Your #1 Source for Cheer, Dance & Gymnastics

While typing this blog entry, I kept thinking about my high school cheerleading jacket. I can remember when I used to see the cheerleaders walk around school in their jackets. I admired them so much. I wanted to be one of the few to earn that jacket. Eventually, I did. After four years of trying out, I finally made the squad for my senior year. It was the most amazing feeling ever. Looking back at all the times I tried, out, I don't regret anything. It really is true that you learn more from failure than success. Each year I didn't make the team, I just pushed myself harder to tryout for the next year. Ironically, I don't remember much of my senior year because it went by so fast, but one think I'll never forget is stepping on the sideline for the first football game of the season. I learned quickly that people take football seriously in the south and every Friday was like a party. The fans were amazing and so dedicated to the team; whether we won or lost. I felt honored to be a part of it all.

It all starts at tryouts. Those five minutes in front of the judges make the difference between sitting in the bleachers with the marching band and doing toe touches and basket tosses on the sidelines. So here's some advice I'd like to give anyone who's planning on trying out for their school's cheer squad this year.

1. Commit | Once you decide to tryout, stick with your decision. Don't back out because you think the tryout material is too hard. There may be candidates who have more experience or catch on quicker than you, but above all confidence is key. You have to believe that you're good enough to be a part of the team. If you quit, you'll eventually regret not following through.
2. Be On Time |  Make sure you know when, where and what time the clinics and tryouts are. Even though coaches don't have the final say on who makes the squad, they may be taking notes on who shows up on time prepared. They'll have a better idea of who they'll be working with once the season starts.
3. Get To Know The Candidates | Sure you're all vying for a spot on the team, but that's exactly the point. It's a team. You'll have to get to know them if you make it so why not start now. Set up a group practice after the clinics and invite the other candidates. Spending time with them outside of school may make you realize that you have a lot more in common than you thought.
4. Ask Questions | If you're unsure of a motion or dance move or even words to a cheer, ask someone. You want to make sure you know every motion, step and word before tryouts.
5. Take Mock Tryouts Seriously | If you participate in mock tryouts during clinics, pretend like it's tryout day. Take the feedback you get and study it. The whole point of a mock tryout is for you to get more comfortable with the tryout process.
6. Sleep Well | Get enough sleep the night before tryouts. Don't stay up too late practicing. Your brain needs time to settle and absorb all of the material. When you wake up on tryout day, your brain and body should be fresh and ready.
7. Don't Practice Too Much | When you're waiting to tryout, spend a maximum of 20 minutes reviewing all of the material. After that, take a seat and relax your voice and your body. Trust me, if you practice until it's your turn, you'll not only be tired, but your voice will be shot. Read a magazine or listen to some music until it's time for you to tryout. It's good to mentally prepare yourself also. Know that you've done all you can to prepare for this day and whether you make the team or not, know that you  were brave enough to try.
8. Make Eye Contact With The Judges | I've judged a few tryouts over the years and I've noticed the candidates that make eye contact with the judges do much better than those who don't. Think about it, eye contact shows that you're confident and focused. That's what the judges want to see. We want you to show us how confident you are in performing the material. if I'm a judge at your tryout, you'll notice that I'm constantly making eye contact with the candidates, just to see if they're confident enough to look me in the eye. 
9. If You Mess Up, Keep Going | They tell you this all the time and it's true! There's nothing worse than watching a candidate forget the next move and completely freeze up, but it happens. You're human and the judges understand that. But giving up is simply not an option. Most of the time, judges may not notice that you messed up if you keep going. If you ask, some judges will let you try again, but remember, if you make the team, there are no performance do-overs.
10. Put On A Happy Face | Like I said, confidence is key and you may not be the strongest cheerleader trying out, but a genuine smile says a lot about you to the judges. It says that you're happy to be there, you're brave enough to put yourself out there and you're taking the tryout seriously.

As a tryout judge, I take my job seriously. I know that the scores I put down for each candidate ultimately contribute to who makes the team and who doesn't. I would like to wish everyone good luck with tryouts this year and if you already made the team, congratulations! It may be a stressful time, but if you dedicate yourself to it and work hard, I know you'll do great. 

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