samantha, posted this comment on Jun 25th, 2008

i think that is a great tips for cheerleading

tonisan60, posted this comment on Sep 5th, 2008

I never thought being a cheerleader is this difficolt, maybe because I only know about them thanks to TV programs. We do not have them in my country. Well your article is very understandable and seems complete to me.
I think many teen girls will enjoy and learn from it.
Nice job Andromeda

Andromeda, posted this comment on Sep 5th, 2008

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed reading and I hope this is a good help to those trying out this year.
Regards,
Andromeda

Roland, posted this comment on Oct 11th, 2008

This ok advice… But im only in middle school, and this is reeeeaaly something I want to do…………. I hope I make the squad.

Andromeda, posted this comment on Oct 26th, 2008

Roland, Depending on where you live, middle schoolers may have been in pee-wee football cheerleading or park district cheerleading up to this point. It will be clear to you because these kids wear their “Park District Cheerleader” jackets everywhere. They are so proud =)
The key to making cheerleader in middle school is 1) smile 2) sharp arm motions. That’s it. If you can tumble (back handsprings + only—not cartwheels) you are definately in.
Look in you park district book or online to see if there is a local cheer class or camp so you can brush up on skills.
Best of luck, Andromeda

Rose, posted this comment on Jan 10th, 2009

some of these tips wont get you anywhere with cheerleading but most of them are good. you dnt have to wrry about you makeup constently, as long as you look clean you’ll be fine.

Hannah, posted this comment on Feb 13th, 2009

hey i get to try out 4 the 7th grade cheerleading in May and its Febuary!! I need to go to tumbling but i cant afored it!! I NEED TO GO!! I REALLY want to do it!! My grades are sucky too!! If i dont make the squad i suare this will probley ruin my life! I LOVE cheeleading. I’ve been cheerleading 4 2 years ( seasons). But yes, this does give advice. Nice Job. ttyl

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Feb 17th, 2009

Hannah,
Not making cheerleading will NOT ruin your life. I swear. Some days I wish I had stayed with volleyball. As far as tumbling in 7th grade, I don’t think you’ll need it. Work on your jumps…Toe-touch especially making sure your are jumping high, toes are pointed and your flexibility allows your legs to go up as far as possible. Smile lots! If I can help at all, let me know.
Gook luck, Hannah!
Andromeda

To Rose: Thanks for your comment. If you leave your makeup at home, you will look like trash by game time (from classes to practice to cheer on the sidelines) Appearance is VERY important in the idea of cheerleading. Cheerleaders are representations of the school. We can’t look like jocks as the soccer teams and softball girls sometimes do. Appearance is important to the cheerleading institution since the beginning of the sport. Clean is definately great (no icky smelling cheerleaders). If you look great without makeup, good for you! But most of us need atleast some!

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Feb 17th, 2009

Hannah, P.S., Most schools require a C average and not be failing any classes to stay eligible for sports.

im just your average babygirl, posted this comment on Mar 1st, 2009

preety cool um…. i guesss

Nicole, posted this comment on Mar 4th, 2009

Im very nervous about cheer tryouts this week we have cheer clinic all week and the only thing is it rushed up on me so quick that i didnt practice and my jumps are not as high as they should be but i will work on them.I didnt make it last year and i really want to make it this year i guess i will just have to give it my all and see what happens in the end.

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Mar 5th, 2009

Gook luck at tryouts Nicole! All you can do is do your best and try to put nerves out of your head. Realize you will be naturally nervous but then concentrate on knowing you’ve practiced hard for this. I used to think, when I was nervous at tryouts, about how great the game days would be, wearing my uniform to school and performing at the pep rallies. I drove me to be way more excited than nervous.

Kanisha, posted this comment on Mar 22nd, 2009

uhmk.i love all the advice but..im a rising sophmore in high school.& i always wanted to cheer,but im kinda nervous.because i never cheered before.but my cousin does and shes so good she’s on varsity. but me, im confident that i can do this.HOPEFULLY.but i wanna do some kind of activity in high school but cheerleading is something i realllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy want do.

