Tips for trying out for cheerleading?

Answer 1

As a past high school and college cheerleader, and current coach, I can tell you what we look for in tryouts.


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. I always encourage my girls to take video of these lessons...they can then go home and work at their own pace to learn the moves. This saved me sooooo many times!!!

Tumbling/Gymnastics to include cartwheel, roundoff, and back hand spring. Girls who can do a tuck usually get extra points. Your school may not require this kind of tumbling....do what you do best and nail it!!! Remember to have lots of enthusiasm and spunk!

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 a 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 1/2-1 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 more pics, help and cheers that you can learn, go to
cheerleading.about.com

hope that helps! Good luck!

Answer 2

Ok:
1) Smile! Always smile and just keep the funniest jokes in your mind!
2)Have energy! Be loud!!!!!!
3)Don't act stupid! Be preppy--but smart!
4)BLONDES DON'T MAKE THINGS BETTER!
5)Be cheery! When your team is losing by 25 points with two minutes left--you're the only one there (and well the team) to cheer 'em up!
6)Flexable. Be flexy! Bend! Twist! Turn! Jump! *split* lol. You're gonna have to be able to move your body a bunch of different ways!
7)Laugh. Make sure your laugh is a cute laugh. Never an annoying he he haa he haw haa!
8) Looks the judges in the eye! Eye contact!!!! Make it!
9)Consentrate. Never get distracted, you're there for the team and the game. Not for your nails or your boyfriend!
10)Nervous. Never get nervous, sweetie! That's not good, because if you want to be on the team well you're going to have to perform! Stand out! Be yourself!Be a loud clapper, too! Clapping is important.

Try and do these things (if they help {to you}!) Remember make the judges like you!

Answer 3

think positive before you go

show lots of enthusiasm

be social within the group - if there are more people there trying out - the judges/coaches/whoever will be watching you and your activities

everything you say should be positive - show school spirit

visualize yourself as a true cheerleader and take that image with you when you go

give yourself positive affirmations and only focus on your good qualities

Answer 4

Make sure that you always smile, clap as loud as possible, and ONLY come up with original ideas. sometimes it can be easier if you try and get to know the cheerleaders, watch them practice. try to do what they do. You could also try and work on your flexibility, because that can always help you.
gain some muscle.
i mean, there are so many things that you can do!

Answer 5

A good cheerleader needs to be smiling even when your team is losing 45-7, so smile during tryouts. Have a a clear, loud voice. Be CONFIDENT. Don't let them see you sweat!

Answer 6

Make sure you smile. Look the judges in the face. Keep your movements stiff, yet fluid. If you make a mistake, don't get to hard on yourself. Jump right back in and finish. Do your best and if you don't make it, ask what you may need to improve on so you can practice on that for next year.
Good luck!

Answer 7

1) Have a good cheer.
2) Be loud
3) Be bendy, LOL
4) SMILE SMILE SMILE!
5) Don't be a suckup
6) Don't act extremely conceited or like an insecure psyco. Be NORMAL!
Good luck!

Answer 8

well you get into the cherrleading you have to maybe a little gymnastic and be all ears listen but the number one thing in cherrleading is to have fun with the people you love!

Answer 9

make sure you can afford it ... i was a cheerleader and dropped out cause of the money ...just be happy and relaxed

Answer 10

Be prepared, do you best and be really outgoing, perky and have a lot of energy.