Q&A for How to Get Ready for Cheerleading Tryouts

It’s okay to feel disappointed because it shows that you care. But don’t let that moment define you. Think of it as a stepping stone, not a stopping point. Ask yourself: What did I do well and what can I improve? This kind of reflection sets you up for success next time. Focus on what you can control—like improving your skills and preparing better for the next tryouts. Seek feedback from coaches, mentors, or peers who can help you sharpen your game. Remember that our resilience is like a muscle—it grows stronger when you work on it. Whether it’s your mental grit, emotional balance, physical preparation, or even a sense of purpose, identify which areas could use a boost and make a plan to strengthen them.

Flexibility doesn't come easy for everyone. Consider getting her private lessons. It may not make too much of a difference, because if she stretches every day, the flexibility will come.

To some extent, especially if they are considering you to be a flyer, but people of all body types should feel welcome to try out for cheerleading.

Yes! Always remember to stretch and work hard! It's also good if you healthy.

You will most likely need a toe-touch, a herkie, a hurdler, and a pike. Those are the jumps cheerleaders usually add into routines.

Practice it as much as possible beforehand, as that will build confidence. Stretch and prep before doing it, and keep a positive attitude that you'll succeed.

Not necessarily. You need to have the cheers, dances, jumps, and chants down perfectly. Being a dancer helps, but it doesn't give you an automatic spot.

Most schools don't require tumblers.

It all depends on how strict your tryout is.

It's impossible for someone online to determine this. It depends on the person who judged the auditions.

You have to be able to do a back walkover first. You have to practice swinging your arms back, and increase shoulder strength because you will be landing on your shoulders.

Some schools focus on looks when forming a cheerleading team, but others focus on skill and talent. If yours is looking for talented cheerleaders and you fit that description, you should have no problem getting on the team regardless of your size.

Practice a little bit before tryouts and look at some YouTube videos to see what might be expected. It really depends on how competitive cheer is at your school.

It depends on whether it's sideline cheer or competitive cheer. I'm sure if you put in some practice you will do great.

Just make sure your jumps are good and you learned all the material required. If you smile a lot and show some school spirit, that should help.

Take deep breaths in and out. You have to believe in yourself; when you do, you feel confident and give a better performance than when you lack the confidence needed. Do not think negatively, that you won't do well or make the tryout. Know that everyone feels nervous before tryouts. Lastly, you have to let go of your fears.

Check with your doctor, who may tell you to rest it and delay your cheerleading career. The team should understand and support you.

Then you can find another team to tryout for, and if you don't make it ask to be on a waiting list as lots of cheerleading teams often have to replace a person if they get injured.

Practice stretching like the splits and straddles. It helps because flexibility is important in sports like cheerleading and gymnastics.

It depends on your personality and ability, and what the coach or coaches think of you.

Go over your routine/moves. Get a good night's sleep and focus on being confident and doing your best.

As long as you have a genuine love for the sport and a willingness to learn, you have a good chance at making the team. Be confident and follow the tips in the article.

It depends on the team. Since it is a basic skill needed for more difficult skills, it is helpful to know it for school cheer and competitive cheer. Ask the coaches what tumbling skills are required.

This is because the color might interfere with the team uniform or the theme of the routine.

Speak with the cheerleading coach before tryouts. This may not be a complete dealbreaker, bases and spotters don't necessarily know how to tumble. Just remember to go to tryouts with an optimistic attitude and a willingness to learn.

You will need your jumps. These include herkies, hurdles, pikes, and, the most common one, toe touches! Handstands aren't really used for tryouts. You will need to be able to do cartwheel and a roundoff. It will also help to have at least 2 types of splits.

If you go to a open gymnastics gym, there is something called a pit that you can randomly jump into if you would like. Try going to a open gym, and just falling forwards, backwards, or flipping from a high surface into the pit. That’s how to get over a fear of falling and messing up.

It depends on who your coach is.You should ask them. Before trying out for the cheer squad, it’s best to ask as much as you need, so you can be prepared!

At the tryout you will probably warm up, stretch then go into tumbling, jumps or stunts. However, all schools are different, so you might all stretch together, or individually, depending on your coach. If you have an opinion whether or not you would like to stretch individually, do some stretching before you get there so you can be properly stretched, and can use stretching time to show off your splits, backbend, or anything else you think is necessary. But do not come off as rude or showing off because then the coach may not pick you. Remember that not only are they choosing you as a cheerleader, but also a teammate, a friend.

The appropriate attire to wear for cheer tryouts is a t-shirt and shorts, preferably in school colors. You could wear a bow with your hair pulled up in a neat ponytail.