Many girls dream of being part of a cheerleading squad. To make that dream a reality though, you have to be prepared for the amount of time, and energy, that the hours of practicing, performing, competing, and fundraising will no doubt consume. You also have to be able to handle the expenses of cheerleading uniforms, cheerleading shoes, travel costs, food on the road - expenses that can add up to a significant amount. Cheerleaders happily make the choice to take on these demands because they want to be part of a team. Not to stand out themselves, but to make their squad's performance and their school spirit as strong and excellent as it can be.
Every school has their own standards for cheerleaders, and the cheer coach or school administrators will be glad to let you know what you need to do in terms of paperwork. Make sure you take your time to fill it all out completely, and be aware of requirements that need to be accomplished before a deadline, such as medical exams.
That's just the easy part, though. Prepping for the cheer tryouts is a much more physical process. Cheerleaders have to have the flexibility of a dancer, the stamina of a long-distance runner, and the strength of a gymnast to be able to shout cheers, do stunts, and keep their spirit strong all the way throughout a game or competition. Taking lessons in any of those disciplines is a good idea, but you'll get the most valuable information from present or previous cheerleaders who know what it takes. They can teach you previous routines, and certainly will have suggestions about how to get in shape for your tryout.
Don't stop there though - remember, while you are trying to become part of a team, you also want to stand out from the rest of the candidates. Do research on sites such as YouTube to learn how other squads do the motions and then practice in front of a mirror. Are your arms fully extended? Does your leg need to kick higher? How about your facial expressions- just because you're doing hard work doesn't mean you should look like it!
Make sure you also dress accordingly. You not only need to act the part, but like the part as well. Soffe cheer shorts are always a fan favorite as they come in a variety of colors that are sure to match your school and are perfect for cheerleaders on a budget.
Once you've got all the basics down, ask your friends and family to watch you, to help you fine-tune your performance. Your job is to motivate - so make eye contact, smile, get them excited. Do that, and you'll be ready for the team.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlelog.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites