumps are as good as they can be
-motions are stuck (crisp sharp)
-voice is loud but not screechy
-dance is on beat and also stuck
-smile is real and not cheesy!

have fun and
g-o-o-d l-u-c-k!

Answer 8

send me a pic i tell you if you b good or not