Keep in mind that every tryout experience is different. There is no way to fully prepare for tryouts before experiencing the tryout clinic. However, I have put together a list of things that will help you feel more prepared and ready for tryouts. I, too, have been nervous about tryouts. Actually, I am nervous every year before I try out. But I now realize that you must use that nervous energy to make you perform better. Just remember that the judges are people to. They are not perfect!! If you make a mistake keep going. But the most important rule is make sure you practice the material enough that you feel comfortable with it! Well Good Luck, Guys and Girls!! YOU CAN DO IT!

~*~ Cheer4Life ~*~

• During the Tryout Clinic

1. Always have a good attitude: It's always good to remember that even if you are messing up, or having a hard time learning the material. Keep a positive attitude. The coach is watching. And even if you don't think she is, the point of tryouts is to see how you will respond under pressure during the season. If you pout now, you'll pout and overreact later. Do your self a favor, Be positive! If you don't get it at the clinic, practice when you get home!
2. Never talk about anyone else: You don't know who will make the team, so bad mouthing your potential squad mates, won't help you in the long run. Plus you are trying to have a good attitude and talking about people makes you look bad.
3. Practice until you can do the routine in YOUR HEAD!  If you can do the routine in your head, you'll never have to worry about what comes next. It'll be automatic. Then you can worry about other things like showing spirit, and eye contact, and doing your best. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, until it's perfect!
4. Always remember to smile!! :)  No matter how you feel out there smile your butt off. The easiest thing to do is smile. Why not? The point of cheerleading is to have fun. No one wants to watch a person who looks unhappy. If you mess up smile, if you get it right smile, if you fall and need to start over SMILE! Please do a real smile, have fun, because a fake one is easy to spot. !
5. If you know when your try-outs are then you need to practice. It never hurts to start practing a little early. It takes some of the stress off when you know that your body is prepared and ready.
6. No matter how intimidating those judges look Focus on showing them how good YOU are. Make them think that there is no one better for the squad but you. Have confidence in yourself. By the time you tryout you will have done the routine plenty of times. So now you have to give it all you've got! Win or Lose show them what you know. Have fun!
7. Be classy. Don't look trashy. The judges want to see you not how much make-up you can put on your face. Go light on the mascara and try to keep most of you hair out of your face. No matter what you think, no one wants to see your new belly ring. Try to dress appropriately. Wear black and white or your school colors these are usually the most accepted
8. I've talked to some judges and they say that if you aren't assigned a specific color to wear, go with something simple like a white shirt and some black shorts.
9. At the camp talk to the coach. Don't try too hard to impress the coach. You want them to know that your serious about cheerleading not that you want to impress them. Just do your best. If you are truly a good cheerleaer the coach ill be able to see it. Ask questions if you need help, but don't try to sneak your way on the team!
10. If you can try to take some gymnastic or cheerleading classes before cheerleading season starts then do it. You want to look as good as possible.
11. When they ask you if you have any tumbling skills ONLY do what you KNOW you can do. You Want to look good!  Do not do skills that you don't know. If there a professional spotter, you may do tumbling that you need a little help in. But you are not impressing the judges by showing them how hard you hit the ground.
12. If they are giving special awards at the clinics go for it.
13. The day of try-outs drink lots of water it will moisten your vocal cords and allow you to yell longer. don't eat to much caffiene or junk food it will make your voice break.
14. Make sure you know you your ROUTINE.Inside and out!! I keep making this point because one( you will feel prepared, relaxed, and comfortable) and two (you will be less stressed if you are the first or last person to tryout.) JUST PRACTICE, It makes it so much easier!! Tryouts are stressful enough, make it easier on yourself.
15. When your waiting to go and try-out picture your self doing the whole thing correctly. AND Smile! But don't stress out too much. Don't get overwhelmed and over react or you might get too nervous. Just know that you are prepared and do your best!
16. Try your best Even if your best friend says you can't do it, DO YOUR BEST you are capable of a lot more than you think. Just know that even if you try and don't make it. At least you tried. And if you had not tried out you still wouldn't be on the team. So GIVE IT YOUR ALL! There's always next time.
17. Remember that judges are people too. If you make a mistake keep smiling and keep right on going they'll realize how well you got your self back together.
18.  If you have to do something with a group,If/When the others mess up keep on going. Let the judges know that you can concentrate on what you need to do. Don't get distracted! I tried out one year and the other girls did the cheer too fast. I made sure I kept the proper speed and completed my cheer like it was taught. Do what you know and focus. The judges will see that you kept your composure.
19. If you need to make up a cheer do it as soon as possible, And Try to be creative, Add different motions to make a unique routine No ONE Likes A Copycat. =)
20. If you have to do your made up cheer in a pair, choose wisely. ;)
    
    The BASICS:
    
    ~Try-outs will be different depending on what School you go to. ~
    
    ~Most schools hold a clinic during the week of try-outs. These are usually three or four days long, a couple of hours after school, and taught by former squad members who aren't trying-out.~
    
    ~Most likely you will be taught the material you'll need to know (cheers, chants, dances, etc.), and they'll probably tell you what to expect. ~
    
    ~Practice as much as you can before the try-out, so that you are comfortable with the material~
    

If you have any tips, or you know what worked for you. Send you advice to me at Lynee23@gmail.com