whats some advice if im trying out for varsity cheerleading?
2007-03-07 02:44:09 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
s a current high school 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. Girls must maintain a 2.5 or better grade point average or risk being dropped from the squad for a season. If the grade point average is not raised, she is dropped for the year.
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. We teach one cheer, one chant and a pretty complex 1 minute dance routine. The girls are given 3 days to learn this with tryouts on day 4.
Tumbling/Gymnastics to include cartwheel, roundoff, and back hand spring. Girls who can do a tuck usually get extra points.
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.
Judges always look for personality and smiles as well as how well the contender keeps their movements sharp and in proper form! No sloppy arms, wrists etc. You can lose lots of points in this area.
The girls must do 3 jumps: herkie, toe touch, 1 other. Start by practicing form on the floor, reaching and stretching further each day. When you finally get ready for the air, and have your prep and form down, add a 1 pound weight to each leg. This will help strengthen your jumps and make them higher!
Most of all, the judges are looking for girls who have the ability to work as a team and engage the crowd to cheer on their school!
For pics, help and cheers that you can learn, go to
cheerleading.about.com
hope that helps and good luck!
2007-03-07 06:45:47 · answer #1 · answered by coachls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to be confident first and foremost. If you do mess up during tryouts do not fall apart. Judges know you are nervous and they are looking for ability. (I have judged many tryouts)Motions need to be sharp with good wrists. Jumps need to be clean, and make sure you sit up in your jumps and not reach for your toes. If you can flip thats great, if not start working now, so the coach will know you are trying. Some tryouts have spotters you can use. Always smile. Be loud. And don't think cheerleading is about being spastic, its not. You have to know what your body is doing at all times and control it.
2007-03-07 13:04:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smile and be confident. And remember use facials! I know they look cheesey, but the judges will be looking at you instead of the other girls- which will get you on their radar. Also have fun with it. No one wants to see a cheerleader that is nervous and shaking. A cheerleader should be fun of confidence and pose. I am sure that you will do fine, you just have to give it your all and do your best. That way no matter what happens you know you gave it your all.
2007-03-07 10:58:51 · answer #3 · answered by Dani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well be really loud, Smile, and if you mess up just keep going and act like you meant to do it....oh yea and stretch those legs...do splits to get those jumps looking good...Good Luck!
2007-03-07 10:47:17 · answer #4 · answered by HelpMe123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be confident. Stretch... LOTS. When you watch tv or do homework sit in your straddle position.
PRACTICE... SHARp MOVEMENTS!!!
2007-03-07 10:47:31 · answer #5 · answered by B A N D G E E K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be LOUD! Smile ALOT, and punctuate your movements.
2007-03-07 10:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by mzindica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