4. SUCCEED AT TRYOUTS

Obviously the crucial step in becoming a cheerleader is to succeed at the tryouts. Most programs hold their tryouts towards the end of spring, so that the new squad will be chosen before the summer holiday; over summer break, many cheerleading teams attend cheerleader summer camp together to improve their skills under the direction of professional and collegiate experts.

The typical schedule for tryouts can take as long as two weeks and usually consists of several steps. First, the current cheerleading squad often organizes a pre-tryout meeting, where you will be told about the rules and the schedule of the tryouts and where you will meet the current cheerleading squad. The members of that squad, often the graduating cheerleaders, will then help to teach you a few cheers and routines. You will need to learn these for the actual tryouts. You may also be taught a few basic jumps and gymnastic stunts. These, too, will be important for the tryouts. This is the ideal time for you to ask all the questions you have about how to perform the routines or stunts, so that you can have the confidence to practice these maneuvers at home and then execute them well at the tryouts. You should be honest, however, about what you can and cannot do. If you tell them that you can do a perfect cartwheel, they'll expect to see it. Remember, they're not looking for what you already know, but for the potential you have to learn.

The tryouts themselves will often be broken into at least two stages: semifinals and finals. That means that after one session, the pack will be cut down to a small number, and then the actual members of the team will be chosen from the finalists. At these two or more sessions, you will be judged on the quality of your execution of the routines and stunts you were taught at the pre-tryout session. Obviously, practice is key to succeeding, so draw up a comprehensive practice schedule to ensure that you set aside time each day to work on various aspects of the routines in the time leading up to the tryouts.

Next, you'll want to do the actual practice. This can be a difficult task to perform diligently, so you may improve your dedication by rehearsing with a friend. Another good tip for doing well is to ask current and former cheerleaders questions to find out exactly what takes place during the tryouts. The best way to calm your nerves is to gather a clear idea of exactly what is going to happen. Then you can relax and focus on getting better.

Now, at the tryouts themselves, we recommend a few pointers for doing well:

  • Be sure that you warm up. You may be so nervous or excited that you don't take the time to stretch properly or to get your blood pumping, but be sure you do so. This is a good time to visualize the moves in your head, and to focus on your breathing, which will calm your nerves.

  • Dress correctly. One option is to come dressed in your school colors, which is always a nice touch. If not, then consider black shorts and a white top (it makes it easier for the selection committee to see your basic form during routines).

  • Be enthusiastic. Often, people can focus so much on remembering steps that they will look lost or introverted . . . not a good thing in cheerleading. Remind yourself to be energetic; just don't overdo it and end up like a Saturday Night Live sketch.

  • Come with a few stock chants of your own. If you get nervous, you need something to fall back on, and yelling, "Go team! Defense! Defense!" can make you look spirited.

  • Make eye contact with the judges. It's tempting to stare into the middle distance so that you are not distracted by external things, but again, cheerleading involves making a connection with the crowd. A great way to do that is to look people in the eye.

  • Keep your hair out of your face. Tie it back in a ponytail if this is a potential problem.

  • Smile. This is key and we shouldn't have to explain. You're trying to be a cheerleader for God's sake. Even if you screw up a little during your tryout, keep showing them your pearly whites. The judges are not only looking for how well you do the steps, but how you generally handle yourself in front of a group of people.

  • Be loud. That doesn't mean shrieking or screaming, but project from your stomach. You'll have to be heard above a noisy crowd, so work on your projection.

  • Don't "woo!" It's so tempting to walk in and just go "Wooooooooo!" for two hours, but it really gets judges annoyed. They'd much prefer to hear you actually say words of spirit and encouragement, or even some stock chants.

  • Don't be afraid of looking dumb. A lot of people feel silly cheering away like a freak in front of a small tryout committee. Well, cheerleading involves a lot of acting (for instance, acting like you care who wins the big swim meet, or acting like the team is still in the football game, even when they're 60 points behind). The tryout committee will want to see that you can turn on the juice, no matter what the circumstances are. If you hold back because you're afraid of looking dumb, then you will look dumb. Just go for it.

  • Have fun. It's contagious.

To get a great idea of what judges will be looking for, check out our sample grading form. When you know what the judges want to see, you can concentrate practicing on those areas.