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Mar 23rd, 2009

My first time trying out for high school cheerleading, as a freshman, I was SO disappointed that I didn’t make it on Varsity. The reason why “underclassmen” make it on Varsity is for one good reason. They need a specific role. Perhaps they lost a tumbler or a flyer the year before, or they need a base and picked the best from the JV squad. (They won’t pick a new cheerleader from tryouts to move to Varsity)

But wanted to get onto Varsity is what calmed my nerves. I my head, I had already clinched a spot on JV, even before I tried out, even thought was my first year in high school.

Please take any squad they offer. Wrestling squad or “B” squad. Some girls are so disappointed they didn’t get on the squad they wanted so they just deny the bid. That’s the worst. Once someone denies ANY spot, they will not be considered for any squad in the future. And, chances are very very good that you will be on a “real” squad the next year or even half way through the current year if one of the girls moves or gets sick.

I know you aren’t banking on a varsity sopt, I just wanted to put that out there for everyone.

Your chances are very good to get on the cheerleading squad if you have enlisted your Varsity friend’s help. Have a couple sleepovers and practice over Spring Break.

Post here if you have any questions that I can maybe help you with but it sounds like you have a great “in” with your friend.

Good luck and please let me know how your tryouts go!

iSAbEl, posted this comment on Mar 24th, 2009

mann that soundsz qee ahah !
ahh i want to be a cherrleadersz thatsz been my dream
to become one , ive ben lookinqq for tryoutsz buht i haven’t foundd anywhere to qoo

tanea, posted this comment on Mar 28th, 2009

well cherr tryouts for me are nxt tues.-thur. and this is my second try but trying out for varsity. But a few problems are is that i can’t tumble/jump really and by that im gonna have to have the cheer/sideline/dance solid (which means i can only miss 25pts. to make the cheerleading squad) and to make varsity is 75-higher, JV is from 70-74.9

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Mar 28th, 2009

If you are an underclassmen, (Freshman/Soph.) it is tough to get on Varsity without tumbling and jumps. Jumps are important to make any squad but if you are an incredible dancer/cheer, you’ll have a good shot to make JV. Good luck and let the judges know you are willing to learn tumbling and will continue to work on your jumps. =)

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Mar 28th, 2009

I forgot to mention the importance of pointed toes on all jumps and kicks. Any time your feet are in the air (or off the ground at all) your toes should be pointed.

Tea, posted this comment on Apr 7th, 2009

I think this is great advice but im still a little nervis

Anyone, posted this comment on Apr 11th, 2009

This was good information…it helped a lot!

ashley aka 7th grade cheerleader, posted this comment on Apr 16th, 2009

hey, i read this article a month after i made the team.this person did an amazing jobat everything.follow these rules and everything will be ok.i would love for this person to write an article about cheer camp.think positive they will see that u are confident in yourself.dont were close that cover your body completly like ur trying to stay in your comfort zone.nobody wants a uncofident person to look up to.

Debra, posted this comment on May 2nd, 2009

hey
I didn’t make my schools spirit squad and I can’t stop crying, i practiced very hard, and Made sure i practiced everyday 3 times a day, and I got it down but they didn;t call my name, i started crying, and I can’t stop next yea i will be in 8th grade so i can’t tyout agian for the spirit squad and if they are striked now in middle school then they are going to be more striked in high school i am not going to make it!!! please help me

marissa, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2009

what type of shoe’s do we need for tryouts? what if we dont have that certain type of shoes? also what are the basics for high school cheer?

sad, posted this comment on May 8th, 2009

My daughter did not make the squad this year, she had only cheered one year prior, but has danced for 7 years and is very athletic. She initially said when we found out she didn’t make it “that’s okay, there is always next year!” Then she got teary..So did I. I didn’t realize how brutal this was.

