What do the judges look at when you try out for cheerleading?

Question

well i am a freshman going on a sophmore at highschool. i am trying out for cheerleading and this is kinda sumthing new for me! but i think i have the qualities to become a cheerleader because my tumbling is good...right now i have a backhandspring on the floor working on my tuck. also because anything that i cant do i am willing to try my hardest to work on it. i have tumbling classes twice a week for 3hrs. i am goin to work REALLY HARD!!! but tryouts are in about 2 weeks. so i have 2 weeks to work on wat i need. well now all that is said....wat do the judges look for in a cheerleader when you try out ???? like your tumbling, your jumps, orr whatttt? i would love for someone to reply back to my question. THANKS!

Answer 1

I have not only been in your position....several times, I have also judged and now am a coach. I feel very qualified to answer this question!

So....As 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. You can see examples of this at cheerleading.about.com

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. You can work on these first on the floor....stretching yourself just a little bit more everyday until you have proper form. Then work on taking it to the air. When you have your prep and jump perfected, put 1 pound weights on each ankle and jump with them on from that point on. When it comes time for tryouts, take the weights off...you'll jump higher than ever because you have become used to jumping with more weight!

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! make the judges feel like cheering with you by engaging them every time you get a chance.

On tryout day, eat a good breakfast...with complex carbs. Go to the tryouts with your hair up off of your face and in a ponytail, little or no makeup and no jewelry. Let them know that you are a serious contender and not there for a beauty contest!

For pics, more help and cheers that you can learn, go to
cheerleading.about.com

hope that helps!
oh...and good luck!

Answer 2

Judges look for mostly tumbling skills, loudness, sharpness, your smile =], etc. Work on your jumps especially. most likely if you land a standing tuck you'll get extra points which will definitely help you make the team.

Answer 3

we look for cheerfulness, smile, poise, flexibility, and i like to see the girls that are aware of the game they are cheering for so that they don't do the wrong cheers...