so i really really want to go out for t cheerleading tryouts this year so i will be one as a senior, but i have no experience!i've done dance, but not gymnastics.i am currently enrolled in a cheerleading class, though i am having troubles with me jumps and the the tryouts are in like 2 months!Any advice?and do you think i have a chance?
2007-03-12 18:32:11 · 4 answers · asked by sparkle020190 2 in Sports ➔ Other - Sports
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. if you can't tumble, then "out-do yourself in motivation and spirit with high kicks and lots of facials"
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. Again, look at cheerleading.about.com for proper form.
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, help and cheers that you can learn, please check out the link that I gave you above...it will definitely give you an edge!
hope that helps!
2007-03-14 09:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by coachls 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YES! I was a cheerleader myself. Just smile a lot and show that you can learn the routines quickly. the jumps and tricks can be taught. Be very positive when you try out. Keep your moves sharp and stiff. Keep your hands in fists and "punch" avery move. GOOD LUCK!
2007-03-13 01:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by lisadaisy36 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how good your school's team is, wheather or not you will make it. Practice splits to help woth jumps and join tumbling classes, the more practice the better!
2007-03-14 18:24:03 · answer #3 · answered by girl with questions 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may as well go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
2007-03-13 01:39:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