Aylea, posted this comment on Jun 17th, 2009

I think that you’re very nice for making this, it’ll really help me when I try out. Unfortunately, i’ll have to wait until i’m in 11th to cheer(that’s if I make it), because I wasn’t cheerleader material as a freshman, I was really shy and had NO self confidence. I’m still working on it now but I think if I just get a makeover and speech therapy(I have a “s” lisp..i know embarassing) I can became what I always have wanted to be! This is a biiig leap for me, considering how i used to be. Plus i’ll prolly be one of the only black girls on the team..lol

But uh..i’m going into 10th this yr and to a different school, is there anyway I can still tryout and be a cheerleader for 10th? Or do I have to wait until next spring?

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on Jun 20th, 2009

Thank you for all of your comments. I apologize for the late response but I would like to reply to your comments.
Tea and Anyone: Thanks for your thumbs up! Your support is very much appreciated.
Ashley, 7th grade cheerleader: Thank you and I will definately write about cheer camp! Thank you for the idea. Camp is tons of fun and you learn so much there! I will get that done asap because it’s already late June and camps are usually July and August. I will link the article here.
Debra: Please stop crying sweetie. A few tears can boost yourself to do better next year and you MUST try out for 8th grade. Don’t give up because you think it will be harder. If you cannot try out for 8th…definately try out for Freshman year. New girls make it through Soph. year tryouts. By Junior and Senior years, the squad is usually full. Is “Spirit squad” the exact same as the “cheerleading squad”? Or is it more like “Poms”? I have experience in both. My advice is to keep practicing as hard as you do. Sign up for a tumbling class (but don’t worry if you cannot tumble if you are at a smaller school. Check out to see if the other cheerleaders are all tumblers. My Junior and Senior years, we only had two tumblers on a 15 person squad) Also, check YouTube for competition videos. Practice in front of a full length mirror and to music for your dances. Good luck and please let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
Marissa: Once you make the squad, your coach and captains will decide on uniforms that include shoes. They are special ordered. For tryouts, I reccommend white gym shoes. (I wore Keds –canvas cheap shoes from WalMart. They cost like $5.00–And then when I made the squad –I cheered at 4 different schools, I would wear my previous year cheerleading shoes for tryouts.)
Basics for high school cheer? (Please clarify so I can give you the best answer)
Sad: It’s heart-breaking when girls don’t make the cheerleading squad when they’ve practiced so hard. In your daughter’s case, she is definately practiced but still didn’t make it. This is a total blow to her self-esteem because more than being able to cheer, “being a cheerleader” is a social status and you daughter may feel like she “doesn’t belong”. Please refer to my bottom note for more.
Aylea: You’re very welcome! I am proud to say that I coached the only black cheerleader (first at the school) and she made it on her first tryout! I only spent 15 minutes with her =) The coaches MADE a spot for her because she had such a bubbly personality. As far as sppech therapy, definately do it eventually if it’s what you want, but it is unneccessary to be lisp-free to be a cheerleader. Express your concerns about your lisp to the coaches before you try out, avoid those challenging syllables in your try out cheer (If everyone needs to do the same cheer, ask if you can make your own, ask them for help with this. You want to be your best during tryouts.) When you make the squad, everyone is yelling together and no one will EVER hear any girls voice individually. So the lisp doesn’t matter.
Unfortunately, tryouts are always held at one time in Spring and I have never seen an “extra” tryout held to fill vacant positions if one or two of the girls get hurt or sick and become ineligible to complete the season. What most coaches do in the event they need more girls later in the season to fill spots is they will go back to the tryout scores and pick the next highest tryout scores and contact the girls to see if they would still like to be part of the squad. Double-whammy, there is not a way to tell your tryout score, they keep these confidential. Yes dear, you’ll need to wait until next spring to tryout. Its great that you’re concentrating on looks and speech but please be most concerned with practice, practice, practice!
End Note: It is an unfortunate, yet true, reality that the “pretty girls” make the cheerleading squad. Cheerleaders are fit (not skinny) and strong. Weight training is very important. (See if you can join the Accellerated P.E. class at school—this class lifts weights and runs instead of playing volleyball and dodgeball etc…Tell your new PE teacher that you are trying out for cheerleading and she will be glad to help put together a customized training program for you to follow) Protien and whole grains are great for you! Tumbling (back handsprings/back tucks) is VERY desirable on a cheerleading squad. If you are a good tumbler, you are almost guarnteed a spot on the squad. Please remember that you must practice your cheers and dances religiously though too. A “triple threat” is a coaches dream!
Shower daily, be outgoing during tryouts (even if you’re shy in real life—like me)Take pride in your appearence and love the cheer. Please be warned! —> Making the cheerleading squad will NOT neccessarily make you best buddies with those girls you always wanted to be friends with. There are cliques within the clique of cheerleaders. Although you will belong as a team and will take care of eachother, please don’t expect an absolute popularity turnaround right away. Lastly, big schools (500-1,000+ in your graduating class) only have about 15 spots for the cheerleading squad with possibly hundreds of girls trying out. The girls who have been in pee-wee football (Park district) cheerleading in grade school will have the best chance of making the middle school squad. You’re best bet is to get involved early in cheerleading if at all possible. Sometimes, even though someone THE BEST cheerleader at the tryouts, there will be some reason they didn’t make it or were put on the “B” squad. By the way…if you are put on the “B” squad, DO IT! Don’t be upset. That is a great honor and a great chance for you to learn. Chances are good that the best “B” squad cheerleaders will be on the “A” squad the next year!
Good luck and thank you for all of your posts!

