Tips for Successful Cheerleading Try-Outs

I never got interested in playing ball during my youth. However, cheerleading did interest me. My older sister was a cheerleader and it just seemed natural that I would be too. I began an official school cheerleading squad when I was in fourth grade. I had to be on the junior varsity squad for fourth and fifth grade. In sixth grade I moved to the varsity squad. I stayed on this squad for seventh and eighth grade also.

When I entered high school, I was very nervous about trying out for the freshmen squad. However, I fortunately made that squad also. I then went on and was a high school varsity cheerleader for my sophomore, junior, and senior year.

I was not that interested in college cheerleading. I was more focused on getting my degree and getting out of school altogether.

After receiving my teaching degree, I coached a middle school cheerleading squad for two years. When coaching, I held try-outs, took my squad to camp, and competed in competitions. My squad was successful at earning a few trophies and awards.

My coaching experience ended with the beginning of my family. I no longer felt that I had time for both. However, I did then go on and judge several other cheerleading try-outs for different schools.

In this article, I would like to offer some advice for trying out and making the squad.

Show interest and enthusiasm during the try-out learning period. Most cheerleading try-outs have a few days of teaching and learning of new cheers. Although you are not being judged during this time, your attitude does reflect on others. Stay positive; do not start disagreements and arguments among the girls. Smile at all times, you never know when someone might be watching!

Dress appropriately. Your hair should always be out up if it is long enough. Stay always from jewelry and keep your make-up to the minimum. Try to dress cool and comfortably but not too sloppy or revealing. Tuck your shirt in if possible. Always wear tennis shoes.

Stretch and exercise a couple of weeks before try-outs. Stretching out your muscles can work wonders fro jumps and kicks. Do not wait until try-outs begin to worry about getting into shape. Start working ahead and make sure that you are physically capable of the work.

Practice voice control. Your voice should be loud and strong. However yelling is not the key. When using the right voice in cheerleading, you will feel a vibrate from your diaphragm. Make sure that your voice is strong and not squeaky. Above all things, make sure that you can be heard.

Keep your arms in the right motion. Practice your motions in front of a mirror. When your arms are in a correct high or low V, you should be able to see your arms slightly out of the corners of your eyes when you are looking straight ahead.Have others watch your motions and critique them. Your motions should pop out sharp and not be slow or lagging.

Anytime that a cheer or motion in not in progress, keep a the standard "hands on hips, smiles on lips" motion. This is the normal stance for cheerleaders when they are not cheering.

Smile, smile, smile! During try-outs smile and make eye contact with the judges as much as possible.

Do not let a mistake get you down. If you make a mistake, ask for a "do over". Judges had much rather that you admit your mistake and ask for another try than go running off the court crying.

In addition to sharp motions, keep your toes pointed in all kicks and jumps.

Try to relax and have fun!