So You Want to be a Cheerleader and Other Tryout Tips

After anxiously dreaming, planning and waiting your chance is finally here. Word has spread about the upcoming cheerleading tryouts and you’re already camped out in the gym waiting. Many girls dream of the day they can strut their stuff under the stadium lights in front of a roaring crowd.

It’s only a matter of time before you’re decked out in glitter and face paint, cheering on the boys as they near victory. To be sure your dreams don’t hit a road block; it’s probably a good idea to be as prepared as you possibly could be. All the dreaming and planning mean nothing unless you put some good old fashion work into your grand plan. Here are some great tips to get you into that uniform!

• Shape it up: As with any sport it’s definitely in your best interest to be physically fit. Not only will you feel better and have a safer experience, but you’ll also look great in that skirt. Start off with some simple stretching exercise to warm up your muscles, and then take a nice steady jog around the track to get your heart pumping. Once you’re warmed-up follow with some muscle building exercises like squats, pull ups, and leg lifts. As always, it’s also important to follow a healthy diet.
• Get a Clue: You would never walk into a Science test without going to class, taking notes, and studying before hand, so why would you walk into cheerleading tryouts without doing your homework? By this point in the game you probably have a cheer or two in your head so practice them in front of the mirror. To make sure you’re getting it right sit on the sidelines during one of the cheer practices and watch what the other girls do. Even better, talk to the coach and your soon to be cheer-mates to see if they can give you some pointers on what you should and shouldn’t be doing.
• I Can’t Hear You: Make sure that when your practicing those awesome moves that you’re also paying plenty of attention to what you’re saying, or in this case, yelling. You need to be loud enough to get everyone in the crowd involved in cheering your team on. Not only is the volume of your voice important, but how clear you yell is also important. Those judging the tryouts want to be sure that everyone in the crowd hears and understands what you’re saying, so open your mouth and lungs up and cheer away.
• Look like a Cheerleader: If you want to be a cheerleader, it’s important to look the part. Here are just a few things you should be pay attention to before the big day:
  
  
  
  • Make sure your nails are clean, trimmed, and if so desired painted.
  • Keep your hair clean, and make sure it’s styled in a way that will keep it out of your face and intact while your jumping around and doing stunts.
  • It’s probably a good idea to wear make-up, but keep it simple; you’re trying out for a position as a cheerleader, not a mascot.
• Be a Cheerleader: You’ve been waiting for this day, so act like it! The judges who hold your fate in their hands want to know that their giving the opportunity to the right girl. Just because you look great, sound terrific, and have all the moves memorized doesn’t mean you’re automatically on the squad. There are tons of girls who will be trying out next to you. Show them how much you want it. Smile, be enthusiastic, be yourself, and most importantly have fun doing it!

Keep those tips in mind and you’ll be wearing that uniform in no time. See you on the field!