| Being on a cheerleading squad can be a fun and | | | | Some people may advise you against it, but a good |
| exciting experience, but making the team can be | | | | way to improve your chances of making the squad is |
| difficult. Many times talented girls are overlooked | | | | by talking to a current cheerleader. You obviously |
| because they just aren't prepared, but you can take | | | | want to talk to the cheerleader that you think is the |
| some steps to get yourself noticed and give yourself | | | | nicest and most likely to help you, but picking a senior is |
| a leg-up for getting on the team. | | | | also a good bet. Seniors are not only not going to be |
| Before you even get started, find out what is required | | | | competing with you for a spot on the team, they also |
| to be on the squad and make sure you're able to | | | | have invested 4 years and this specific squad and |
| meet those requirements. Cheering can be expensive | | | | want to see that it's headed in a good direction once |
| and time consuming. If you decide to stop after you've | | | | they leave. Helping someone who's very dedicated is |
| started, you'll have wasted not only your own effort, | | | | a good investment in helping the team to succeed in |
| but that of your parents, coaches and everyone else | | | | the future and many of them will be happy to help you. |
| on the squad. Find out how much it will cost and what | | | | They know exactly what is expected and are likely to |
| kind of a commitment it will take ahead of time. You | | | | be honest and helpful to you. And, in some squads, |
| also might want to consider getting a physical to see if | | | | they have input on who makes the team or not. |
| you're able to do such demanding activities. | | | | While you may think cheer skills are all you need to |
| After you've decided you want to try out, you should | | | | make the squad, they're not. Like it or not, personal |
| first talk to coaches and others to find out exactly | | | | appearance matters. As a cheerleader, it is your |
| what is required, this includes deadlines and paperwork, | | | | responsibility to represent your school, and not just |
| along with specific skills you'll need to know to make | | | | when you're cheering. You need to work on looking |
| the team. This will not only make you breathe easier | | | | good and keeping up your personal appearance. Not |
| by knowing what to expect, you'll also get your face | | | | only does it help people have a better opinion of you, it |
| out there so they'll know you're dedicated and up to | | | | will also make you feel better to know you look good. |
| the challenge. Once you get this information, learn what | | | | And even if you're not the prettiest girl in the world, |
| you'll need to know. Watch old tapes (the cheer coach | | | | you can still look good. You can always look to see |
| should have copies and will hopefully be impressed | | | | what the girls on the squad are wearing, or how they |
| that you want to see them). Take initiative to learn the | | | | do their hair and make-up. You don't have to be a |
| moves and cheers ahead of time. Research online. If | | | | clone of them, just think of them as advisors. They've |
| you don't know what a move is, look it up or ask | | | | already got what you want, so they're a good starting |
| someone for help. | | | | point. |
| Once you know what you need to learn, you should | | | | Along with how you look, how you act matters too. It's |
| get started on learning it. If you aren't in shape, you | | | | important for a cheerleader to be able to present a |
| need to get there. This means eating right and working | | | | positive attitude. You need to practice not only smiling, |
| out, but it also means developing the specific muscles | | | | but also positive body posture. Sit up straight, hold your |
| and skills that will be needed to cheer. You should | | | | head high, look people in the eye, be confident. The |
| enroll in cheer, gymnastics, tumbling, or dance classes. | | | | most important part of making others think your right |
| You should also attend cheer camps if you can. You | | | | for the job is to act like you know you're right for the |
| might even consider joining a different cheer squad. | | | | job. |
| Many YMCA's and other similar organizations have | | | | If you follow these steps, you've definitely improved |
| cheer squads where you can learn the skills and get | | | | your chances of being on the cheer squad. Just |
| real experience. | | | | remember when it comes to the tryouts not to be |
| Once you know the skills you'll need and the cheers | | | | nervous. You should smile, look them in the eye and be |
| you need to learn (from the tapes, or from going to | | | | confident. You worked hard to get on the team and |
| games and other cheer events), you should start | | | | you deserve to be there. If you do mess up, don't |
| practicing, A LOT. Tape yourself doing the moves, if | | | | make a big deal out of it. If you just keep going and |
| need be, compare it to video tapes of current | | | | keep smiling, it's much less obvious and easily |
| cheerleaders. Have friends or parents objectively | | | | overlooked. And if you don't make the squad, it's not |
| observe you and tell you what they think needs work. | | | | the end of the world. You should feel proud of yourself |
| This might feel weird, but if you can't cheer in front of | | | | that you worked hard to accomplish something you |
| them, you'll have a harder time cheering in front of a | | | | wanted. And remember, there's always next year. |
| big crowd. | | | | |