What do judges usually look for at tryouts for cheerleading?

Question

I'm trying out and I want to know so I can work on what they're looking for.
Someone said they really look for good roundoffs but thats all I've ever heard. What are some of the jumps they really look for?

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 or scorpions. You can see examples of these at cheerleading.about.com

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. I recomment learning the herkie, and toe touch as a minimum. 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

The main thing judges look for is a great smile, and confidence! As far as jumps, a great toe touch or herky always impresses, but make sure you can land it cleanly, with your feet together. You didn't say whether you are in high school or middle school. I have coached cheerleading at a high school, and we required at least a back handspring, but different parts of the country emphasize different things.

Make sure you're loud, too!

Answer 3

When you do jumps they mostly will look for toe touches,hurkies and pikes. But when it comes to tumbling they look for round offs, sometimes round off back handspring or even back tucks.

Answer 4

they want a great *******......that'll get your career started