Cristina, posted this comment on Aug 31st, 2009

how would i become a cheerleader if i can’t do a full cartwheel anytime i do it it looks like a flip and a cartwheel at the same time and i don’t know how to do a herkie,back flip,round offs, and if i made the team and i had to stand on top of the pyramid I’d be afraid I’d fall off and mess the whole entire routine for the squad and get kicked off the cheerleading squad.

jaliyah, posted this comment on Sep 22nd, 2009

thanks this is really helpful

emily, posted this comment on Oct 12th, 2009

asome i made the team on the Avon Oriels

miss hopeful :], posted this comment on Oct 17th, 2009

hey im so lucky that i found this article!! i really want to try out for freshman cheer (im n the eigth grade) and i really really really want to make it…everytime we have pep rallys and i c the cheerleaders cheer i jst want to go out there and dance with them oh i love it!! but sadly im not a cheerleader(yet!) in march they are havng the tryouts..i need ur advice on wat to do!! ive been practicing my motions like the T and V and other stuff lik tht and i can pop those motions perfectly i can also learn dances really easily..the things im having trouble with r probly the most important things i neeed help on my jumps and tumbling..i know its sad but im working on it!!! im flexible but im jst tooo scared to try a flip or anything and i cant get into gymnastics because my parents both have to work and i have to watch my brothers every single day of the week xcept sunday..but tht wont apply for nxt year..my friends and i are starting a group where we can practice together for cheer tryoutss ) i really hope i make it..ha ive been obsessd with it since 7th grade..ha..thnx

Linda, posted this comment on Jan 7th, 2010

I wanted to try out for cheer this year, but i did not try out last year. (I would be trying out this March to make it as a sophomore.) And i have a few questions!!
-Do the judges favor previous cheerleaders?
-What must i work on the most to impress the judges and be ahead of all the other cheerleaders?
-How are you evaluated, by how you look and etc.?
I can tumble okay, like a roundoff backhandspring and i’m still learning more, and if i learn soon enough, i bet i could do the dances pretty well too.
-What do the judges ask you to do?
Thank you so much!!!

aj, posted this comment on Jan 20th, 2010

yea i am going into high school this year. imade the middle schoolteam but now i have to try-out for high school and this wasnt really that great of advice.sorry.

