How To Try Out for Cheerleading

Making the cheerleading team means more than having a pretty face and some dancing skill. It takes preparation and the drive to make the dream a reality.

Step One: Show enthusiasm. When all looks bleak for the team and victory seems impossible, the cheerleaders must be an endless source of optimism. Practice a smile and a look in your eyes in the mirror. A grin should look reassuring, not macabre or insincere. If you keep the positive energy, it will reflect in your attitude.

Step Two: Practice. Cheerleading is an actual sport in itself, and cheerleaders are athletes who must keep themselves in great athletic shape. In addition to practicing simple cheers, add running, tumbling, basic gymnastics, and dance to your workout routine. Approach any practice with the same enthusiasm and vigor used on actual cheers. The body is not a cheerleader's only instrument. They must be able to project vocally. Look online for simple vocal exercises or even take some classes in voice.

Step Three: Know your school. Many schools have basic cheers that they love seeing and expect at every game. Before you try out, familiarize yourself with the routines. Doing a little research on basic facts about your school also helps. When you are cheering, you represent your school. Make sure that you present the image they need. Another helpful touch is learning who the various players are on the team. One of the key lessons to succeed is to make yourself visible.

Step Four: Know the terms. If you want to reflect a confident and professional demeanor, take some time to familiarize yourself with the vocabulary associated with cheerleading. This lets the coach and team know that you really are serious about cheerleading.

Step Five: Talk to the cheerleading coach. Not all people are alike. While there are obvious things she is looking for such as skill and enthusiasm, there might be other needs. Maybe she thinks the team could use a better jumper or requires that a candidate be on a second athletic team.
Step Six: Enjoy yourself, but take the role seriously. You represent your school, so try to keep a good reputation. In the days of the internet, one inappropriate picture or blog post can create an image the cheerleading team does not need. This does not mean that you have to deny yourself everything. It just means that you have to act responsibly. You should be proud of who you are.