Cheerleader Auditions

Cheerleader Auditions: From the Cheerleader's Perspective

Are you thinking about participating at the next cheerleader auditions? If so, you'd better start training well ahead of time if you want to get a jump on the competition. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

• Find out as much information as possible about the cheerleader auditions. Be sure you know where and when will they be held, and what the practice schedule will be.

• If you're not already familiar with some of the cheers and basic movements, now is the time to begin studying. Watch the cheerleaders in action at a game, and cheer along with them. This will help you grasp what is taught at practice that much quicker.

• To improve your core strength and stamina, begin doing sit ups at home. You'll likely be taught a warmup routine at practice that you can add to your own daily workout.

• Arrive on time and looking your best for each and every practice. The judging process begins the moment you walk through the door.

• Be energetic and attentive to the people running the try-outs. They are initially looking for a cooperative spirit and positive attitude.
• Practice what you learn at home as well so each movement and routine becomes second nature. This will help you feel more relaxed at try-outs and allow your enthusiasm to shine through.

• On cheerleader auditions day, be sure to eat right and groom yourself well. Your clothing should be clean, attractive and suitable for the activity. Your hair should be styled away from your face so the judges can see your sunny smile.

• Be sure to take time to stretch and warm up before the auditions begin. This includes a vocal warm up so you are ready to cheer.

• Be respectful and attentive to the other people trying out. You'll want them to do the same for you.

• When it's your turn, make the most of the moment. Make your movements crisp, breathe deeply and project your voice, and most of all smile!

• When announcements are made about who made the cut, remain pleasant whether you made the squad or not. Don't gloat about making the team or pout if you didn't. You may want to try out again next year, so leave everyone with a good impression.

Coach's Try-Out Checklist

Try-outs don't just happen by themselves. They take a lot of planning to make sure everything is ready when the big day comes. Here's a checklist to help coaches/advisors and their helpers cover all the bases.

• Schedule your meeting place six months ahead of the audition dates. This will ensure you get your first pick location to hold try-outs.

• Schedule a parent meeting for interested cheerleaders and their families for the week before tryouts begin. Explain the kind of time commitment each cheerleader will need to make, as well as the typical practice and game schedule. Be sure to include info about any expenses the families can expect to incur for uniforms and such, and provide a written summary of squad rules and expectations.

• Provide each parent with a release and waiver form to fill out and sign. A well done form protects you and the cheer squad in the event of injury or accidents.

• Advertise the cheerleader auditions one month in advance of the event. This will help you draw in the greatest possible number of applicants and increase your chances to choose from the cream of the crop to fill out the squad. Utilize flyers, the school newspaper and daily announcements to get the word out.

• Enlist the help of current squad members to run the tryouts. They should be willing to attend all the training sessions in order to teach the newbees several cheers and other basic skills that will help them show their potential at the auditions. Together, make out a plan for what will be taught at each practice session.

• Plan to attend practice sessions to make sure everything is going smoothly. It doesn't hurt to enlist the aid of a couple of current squad parents to provide more adult presence, especially if an emergency situation arises.

• Arrive early the days of the actual auditions to make sure the space is properly prepared and all equipment is in place. Have a sign up sheet ready, as well as audition forms to use for each applicant. It's useful to assign numbers to keep track of everyone. The forms should offer a space for each applicant's name and number, and a space to score each girl on a basis of one to ten for each basic skill. These might include points such as jump technique, general cheer attitude and the ability to remember the routine, among other things.

• If the try-out group is quite large, divide the auditions into two or three day sessions to allow adequate time for each participant. You'll feel fresher yourself by breaking auditions up into several sessions.

• Form a judging committee to help. Three sets of eyes are better than one.

• When tallying up the scores and deciding who makes the cut, ask your squad for input. They've worked closely with the applicants and can likely tell you who has put in the most work and will likely make a real "team player".

• Schedule an announcement day to either post the list of those who were accepted or meet with the group as a whole. Try to remain encouraging to any applicant who didn't make the squad this year, and offer general tips for improving an audition next year.