Deidra, posted this comment on Feb 18th, 2010

Thanks soo much for the advice ! im trying out for my 8th grade squad! and i\’ve already learned my chant ( you have to learn a chant) . im not a good tumbler. but at our school they make you go to gymnastics too ! im just so excited! me and my friend are going to tryout together, im kinda nervous about that because if she doesnt make it and i do it\’ll be lonely. But anyway, does the coach favor last years cheerleaders ?

Andromeda, posted this comment on Feb 21st, 2010

Hi Ladies! Here are your responses in order. Thanks for writing!

Cristina: Do not worry about not being able to tumble. Forget about that cartwheel for now. In my 7 years, I have not ever seen a girl get kicked off the squad for making a stunt fall or making a mistake. At the first practices, the coach(es) will try out the girls in different spots, flyer, base, back etc… and see which groups fit together the best. If you do not like to fly you will not be made to. If you want to fly, and you keep trying at it, the coach will most likely let you fly.

Jaliyah: You\’re welcome, thatnks for visiting!

Emily: Congratulations on making the Avon Oriels!

Miss Hopeful: You have two great things working in your favor to make the squad in March, coming right up now. 1) You are practicing! Make sure you are doing your arm motions in front of a mirror to make sure they are even on each side and straight! and 2) You\’ve put together a cheer practice team. This is vital! See if you can find one of the current cheerleaders to join you one afternoon. 10 minutes of their time will be exponentially helpful! You\’re a great team player for watching your siblings all the time, I had the same sort of situation when I was in school. Please don\’t worry about your tumbling, especially in junior high school. Tight arm motions, high jumps (with toes pointed) and smiles are your best weapons!

Linda: Thanks for the specifics! Here are the answers to your questions…
1) Yes. The judges DO prefer previous cheerleaders, but will fill their place if the cheerleader was goofing off last year. Coaches will choose to grow the team, usually, rather than deny former cheerleaders especially if they see a few great cheerleaders they want to have on the team.
2) Work on your appearence, smiles and tight arm motions. Dancing is also equally important. The girls with the best rhythm to dance will be kept.
3) In tryouts I have judged, cheerleaders are evaluated on:
a) Appearence, shoes, outfit, hair neatly pulled back, smile.
b)How well the cheer was performed (smile, arms, jumps, strong voice,
c) Attitude during tryout week, toward other cheerleaders and to the judges.
d) Dance: They will show you a cheer and a dance that you will have time to practice. The dance must be entusiastic, accurate and fun to watch, smile.
e) IT IS MORE IMPORTANT to practice your dancing skills (make your own dance and put cheerleader moves to it–check out YouTube—) than tumbling. It is great to be able to tumble, but dancing is WAY more important for making a school squad.

AJ: Good luck at freshman tryouts!

Deidra: You\’re welcome, its my pleasure! Kudos on learning your chant already and that is SO awesome that they make the squad take tumbling. If you don\’t know how now, you\’ll learn very quickly. Good Luck! (Yes, the coaches do favor last year\’s cheerleaders, for the most part)

Bubbles123, posted this comment on Feb 24th, 2010

I think I want to cheerlead..
But I don’t know.
All my friends want me to,but I havnt did it since the 3rd grade.!
I’m going to be a freshman next year and I don’t think I’ll make it.
I don’t know how to tumble, or anything..
And,the worst part is.. I’m not skinny-minny like all the other girls.
Everyones like,your not even big.. Just try it.!
I’m still embarrassed…
I don’t want to make myself look like and idiot..
Help.?
Please..?

Marie, posted this comment on Mar 3rd, 2010

Hey I’m in 7th grade and I really want to try out for the squad (2010-11) tryouts are in April and it is already march! I’m soooo scared I will not make it! My younger sis is in gymnastics so she is helping me brush up on my tumbling skills. I am still afraid I will not make it. I sure hope I do because my friend really wants me to make it because she is trying out to and I would hate for one of us not to make the squad.we plan on practicing together soon! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!

