So you want to be a cheerleader? So does the majority of teen girls USA. You have the advantage though. I am going to teach you how to make the squad!
I was a cheerleader for 7 years, junior high, high school and traveling competition dance and cheer squads. I also took my first lessons form a former collegiate and Oakland Raiders cheerleader. Follow these easy steps to make the Cheerleading Squad!
Smile
Your smile is your best weapon. Be enthusiastic and smile during your entire tryout routine. Simply said, “Smile! Smile! Smile!”
Clapping
A proper cheerleading clap for a chant or cheer is a closed clap, under your chin and between your shoulders. Don't be that girl that claps in front of her face or level with her elbows. The coaches want to see uniform, stiff claps. Be careful not to let your hands stray in between clapping. If you are not clapping or cheering, but your hands in fists and place them on your hips.
“Spirit Fingers”
Spirit fingers can be obnoxious. Use them sparingly. Use spirit arms and motions instead. To see great use of spirit arms and hand motions, get a hold of a televised collegiate cheerleading competition. ESPN2 has them on often during the spring and summer months. The movie, “Bring It On” has some good spirit arms ideas but be careful, they are a little “cheesy”.
Tumbling
If you are a tumbler, you have a really good shot of getting on any junior high or high school team. Tumblers are in high demand. Also, I should note, Tumbling is a round-off back handspring or standing back (or any combination) Cartwheels and round-offs don't qualify as “tumbling” in cheerleading.
Jumps
Basic jumps include: the toe- touch, herkie and pike. We will talk about the most important jump, the toe- touch.
Toe - Touch
Just as the name implies, jump up and reach for your toes on either side of your body. Like a sit down middle- split in the air. Most of us know how to do this. An effective a pretty toe-touch is high off the ground, straight (level) and legs land together at the end. These take practice and flexibility. Work on them. They are required.
Stunting/Mounts
Don't worry about stunting too much if you are in junior high. High school, however, you will do a lot of stunts. At try-outs you will not be required to stunt. (Unless you're trying out for a co-ed squad but we will talk about that later) You need to be willing to stunt. Stunting includes pyramids and all lifts that you see cheerleaders do. A stunt will include 5 people, usually. The flyer (the girl on top), Right base, Left base, Front Spot and Back Spot. The smallest girls are used as flyers as they weigh the least and are easier and safer to catch. The bases are the strongest and most trustworthy girls. The spots are the movers. They adjust to weight shifts or loss of control of the mount/ stunt and have to be very aware, at all times, of everything going on in and around the stunt. This is the best part of cheerleading and it is what many believe makes cheerleaders athletes.
Attire/Appearance
The age old rule that the pretty girls are cheerleaders still applies. You don't have to be born “pretty” though. Appearance, attire, upkeep and confidence is what the coaches look for. A neat appearance and a clean uniform is essential at tryouts, on the field and at school. Keep hairspray and makeup with you and touch up often.
Attire for Tryouts
Wear something like your gym uniform, but do not wear the actual uniform. Go out and get a tee shirt and some shorts. Shave that day. Wear a bow in your hair and make sure your hair is pinned up out of your face. There is no need to curl your hair and everything, just make a neat ponytail. Wear natural makeup.
Co-Ed Squads
Co-Ed squads are squads with both girls and guys. The purpose of this squad is to stunt, mostly. You will need to be able to do a double toe-touch (two toe touches in a row), a round-off back handspring, a standing back tuck and be able to do one on one stunts with a guy. Tumblers and gymnasts are useful on this squad. The tumbling will necessary at tryouts. The stunting, however, can be taught and is usually not required to tryout.
Dancing and Cheer
Cheerleaders need to have or be able to learn rhythm. Dancing at half-time is what the fans like to see. Practicing the dance routines over and over again with your squad (and at home with a copy of the music) is essential. At try-outs, a dance is usually taught during the tryout process. The girls are then required to perform it for the coaches/judges during the tryouts. You will be given a good amount of time to learn and practice but you will need to have your head in the game. You want to know it automatically by the time tryouts start or else your nerves may get in the way.
Messing Up the Routine
We have all been there. We mess up the routine and want to run off crying or ask to start over. What ever you do, do not ask to start over! This is critical. There aren't any do-overs during a game or competition. Asking to start over will most surely cause you to not make the squad. Instead, if you mess up, go with it. Make up some moves until you find your place. The judges will know you messed up but will see that you are able to be calm under pressure and find you way back. You may lose a couple of points but just find your way and Smile! Smile! Smile! The entire time. You'll be fine. Also, no one likes a crier. Don't cry if you mess up or don't make it. It shows you may not be able to handle the pressures of practice and competition. Even in the hallway, don't show anyone you're upset.
Good Luck
I wish you the very best on your tryouts! Don't worry about making up a cheer, by the way, they will teach that to you too. (Unless they tell you otherwise)
