Cheer tryouts: what to expect and how to prepare

What tryouts are really for

A tryout lets a coach see athletes in action so the team can be formed safely and fairly. Coaches are usually trying to answer a few simple questions. Can this athlete learn and repeat motions? Do they listen? How do they handle nerves? Where might they fit on a team? A tryout is not a final judgment on your child, and many athletes try more than once before they find the right program.

It also helps to remember that coaches see dozens of athletes in a short time. They are watching for potential and attitude, not just polish. An athlete who is new to the sport but listens well and tries hard can leave a stronger impression than a more experienced athlete who seems distracted or unkind to others.

What usually happens

Formats vary by school, gym and program, so ask for the details in advance. Many tryouts follow a pattern like this.

1. Check-in and paperwork. Families may be asked for forms, a physical or other documents, depending on the program.
2. Warm-up. Athletes warm up together under a coach's direction.
3. Learn a short routine. Coaches often teach a short combination of motions, a cheer or chant, and sometimes a dance, then ask athletes to perform it in small groups.
4. Skills. Athletes may show jumps and, if they have them, tumbling skills. Stunting is usually only evaluated with qualified coaches present, and athletes should only show skills they have already learned with proper coaching.
5. Interview or conversation. Some programs talk briefly with athletes about goals and availability.

Some programs hold a clinic before tryouts, where athletes learn the material over a day or two. If your program offers one, it is usually worth attending, because it shows the coaches how athletes learn and gives your child a chance to feel comfortable in the space before the evaluation begins. Ask whether the clinic is required, optional or open to everyone.

What coaches look for

• Sharp, clear motion. Arms and hands that finish in the right place and look the same as the athlete next to them.
• Voice and expression. A loud, clear voice and a visible smile matter in a sport built on performing.
• Coachability. Listening, trying a correction right away and staying positive when something goes wrong.
• Safe habits. Following directions, paying attention to the people around them and staying within their current skill level.
• Teamwork. Being kind to the other athletes in the room.

Many coaches also think about the team as a whole. They may consider how many athletes the program can safely coach, the mix of experience on the team and how athletes could be grouped for different jobs. That means a result is not always only about one athlete's performance on one day. Programs differ in how they decide, so it is fair to ask how teams are chosen.

Athletes do not need to be the most skilled person in the room to make a good impression. See cheer roles explained to learn how different body types and strengths fit different jobs on a team.

How to prepare without overdoing it

Good preparation is mostly about being comfortable, not about cramming new skills. Skills that are rushed or tried without a qualified coach are a common way athletes get hurt, so keep practice to what your athlete already does confidently.

• Practice the basics: clean arm motions, jumps they already know, a clear voice and a confident smile.
• Rehearse introducing themselves and saying a few words about why they want to be on the team.
• Learn any material the program posts ahead of time, and review it a little at a time.
• Get plenty of sleep, eat a normal meal and bring water.
• Do not try new tumbling or stunt skills at home to impress a coach. Ask a qualified coach or gym about learning skills safely.

If your child is nervous, a short practice session in front of family can help. Ask them to perform the material for you once or twice, give a smile and a high five, and then stop. Over-practicing the night before can make an athlete tired and tense, while a calm evening and a good night's sleep usually serve them better.

What to wear and bring

The program will usually say what to wear. In general, comfortable athletic clothes that let the coach see arm and leg lines, clean athletic shoes, hair pulled back and off the face, and no jewelry. Check your program's notes on shoes and hair. The equipment checklist covers practice basics.

What parents can do

• Ask the program what to expect, including how results are shared and when.
• Arrive on time, then give your athlete space. Parents are often asked to wait outside the tryout room.
• Keep the message simple: "Do your best, listen to the coach and have fun."
• Do not coach from the sidelines or compare your child to others.

Remember that your child is watching how you react. If you stay calm, your child is more likely to feel calm. Try to avoid asking who else is trying out or guessing who will make the team. Those conversations tend to raise pressure without helping anyone perform better.

After tryouts: handling the results

Results can bring excitement or disappointment, sometimes both in the same family. If your athlete makes a team, ask about the schedule, fees, commitments and what comes next. If they do not, listen first and acknowledge the feeling. Then ask the coach, calmly and later, what your athlete could work on, and whether other teams or levels might be a better fit. Many athletes grow a great deal between tryouts.

If your athlete is disappointed, it can help to name something specific they did well and one thing they would like to try next time. Showing that effort and growth matter more than any one result is a lesson that lasts well beyond cheer. Keep in mind too that programs vary, and a team that was not the right fit this season may become a good fit later.

Common tryout mistakes

• Learning skills too fast just for tryouts.
• Staring at the floor instead of looking up and smiling.
• Skipping the warm-up or arriving late.
• Giving up after one missed motion instead of finishing the routine.
• Parents contacting coaches in the heat of the moment about the outcome.

For a full season plan after a team is made, see how to prepare for cheer season.

Sources and further reading

1. NFHS Spirit Rules NFHS
2. 5 Ways to Beat Pre-performance Nerves (for Teens) KidsHealth (Nemours)
3. Cheerleading Encyclopaedia Britannica

Links open in a new tab. Quotations are short excerpts, included with attribution for commentary. BlackForge Sports is not affiliated with or endorsed by the people or organizations named.

Frequently asked questions

What do you do at cheer tryouts?

Athletes usually warm up, learn a short routine, show jumps and any tumbling skills they already have, and perform in small groups. Formats vary by program.

Do I need tumbling to make a cheer team?

Not always. Many teams and roles value motion technique, voice and attitude, and some programs have beginner-friendly options. Ask the program what it expects.

What should I wear to cheer tryouts?

Comfortable athletic clothes, clean athletic shoes, hair pulled back and no jewelry, unless the program gives different directions.

How can I help my child with tryout nerves?

Keep the message simple and positive, let them practice what they already know and avoid last-minute pressure. Nerves are normal, and breathing and a familiar routine help.

What if my child does not make the team?

Listen and acknowledge their feelings first. Later, ask the coach what to work on and whether another team or level fits better.