Marie, posted this comment on Mar 3rd, 2010

P.s. I can’t do a good toe-touch either!!!

Di'Anna, posted this comment on Mar 20th, 2010

I’m in the 8th grade and I really wana be a cheerleader again. I did it in the 5th grade for a travel football team. We got 2nd place in competion. I wana tryout for freshman cheer but u can only do a cartwheel round off walk over back bend and a front handspring( but cnt land straight on feet) I can do my hercky pretty good and toe touch to but pike not so good. I’m very flexibale I cab yell loud to. I’m afraid I won’t make freshman cheer because I can’t to a back handspring a or back lay out. I really liked cheerleading and I want to try it again should I try out?

Di'Anna, posted this comment on Mar 20th, 2010

I\’m in the 8th grade and I really wana be a cheerleader again. I did it in the 5th grade for a travel football team. We got 2nd place in competion. I wana tryout for freshman cheer but u can only do a cartwheel round off walk over back bend and a front handspring( but cnt land straight on feet) I can do my hercky pretty good and toe touch to but pike not so good. I\’m very flexibale I cab yell loud to. I\’m afraid I won\’t make freshman cheer because I can\’t to a back handspring a or back lay out. I really liked cheerleading and I want to try it again should I try out?

Deidra, posted this comment on Apr 2nd, 2010

hi , well i already commented you on this but , my school already had its tryouts

and i made it (: i just thought i would tell you!

Jessica, posted this comment on Apr 9th, 2010

Im so scared any tips to work on my toe touch and herkie im almost there tryouts are in 2 weeks

marilana, posted this comment on Apr 9th, 2010

Hi! well tryouts are in 2 weeks and I dont no how to point my toes in a toe touch. I was wanting to no if you knew a way I could?

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS DEIDRA! I’m am SO excited that you made the squad and came back to post! Let us know how your summer camp goes!

Juice My Lemons, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2010

Ladies, if you want to try out for your squad, the only things that stand in your way are
1) Is there room on the squad? (teams will often still have tryouts even if there is only one spot to fill)
2) Lack of practice or practicing the wrong techniques
3) Letting your nerves get in the way

Please try out if you want to, but don’t let making the squad be your “everything”. If you feel that you HAVE to be a cheerleader to be ‘popular’ or ‘liked’, you couldn’t be more wrong. When it comes to the point of making cheerleading (or whatever) your life, you’ve become nothing yourself. Granted, it can feel like practice and games takes up your entire life once you’ve made the squad… but if you haven’t even made the squad yet and you are making it your “life goal” it may be best to re-evaluate yourself and your true goals…which should be family, grades and friends. Cheering is just one great addition to the wonderful life you already lead!

Lilly, posted this comment on Jun 17th, 2010

Hi, um…. im goin in to the 6th grade and im pretty tall but the schools just started letting the 6th graders be on the JV squad. Im gettin my braces off a month before tryouts …… my friend and i are both tying out. the tryouts are in august. im not good at tumbling but im in the tumbling class. i really want to make the squad…but im afraid the i wont make the squad and my friend will. i get jealous really fast. im tall skinny and pretty….but i do get really jealous. i can do a back bend but i chicken out on hard floors. im so afraid that illl mess up at the tryouts. I might go to my friends house on the same day as the tryout cininc… then stay another night…then its tryout day! at midnight that night……..the squads will be posted on the doors at the middle school. only 10 girls came to the 3 day open gym/clinic……including my friend and i. we are hoping no girls except the 10 girls that came to the clinic dont come so we can make the squad easier. the coach told me that i need to work on straight arms and straight legs. and they told my friend she needs to work on her upper body. so i need advice fast!
ps. what and where are the cheerleading camps????